05/16/2026
This week has been a heavy one in the Great Dane community. There’s been far too much hate, disrespect, and intentional hurt directed at people—some of it toward those who didn’t deserve it at all. But sadly also some that were believed to be deserving. In the quiet of this moment, I find myself feeling a deep sadness and even some shame where pride in our breeding world once lived.
And yet… we wouldn’t trade a single day of these past 20 years. Not one.
I’m sharing the note below because it so beautifully captures the emotions every dedicated breeder eventually experiences—the exhaustion, the joy, the fear, the love, and the profound sense of responsibility. If you’ve been on this journey, you already know. If you’re just beginning, you will come to know.
In this life with Danes, there will always be those who abuse and mistreat these gentle giants. The deepest part of us—the part that truly loves these dogs—can never excuse, understand, or tolerate that kind of cruelty.
Our Danes are our life. They are our love. They are where most of our money goes, and they are worth every single sacrifice.
If you’re a breeder, you know the sacred, messy, unforgettable moments: sitting on the floor for hours beside a laboring momma who’s been pushing for more than 24 hours. She looks up at you with those tired, trusting eyes, silently pleading, “I’m so tired… I can’t do this anymore. Please help me.” The house is quiet, your family is sleeping, and it’s just the two of you in the middle of the night—surrounded by fluids, exhaustion, and hope. Gently guiding each newborn to their milk, making sure they receive that precious first colostrum. Some hearts keep beating strong. Some don’t. And through it all, you feel the weight and the privilege of being needed by them as much as they are needed by you.
This is why we do it. This is why we keep going. And then the next fragile, meticulously watchful, exhausting eight weeks begin. But in all of this it is not about any of us as breeders. We choose to do it. The world that matters is the Danes in our care- newborn, breeding age, non breeders and the seniors. We oue them the best possible life in every aspect.
If you’re a breeder, I know these words touch your heart. If you’re a family member, a friend, or simply someone who loves Great Danes, I hope this gives you a deeper understanding of what responsible breeders willingly endure to bring healthy, happy Danes into the world.
To everything there is a season.
With love and gratitude,
Susan and Tom
This was said too perfectly to not share it!! ❤️
Breeding is traumatic.
Read that again.
Breeding. Is. Traumatic.
At some point, if you stay in this world long enough, your heart will break here. Maybe quietly. Maybe all at once. But it will happen.
No matter how experienced you are, no matter how deeply you love your dogs, this life leaves scars on you.
You will lose puppies.
You may lose one of your girls.
You will lose dogs you loved with your whole soul.
You will sit on kennel floors at 3am crying, wondering what else you could have done.
People see the beautiful photos, the chunky puppies, the polished videos, and the happy go-home days. What they do not see are the emergency vet runs, sleepless nights, fading puppies, exhausted mothers, crushing vet bills, fear, heartbreak, and emotional exhaustion that comes with carrying life so carefully in your hands.
People will judge breeders without understanding this world at all. Some because you would not sell them a puppy. Some because they simply do not believe in breeding. Some because cruelty online has become normal.
Responsible breeding is not built on money.
It is built on sacrifice.
Years of Careful pairings.
Missed sleep.
Missed holidays.
Heartbreak.
And loving these dogs enough to keep going anyway.
I have regrets. I have sadness. I have scars I will carry forever. But I will never apologize for the dogs I have brought into this world or the joy they have brought the families who love them.
As I sit here tonight I realize how deeply breeding changes a person.
The fear stays with you.
The grief stays with you.
But somehow… so does the joy.
And maybe that is the quiet, lonely part only breeders truly understand.
