So why is it so important? I got Clyde from the barn where I kept my horse(the girl had 5danes and had to give some away) and I got Ashleigh from the DaneTrain(the home she was going to didn't work and she was stuck far away with no home at age 8).  I pick my pets to be pets, not show dogs or anything else. I feed well and love and take care of my pets, so why is it so bad toget a dane from a non reputible place? Plus I have a 16yr old cocker I've had since he was 6wks old that was given to me from friends who had the mother(cocker) and father(chihuaha). My horse was 30 when she colicked and died, and we rode every weekend. I got her from a sale barn. All my animals have been healthy and loved and inside pets(except for the horse, of course)and lived long lives.

 I am new to the group so I hope I don't ruffle any feathers by replying to this. Even though you are going for pet quailty I believe it is still very important to find reputable breeder so that one will have a better chance at predicting what the pups personality will be like. I have always been fortunate enough to have gotten good dogs from other people like you but the one purebred boxer I had was a mess! She was abused way before she came to me, and she was 10 when she got to me so there wasn't alot I could do but love her to death! I hope this helped.