I've kept Great Danes as companion pets since 1983.  My interest in the breed began when I was a child.  Awe-struck by a Dane I saw in a Walt Disney movie, I nurtured a dream of befriending one of these "gentle giants" for a number of years until finally my dream became reality when I brought home Ga-Mac's Apollo Zack Aryah (aka - "Zack").  Zack grew to be all I ever hoped for in a Great Dane.  He was a wonderful companion who brought smiles to the faces of everyone who had the privilege of meeting him.  With the exception of "between dogs" I've lived with Danes ever since.  I can't imagine not sharing my home with them.  In 1999 I began showing my Great Danes in the AKC conformation breed ring.  I enjoy competing with my Danes and the camaraderie of spending time with other breeder/exhibitors involved the fancy.  I bred my first litter of puppies in 2001.

On December 26th, 2003, just 3 weeks after his 13th birthday, I said my final good-bye to my faithful old friend Barney.  Barney left an empty place in my heart which belongs only to him.  I miss him now and will always treasure so many wonderful memories I have of him.  In October of 2005 I lost my black boy Kaleb.  He too has a spot in my heart which will always be only for him.  And, in November 2006 my heart was heavy once again when I lost my special girl Diva.  All of my departed Danes have web pages on this site to honor my memories of them.

I currently share my home with three very special Great Danes CH Phoebe, Seven and Leo. 

In 2001 I was privileged to produce my first litter.  The pairing of a very handsome fawn boy 
CH Nuttree's Saint Patrick to my fawn girl Ga-Mac's Divine Intervention (aka - Diva) produced my fawn bitch Ch. Janus  Providence Moon (aka Ch. Phoebe).  CH Phoebe is a "singleton" puppy born on April 6th, 2001; she is the first to carry my kennel name and my first AKC Champion.  In 2002, Diva was bred again, this time to my black dog Darwin's Natural Selection, CGC (aka - Kaleb).  Diva produced her second litter on April 29th, 2002, a litter of 9 puppies.  From this litter of blacks and fawns, I kept the 7th puppy born Janus USAF Raven (aka - Seven).   Ch. Phoebe had 2 litters, my boy Leo is from her second litter born in January 2007.

In June 2004 Diva's daughter, Phoebe, completed her AKC championship.  I'm proud to say Phoebe was breeder/owner handled to her championship with 3 major wins.  In January 2005 Phoebe was bred to BISS Ch Avanti's All For One Elan (aka - Redford) and she produced 4 puppies - 2 fawn males and 2 fawn girls.  Phoebe's 2nd litter by Windwood Halos Back N Black (aka - Lucas) was born in January 2007.  This was a litter of 2 pups - 1 black boy and 1 brindle boy.  I kept the black boy from this litter ~ Leo.

Phoebe's black 1/2 sister Seven began her show career in the Fall of 2003.  She started off on a good note earning a Group 1 at her first all breed match and Reserve Winners Bitch at her very first AKC show.  Seven and her fawn brother Zeus both earned points toward their AKC championships.  I showed Seven sparingly for about a year, then I took a break from showing.  In October of 2006, I brought Seven back out to compete.  Seven currently has a 3 point major win and 9 minor points, needing only one more major win to complete her AKC championship.  I hope Seven will finish her championship in 2007.  In July 2007 Seven taking a break from showing to raise a litter sired by Windwood Halos Back N Black. 

My boy Leo made his debut in the AKC conformation breed ring in July 2007.   In June 2007, Leo earned his AKC CGC certificate at the tender age of just 5 1/2 months.  

My Great Danes attend obedience classes for socialization and mental stimulation.  Kaleb obtained the AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate and "graduated" from level 1 agility class.  Diva attended obedience and fly-ball classes and was awarded two points (owner handled) toward her AKC championship.  Diva's repertoire of tricks included; "shake", "wave", "roll over", "standing beg" and (believe it or not!) "sit up."  Diva's puppies, Phoebe and Seven, also attended obedience and agility classes.  Seven completed an "acting" class, a class we took just for fun to learn some new tricks.  Both Phoebe and Seven spent many days socializing at a local doggy day-care center.  The new baby of the family, Leo started conformation handling classes in April, 2007.  Phoebe and Seven LOVE to help themselves to ice cubes from the ice dispenser!  All my Danes learn to ring a bell to let me know when they need to go outside. 

In the future I hope to continue to produce quality puppies with a goal of good  health and sound temperament as described in the AKC Standard for the Great Dane.  During the years I've been so lucky to live with and love these incredible dogs they've given me many smiles with their clever mirth.  It warms my heart to think one day I may be able to help someone else fulfill their dream; to provide a life-long, loving and appropriate home for one of my puppies.  Great Danes are truly wonderful companions for the "right" people under the "right" circumstances.

Abundant information is available on the I-net, in books and magazines, and can also be gained speaking directly with concerned, caring breeders.  I urge you to "do your homework" before adopting or purchasing any Great Dane.  Please recognize this special breed of dog is not for everyone.  Great Danes are not average dogs in any regard.  They require a higher level of dedication to train and care for them properly.

Adopting a Great Dane requires your continued commitment to their care throughout their life span.  The expense of keeping a Great Dane can be considerably more than an average sized dog.  Great Danes are very social, family oriented dogs who require the comfort and privileges of "house dogs".  They must not be condemned to back-yard pens. 

Please become informed about special nutritional requirements of Giant Breed dogs as well as exercise needs, wellness requirements and common health concerns before you consider adding a Great Dane to your family.  You'ill find many links to good resources for information on my "Useful Links" pages. 

If you decide a Great Dane is the right breed for your family, then your time spent learning about them will be many times repaid through the uniquely rewarding experience of sharing yourself, your home and your dreams with the gentle giants called Great Danes.

Thank you for taking time to become acquainted with me. 
Please enjoy your visit to my web site and "Thanks" for stopping by...

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~ Janus Great Danes ~
Kristine Travis
Culpeper, VA

Kristine and Kaleb 

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My beginning with Janus Great Danes is rooted in the opposing faces of my black male and fawn female Great Danes who watched over the doors and gates at my home.