Gem Danes

Gem Danes, run by Carrie Michaelson, breeds Great Danes in Esparto, California, a small farming community in the Sacramento Valley about an hour northwest of Sacramento. The program is a member of the Great Dane Club of America (GDCA) and the Great Dane Club of Northern California (GDCNC), reflecting a preservation-breeding focus grounded in the breed standard.

Health testing is a clear priority for the program. Dogs in the kennel carry documented OFA certifications for hips, heart, and thyroid, and CHIC numbers are on file for multiple dogs. Gem Danes also specializes in harlequin, mantle, and merle color lines, with careful attention to color genetics — including genetic testing to avoid doubling up on merle or piebald genes that can produce health-compromised offspring.

The program has produced several AKC and UKC titled dogs, with show records spanning regional specialties and all-breed events across California and beyond. Puppies are raised using Puppy Culture techniques, early neurological stimulation, and socialization by the rules of sevens. The kennel feeds its own dogs a prey model raw diet and takes an equally hands-on approach to puppy nutrition guidance, vaccination protocols, and ongoing mentorship for families raising Great Dane puppies in California and surrounding areas.

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