The GDCA has a Code of Ethics enjoins all breeders and requires its members to abide by certain practices designed to preserve and improve the breed and protect the puppy buyer. Among them is a requirement that breeders be fully up to date on the latest in genetics and strive to eliminate hereditary defects in the breed. To that end, the Code of Ethics recommends that breeders shall use "any and all technology available" to screen all potential breeding stock for problems known in the breed. 

The GDCA supports the Canine Health Foundation's "CHIC" (Canine Health Information Center) program, which currently recommends four specific disease screenings (hips, heart, thyroid and eyes) to be performed on all Danes to be bred. See this page for details. 

See also, the main GDCA Health & Welfare page for details on the various diseases found in the Great Dane. Check things out--be an informed puppy buyer!