Our History
Experienced Breeders
Lindavey Danes got its start in 1988 on the campus of Michigan State University. Our first Great Dane, a beautiful Mantle Merle Lindavey's "Idue" Forever, as her name alludes, was an engagement gift from David to Linda. One look at that adorable face and we were hooked. It would be Danes for life around the Craun household.
The early years, the 90's, saw us uprooted and relocated to beautiful Southern California. We set our sights on Harlequin and Merle pairings trying to cater to the TV and print ad market of the area. With our proximity to Hollywood, the market was constantly looking for the next star. The more unique the markings on a puppy the more it made people look, and that is what the casting agents wanted. As beautiful as they are, true Mantles, at the time, were not accepted by AKC as an accepted standard. Our Danes produced Merle, Mantle and Mantle Merle offspring. Not quite AKC material, but more than adequate to turn heads. We trained and auditioned for many roles, but as Hollywood goes, the call back was allusive. As it turns out we were just ahead of out time. Ten years too early, in 2000 Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" actually had to use a Harlequin, L & M's "Vanilla", covered with extensive stage makeup to impersonate a show quality Mantle. What a shame!
Life took its turns, Linda and I were called away from Southern California before we were able to breed the next "Bark"Gable, but in our deepest thoughts, we like to think that our pup's progeny may have gone on to produce some of today's finest actors. If you have the inkling I say go for it, you never know..., that goofy faced lovable Dane you have at home just might be a star.
http://dogactors.com/how-to-get-into-dog-acting/
Happy, Healthy Bloodline
Over the next 20 years while raising our own children, we never wavered on our love of Great Danes, continuously owning at least one and most of the time multiple Danes to round out the family.
Life had gotten simpler. Kids in late years of high school and college, and we were raising just one beautiful Male Mantle Dane. When we first got Sir William "Dexter" my children were younger and the idea of starting back up our breeding program was kinda just novel chatter. I explained to them that with his stature, confirmation and markings we would need to find a Dam of exceptional quality if any were to become his mate. I told them that we would keep our eyes open and if the right Dam came along then we would consider it. With their pleadings temporally held at bay I set my sights on other endeavors.
In the Fall of 2016, the stars aligned and we acquired Lindavey's "Bella Luna" from Erin Cooke out of North Carolina's Vom Geliebete Bogart. She is a 100% Euro with German and French lines. Both her Sire and Dam were out of Vom Geliebete Bogart and the grand Sire and Dam were out of Vom Hause of Faith in North Carolina and also carry the German and French lines. They are bread for heavey Bone structure, large heavy lipped heads, soft and silky coat, and above all else great temperment. With "Bella" aboard we are now back in the ring stronger than ever breeding quality Euro/American Black and Mantle Danes and something new, Service Training a future line of exceptional working dogs. Our Danes are perfectly suited and bred for strength and temperament. They will make great physical assist dogs for those in need.
