South Western Great Dane Club

I would like to thank the committee of the South Western Great Dane club for asking me to judge their Championship show 2023. And another thank must go to the wonderful exhibitors who chose to show their beautiful dogs, and for the sportsmanship shown to each other. I found some very exciting prospects, that sadly missed out on top honours, and feel this can only be a good thing going forward for our breed.

Minor Puppy Dog 3 (1)

1st – Mr J & Mrs L Donnelly’s – Primus Roll The Dice – 8 month fawn, black mask. Lovely head, with dark eye, correct dentition and good length to foreface. Head in balance with body, strong neck into well laid back shoulder, well off for bone, nice tight feet, reasonable angulation due to him standing a little bum high at the moment, although this did not distract from his overall appearance, which is lovely. Moved well with his handler. BPD and BPIS.

2nd – Mrs EP & Mr V Bartley’s – Nikami Papa Smurf Atelib – 8 month Brindle, another super puppy, unfortunate to meet 1st as these could change places on any given day. Similar attributes to 1st, beautiful brindle markings, lovely balanced head with dark eye, long neck and good lay of shoulder, again another very promising puppy with a bright future ahead.

Puppy Dog 1

1st – Mrs LM Collett’s – Foaldown Kingman – 11 month blue, tall boy, obviously going through a growth spurt, very rangy at the moment, Good balanced head, showing expression, correct dentition, good neck and shoulder, good topline, adequate angulation, moved ok once settled.

Junior Dog 7 (2)

1st – Miss JR Walton’s – Novavida Hellboy By Ravendane – 15 month, well marked harlequin, super big boy, good head with level planes, soft expression, used his ears well, good dentition, long neck into correct lay of shoulder, good spring of rib, short coupled, good topline, correct croup, well tucked up, straight bone and nice tight feet, adequate angulation, moved very well.

2nd – Mr J & Mrs L Donnelly’s – Primus Proper Job – 16 month fawn, black mask, lovely well balanced head, dark eye and correct dention, just the right amount of lip, good neck into correct shoulder, another lovely short coupled boy, good topline and croup, wagged his tail throughout, good angulation. Moved well once settled.

3rd – Mrs S Searle’s – Murrayvhayle My Main Man

Yearling Dog 1

1st – Miss T & Mrs L Pocock’s – Lux Ch. Tamzdane Empower Mint JW – 18 month, superbly marked Mantle, Shown in gleaming condition, lovely head and expression, correct earset and dentition, long neck into well laid back shoulder, well filled front, straight flat bone and tight feet, well sprung rib, good angulation fore and aft, moved well, very exuberant boy, one you have to give a second look, and was considered for top honours.

Novice Dog 1

1st – Mrs S Searle’s – Murrayvhayle My Main Man – 13 month, tall fawn, lovely well balanced head, with the softest expression, long strong neck into good lay of shoulder, short coupled, another who looks like he has had a recent growth spurt, long straight bone and very tight cat like feet, adequate angulation, moved ok once settled, he is going to take time, but a very promising young dog.

Post Graduate Dog 3 (1)

1st - Miss J Cranfield’s – Zefather’s Ralph Lauren JW – 17 month fawn, black mask, lovely well balanced dog throughout, lovely head planes, dark eye, correct dentition, good square lip, good neck into well laid back shoulder, well sprung rib, and well filled front, good topline and croup, well set on tail, another who never stopped wagging. Straight flat bone, tight feet, good angulation fore and aft, using this to achieve good reach and drive, moved at one with his handler, this boy just looked super happy with himself the whole time. Very pleased to award him RDCC, one to watch for the future.

2nd – Mrs S Smith’s – Zefather’s Skyfall – 2.5 years, fawn, black mask, did not realise until writing critique but same breeder as 1st. Another lovely example, good head, level planes, slightly shorter neck, but good lay of shoulder and topline, well filled front, adequate angulation, good feet, not as positive on the move as 1st.

Limit Dog 3 (2)

1st – Mr M Jacques & Mr P Kirby’s – Jacqukir No Regrets JW – 2.5 years, fawn, black mask, strong head, good ear set and correct dentition, long strong neck into correct shoulders, strong topline, short coupled, good croup, well filled front, straight bone, well angulated, moved ok.

Veteran Dog 2 (1)

1st – Mrs SE Burton’s – Ch. Ravedane Deal Me In With Elbarevol – 6.5 years, well marked mantle, Lovely make and shape, good head planes, well set ears and kind expression, long neck into lovely shoulders, strong topline which he held on the move, well filled front, well sprung rib and nice tuck up, correct angulation, good feet, moved well and looks like he enjoyed his day. BVIS

Special Open Fawn Dog 1

1st – Mrs M McGuinness & Mrs S Nelson-McGuinness’s – Dinahtron Mothers Pride – 19 months, fawn, black mask, very large frame, stunning head with the softest expression, dark eye and correct dentition, great length to foreface correct drop of lip, long neck into correct shoulders, well filled front, long straight flat bone, good angulation, however another who looks like he has had a recent growth spurt, a little boisterous on the move, given his sheer size his handler did a great job. Will be interesting to see how he grows into his big frame.

Special Open Brindle Dog 2 (1)

1st – Mrs EP & Mr V Bartely’s – Nikami Papa Smuf Atelib – 2nd in Minor Puppy Dog

Special Open Blue Dog 3 (1)

1st – Mrs C Makenzie’s – Carsan Vincent – 5 year’s, blue, beautiful well balanced boy, short coupled, good head with equal planes, correct dentition, good neck and well laid back shoulder, strong topline and croup, well filled front, good feet, correct angulation, moved well.

2nd – Mrs L Collett’s – Foaldown Kingman – 1st Puppy Dog

Special Open Black Dog 3 (2)

1st – Mrs J Macdonalds’s – Zeus Nero Von Adamantium of Ranaldane (imp Deu) IR Jun Ch. CEN JW – 22 month’s, black, in gleaming condition, very balanced head, great expression, with correct ear set, dark eye, correct dentition, correct drop of lip, good neck into correct shoulder, good topline, straight flat bone, good feet, short coupled, good tuck up, good angulation fore and aft, moved very well with his handler, feel he just needs a little more time for this boy to come into his own.

Special Open Harlequin Dog 2 (1)

1st – Mr J & Mrs Y McGlynn’s – Allours Amore Ami – 12 months, harlequin, nice youngster, sadly he had cut his pad which reflected in his movement on the day. Good head, equal planes, good earset and correct dentition, lovely neck into correct shoulder, short coupled, well angulated fore and aft, another youngster going through a growth spurt.

Special Open Mantle Dog 3

1st – Miss T & Mrs L Pocock’s – Lux Ch. Tamzdane Empower Mint JW – 1st Yearling Dog

2nd – Mrs S Burton’s – Ch Ravendane Deal Me In with Elbarevol – 1st Veteran Dog

3rd – Mrs SCJ Kelleway’s – Ozzi Osborne De Stella Ardens

Open Dog 1

1st – Mrs L & Mr A Chappell’s – Ch. Selmalda Jealous Guy (AI) – 3 year’s, brindle, super smart looking boy, well balanced throughout, correct head planes with correct drop of lip, dark eye, correct dentition, good neck into well laid back shoulder, correct topline and croup, well angulated fore and aft, well filled front, good spring of rib, well tucked up, strong loin, straight flat bone and tight feet, moved with drive and purpose around the ring, DCC – RBIS – BOS

Minor Puppy Bitch 2

1st – Mr J & Mrs L Donnelly’s – Primus Turns Back Time – 8 months, brindle, very well marked, lovely well balanced head, dark mask and dark eyes, correct dentition, very feminine head, long neck into correct lay of shoulder, good top line, going a little bum high at the moment, adequate angulation for age, well off for bone, lovely tight feet, moved well.

2nd – Miss C Lawson’s – Droolakiss Thalia – 8 months, blue, altogether smaller than first, but beautiful proportions, pretty head, correct dentitian, correct neck and lay of shoulder, a little softer in topline at this stage, but is very much in the puppy growing phase, good angulation, tight feet, moved ok.

Puppy Bitch 4 (1)

1st Mrs SCJ Kelleway’s – Taysca Stele Mici with Stevarah – 10 months, blue, very nice shape and length to head, and balance throughout, lovely expression, good ear set which she used, correct dentition, good neck into well laid back shoulder, short coupled, good topline, adequate angulation, developing well, moved well with her handler. One I think will be a real contender as she matures.

2nd – Mrs A Bliss’s – Stagbatch Hi De Hi – 10 months, heavily marked harlequin, larger frame overall than first, but again another very well balanced youngster, head with level planes, correct dentition, strong neck, good topline, again adequate angulation at this stage of development. Moved well.

3rd – Mrs DJ Bound’s – Stagbatch Indie

Junior Bitch 11 (2)

1st – Miss M Armour & Mr G Hooker’s – Garsak Fire And Ice – 17 month’s, fawn, black mask, well balanced head with dark eye, correct dentition, good length to foreface, large frame, long neck into correct lay of shoulder, well filled front, good spring of rib correct topline an croup, tail set on, long flat bone, good angulation, with lovely turn of stifle, good feet. Moved very well, one of a few that were in my consideration for top honours, was just out moved in the final by slightly older girls.

2nd Mr S & Mrs V Worsley & Mr P & Mrs M Worsley’s – Primus Encore Avec Malpa – 17 month’s, fawn, black mask, very pretty feminine head, not the size of first, but such lovely balance throughout, shown in lovely condition, good neck flowing into correct shoulders, good topline and croup, apart from size very similar attributes to 1st, moved ok, had a change for a runner and this could have just put her of her game for a minute. Another very promising prospect.

3rd – Miss J Cranfield’s – Zefather’s Kind of Magic

Yearling Bitch 7 (3)

1st Mrs M McGuinness & Mrs S Nelson-McGuinness’s – Dinahtron Pumpkin Pie – 19 month’s, fawn black mask, super shape, correct head giving greater length to foreface, lovely expression, very feminine, dark eye, correct dention, long neck into well laid back shoulder, good topline held on the move, good croup, well filled front, good spring of rib, Correct depth of brisket, long flat bone, correct angulation fore and aft, good turn of stifle, nice feet. Moved with drive around the ring. A bitch that makes you give her a second look, which I did to award her RBCC.

2nd Miss J Middleton’s – Carsan Agustina – 18 month’s, blue, super shape again, level head planes, with correct drop of lip, giving lovely balance to head, good neck into correct shoulders, good topline, not as much angulation as first, but given age, no doubt will let down to complete the picture. Good feet, moved well, another promising youngster.

3rd – Mr N Morgan’s – Rimor Boadixiya

Novice Bitch 5

1st Miss J Cranfield’s – Zefather’s Kind of Magic – 12 month’s, fawn, black mask, lovely balanced head, still maturing but promising bitch, dark eye, correct dentition, good length to neck, correct shoulder, front filling well, correct brisket to elbow, good topline and croup, correct angulation, with good turn of stifle, moved well.

2nd Miss C Lawson’s – Murrayvhayle Missbehave at Droolakiss – 13 month’s fawn, black mas, larger frame than 1st, but another cracking youngster, correct head planes, with nice drop of lip, lovely expression. Adequate length to neck into good shoulders, good topline and croup, nice set on of tail. Long flat bone and tight feet, depth of brisket dropping nicely, good angulation. Moved well

3rd – Mr N & Mrs J White’s – Taradanes Starstruck

Post Graduate Bitch 6

1st - Miss M Armour & Mr G Hooker’s – Thistle Back In The Game – 3 year’s, fawn, black mask, Lovely sized balanced girl, nice shape to head with correct length to foreface and nice drop of lip, dark eye an correct dentition, nice length to neck into well laid back shoulder, short coupled, good topline and croup, good depth to brisket, well sprung rib, correct tuck up. Correct angulation fore and aft, good turn of stifle and tight feet, another very nice girl, who made me look twice.

2nd – Mrs L Collett’s – Foaldown Dark Secret – 23 month’s, black, shown in gleaming condition, slighter frame than 1st but still very well balanced, slightly longer in loin, but held topline on move. Lovely feminine head, with dark eye and correct dentition, long neck into well laid back shoulder. Was unlucky to meet 1st, as very nice girl who could easily change places on another day. Correct front assembly, correct angulation, tight feet, moved well.

3rd Miss T & Mrs L Pocock’s – Tamzdane Bananas On The Rum

Limit Bitch 9 (4)

1st Ms L Page & Mrs T Concannon’s – Novavida Pendle Dreamer – 2.5 year’s, fawn, black mask, well balnced, short coupled bitch, very feminine head, lovely ear set, dark eye and correct dentition, another quality girl, good neck into well laid back shoulder, correct topline and croup, tail set on, good front and depth to brisket, nice tuck up, adequate angulation, but just hitting the age where she will start to drop back into her angles, moved well and with purpose. Another seriously considered for top honours.

2nd – Miss S Fletcher’s – Justinian Bea My Sweatheart – 2.5 year’s, fawn, black mask, thought this girl was my class winner when she first walked into the ring, lovely feminine bitch throughout, well proportioned head, dark eye, correct dentition, good length to foreface, had that look of dash and dare, nothing over or under done, very similar to first, however had let down into her angulation, sadly did not move as well as first, which could have been down to the heat of the day.

3rd – Miss HDS Windmill’s – Murrayvhayle Miz Congenial

Special Open Fawn Bitch 1

1st - Ms L Page & Mrs T Concannon’s – Novavida Mist Over Pendle JW – 2.5 year’s, fawn, black mask, litter sister to winner of Limit Bitch, very similar attributes, but slightly longer length to foreface, and slightly darker hue to fawn colour. Very balanced and showy girl, who moved very well. Another to be given more than a second look in the line up.

Special Open Brindle Bitch 4

1st – Mr L Morgan-Evan’s – Vanmore Golden Nugget – 22 month’s, well marked brindle, well balanced head, dark eye and correct dentition, good length to neck into correct lay of shoulder, slightly longer in loin that 2nd, however held topline when stacked and on the move, was initially a little unsettled, but this passed quickly whilst being gone over. Well filled front, good depth to brisket, nice tuck up, correct angulation, low hocks, nice feet, moved well

2nd – Mrs S Searle’s – Murrayvhyale Mystical – 2 year’s, lightly marked brindle, good size throughout, another a little unsettled, but easily calmed by her handler, bigger girl than 1st, lovely make and shape, lovely length to head and foreface, which matched her frame, correct angulation, moved well.

3rd – Mr N Morgan’s – Rimor Athena’s Kiss

Special Open Blue Bitch 5

1st - Miss J Middleton’s – Dornoir Sinead – 3 year’s, blue, beautiful condition, lovely well balanced bitch, short coupled and strong topline, with correct croup. Correct head, with pleasing expression, correct neck and shoulder, well filled front and good spring of rib, well tucked up, straight flat bone and tight feet, correct angulation fore and aft, well turned stifle, moved very well. Brought back into line up to challenge for RBCC, but did not move as focused as she initially was earlier in the day.

2nd - Mrs C Mackenzie’s – Carsan Savanna – 5 year’s, this girl shocked me when asked her age she was like a much younger dog, very similar attributes to first, so not surprised to hear they are related. Again, lovely balance throughout, just not as purposeful on the move.

3rd – Mrs SCJ Kelleway’s – Taysca Stele Mici With Stevarah – 1st Puppy Bitch

Special Open Black Bitch 3

1st – Ms L Page & Mrs T Concannon’s – Novavida Purple Calla Lily JW – 2 year’s, black, in stunning condition, black is truly black in this coat, balanced head, dark eye, correct dentition, good length to neck into correct shoulder, good sized girl, strong topline held on the move, well filled front, good spring of rib, deep brisket, adequate angulation, tight feet, moved well. Again, another lovely youngster who has a good future ahead. 

2nd – Mrs L Collett’s – Foaldown Dark Secret – 2nd Post Graduate Bitch

3rd – Mrs R Evans – Belarosedane Beany Babybel

Special Open Harlequin Bitch 5

1st – Miss T & Mrs L Pocock’s – Tamzdane Bananas On The Rum – 2 year’s, harlequin, very well marked, super clean background to coat, well balanced, short coupled, lovely head with lovely length to foreface, correct dentition, correct neck into good lay of shoulder, strong topline, well filled front and depth to brisket, good angulation, low hocks, moved very well.

2nd – JB Bielecka’s – Fonblanque Fontanorosa In Alegraiagiant – 2 year’s, harlequin, nicely maked, but a little extra ticking in coat, not quite as balanced as 1st, but a lovely girl. Pretty balanced head, good length to neck, and good topline, is still young so needs to fill in front and let down behind to complete the picture, moved ok

3rd – Mrs A Bliss’s – Stagbatch Hi De Hi – 2nd Puppy Bitch

Special Open Mantle 2

1st – Mrs SCJ Kelleway’s – Damarkan Raydiance with Stevarah – 2.5 year’s, well marked mantle, short coupled, with good angulation, lovely balanced head, correct dentition, correct length to neck to body ratio, correct shoulder, handled to perfection. Moved well

2nd - JB Bielecka’s – Rosetta Czar Olbrzyma In Alegriagiant – 14 month’s – not as well marked as first, and very much a youngster, giving a lot away in this class. Balanced head, good neck and shoulder, top line a little soft at this stage, but has lots of time to firm up, good feet, adequate anglaution, a little erratic on the move, which is also expected at this age.

Open Bitch 2

1st – Mr E & Mrs D Clarke’s – Ch Garsak Summer Days at Mintrex – 2 year’s, fawn black mask, and my star of the day, this bitch did not put a foot wrong, super smart, balanced throughout, lovely head with dark eye correct dentition, and the right drop of lip to complete, long neck into well laid back shoulder, flowing into strong topline and correct croup, lovely set on tail, well filled front, correct depth of brisket just sweeping those elbows, nice tuck up, strong muscular rear, straight flat bone, and good feet, correct angulation fore and aft, good turn of stifle and low hocks, which she used to push off and power around the ring. No hesitation in awarding her, BCC and BIS.