AKC Great Dane Puppies
Professional Dog Trainer-Raised
AKC Great Dane Puppies in Florida
Verified By GoodDog
Before you scroll through the puppies, it’s worth mentioning something I see all the time- a lot of people come in set on wanting a male or a female, or a specific color; but those things rarely determine whether a dog is actually the right fit for your home. What matters more is temperament, energy level, and how that dog is going to fit into your lifestyle long term. If you want a better understanding of what is really important- learn how to Pick out the perfect Dane puppy. Get a better understanding of our puppy match making process and one of the biggest reasons people pass on the right puppy.
Male or Female? What Actually Matters
Great Danes are not a low-maintenance breed, and understanding their needs ahead of time makes a big difference in how they develop. From growth and nutrition to joint health and long-term management, there are a few things that are specific to this breed that every owner should be aware of. I’ve put together a guide that covers what to expect in my Great Dane Health Guide
MEET THE PARENTS
Boulder View’s “Jolene” Beauty Beyond Compare and Oakhaven’s Stay In Your Lane
Oakhaven's Freeway AKC Registration
CHIC Certification Health Testing - CHIC# 209610
BORN 12.31.25
The moment we have all been waiting for - Jolene whelped 10 gorgeous and healthy puppies right in time for the New Year! 8 Girls, 2 Boys. Born on 12/31/25, this litter has such an amazing variety of puppies with 6 potential show prospects. We couldn’t be more pleased and Jolene has once again done such an amazing job taking care of her babies.
Follow My Lead’s Times Long Past
EVE
Purple Collar | Female | Black Great Dane with White Markings
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: MEDIUM
About Eve:
Follow My Lead's Times Long Past "Eve" is a black female Great Dane named in honor of New Year’s Eve Anthem "Auld Lang Syne" which translates to "Times Long Past", the day she was born. She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament:
Sweet, affectionate, and happiest when she’s close to her person.
Eve is a soft, adoring girl with a gentle temperament and a big heart. She forms strong connections and naturally seeks out closeness, making her a very loyal and affectionate companion.
Similar to a more sensitive puppy, Eve is still building confidence as she learns to navigate new environments. She is currently working through leash skills, exploring new places, and meeting new people with guidance and support. With continued structure, she is already showing steady progress and growing comfort in new situations.
Eve has a playful side and enjoys chasing after toys, especially when it turns into an interactive game with her handler. She balances her softer nature with moments of fun, making her a nice mix of affectionate and engaging without being overwhelming.
She is being raised with a strong foundation, including crate training, household manners, and early exposure work. Eve is also currently receiving early foundation training with a professional trainer, focusing on leash introduction, handling, and confidence-building. Video updates of her progress will be available to her new family.
Eve would do best in a home that appreciates a more sensitive, connected dog and is willing to continue guiding her as she builds confidence and matures.
Interested in Eve? Lets setup a video call and get to know each other.
Follow My Lead’s Inspired Enchantment
FANTASIA
Light Blue Collar | Female | Harlequin Great Dane
Status: AVAILABLE FOR CO-OWNERSHIP
Adoption: $3500
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: MEDIUM
About Fantasia:
Follow My Lead's Inspired Enchantment "Fantasia" is our Harlequin female Great Dane and will be raised using gentle, confidence-building handling and routine-based exposure. Like her littermates, she will begin foundational crate, potty, and leash introductions prior to placement. Fantasia will be evaluated as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement. Her adult weight will be between 130- 150lbs
Temperament:
Athletic, engaging, and always ready to go.
Fantasia is an energetic, enthusiastic girl who thrives when she has an outlet for both her mind and body. She is playful, interactive, and naturally enjoys working with her handler, especially when it involves movement and engagement.
She would do best in an active home that enjoys getting out and doing things together—whether that’s regular walks, hikes, or structured play. Fantasia especially loves a good game of fetch and is quick to engage when there’s something to chase or retrieve.
Fantasia has a nice balance of drive and connection, making her a fun and capable partner for someone who wants a dog that is involved in daily life, not just along for the ride.
She is being raised with a strong foundation, including crate training, household manners, and early exposure to new environments. Fantasia is also currently receiving early foundation training with a professional trainer, including leash work, handling, and confidence-building. Video updates of her progress will be available to her new family.
Fantasia is available to an approved home, with co-ownership considered for the right fit. She would be best suited for someone who is committed to continuing her development and providing an active, structured lifestyle.
Follow My Lead’s Red Hot
CHILI
Red Collar | Female | Black Great Dane with White Markings
Status: AVAILABLE
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: 500
Energy Level: MEDIUM
About Chili:
Follow My Lead's Red Hot "Chili" is a black female Great Dane named after the Red Hot Chili Peppers. She will be raised with consistent human interaction, early neurological stimulation, and age-appropriate exposure to crate and potty routines prior to going home. Her expected adult weight will be between 130 and 150 lbs.
Temperament:
Outgoing, confident, and always ready to be the center of attention.
Chili is a bold, expressive girl who naturally draws people in. She is highly social, very engaged, and thrives on interaction—she genuinely enjoys being involved in everything that’s going on around her.
She has a confident, assertive personality within her litter and tends to take the lead. Because of this, Chili will do best in a home that can provide clear structure, consistent expectations, and confident guidance. With the right leadership, she is the kind of dog who can become an incredibly fun, interactive, and well-balanced companion.
Chili is highly food motivated and enjoys a wide variety of treats, including apples, bananas, carrots, celery, and blueberries, which makes her very workable in training. She loves going on walks and exploring new environments, showing enthusiasm and curiosity when introduced to new experiences.
She is being raised with a strong foundation, including crate training, household manners, and early exposure to the world around her. Chili is also currently receiving early foundation training with a professional trainer, including leash work, handling, and structured guidance. Video updates of her progress will be available to her new family.
Chili is best suited for a home that appreciates a confident, outgoing dog and is prepared to provide the leadership and consistency she needs to thrive.
Follow My Lead’s Sound of Silence
ECHO
Green Collar | Female | Black Great Dane with White Markings
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit $500
Energy Level: MEDIUM
About Echo:
Follow My Lead's Sound of Silence "Echo" is a black female Great Dane named for Disturbed's cover of "Sound of Silence". Echo will receive the same consistent early handling, enrichment, and foundation exposure and training as her littermates to support a confident start in life. Echo will weigh approximately 130 to 150 lb as an adult dog.
Echo is a thoughtful, sensitive girl with a naturally adoring temperament. She tends to take a moment to process new situations, choosing to think before she acts, which makes her very responsive and intuitive with her handler.
She is food motivated and enjoys working, especially when guidance is clear and consistent. Echo has a softer, more submissive personality and will do best with a family who can continue building her confidence through structure and positive experiences.
She is crate trained and approximately 99% potty trained, with only occasional accidents typically right by the door. Echo is already practicing nice household manners, including keeping all four paws on the ground, sitting to ask for things, and waiting calmly at doorways.
She has been introduced to leash work and has gone on outings to places like Lowe’s, the vet, and a friend’s home, helping her build real-world confidence.
Echo also shows a natural ability to self-regulate. When overwhelmed, she will choose to settle in her crate rather than escalate—an excellent trait for long-term success in the home.
She enjoys bananas and blackberries and has a balanced, medium energy level.
Echo is currently receiving early foundation training with a professional trainer, including leash introduction, handling, and exposure work. Video updates of her progress will be available to her new family.
She would be a wonderful fit for a home looking for a more thoughtful, connected companion who will continue to blossom with the right guidance.
Follow My Lead’s Fur Elise
ELISE
Dark Purple Collar | Female | Merle Great Dane
Status: RESERVED
Adoption: $3500
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: MEDIUM
About Elise:
Follow My Lead's Fur Elise "Elise" is a stunning female Merle Great Dane named for the timeless classical music competition by Beethoven- "Fur Elise". Elise will be raised with a focus on early developmental handling, structured routine, and gradual introduction to foundational training concepts.
Small but mighty, bold, and always thinking two steps ahead.
Elise is a confident, spirited girl with a big personality packed into a smaller frame. She is curious, driven, and constantly engaged with her environment—often the first to investigate something new and the one already figuring it out while the others are still catching up.
She is highly food motivated with excellent trainability, making her a very fun and rewarding puppy to work with. Elise naturally offers engagement and enjoys having a job, which makes her an excellent candidate for continued training and performance work.
Elise has a bit of a talkative side and is quick to alert to changes in her surroundings. She is very aware of her environment and thrives when that awareness is given direction and purpose through structured training.
She also has a playful, quirky side—she loves to burrow and will happily tuck herself under the couch when she’s exploring or settling in. When she needs a break, she shows a nice ability to self-regulate by choosing to go to her crate to decompress.
She would be especially well-suited for an active home interested in dog sports such as obedience, rally, or agility—anything that allows her to focus on her handler and channel her energy into working as a team.
Elise is being raised with a strong foundation, including crate training, household manners, and early exposure to new environments. She is also currently receiving early foundation training with a professional trainer, including leash introduction, handling, and confidence-building work. Video updates of her progress will be available to her new family.
She is a higher-energy, driven puppy who will do best with a home that appreciates her enthusiasm and is excited to continue developing her potential.
MEET THE PARENTS
Boulderview’s He Sets My Soul On FIRE “Inferno” &
Follow My Lead’s A Star is Born “Lady”
Boulder View’s He Sets My Soul on Fire- DOB 10/21/21
OFA Screening: Normal
Inferno has grown into a wonderful boy. He is the epitome of a gentle giant. He LOVES everyone he meets and greets them all with great passion. He has never met a stranger. In between show training, he can be found laying in everyone’s lap or on any furniture he will fit on. He is a true creature of comfort! He has proven to produce some wonderful puppies that have outstanding temperaments. We are excited to have him here and have truly enjoyed watching him grow over the years.
Follow My Lead’s A Star is Born- DOB 11/13/24
Out of Boulder View’s Beauty Beyond Compare x Zamora’s Cash
DNA EMBARK HEALTH PANEL
OFA Screening: Normal Pending Submission Paperwork Available Upon Request
Working on New Champion in AKC & UKC Conformation
BORN 3.21.26
Lady whelped 14 gorgeous and healthy puppies in record time. 11 Girls, 3 Boys. Born on 3.21.26 this litter has such an amazing variety of puppies with potential show prospects beautifully representing Mantle, Merle Mantle, and Harlequin breed standards. We couldn’t be more pleased Lady in the way she delivered this huge litter.
For the latest updates on this litter, you may request a video call or check out our Facebook page as we regularly post pictures and live video updates.
Follow My Lead’s Ticket to anywhere
RACy
Pink Collar | Female | Mantle Merle Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Racy:
Follow My Lead's Ticket to Anywhere “Racy” is a striking Merle Great Dane with a beautiful white mask and mantle markings. She has these very unique black and white “Racing Stripes” on the side of her neck and notably shot out of mom at top speed flying at least 2 feet through the air when she was born. She was named after Tracy Chapmen and her song “Fast Cars”.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
This puppy is just under 2 weeks and is already show plenty of attitude. She is a very strong puppy and easily pushes the others out of the way to get to the “milk bar”
Follow My Lead’s hey there delilah
DELILAH
Purple Collar | Female | Harlequin Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Delilah:
Follow My Lead's Hey Delilah “Delilah” is beautiful Harlequin Great Dane named for the song by Plain White T’s. She will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s TAKE ME HIGHER
CREED
Aqua Collar | Male | Mantle Merle Dane
Status: PRE RESERVED
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Creed:
Follow My Lead's Take Me Higher “Creed” is a very strikingly handsome Merle Mantle Great Dane named for the band Creed. He will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
He will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 140-160lbs
Temperament: He will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s LIGHT MY FIRE
EMBER
Red Collar | Female | Mantle Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Ember:
Follow My Lead's Light My Fire “Ember” is a elegant show marked mantle with full white collar and glossy black coat. She is named sfter the song by the The Doors. She will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s KARMA CHAMELEON
KARMA
Black Collar | Female | Harlequin Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Karma
Follow My Lead's Karma Chameleon “Karma is a gorgeous Harlequin Great Dane with striking merle patches around her face. She is named for the song Karma Chameleon by The Culture Club. She will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s AURORA BOREALIS
AURORA
Grey Collar | Female | Harlequin Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Aurora:
Follow My Lead’s Aurora Borealis “Aurora” is beautiful Harlequin Great Dane named for the song “I Ran” By Flock of Seagulls. She will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s MOONLIGHT SONATA
MOON
Blue Collar | Male | Mantle Merle Dane
Status: PRE RESERVED
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Moon:
Follow My Lead's Moonlight Sonata “Moon” is a very handsome Merle Mantle Great Dane named for the famous composition by Ludwig van Beethoven. He will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
He will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 140-160lbs
Temperament: He will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s 0H OPHELIA
OPHELIA
Light Pink Collar | Female | Merle Mantle Dane
Status: PRE RESERVED
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Ophelia:
Follow My Lead's Oh Ophelia “Ophelia” is beautiful Merle Great Dane with white mantle markings.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
ZEPPELIN
Green Collar | Male | Harlequin Dane
Status: PRE RESERVED
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Zeppelin:
Follow My Lead's Stairway to Heaven “Zeppelin” is a very handsome Harlequin Great Dane named after the famous rock band, Led Zeppelin. He will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
He will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 140-160lbs
Temperament: He will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s COME ON HOME
CECILIA
Yellow Collar | Female | Mantle Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Cecilia:
Follow My Lead's Come On Home “Cecilia” is beautiful Mantle Great Dane named after the song by Simon & Garfunkel
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT
MOXIE
Caramel Collar | Female | Harlequin Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Moxie:
Follow My Lead's Drop It Like It’s Hot “Moxie” is beautiful Harlequin Great Dane. She is named for her attitude- there is always one in every litter and Moxie is it. Snoop Dog’s Drop it Like it’s Hot. She is one of the smallest in the litter but stands out in her own way by screaming at the top of her lungs to let you know that she’s awake and it’s time to eat and she easily pushes her way to the best seat at the “milk bar”. She will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s CALYPSO QUEEN
CALYPSO
Light Blue Collar | Female | Mantle Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Calypso:
Follow My Lead's Calypso Queen “Calypso” is striking show marked Mantle Great Dane with full white collar and “Angle Wings” that wrap around her back. She will be evaluated at 8 weeks as a show prospect for potential co-ownership or pet home placement.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s Champagne Supernova
Nova
White Collar | Female | Mantle Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Nova:
Follow My Lead's Champagne Supernova “Nova” is Mantle Great Dane named for the song by the band Oasis.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
Follow My Lead’s Oh My Darlin
Clementine
Orange Collar | Female | Mantle Dane
Status: Available
Adoption: $3000
Deposit: $500
Energy Level: ???
About Clementine:
Follow My Lead's Oh My Darlin “Clementine” is Mantle Great Dane named for traditional American Folk song by Percy Montrose.
She will be raised with daily handling, early neurological stimulation, and a consistent routine to support a smooth transition into her future home and training program. As an adult she will weigh between 130-150lbs
Temperament: She will be assessed at 7 weeks using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for best placement.
PUPPY WAIT LIST
Our Adoption Process
Contributions to this content have been made by Paige Horne of Royalworth Kennel
1. Look around our Website, if you have interest in a future litter, fill out the “Puppy Waitlist” Form located on this page.
2. Schedule a Video chat by filling out the “Puppy Wait List Form” or sending a text to 203-815-0035 and let us know if their is a specific puppy you are looking for. The video chat gives you an opportunity to see the puppies interact in their environment and get to know them.
3. If you are comfortable with your commitment after the video call, fill out our Puppy Application.
4. The Deposit (Non-refundable) is due once you complete your Puppy Appliction. You may pay your deposit by going to our Shop and checking out through the Paypal style checkout, Zelle (Laura Trumpold: info@followmyleadfl.com), Gooddog.com , or a Cash Drop Off.
5. Please allow at least 3 business days to review your application- we want to ensure we pick the perfect homes for all of our puppies!
6. Once your application has been approved, we will schedule a visit, and or pickup. We will go over an extensive contract clearly outlining what you should expect, our expectations of care, our 5 Year Limited Lifetime Health Warranty, Our Forever Home Pledge, and more.
7. Just before your pup's homecoming, we'll take them for a dedicated physical, obtain a Health Certificate from a USDA accredited Veterinarian and follow through with your preferred pickup arrangements.
8. Once your puppy is settled at home, we can schedule your 3 FREE 30 minute Remote or In Person Training Sessions with the Master Dog Trainer to ensure your puppy is adjusting well.
PAST PUPPIES AND THEIR HAPPY FAMILYS
What Comes with Our Puppies
When a puppy leaves our home, they don’t leave unprepared. Each puppy from Follow My Lead, LLC is sent home with a strong foundation, thoughtful care, and ongoing support to help ensure a smooth transition and long-term success.
✔️Veterinary Care & Health Records
Each puppy goes home with:
Age-appropriate veterinary care
Health records documenting vaccines and deworming
A clear outline of care completed prior to placement
We work closely with veterinary professionals to ensure puppies are healthy, thriving, and developmentally ready for their next step.
✔️AKC Registration
All puppies are AKC registered. Families receive the appropriate documentation to complete registration, ensuring your puppy’s pedigree and lineage are properly recorded. All puppies come with limited registration (without breeding rights) unless authorized in the contract. This is typically a service that is an additional cost. At this time I am only offering co-ownership to those with prior experience with the breed as I want to ensure continued ethical breeding practices.
✔️30 days of free pet insurance & AKC Reunite with Registration
✔️microchip identification
All puppies come with pre-registered microchips with our (Follow My Lead’s contact) information providing permanent identification and added peace of mind. Simply scan the QR Code that comes with your puppies paperwork to add your contact information as well. Microchipping is a standard part of our program and reflects our commitment to responsible breeding and lifelong accountability.
✔️5 year limited lifetime health guarantee
As detailed in our contract, we guarantee our puppies to be clear from any life altering genetic conditions. Any genetic health diagnosis that is severely detrimental to the dogs quality of life is covered by this policy.
✔️Early Socialization & Foundation Work
Our puppies are raised in a trainer-led environment and benefit from:
Daily handling and routine exposure
Early confidence-building experiences
Observation of temperament, engagement, and resilience
This early foundation helps puppies transition more easily into their new homes and training routines.
✔️Temperament Insight & Placement Guidance
Before puppies go home, we spend time observing individual personalities and tendencies. Families receive honest insight into:
Energy levels
Sensitivity and confidence
Social tendencies
This allows us to help guide each puppy into a home that best fits their temperament, lifestyle, and goals.
✔️Training Support & Guidance
3 Hours of In Person Training or Remote Coaching. Because training doesn’t stop when puppies go home, families receive:
Guidance on household routines and structure
Recommendations for early training priorities
Access to continued support through private training or remote coaching, should they choose
Our goal is consistency and clarity — not leaving families to figure it out alone.
✔️puppy go-home gift basket complete with blanket with mother’s scent
✔️Ear Cropping Support (If Applicable)
For families who choose ear cropping:
Procedures are performed by experienced veterinarians
Guidance is provided for aftercare and posting
Ongoing support is available to help ensure proper healing and results
Ear cropping is optional, and puppies with natural ears receive the same care and placement consideration.
✔️Lifetime Breeder Support
We believe responsible breeding includes lifelong accountability. Families are always welcome to reach out with questions related to:
Training
Behavior
Development
Transitions through different life stages
We value long-term relationships with our puppy families and remain a resource well beyond pickup day.
✔️Prepared for Life, Not Just Pickup Day
Our puppies leave our care with more than paperwork — they leave with a foundation built on structure, thoughtful handling, and intentional development. This approach reflects our belief that early experiences matter and that responsible breeding extends far beyond the day a puppy goes home.
Additional Resources
The Great Dane Breed Standard
For a deeper understanding of what makes a good Great Dane, please see the Great Dane Club of America, Great Dane Breed Standard in print
Keeping Your Great Dane Healthy
Great Dane Club of America
The Great Dane Lady
Preferred Rescues
A Breeding Program Built on Structure, Temperament & Health
Our breeding program is intentionally small, family-run, and rooted in quality over quantity. Each pairing is thoughtfully planned using proven bloodlines, health testing, and temperament considerations. Structure and soundness matter — both physically and mentally. We prioritize stable nerves, balanced energy, and clear-headed temperaments, producing Great Danes that are not only beautiful representations of the breed, but also reliable companions suited for real life. Puppies temperaments are assessed at 7 weeks old and matched to their forever home based on the objective of the adopter- Service work, Therapy Work, Show Home/Breeder, or wonderful loving family dog.
Our puppies are raised in a professional training environment, not a kennel setting. From birth, they are exposed to structured routines, gentle handling, problem solving enrichment exercises for emotional regulation and real-world household experiences that support confidence, resilience, and adaptability. As a certified professional dog trainer and AKC evaluator, we observe each puppy closely during early development to better understand temperament, drive, and social tendencies. This trainer-raised foundation allows our puppies to transition more smoothly into their new homes and sets them up for long-term success.
Why Training-Focused Breeding Matters
Training doesn’t start when a puppy goes home — it starts from day one. Puppies raised in an environment that understands canine behavior, learning theory, and emotional development gain an early advantage. By integrating training principles into our breeding program, we are able to support impulse control, confidence building, and stress resilience long before formal obedience begins. This approach helps prevent common behavioral challenges and creates a stronger foundation for lifelong learning.
Early Socialization & Temperament Evaluation
Our puppies are gently exposed to age-appropriate stimuli, surfaces, sounds, and human interaction during critical developmental windows. We carefully monitor responses to novelty, handling, and environmental changes, allowing us to begin early temperament evaluation. This process helps us guide families toward the puppy that best fits their lifestyle — whether that’s a laid-back companion, an active family dog, or a future performance or service prospect.
Puppy Rearing
When a puppy is born, we have 12 weeks to get them ready for you. We devote our time, energy, knowledge and our hearts to ensure they are the best they can be before they go home to their forever humans.
By the time they go home we ensure they believe in their own abilities.
That they know the world is safe.
That they know dogs are friendly.
That they know people are kind.
And most of all, that their voice is heard in their placement so that they are understood, honored, respected, and empowered to be the best they can be.
It does make a difference how puppies are raised.
Empowering puppies to believe in themselves is a gift that we cannot take for granted.
The impact of instilling confidence in puppies extends beyond their early years, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of resilience, adaptability, and success.
Our puppies are raised in our family home and training headquarters in sunny Brooksville, FL; ensuring the early socialization exposure that is critical to creating a confident adult dog. We expose them to children, cats, adult men and women, several other adult dogs on our property, along with small animals such as our farmstead chickens, turkeys, and rabbits, and pigs. We live in a beautifully wooded rural area, so we also make it a point to take several short “field trips” to visit with the sights, sounds, and smells of a more urban setting with cars, traffic, and people creating several impactful positive experiences around new things.
From research done by the U.S. Military Canine Program, we know that the period of time between day 3 through 16 is the most crucial window of time for the rapid neurological growth and development in puppies, and therefore is of great importance to the individual.
Documented Benefits of Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS):
Improved cardio vascular performance
Stronger heart beats
Stronger adrenal glands
More tolerance to stress
Greater resistance to disease
Check out our blog article about our Puppy Raising Training Protocols
EARLY NEUROLOGICAL STIMULATION
PUPPY CULTURE A scientific system created by experts in the field with a very specific timeline to introduce different exercises to enhance cardiac function, the immune system, the adrenaline system, the prevention of behavioral problems, and much more. This system is considered to be the gold standard in puppy raising.
At 7 weeks old, we use The Volhard “Puppy Aptitude Test or “PAT”. The Volhard Test was created by Joachim and Wendy Volhard as a way to test behavioral tendencies and predict what a puppy will be like as an adult also commonly called a “Puppy Temperament Test” or “Puppy Personality Test”. This helps guide us to a more perfect match between the puppy and their new family.
Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) At 49 Days, a PAT will be administered by a professional dog trainer to access each puppy’s temperament which will allow us to match them more perfectly with their new owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. All of our puppies are AKC registered and come from carefully selected, health-tested parents with proven pedigrees. We prioritize breed standard, structure, and temperament to ensure our puppies are true representatives of the Great Dane breed.
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While color preferences are considered, temperament and suitability always come first. Our goal is lifelong success for both the dog and the family, and matching the right puppy to the right home is far more important than aesthetics alone.
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Some puppies may show traits that make them strong service or therapy dog prospects, but not every puppy — even from the best breeding — is suited for public access or task work. Puppies with calmer, more sensitive temperaments may thrive as emotional support animals in the home, while others may excel in active or working roles. We are honest and realistic in our evaluations to set everyone up for success.Description text goes here
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Yes. As a professional dog trainer, I offer ongoing training support, including private in-home training, real-world training, and remote coaching options. Families who choose to continue training with us benefit from consistency and a program already familiar with their puppy’s early development.
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We are located in Brooksville, Florida, serving families throughout Hernando County and beyond. We also work with out-of-state families and are happy to discuss travel or pickup arrangements on an individual basis.
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Puppies typically go home around 8 weeks of age, however due to the uniqueness of our program we hold on to them for a full 12 weeks following the Puppy Culture program and getting them a head start on maturity and training to make the transition to your home less stressful. Our puppies will have an introduction to potty training, leash manners, and basic principles of marker training by the time they go home.
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Yes, ear cropping is optional and entirely a personal decision. We support families who choose to crop as well as those who prefer natural ears. Our role is to provide education, reputable veterinary referrals, and guidance so families can make an informed choice that aligns with their goals.
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When performed correctly by an experienced veterinarian using modern anesthesia and pain management, ear cropping is considered a safe surgical procedure. Like any surgery, proper aftercare is critical.
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If elected, ear cropping is typically performed between 7–12 weeks of age by an experienced, licensed veterinarian who specializes in Great Danes. This timing supports proper healing and optimal results. Puppies must be fully healed by the time they leave us and I will instruct you hands on in best practices of aftercare posting up on pickup.
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Crop styles vary depending on structure, head shape, and owner preference. Options may include:
Show crop – longer, elegant crop consistent with AKC conformation standards
Medium crop – balanced length with a practical appearance
Short crop – more conservative length
We are happy to discuss the differences and help guide you toward a style that complements your puppy’s structure and intended purpose.
For More Information Contact
Laura M. Trumpold, CPDT
Brooksville, FL
Follow My Lead, LLC
203-815-0035