Tag: Dog Shows

Great Dane Frenchie Mix Puppies

Have we got a story for you! Accidental breedings are never ethical, and it’s never right to intentionally breed a Great Dane and a Frenchie together. However, these Great Dane Frenchie mix puppies are a special case, and you’re not going to believe how this happened!

This story involves a grand champion Great Dane and a French Bulldog. The puppies look like miniature Scooby Doo dogs!

It’s important to share this story but we need to make it clear that these are NOT images that we took. You can view the originals from Neet Great Danes HERE.

https://www.facebook.com/neetgreatdanes/posts/1913767848975397

Great Dane Frenchie Pups Accident Timeline

Neet Danes is a show breeder with multiple AKC champion dogs in their pedigree. This is a highly ethical breeder with gorgeous, healthy dogs.

As a matter of fact, because of their involvement in dog shows, dog sports, OFA health testing, the GDCA, the AKC, and Great Dane rescue (they have helped rescue over 500 dogs), Neet Danes is a perfect example of an exceptional breeder who should be celebrated.

Imagine their surprise when a highly anticipated litter of potential Champion puppies didn’t grow the same way that normal Great Dane puppies do…

How does something like this happen? This story is shocking and actually devastating, but Neet Danes has truly made lemonade out of lemons.

Here is what happened: A few years ago Neet Danes contracted the “Canine Semen Center” to store semen from one of their highly awarded Grand Champion studs, ISOH GCH Neet’s Baby Face AOM CAX BCAT CGCA CGCU TKN RATI.

(Image source HERE) Image shared only for educational purposes.

Cool Bred Canine, Frozen in Time, & the Canine Semen Center

The Canine Semen Center has been known by a few names over the years, and as of this writing they are still in business. The company is owned and operated by Sherian Evans & Linda Peterson.

It is not unusual for breeders to collect and store semen from dogs. This is a common practice that aids in diversifying the gene pool.

Neet Danes learned after the fact that the owners of this company store the semen in their own personal garage. I’m not sure what the common practice is here, but this feels like a red flag. ?

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way there was a major, major mixup.

Instead of being inseminated with Neet’s Baby Face semen, the breeders dam was inseminated with, you guessed it, the semen collected from a French Bulldog.

This mixup resulted in Great Dane Frenchie mix puppies, and over $30K in veterinary bills. Not to mention, this mistake could have been devastating for all of the dogs involved.

Neet Danes shares the story and all of the information on their Facebook page, embedded below:

https://www.facebook.com/neetgreatdanes/posts/1913036169048565

What do Great Dane Frenchie Pups Look Like?

Fortunately the champion lineage of these puppies showed up in a big way, and they look very much like miniature Great Danes.

Note, do not breed or purposefully seek out this mix. The puppies may be cute, but to do this intentionally would be incredibly unethical.

The breeder became extra suspicious when the puppies began to develop a crooked bite. However, even at the time that the puppies ears were cropped, they still looked like Great Danes!

Two weeks after having their ears cropped, the puppies started to fall behind on the growth chart, and show other signs that they were not, in fact, purebred Great Danes.

This could have turned out much, much worse. French Bulldogs are subject to numerous health problems that could have caused the puppies, and the families who own them, absolute heartbreak.

Neet Danes, being the ethical breeder that they are, placed a heavy focus on finding exceptional families for the Great Dane Frenchie pups that were accidentally bred.

https://www.facebook.com/neetgreatdanes/posts/1913767848975397

What is Next for Neet Danes?

Of course, as cute as these puppies are, this is absolutely tragic.

Not only was it a wasted breeding that contributed nothing to the health of their breeding program, the Dam was put through a pregnancy and whelping situation that should have never happened.

The worst part is that as of this writing, the Canine Semen Center has done absolutely nothing to help Neet Danes out.

The storage facility claims to be frantically DNA testing their stock to sort out the mistake and find Neet’s Baby Face’s semen (which is still missing, by the way).

They have done absolutely nothing to compensate Neet Danes.

Not only did Neet Danes end up with the wrong puppies, the semen collected from their Grand Champion stud is gone. That may seem like a small thing, but when you dedicate years of your life to curating an exceptional pedigree of dogs with outstanding health, structure, and temperaments, this is a huge loss.

https://www.facebook.com/neetgreatdanes/posts/1831936893825160

Please support Neet Danes by liking and following their content! At this point, the only thing they can do, potentially, is sue for damages.

Spreading the word can help ensure that other breeders do not use the Canine Semen Center (or whatever other name they rebrand to) in the future.

At Hello Danes we support Neet Danes in any capacity here, and are happy to use our platform to make sure this never happens to another dog or breeder again…

If you want more amazing content on this topic, please follow one of our favorite creators on Tik Tok, @TheGreatDaneScientist and see her recent post on this topic below. Remember to like, follow, and comment!

https://www.tiktok.com/@thegreatdanescientist/video/7189876721846570286

January 18, 2023
Is My Great Dane Well-Bred?
Great Danes are incredible dogs, and they are not for everybody. Is your Great Dane well-bred?

There is a stark difference between dogs that are well bred (ethically bred) and dogs that were bred for profit. If a Great Dane is well bred, they are less likely to suffer from common disorders such as orthopedic problems, heart disease, bad temperaments, and even bloat.

Genetics play a role in everything from how a dog is built to how they interact with the world.

This article is not to say that ‘poorly bred’ Great Danes are bad and ‘well bred’ Great Danes are good. It’s simply meant to be an educational comparison.

The fact of the matter is that we have a serious problem in the world of Danes. For every breeder focused on health, structure, and temperament, there are tons of Great Dane breeders who are pairing dogs for no other reason other than fun and profit.

Ear Cropping Great Danes

Well-Bred Great Danes Come From Dedicated Breeders

No matter what a Great Dane ends up looking like in the end, one of the key elements of being well-bred is that a dog comes from an ethical, dedicated breeder.

Here are some basics that a breeder should meet to qualify as ‘ethical’.

Lifetime support of every puppy they ever bred; this includes being willing to take dogs back into their home at any time, for any reason, and never dumping a dog on a rescue or shelter.
- Breeding for health, temperament, and the written breed standard
- Knowledgeable about sound Great Dane structure & movement
- Willing to seek out a 3rd party opinion about the dogs they are breeding, including working with a well-respected mentor, attending AKC dog shows, taking conformation handling and obedience training classes, or by collaborating with the local Great Dane breeding club
Full health testing of both parents, no exceptions. These tests include OFA Hips, heart, eyes, and thyroid. The results of these tests must be available for you to view at www.ofa.org
- Exceptionally picky when choosing homes for the dogs they breed
- Keeps puppies until 8 or 10 weeks of age
- Never breeds dogs under the age of 2, especially if they aren’t fully OFA health tested
An ethical breeder will never breed a dog that is aggressive, anxious, fearful, or that has bloat, heart disease, blood clotting disorders, or other known genetic health problems in the pedigree.

Well-Bred vs. Not Well-Bred Great Danes

Coming from a good pedigree and an exceptional breeder who cares about the pedigree is a solid step in the right direction.

Unfortunately, some breeders are so flippant about their breeding practices that the puppies they produce don’t look like Great Danes at all.

If you’ve googled this and are wondering if your Great Dane is well-bred or not, we’re going to dig into this with some photos!

Keep in mind that even in well-bred litters, only a few puppies will be ‘show quality’ (stellar examples of the breed). All puppies are pets, whether they are show-quality or not.

Puppies who aren’t right for the show ring will still be well-bred, however! Very few puppies are exactly perfect. Some, however, are much further off of the target than others.

It’s impossible to judge how well bred a puppy is just by looking at an image. Rather than focusing on what ‘well-bred’ looks like, let’s take a look at the opposite. What do dogs who are not well-bred look like?

The dogs in this gallery below are cute, but do not meet the written standard for Great Danes:

Great Dane Faults

A fault is a trait that a dog has which goes against the recommendations outlined in the written standard.

Here is a list of faults seen in the dogs above. Again, this is not a beauty contest! It’s simply about making sure that Great Danes are built correctly so they can live long, healthy lives and look like…well…Great Danes!

How many faults can you spot?
- Flat feet
- Long nails
- Ears that come from the top of the head or that stick out (cute, but makes them look mixed breed)
- Ears that are long and droopy (cute! But makes them look like hounds)
- Extremely droopy jowls
- Droopy eyes with redness and haw showing
- Steep croup
- Narrow hips
- Roached back
- Apple shaped/dome head
- Lack of overall substance
- Heavy and stocky
- Cathedral chest or flat chest
- Abused & neglected
Unfortunately, many of the dogs in the gallery above will be mistaken for other breeds if met on the street. They may be loved family pets, but they are not well-bred.

Many people will consider the differences in the dogs above to be related to “Euro” vs. “American” breedings, however those terms are nothing more than marketing from breeders who want to sell puppies. Read more about “EURO vs. American” here.

What Does a Well-Bred Great Dane Look Like?

A well-bred Great Dane who comes from an exceptional breeder will be a solid, muscular dog that moves with grace and long forward strides. They will not be stocky, nor will they appear boney and small.

They have a large head that is chiseled and full of regal expression, whether the ears are cropped or not.

Their front and rear limbs will be built correctly, ensuring that they can comfortably hold their own weight up for years to come. They will have nice tight feet, short nails, and a glossy coat.

The chest should be broad and muscular, not flat or weak.

When they move and stand, they are comfortable keeping their head and neck up (not drooping down, which is a sign of discomfort), and they are not heavy or lumbering.

Well-bred Great Danes are friendly and courageous.
They should never be fearful, timid, or aggressive.

You can read the original Great Dane standard (in the U.S., which is nearly identical to the Canadian and European version) HERE.

When a Great Dane is built correctly from the ground up, they are less likely to suffer from painful orthopedic problems that cause them a lifetime of issues with movement.

Notice in the overlay below that the Great Dane in the image:
- Has an oversized, mastiff-like blocky head
- Droopy jowls
- He is unable to hold his head up correctly
- His hips are higher than his shoulders
- The top line is sloping up towards the hips, not gracefully down to them
- He has an exceptionally steep croup with his tail placed very low
- His rear legs lack angulation, as do the front
- While the front angulation appears to match the overlay, it’s only because the dog is standing incorrectly
Structural Faults in Great Danes

Structural problems are arguably the most important reason to choose ethical breeders.

Dogs carry roughly 60% of their weight on the front limbs; for an average 140 lb male, that’s 84 lbs of weight on the chest, shoulders, and front paws!

It is unfair, shall I say borderline abusive for Great Dane breeders to continue breeding dogs who have significant faults in the way that they are built. Yet, some of the most popular breeders, those who are friendly and have nice websites, are to blame.

Take the dog below as an example. This chocolate harlequin Great Dane is being bred by a local, very popular breeder. I believe that as of this writing, she is on her 2nd breeding.

Notice that she has absolutely no chest and no angles; her front arms are so far forward on her ribcage that she has a ‘cathedral’.

This weight on her front assembly is affecting her front paws, which are flat from struggling to hold herself up. Her rear legs might as well be made of wood; they are stick straight. As a whole this poor dog lacks substance and her rear feet are some of the worst I’ve ever seen.

She is an AKC registered Great Dane.

AKC Papers are Meaningless

Here is a fun fact for you.

A dog can have AKC papers, or be from an “AKC Registered” breeder, and still be poorly bred.

Putting two dogs with an AKC pedigree together is not enough to ensure the health and longevity of this breed that we love.

If you want to get involved, help us spread the word! The breeder registry at www.gdca.org is a great place to dig through exceptional Great Dane breeders.

Here is an example of an incredible stud who has passed full OFA screenings and received multiple titles because of how well he adheres to the breed standard: https://vandelftdanes.wixsite.com/mysite/quill

For more photos of well-bred Great Danes, here are some links to a few favorites:

Grateful Danes

Daynakin Great Danes

Van Delft Great Danes
- Find ethical breeders on social media and like, comment, and follow them
- Learn how to spot the difference between an ethical breeder and a ‘nice’ breeder with unethical practices
- Attend dog shows, meet breeders, and involve yourself in the preservation side of Great Dane breeding. It’s fun and shows are usually free to attend and watch as a spectator!
- For your next Great Dane, choose adoption or get on the list for well-bred dog
January 17, 2023
What is the GDCA Great Dane Club of America?

The GDCA Great Dane Club of America is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1937.

The club’s mission is to promote and protect the interests of the Great Dane breed, as well as to provide education and resources for its members. The GDCA offers a variety of resources including information on health, genetics, training, and more. They also host events throughout the year, which offer opportunities for Great Dane enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their favorite breed!

GDCA Mission & Standards

The purpose of the GDCA is to unite all those interested in the Great Dane and to work for the betterment of the breed by:

– Maintaining a code of ethics for members

– Cooperating with other canine organizations

– Promoting responsible dog ownership

– Supporting research beneficial to the health and welfare of the Great Dane

– Educating members and the public

– Hosting events and activities for Great Dane fanciers

The Great Dane Breed Standard

Great Danes are gentle giants! They should be friendly and courageous, never timid or aggressive.

Well-built Great Danes move gracefully with a powerful reach and drive. They are muscular, yet elegant dogs that should reflect the ideal proportions set forth in the breed standard.

The GDCA has created an illustrated breed standard for Great Dane dogs that can be read here. At dog shows, the dogs are judged against this standard:

https://gdca.org/wp-content/uploads/TheGreatDane/2021-GDCA-Illustrated-Standard-10_19_21.pdf

Compare it to the European FCI version, it’s nearly identical!

Recommended Health Testing for Great Danes

The Great Dane Club of America recommends that breeders complete the following health tests on Great Danes prior to breeding:

Hip Dysplasia

Cardiac Evaluation

Ophthalmologic Examination

Thyroid Panel

For more information about the OFA health testing program and on recommended screenings for Great Danes, read HERE.

Double-Merle Great Dane Breeding

The GDCA does allow for breeders to breed spot to spot. The practice of pairing harlequin (spot) dogs with other harlequin dogs can result in white puppies who may be deaf, blind, or have other health problems.

As of this writing (2022), the GDCA still condones this practice. https://gdca.org/breeders/breeders-color-code/

Some breeders who are exceptionally diligent about health testing, pedigrees, and color testing might breed spot to spot to diversify their genetic pool and produce well-marked puppies.

However, it’s not a practice that we stand behind in general, primarily in regard to the majority of Great Dane breeders (who barely do health testing, let alone care about the breed standard as a whole).

The Great Dane Club of America Events

There are several GDCA events each year throughout the U.S.

The most popular event is the GDCA National Specialty, which is held annually in early summer. Great Dane enthusiasts can attend to show their dogs, learn from others, and participate in other events such as lure coursing and dock diving.

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit HERE.

Great Dane Affiliate Clubs

Many areas have smaller affiliate clubs that are a spin-off from the main parent club.

For a list of GDCA Affiliate clubs, visit this link: https://gdca.org/the-gdca/affiliate-clubs/

How to Become a Member of the GDCA

Members of the GDCA are among a select group of exceptional Great Dane breeders who are dedicated to the betterment of the breed.

To become a member of the GDCA, you need to apply.

Your application must be signed by at least two existing GDCA members in good standing, who have recognized your work and are willing to sponsor you. By sponsoring you, they essentially stand behind you as a member and your breeding practices.

A qualified GDCA member candidate will have proven to others in the Great Dane community that they care about the breed and are willing to adhere to certain standards and ethics.

For more information about becoming a member, read HERE: https://gdca.org/the-gdca/members/

Ethical Great Dane Breeders & Rescue

Choosing a reputable and ethical Great Dane breeder is the best way to ensure that you’ll get a healthy, well-adjusted puppy.

The GDCA has a list of breeders who have signed their Code of Ethics, which can be found HERE.

If you are interested in adopting an adult Great Dane, there are many wonderful rescues that have Danes available as well. Sometimes, they even have puppies!

How to Find a Reputable Breeder

A reputable Great Dane breeder will:

– Health test their dogs

– Follow the GDCA Code of Ethics

– Produce well-adjusted, healthy puppies that meet the breed standard

-Support puppy buyers for life

To find a reputable breeder, we recommend starting with the GDCA Breeder Referral list, HERE: https://gdca.org/breeders/

The people on that list know breeders who are up-and-coming and not yet official members! They can refer you to them as well.

Another great way to find breeders is to attend AKC dog shows and meet them in person.

Great Dane Rescues & the GDCA

The GDCA and many of its members support Great Dane rescues and never want to see the dogs that they breed end up in shelters.

They maintain a list of Great Dane rescues in the U.S. which you can view HERE:

https://gdca.org/the-great-dane/great-dane-rescue

The Great Dane Breed

Great Danes are a special breed with a long and noble history.

For more information about the Great Dane breed, visit HERE: https://gdca.org/the-great-dane/

If you’re thinking about getting a Great Dane, we urge you to do your research and make sure that you are prepared for the challenges of owning one of these amazing dogs! They are not for everyone.

The Great Dane Club and the American Kennel Club have some fantastic resources for Great Dane owners to learn more about the breed and its requirements.

Great Dane Health

With diligent pedigree research and proper health testing, Danes should have exceptional health.

But as with any dog breed, there are certain health conditions to be aware of.

The most common health problems among Great Danes are:

–Hip and elbow dysplasia

–Cardiac disease

-Thyroid Disease

–Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)

-Cancer

-Entropion or Cherry Eye

Diligent attention to pedigrees, health testing, overall structure, current research, and genetic testing can help reduce or eliminate the incidence of these diseases in dogs.

Great Dane Temperament

Great Danes should have a gentle and loving disposition. They should be fearless, loyal, and friendly toward people.

Timid behavior is unfortunately common, but not acceptable.

Temperament is largely genetic.

Great Dane Structure

The ideal Great Dane is strongly built, yet elegant; well-formed, yet powerful; proud and upstanding. They should have excellent angulation and nice top lines that contribute to good movement, reach, grace, and athleticism.

Danes should not be heavy, lumbering, or clumsy; these are all signs that they are not built correctly and may also be more likely to be suffering from ACL tears, hip dysplasia, and arthritis.

The coat should be short, thick, and glossy.

Great Dane Colors

The 7 accepted colors within the Great Dane breed standard are:

–Black

–Blue

–Brindle

–Fawn

–Harlequin

–Mantle

-Merle

Danes come in a huge rainbow of colors. Only dogs that meet the written breed standard, in the colors listed above, can compete in dog shows.

Off-Standard Great Dane Coat Colors

There could be room for other colors to become part of the written standard. People who breed Great Danes have to prove that the color occurs naturally from dogs who were paired first for reasons of health and temperament, and prove that the color doesn’t dilute the gene pool or cause additional health issues.

Both the merle and the mantle coat pattern were added within the last 20 years.

Unfortunately, many people breeding dogs are breeding for fun colors, large size, and droop; those things go against GDCA ethics and the written standard.

We stand behind and believe in the GDCA Great Dane Club of America and encourage all Great Dane owners to check out the event calendar. Attend some upcoming events, meet exceptional Great Dane people, learn about dog sports, and see what ethical, dedicated, and responsible dog owners are doing for this breed we love so much!

October 18, 2022
Going to a Great Dane Dog Show
I got to go to a Great Dane dog show. Not only that, I got to step into the show ring for the first time with a beautiful Harlequin Dane puppy by my side.

If you’d asked me 2 weeks ago, I would have told you that I was completely intimidated by dog shows. They have a reputation for being elitist, snobby, and comprised of cliques who talk behind each other’s backs.

The Great Dane community is pretty amazing, though. Everybody at the dog show was helpful, friendly, and welcoming.

Glacier Danes with one of their stunning Mantle dogs.

I’m New to the Show Ring

I had never shown a dog before, let alone attended a dog show.

The breeder of one of my Danes wanted to show two of her puppies. She asked me if I’d be interested in learning the ropes. I jumped on the opportunity!

After just two lessons with an experienced Great Dane show handler (Carol from Rocwind K-9), I was tasked with taking a very wiggly and inexperienced puppy into the ring.

I didn’t know what to wear, didn’t know what to expect, and knew that I’d be rubbing elbows with some BIG names in the Great Dane community.

Talk about NERVE WRACKING!

A gorgeous Fawn Great Dane from Grateful Danes

What Happens at a Dog Show?

What we attended was a Great Dane specialty. That means that the show was exclusively for Great Danes.

People who want to show their dogs and obtain titles will travel to these events, even if it means crossing multiple States to do so.

The show area was an outdoor covered pavilion. Our local Great Dane club set up a raffle table and even bought everybody lunch on the first day of the show!

(I got something from the raffle, read to the end to see what!)

The people who came with their dogs had all kinds of gear, including crates and fences to help them contain their dogs. It was clear that the dogs comfort was of utmost importance: the dogs all had food, water, nice bedding, and opportunities to relax or play.

There were beautiful Great Danes everywhere!
All of them were intact, well kept, and incredibly well-behaved.

One by one, numbers are called and Great Danes enter the show ring based on their class.

What Happens in a Dog Show Ring?

The judge directs each dog and handler to a place in the ring and then begins their assessment. This assessment is all about conformation, which in Great Danes means that they adhere to this standard.

The dogs want to be there! They prance, perk their ears, wag their tails, and engage happily with their handlers.

One at a time, the judge gives the handler a moment to stack their dog. Good handlers are ready and waiting before the judge walks up.

A stack is a stance that a show dog takes to show off their structure. For Great Danes, this means that their rear hocks are perpendicular to the ground, and the front legs are stacked directly under the shoulders.

Teaching a dog to stack on command takes practice, however, dogs that are built correctly with excellent structure will stack easily and naturally!

Here is an image from the Great Dane Standard (U.S.) showing the male and female dogs in a stacked position.

Once stacked, the judge will evaluate adherence to breed type and the way that the dog is built. They may also ask to look at the teeth.

This is not a beauty contest! Great Danes are giant breed dogs and having the correct structure means they are more likely to live long, pain-free lives.

This is a big reason that we like to see breeders seeking 3rd party evaluation of their breeding stock at dog shows.

Why Do Dogs Run in the Show Ring?

After the judge has evaluated the dog, they will ask the handler to run “out and back”, which means to take the dog out to the corner of the ring and then turn and come back. After that, the dog is once again stacked for evaluation before the judge asks the handler to run around the ring and go to the end of the line.

Doing this requires a bit of skill. If you go too fast, the dog will enter a run. If you go too slow, the dog will become bored and start wandering. If you are sloppy with your own leash skills and steps, the dog will be sloppy, too.

When the dog is moving, the judge is evaluating reach, drive, and overall movement.

A properly built Great Dane will almost look like they are floating! They are graceful and powerful, not clumsy, slow, or lumbering.

The extension of the front limbs and placement of the feet in the gait pattern are just some of the things the judge is looking for.

Sometimes the judge will single out a few dogs and ask them to run or stack again.

Eventually, the judge will be satisfied and will calmly and quietly indicate the winners with a hand signal that can be easy to miss. Watch for it!

The winners will line up for their ribbons and the rest of the dogs’ exit the ring, ready to try again another time.

A Brindle Great Dane at the 2020 National Dog Show. SOURCE

How Dog Show Judging Works

This is an age-old question that is best answered by attending dog shows.

Did you know that dog shows are a family-friendly spectator sport, and most of the time there are no entry fees?

There are actually several awards that a single dog might earn during a dog show. Here are a just a few:
- Best of Breed
- Best of Winners
- Best of Opposite
- Select Dog
- Select Bitch
https://www.akc.org/sports/conformation/resources/road-to-best-in-show/

These awards count for points and over time, some dogs are able to earn their CH (Champion) and GCH (Grand Champion) titles. This is a major badge of honor for a breeder!

The point system is, however, very complicated. You can dig into this a little bit HERE.

A Black Great Dane being Judged in the Show Ring. SOURCE: AKC

Showing a Great Dane Puppy

I stepped into the ring with a beautiful little Harlequin puppy named Clementine. At 4 months of age she was just excited for life and pretty clueless about the process! Both of us were, actually. Remember, neither of us had done this before.

The great news is that the beginner puppy class gives breeders a chance to practice in their ring with young dogs, without the stress of actual competition.

Read more about the 4-6 months beginner puppy class.

I did my best to stack her (a process that she’d not yet spent enough time practicing) and she did a beautiful gait out and back in the show ring. She had FUN and that was the most important thing.

I had fun too! When the judge flashed two fingers at me, I couldn’t believe it. Clementine was awarded the “Puppy Class Best of Opposite”.

Dog Show Myths, Busted

Many people think dog shows are snobby beauty contests. My experience was anything but that, and I cannot wait to go back!

The people were friendly, welcoming and complimentary.

The dogs are all so well kept. Not only did they have excellent body condition (healthy weight covered in muscle), but their nails were short, their teeth were clean, and they were robust and shiny. Show dogs are very well cared for.

Most of them have already obtained their CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title. They are friendly, confident, and obedient. Not timid, fearful, protective, or anxious as we see all too often in Great Danes.

Dog shows were created to help breeders and breed clubs sort out the best candidates for breeding.

Do not be afraid to approach a show breeder for your next Great Dane puppy! You can meet them at dog shows, and most of them love to answer questions. The dogs they breed will likely be excellent examples of the breed and will have stability in structure, temperament and health.

After our win in the beginner puppy class, we got to take a photo. Clementine has a lot to learn, and so do I! When we took this photo she was bouncing off the walls, as puppies do, and uninterested in stacking or standing still. The photographer was amazing and grabbed her in a split second when she was at least “sort of” in a decent position.

All we can do is laugh.

Our goal in the next 2 months is to make stacking the most valuable thing she can do. Treats for days. Praise, love, and attention.

I’m officially hooked and cannot wait to someday have my own stud to show in the ring.

Remember how I said there was a raffle? I fell in love with a piece of handmade art that looked just like my Mantle Great Dane.

Winning this became the cherry on top of an already amazing experience.
September 27, 2022