GREAT DANE BALANCE AND TYPE
The Dane, once a strong, Working Dog, a boar and bear hunter, is now essentially a companion . This does not mean he can have poor structure. He is too large a breed and size combined with poor structure leads to an unhealthy dog. In competition he must compete in the Working Group. He needs to have good movement and be put together properly to win.
The discussion under general appearance in the Illustrated Standard clearly states what we as breeders are striving to achieve. It also tells judges what we expect them to look for:
"The essence of Great Dane "Type" is created by the "Balanced" combination of sculptured head ;long tapered neck ;well developed body ;all clothed in a glossy coat of correct color and "Moving" with precision and grace. The presence or absence of breed type is the single most important factor in assessing the "Overall" quality of the Great Dane."
A Dane should be a steady,dependable companion.
There is a lot of confusion sometimes as to what we mean by TYPE. Type is defined as "Typical of the breed, how the breed should LOOK, ACT and MOVE".
Danes may be of different STYLES. Style is defined as how, within the parameters of the Breed Standard, we achieve a final appearance, one that will please our individual tastes. The style of the Danes pictured may be different, they are all good Great Danes. They have "TYPE", they LOOK, MOVE and ACT like Great Danes. Style is a preference as long as you remain within the parameters of the breed standard. It would be boring to have every Dane look alike. We are individuals with individual likes and dislikes. This is human nature. However, when we judge, we must judge by the Standard and that keeps us TRUE to TYPE…..TYPE-" typical of the breed, how it should LOOK,MOVE and ACT according to the Standard "
The other key word we have used is BALANCE. It goes with TYPE.
Some of the Danes pictured are tall, some not as tall, some have more bone, some less, but they are BALANCED. Balance includes the whole dog; head size to body size , body size to bone size, length to height, front angle to rear angle…
MOVEMENT is a combination of TYPE and BALANCE, TYPE-"typical of how a breed should move". The Standard calls for a gait that denotes strength and power with long easy strides. The backline should appear level to the ground, no tossing or rolling. The head should be carried forward. There should be no twisting in or out at the elbow or hock joints. This cannot be attained without proper structure which is type and balance. When we watch a Dane move we should be aware of the whole dog, front ,rear, topline and attitude.
In using the word BALANCED, we like to include mental balance as well. A Dane should be a steady , dependable companion. Spirit and courage are breed characteristics, he must always be friendly never timid and NEVER aggressive.
TYPE , STYLE and BALANCE , three important words to remember when judging our Danes.
A Sound Mind in a Sound Body
By Dale Suzanne Tarbox
Great Dane Club of America Judges Education Committee
Show Dog Lament..by Gayle Roberts.
There was a time, there really was, when I was young and tender.
When show dog meant a Disney Star, and "bitch" was not a gender.
I went to bed at half past ten, I went to church on Sunday.
On Saturday I baked the beans, I did the wash on Monday.
But then I got a certain pup, An erstwhile friend said, "Show!"
And so I did and so I do,
Oh what I didn't know.
Once I dressed with flair and style,
That was the life, don't knock it!
Now every dress, from bed to ball,
must have a good bait pocket.
I used to have a certain air,
I wallowed in perfume.
I used to smell like Nuit d' Amour,
Now I smell like Mr. Groom.
My furniture was haute decor,
My pets, a tank of guppies.
Now I have furniture unstuffed,
and well adjusted puppies.
I used to long for furs and jewels
and a figure classed as super.
But now the thing I yearn for most,
Is a nice new pooper scooper.
I adored a man who murmured verse,
Through intimate little dinners...
Buy now the words I thrill to hear
Are just, "Best of Winners."
I rise at dawn and pack the car
The road ahead's a long one.
The one I've routed on the map,
invariably the wrong one.
I really love my doggie life,
I wouldn't care to change it...
But when I get that Best in Show,
I maybe could rearrange it.
And when my days on earth are done,
I'll go without much nudging.
Just give me three weeks to closing date,
and let me know who's judging!!!
I
These are pics of some of the shows we took our danes too....our show results can be found on CHAMPDOGS
We'll add more pics as we add more shows...
First time at a dog show, I’ll tell you quite plain,
I’ll never, no never go back there again.
The breeder said “show him.” when I bought my dog.
I showed him all right, the whole place was agog!
They gave me a number, they gave me a pin,
But I couldn’t bear to stick the thing in.
Sos I rushed to the shop and brought some glue,
And I stuck the card onto the rear in the loo.
We arrived at the ringside to find we were first,
In the dog pup class (this part was the worst)
We marched in together as fast as was able,
Arrived at the judge, who said, “Up on the table!”
This really surprised me, my skirt was quite tight,
And I just couldn’t make it, try hard as I might.
The judge looked quite worried. He said “Listen here,
Put the DOG on the table, not you my dear.”
By Now I was trembling, I felt such a fool,
But I said to myself, “We’ll just play it cool.”
“How old?”, said the judge. I heard it quite clear,
Well, really, thought I, and said, “Thirty next year.”
The Steward, poor fellow, threw a kind of fit,
He sputtered and coughed, his eyes ran a bit.
“I’d have that cough seen to, ” I said to him when
He’d finally stopped… but soon started again.
“Once round the ring, Dear, as fast as you can,”
Said the judge, so I just ran and ran
But, when I arrived (out of breath I’ll admit)
The judge said, ” your dog, dear.” I felt such a twit.
Off round again, I kept my head bent.
Oh the shame, my pup crouched and just went and went.
A lady came running with a bucket and spade.
With manure that spicy, has she got it made!
We came back to the judge, who said with a frown,
“Stand your dog.” I replied, “He’s not lying down!”
You can take First Place Stand, he said. I said, “Ha!”
What a job I had getting that stand in the car!Insert body text here ...
Mid -Counties...[below]..We took Boo along to this Show..her first after her litter in summer...she looked and moved great..shame the judge didnt share the same views...
East Of England Championship Show
5/10/09 Dog Judge Jennie Roberts
We took Ace Our Mantle along to this show..we got a second on this day in the Mantle Class...quite pleased as ace's first show since cutting his tendon earlier in the year..his movement was superb no problems at all..still only a young dog with time to mature fully..
...classes are starting to grow with 4 mantles entering this class..6 Mantles in total entering the whole show i believe Great news.
