Great Dane Breed Magazine - Showsight

Great Dane Q & A

“CONCENTRATE ON A TOTAL PACKAGE. Strive for true Dane type, balance, strength and the regal appearance that sets Danes apart from any other breed, with masculinity in dogs and fem- ininity in bitches.”

proud of the dogs we have bred who have attained HOF and ROM status. It has been an honor to be selected by my peers to judge bitches in 2000, breed in 2006, Top Twenty 2013 and bitches again in 2014. May I always have a Dane in my life! I live in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Now retired, I enjoy traveling to Florida in the winter, time spent with family and friends, reading and walking, but that is still with dogs! I bought my first Dane in 1970, started showing in obedi- ence then breed soon after that. I have been Judging for over 20 years, breeding since mid 70s. Always start with the best quality dogs you can find. Dogs offering correct breed type, good health and stable tempera- ments. Be able to fault your own dogs, love them, but know their faults and always look to improve on them. Surrounding your- self with top quality dogs will keep you aspiring to that level or higher. Right now there are many Danes with beautiful Dane type and this improvement is in all colors. For the most part move- ment has improved and I see far less shyness then even a few years ago. We need to continue to improve on croups, straight upper arm and correct eyes for that expression we all love to see. Concentrate on a total package. Strive for true Dane type, balance, strength and the regal appearance that sets Danes apart from any other breed, with masculinity in dogs and femininity in bitches. All breeder judges should know the true essence of our breed and hopefully carry that knowledge into their ring. I hope judges new to Danes take the opportunity to mentor with Dane breeders and at our National Specialty. It is impor- tant they award Danes with the majestic look and movement that we all strive for. Unfortunately this is not always the case and common Danes lacking in type are being awarded wins. Recently our standard has accepted a new color, now seven, and some changes to our standard. All judges must keep in mind that lack of true Dane type is the most serious fault. It is important that judges review standards and stay up to date on all revisions. I have been fortunate to have had many favorite dog show memories, but this one stands out. In 2013 at our National Specialty I decided to handle our young male myself in BOB. I do not handle regularly, nor should I. We started early AM and I was hoping for perhaps a cut or two with my handsome

young dog. Now late afternoon and we are still there, making all the cuts into the final group. We were awarded BOS to a top winning bitch who continued to show the same way she did six hours earlier. Us, not so much, but still a memory I will always enjoy! I can share that I have been involved with this magnificent breed for almost fifty years and I would do it all again. Danes are Great! JUDY HARRINGTON I live in Massachusetts

and enjoy many things out- side of dogs. Most sport- ing events, gardening, cycling recently with some friends that do Indianapo- lis to Pittsburgh type rides (not me), travel and very much enjoy being home when possible.

I purchased my first Great Dane in the late 60s and she went on to win the National Specialty as Winners Bitch owner handled and was a wonderful brood bitch and foundation for Justamere Great Danes, my kennel name. Breeding would always be my first choice if I had to make one. I enjoyed suc- cessful litters and some not so much, as all breeders do but enjoyed the possibilities of the combinations and the ones that work, you know how that feels. I began professionally han- dling dogs in several breeds and was a member of the PHA, no longer bred Great Danes and fell in love with the Australian Shepherd breed and specifically the Propwash Aussies. When I retired from handling and began judging in 2000 there have been Aussies in my home. The secret to a successful breeding program is to be a good judge—by that I mean you must be able to evaluate the good points and the faults to know what combinations might pro- duce what you want and need. But even more important is to know the pedigrees that you are combining in the strengths and weaknesses of the lines. Since most Dane exhibitors know what I like I seldom have an entry that isn’t a quality entry. My recent judging entries have been very encouraging in that I have had some outstand-

296 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M AY 2019

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