Great Dane Q & A
“The secret to a successful breeding program is knowing the standard inside and out and understanding breed type. Knowing your dog’s strengths and weaknesses and going to a dog who not only has those traits that you need but have those desired traits strong in the pedigree.”
tored prospective judges, I always stress that the Great Dane is the apollo of dogs and should be judged as a package, not as pieces and parts. My favorite dog show memory, was at my first show. My bitch took second in a class of six and I was oblivious to the fact we needed return to the ring when the class winner took the points. Some helpful person, told us to go into the ring So we did. The judge told me to take my bitch around the ring. When we got to the end of the line, we just stood there looking at the judge. She walked over and pointed at us and said that we would be reserve winners . “Is that good?” I asked. She then asked me how many shows I had been to. She was kind enough to explain what was going on. I cried all the way home. After that I was hooked! Great Danes are a giant breed. There is a minimum height requirement, 30 inches for dogs and 28 inches for bitches. All things being equal, bigger is better. SUSAN DAVIS SHAW I have been
way). The replacement puppy turned out to be show marked. It’s so interesting how one event will change your whole life’s direction. I went from garden clubs to dog shows. I started to show that dog, not very successfully by the way, but I was hooked. I have now been showing Great Danes for 42 years. I am about to apply for my judging license and I have judged many Great Dane specialty sweeps, all breed matches, and 4-H dog shows for many years. I was honored to be chosen by a Great Dane Club of America’s membership vote to judge the Futurity in 2006 and again in 2018. I am also a CGC evalu- ator for AKC. The secret to a successful breeding program is knowing the standard inside and out and understanding breed type. Knowing your dog’s strengths and weaknesses and going to a dog who not only has those traits that you need but have those desired traits strong in the pedigree. Don’t breed to the exaggeration of what you need; instead breed to what is cor- rect. Health test and register those results with OFA to benefit future generations. I think the breed is in good shape. I feel that fronts and heads are better than I have seen in years past. All colors are now con- sistent in their conformation. When I started in the 1970’s the harlequins and blues were heavy in head and coarse in body and looked like another breed entirely. I love that so many Danes are involved in companion and performance events—even doing Fast Cat, Barn Hunt and Dock Diving. I’m disappoint- ed that so many dogs look great standing still and then their movement disappoints. Breeders need to breed for type, soundness, and tempera- ment. They need all three, as well as good health, to be suc- cessful. We are fortunate to live in a time where we can screen for certain diseases to eliminate or reduce them in our breed- ing programs. OFA has an excellent registry for health results where a breeder can look up a dog’s test results and do a verti- cal pedigree to see test results of dogs back in the pedigree. Without health and temperament, it doesn’t matter if your dog is beautiful. I think those who participate in judges’ education at our national get to see the best of the best and get a very good overview of the breed. Judges need to understand that breed type is most important. We have so many color variations and now with the addition of the merle, some new judges may be uncomfortable putting up a color that they just aren’t sure about in fear of doing something wrong. Color should always be the last consideration and used as a ‘tie breaker’ if neces-
involved with Great Danes since 1976. I breed and show har- lequins and mantles and, with a small breeding program, have finished approxi- mately 25 champions. I strive to dual title
and have titled many of my dogs in obedience and rally. I have been active in my local all breed dog club and specialty club and I have served the Great Dane Club of America in many capacities, including 16 years on the GDCA board of direc- tors, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, affiliate club secretary, and served on several standards committees. I am also a GDCA breed mentor. I have lived in Massachusetts my whole life. I am retired from the local school department as administrative assistant to the superintendent of schools and before that I was secretary to the high school principal. I have taught puppy preschool, obedience, and show handling. I purchased my first Great Dane in 1976, 43 years ago. He was a pet harlequin who died during his ear crop (by a vet, by the
302 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M AY 2019
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