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Hi everyone. I need to get some advice on a great dane puppy that my sister currently owns. Her and her husband have recently had to move with their two children and 2 dogs. One is a 5 month old great dane and the other is a 6 month old doberman. She really feels that she won't be able to care for them, due to money issues and her son is allergic to dogs so they will have to be outside dogs. My problem is that I am a big sap and have too big of a heart for animals. I am considering talking with her about taking the dane, but he is not in the best of health. Neither of them have been vaccinated or neutered and he is quite thin. She said that he has been in bad health since she has had him. I need some advice on whether or not I should take the dog and fix him up, or let her take him to a rescue. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

>>Hi everyone. I need to get some advice on a great dane puppy that my sister currently owns. Her and her husband have recently had to move with their two children and 2 dogs. One is a 5 month old great dane and the other is a 6 month old doberman. She really feels that she won't be able to care for them, due to money issues and her son is allergic to dogs so they will have to be outside dogs. My problem is that I am a big sap and have too big of a heart for animals. I am considering talking with her about taking the dane, but he is not in the best of health. Neither of them have been vaccinated or neutered and he is quite thin. She said that he has been in bad health since she has had him. I need some advice on whether or not I should take the dog and fix him up, or let her take him to a rescue. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!>>>

Veterinary care for any dog can be expensive, but the dog being thin doesn't tell you much. A growing Great Dane needs an incredible amount of food, and she may simply have been underfeeding. Such a young dog would be desirable through a rescue. Why not start by going to www.akc.org and contacting the person listed for Great Dane rescue? That will give you a better idea of the options. Make sure the dog's registration papers are in order, too. If the dog came from a breeder you can trace, contact the breeder. A responsible breeder will take the dog back. Rescue can help with this, too.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com