Passion to health and longevity. Breeding Blue, Brindle, Fawn and Mantle
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About Us
Where the name "Black Pigeon" came from...
While working at a steel mill, a small black pigeon flew into the steel and had sustained some sort of internal injury. I had been tending to the pigeon all night while I worked my 12 hour shift and the pigeon did not leave my side.
The following morning I brought the pigeon home to further tend to with a cozy bed, some food and water and kept warm. The pigeon was set up in the bathtub to be kept safe so I could have a quick sleep from being awake all night.
I had woken up after a few hours of rest and checked on the pigeon who was still with us. Being a wild bird, there wasn't a veterinarian able to treat the pigeon for their injuries. I proceeded to make my way to the pet store to get the essentials for a pigeon like proper food, perches and such while the pigeon hopefully recovered from their potential injuries. Upon arriving home, the pigeon had sadly passed away.
The pigeon in the picture to the left is the black pigeon, resting against my work boot. I was heart broken the pigeon did not survive. The pigeon was laid to rest at my parents property where we lay our beloved pets. Fly free little one. Fly free. Black Pigeon is that sweet little bird who passed away safe, warm, loved and full.
Where it began
Great Danes have been a love of mine since I was a little girl. I was 7 years old when I met my very first Great Dane, she was a 7 year old fawn named Jessie. She was so sweet and elegant although she was also bold and silly. I was instantly hooked and knew this was going to be the breed for me. I grew up with German Shepherds so Great Danes would be a very different experience with a breed like nothing I knew!
I have spent many years in and out of the dog world, be it a groomer, trainer or when I did behaviour rehabilitation helping those that were at risk of being put to sleep mostly due to their aggression towards humans. After several years doing many different environments in dogs, I moved into breeding and was and still am amazed by the whole experience.
I have many goals for the years to come to better not only myself as a breeder and my experiences in this amazing world of dogs but also my dogs. I have already come so far in the time I have been apart of this world and continue to move forward with excitement and thrilling determination. From getting my foot "wet" in the show ring to different dog sports to training my dogs to do things not known to this amazing and extremely versatile breed, it is going to be one heck of a ride and I truly hope for the company along the way.
Small is the way to be
At Black Pigeon Great Danes, we are a small, cozy program, started in 2013. We only have a maximum 1 to 2 litters a year of Great Dane puppies when we have them as we do not have puppies available at all times. We do not agree with over breeding our dogs. They are our pets first and will always be. We do hope to expand in the future although we will never be a large program. Just not where our heart is. We enjoy being small and tight-knit with our girls.
Our Mascot (and her bestie)
Esso, our Black Pigeon
Esso, our Black Pigeon
Esso, our Black Pigeon
Esso is a purebred Andalusian (black) Homer Racing Pigeon. She was born September 21, 2021. She came from a breeder in Woodstock and came to her new home February 12, 2022.
Pigeons make absolute wonderful pets. As crazy as it may seem, did you know that a pigeon and a dove come from the same family? They are highly intelligent, once bonded to you, they are very affectionate and will seek your company. Pigeons are also quiet birds as they only "coo" and even at their loudest, they are very quiet compared to many other birds in the pet trade. They are also the only truly domesticated bird. Their food is very easily to obtain and can easily feed most wild bird seed mixes to pigeons. They are considered a "soft-billed" bird which simply means a seed eater. Parrots are considered a "hook-billed" bird meaning they eat a wide variety of foods such as nuts as they have the bill to be able to break open the shell. I may create a tab dedicated to the adventures of these two if there shows to be interest in learning more about them.
Eep, her bestie
Esso, our Black Pigeon
Esso, our Black Pigeon
Eep is a purebred Opal (blue) checkered Homer Racing Pigeon. She was born December 2, 2021. She came from a breeder in Guelph and came to her new home January 30, 2022.
Pigeons are not only amazing pets, they are also very inexpensive to purchase and their start up costs are significantly lower than that of most other birds in the pet trade. Pigeons do not climb so they do not require a tall cage like a parrot does. They walk around so a longer cage than taller is much more appropriate, like an XXL dog crate, is more than enough room for 1-2 pigeons. They are also not destructive like many other birds like parrots. They like flatter perches like shelves and such however a variety with perches that are round and flat is preferred.
So, if you are wanting a pet bird but a parrot is not suitable for many reasons, consider a pigeon. They are not the vermin they are made out to be. Their only con is that they are a "dusty" bird however regular baths greatly reduce this. A pan in their enclosure with water in it for them to use at their desecration helps immensely.