East Of England Great Dane Club

It was a great pleasure to be invited to judge the Great Danes at this well supported limit show, and I thank the committee for the invitation and the exhibitors for their excellent entries and sporting attitude throughout the day. Great Danes are a breed very close to my heart, and I thoroughly enjoyed my appointment and the lovely atmosphere ringside.

For a limit show, where exhibits cannot have previously won a CC, CACIB or Green Star, I was particularly pleased to find several dogs of genuine quality that would not have looked out of place competing at a higher level. There was some very promising stock present, with pleasing breed type, balance and substance without loss of elegance. I was also pleased overall with the presentation of the exhibits, many of which were shown in excellent hard condition, with well maintained feet and correctly shortened nails, all of which contributes to the overall picture. I will watch several of these dogs’ careers with interest.

Unfortunately, movement assessment was made more difficult on the day. The outdoor area could not be safely used due to unsuitable grass conditions and broken glass being found, and as the venue had not advised organisers beforehand, indoor matting had not been brought. With the floor conditions indoors being slippery, exhibitors were understandably asked to move their dogs steadily and with safety in mind for both dogs and handlers. I therefore judged movement as fairly and practically as possible under the circumstances and thank exhibitors for their understanding and cooperation.

One of the nicest aspects of the day was seeing exhibitors remain afterwards to chat, discuss the breed and enjoy one another’s company. In a time where the dog world can sometimes forget what truly matters, it was refreshing to see people brought together by their shared love of the breed. At the end of the day, this is our hobby, and the welfare and enjoyment of the dogs should always come first.

Minor Puppy Dog 1,0

1 st 2 – Bielecka’s Alegriagiant Fiescobaldi

6mths. Harlequin. Head is still developing. Good feet and bone. Still plenty of knuckle but balanced

at the moment. Typical puppy movement but glimpses of good reach. Nice croup and muscle tone.

BPD

Junior 1,0

1 st 15 - Wright & Cranfields Zefather’s Two Faces with Irieusdane JW

18mths. Fawn. Impressive boy, lovely head and expression. Good arch of neck. Nicely developing

forechest and shoulders. Good croup. Well-muscled. Has a ground covering gait and is okay away

and back. BD & BIS

Post Graduate Dog 1,0

1 st 6 – Hitcham’s Belarosedane Satchmo Bowe at Chamith

4yrs. Fawn. Good bone and with adequate angulation. Good feet. Excellent muscle throughout. Nice

croup. Would prefer a touch more bend of stifle. Lovely reach in front and has a happy disposition.

Limit Dog 2,0

Would be nice to see them both outside as very limited room to move in the hall.

1 st 10 – MacKenzie’s Islandrose A Nod To Vincent at Carsam (IKC)

3 ½yrs. Blue. Lovely head and expression. Good arch to neck. Balanced angulation, good muscle

tone. Good feet and bone. Moves with an easy, long stride and is effortless in profile. RBD & RBIS

2 nd 7 – Hitcham’s Dainoak Tempus Vincit at Chamith

5yrs. Harlequin. Lovely balance overall. Good bone and feet. I really quite liked this but ?? at the

minute. I’m sure they could swap places on another day.

Minor Puppy Bitch 2,0

Two lovely puppies. A close call.

1 st 14 – Wright & Cranfields Zefather’s Homeward Bound with Irieusdane

8mths. Brindle. Nice arch to neck. A touch longer in back than 2. Good croup. Nice head. Good feet

and just holding her topline better than 2 at the moment. A lovely girl with a lovely disposition. I

shall watch her with interest as she develops. BB, BOS & BPIS

2 nd 5 – Harrison’s Zefather’s Pretty Womanto Jasnettdanes

8mths. Fawn. Still very much a baby and struggling to hold her topline, but this should come. Lovely

head and expression, nicely balanced. Lovely reach in profile.

Junior Bitch 2,1

1 st 1 – Bielecka’s Alegriagiant Dare To Dream

15mths. Black. Balanced in head and very well-muscled. Good croup. A little untidy going away at

the moment, easier gait in profile. RBB

Yearling Bitch 1,0

1 st 11 – Mitchell, Hooker & Lockey’s Garsak Rainbow

20mths. Fawn. Head is still developing and ears are not her fortune at the moment. Good forechest and in excellent

muscled condition. Nice croup and overall balance is good. Toes in just a touch coming to, but okay

in profile. Lovely, happy disposition and considered for top honours.

Post Graduate Bitch 1,0

1 st 3 – Bourton-Thorne’s Verano Viva Las Vegas

2yrs. Fawn. Good bone. Head not her fortune, a little too rounded rather than two bricks. Well-

muscled. Good arch to neck. Easy gait but would prefer a touch more stifle.

Special Open Harlequin Dog or Bitch 1,0

1 ST 7 – Hitcham’s Dainokak Tempus Vincit at Chamith

Previously critiqued.

Special Open Fawn Dog or Bitch 1,0

1 st 15 – Wright & Cranfields Zefather’s Two Faces with Irieusdane JW

Previously critiqued

Special Open Black Dog or Bitch 2,0

I preferred the head of 1 although finer as a lot younger than 2, which, whilst he has substance, lacks

a little in breed type in head and neck.

1 st 1 Bielecka’s Alegriagiant Dare To Dream

Previously critiqued

2 nd 6 Hitcham’s Belarosedane Satchmo Bowe at Chamith

Previously critiqued

Special Open Brindle Dog or Bitch 1,0

1 st 14 - Wright & Cranfields Zefather’s Homeward Bound with Irieusdane

Previously critiqued

Pauline Luxmoore-Ball