Great Dane Club Of Wales

Great Dane Club of Wales Open Show 

15th April 2017 

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge, to my Stewards Tony and Julie Schaaning-Ling for keeping me organised, and the exhibitors for allowing me to go over your dogs.  I was priviledged to have some very lovely dogs entered, and am very pleased with my main winners. 

However fronts were of varying quality with some too upright, too narrow, or with short upper arm, or protruding sternum.  Movement varied greatly, mainly due to good hind angulation and lacking fore angulation.  Surprised to find some tail faults and an occasional mouth fault.   

MPD (4, 2a) 

1st Thurlby’s Justinian Lord Bradley, 7mo fbm, quality puppy, well balanced for age, head coming on nicely, good length of foreface, dark, tight eye. Neck of good length and set well, good layback of shoulder but slightly short in upper arm currently, flat straight bone, standing on tight cat like feet.  Topline slightly soft, well sprung ribs but slightly shy of elbow at the moment, little long in loin, good croup and well set tail.  Moved ok in profile. 

2nd Woods Castledayz Jagermeister, 6 ½ mo black, heavier type, head well defined with plenty of lip, eyes dark and tight, good shaped ears well set.  Neck long enough, shoulder well laid back but short in upper arm causing wrinkle over withers, well ribbed extending to elbow, topline ok for age, croup good and hind angulation a little straight currently but with good width of thigh.  Pasterns little slack.  Movement erratic but better in profile. 

PD (7, 1a) 

Very nice class of puppies which bodes well for the future.   

1st Bishtons Jaydania Bjorn Borg, 10mo fbm, overall a classy, well balanced puppy that just oozed quality and breed type.  Head planes correct with good length of foreface, dark expressive eye, for me could just do with a bit more stop to finish the picture.  Well shaped crested neck of good length which set well into body, shoulder and hind angulation both good and equal giving an impression of balance, and allowing for good movement.   Topline level, croup slightly sloping, ribs well sprung and reaching to elbow, loin of good length.  Decent width of thigh, strong flat bone and stood on tight catlike feet.  Best mover in this class.  Will watch this dog’s future with interest.  Very well deserved BPD, RBD, BPIS. 

2nd Allans El Gasparo Vom Hause Black Diamond (imp Deu), 9mo heavily marked Harlie dog, close coupled and balanced outline, lovely typey masculine head, dark close fitting eyes, good drop of lip.  Neck of enough length, well angulated shoulder with well-fitting elbows, topline level but steep croup, good depth of rib to elbow, well angulated hind quarters, reasonable width of thigh, lovely strong and low set hocks and catlike feet with well arched toes.  Moved well in profile. 

3rd Gwyns Meherzugi Xanhouse for Cwmgwyn (imp Hun). 

JD (2) 

Two very different dogs. 

1st Dysons Samdice My Hero AI, 13mo fbm, another well balanced quality male, of heavier type, lovely head and expression with dark kind eye, good drop of lip, although could do with a little more stop to complete picture.  Strong, arched neck of good length fitted well into withers, well laid back shoulder but slightly short in upper arm hence slight wrinkle over withers, well sprung ribs reaching to elbow, good topline, slightly steep in croup at the moment.  Well angulated hind quarters, set off to advantage by good width of thigh and with well let down hocks.  Moved well. 

2nd Wallis’ Adoreadane Just That Jazz for Danojan, 13mo mantle, taller and finer and narrower in type.  Head ok, eyes a little loose today.  Long neck with full collar on off show side, good topline, depth of rib reaching to elbow but needs time to spring, good flat bone and lovely catlike feet with well arched toes.  Angulation fore and aft a little straight, might drop into angulation as matures. Moved ok.  As he has a full width collar on his off side I’d suggest standing him the other way round. 

ND (4, 1a) 

Three very different dogs in varying stages of development. 

1st MacKenzies Carsan Arianell, 11mo Blue, VHC in PD, pleasing outline, head broad in backskull and a little short in foreface, good stop, good eye shape and colour, head carriage a little high and neck of good length, well angulated shoulder, well sprung ribs of good depth, good bone and feet, level topline and good croup, hind angulation ok.  Best mover in this class. 

2nd  Southgates’ Bombadier Boy via Leamap, 11mo Blue, unplaced in PD, very different type to 1 – heavier all through.  Good eye and ear carriage, topline currently unlevel highlighted by short and rounded croup, well ribbed, strong loin, good hind angulation with well let down hocks, good bone and feet.  Big boy so will take time to finish. 

3rd Woods Castledayz Jeigermeister, 2nd in MPD. 

PGD (1) 

Withdrawn 

LD (4, 3a) 

1st Nunns’ Roshanun Zeus’ Summum Deum, 4 ½ yo well-marked harli, slightly heavy on forehand.  Correct head planes and stop, dark tight eye and good expression.  Good length of neck, shoulder well laid back, good flat bone and catlike feet.  Level topline, well sprung ribs reaching to elbow, little short in loin, croup slightly steep, well angulated hind quarters with well let down hocks.   

SOBrindleD (2, 1a) 

1st Gwyns Meherzugi Xanhous for Cwmgwyn (imp Hun), 10mo well-marked brindle placed 3rd in strong puppy class, rich reddish fawn background, black mask, lightly marked with vertical black stripes.   Well balanced for age, good head planes with dark eye and good expression, neck long enough but slight dewlap, good shoulder angulation, well sprung ribs reaching to elbow, good bone and feet, level topline, good croup, well angulated hindquarters but could do with a little more width of thigh and needs a slightly more length of loin.  Moved ok. 

SOBlackD  (2,1a) 

1st Allans’ Lamborghini Von Der Kieselbachquelle (imp Deu), 10mo black, 4th in strong puppy class, nice type.  Head little strong for body weight currently, good planes, stop and ear carriage, eyes a little loose today, and a stronger neck would balance outline.  Level topline, good shoulder angulation and chest, rib reaching to elbow, loin of good length.  Could do with more hind angulation, but this puppy has plenty of time to finish.  Moved ok in profile. 

SOHarliD (2, 1a) 

1st Nunns’ Roshanun Zeus’ Summum Deum, 1st in Limit Dog. 

SOMantleD (2) 

1st Warings Ravendane Equinox At Elleyenda, 7yo mantle boy, correct head markings, full white collar, white tipped tail, for perfection would like more ‘stocking’ on legs.  Shown in lovely condition, with good head planes, dark tight eye, good length of neck which fitted well into shoulder, flat bone and good catlike feet, level topline, well sprung rib reaching to elbow, good croup and tailset, nicely angulated behind.  Best mover. 

2nd Wallis Adoreadane Just That Jazz for Danojan, 2nd in Junior Dog. 

OD (4, 2a) 

Two different types … 

1st Chappell & Williams Ch Selmalda The Journey JW, 2 ½ yo fbm, heavier type than 2, definitely fit for function, well balanced and masculine, good head planes although slightly broad in backskull, quizzical expression, tight dark eye, correct ear carriage and size.  Well arched neck of good length, well laid back shoulder with fractionally short upper arm, good width of chest, well sprung ribs reaching elbow, level topline and correct croup and tailset, well angulated hindquarters set off by lovely width of thigh and well let down hocks.  Well off for bone, tight catlike feet.  Best mover in class.  Well deserved BD and BOS, litter brother to BIS . 

2nd Cranfield’s Zefather Heartbreaker, 19mo fbm, finer type than 1 and not quite so balanced or mature yet, good head planes, dark tight eye, good ear carriage used well, lovely quizzical expression.  Well laid back shoulder but slightly short in upper arm, strong topline but very slightly sloping, good croup, tailset slightly high hence gay tail on the move.  Well sprung ribs reaching to elbow, flat bone, moderate hind angulation, would like slightly more width to thigh.  Moved ok but was not kind to his handler today. 

Special Veteran D (1) 

1st Warings Ravendane Equinox At Elleyenda, 1st in SOMantle Dog, BVIS. 

MPB (3) 

Three very nice puppies … 

1st Thurlby’s Justinian Lady Beatrice, 7mo fbm, litter sister to MPD winner.  Very balanced outline for age, quality puppy, lovely type, just a little untidy through set of neck into withers currently.  Head very feminine, dark, tight eye, could do with more stop.  Arched neck of good length, good shoulder angulation, well ribbed back with ribs reaching to elbow, level topline, croup slightly steep at the moment, lovely hindquarters – well angulated and set off by wonderful width of thigh with well let down hocks.  Good flat bone, feet slightly flat currently.  Best mover in class. 

2nd Day & Fry’s Vanmore Sparkling Eyes for Janriche, 7mo fbm, taller and finer type than 1 and full of dash & dare.  Very expressive head with good planes, dark tight eye, very good stop, ears rather large currently but well set and used.  Good length of neck, arched and set well into shoulders which are well laid back, ribs reaching just to elbow, level topline, better croup than 1, good hind angulation but would benefit from having more width of thigh.  Moved ok. 

3rd Stapleford’s Wanderhund Poised for Madjax. 

PB (1) 

1st Bishtons Jaydania Steffi Graff, 10mo fbm, litter sister to BPIS.  Very balanced outline, another quality puppy oozing type.  Good head planes, dark tight eye, lovely expression.  Lovely length of neck, good layback of shoulder but slightly short in upper arm, strong flat bone and good feet, well sprung ribs reaching to elbow, level topline and croup, well angulated hindquarters with a good width of thigh.  Just needs time to tighten up through hocks.  Moved steadily.  BPB. 

JB (5) 

A lovely class in terms of quality.   

1st Bourton’s Zefather Crazy Diamond for Verano, 13mo fbm, quality youngster, most balanced outline in class.  Good head planes with enough stop, dark eye, quizzical expression.  Neck well arched, of good length and fits well into withers, shoulder well laid back but slightly short in upper arm, well sprung ribs reaching to elbow, good flat bone, catlike feet.  Topline level but slightly soft, good croup, very good hind angulation with well let down hocks and plenty of width to thigh.  Lovely bitch who should trouble the best when mature.  Moved soundly, best mover in class.  RBB, RBIS. 

2nd Dysons Samdice Best Of You AI, 13mo fbm, another balanced, quality youngster.  Good head planes, dark eye, good expression and full of dash and dare.  Good length of neck, correctly arched, shoulder well laid back but slightly short in upper arm, good bone but feet slightly flat in front, 

 level topline which she kept on the move, good depth of rib, good hind angulation and hind feet.  Moved well. 

3rd Morgan’s Samdice In Your Honour 

NB (4, 1a) 

1st Allan’s Moira Delta Velorum Von Dramadanes (Imp Pol), 22mo harli bitch, strikingly marked being very black and very white, lovely balanced outline and type.  Good head planes with definite stop, eyes dark but little loose at present, correct ear carriage, plenty of drop of lip.  Good length of neck fitting well into shoulders which are well angulated, well sprung ribs with good depth, well off for bone, front feet slightly flat, good topline which she kept on the move, little steep in croup, good hind angulation with good width of thigh.  Best mover in this class showing reach and drive. 

2nd Harrison’s Jasnettdanes Misty Morning, 18mo blue bitch, unbalanced currently with lovely hind angulation but too upright in front lacking angulation.  Head is broad in backskull, good eye for shape and reasonably dark for coat colour, neck arched of good length, well off for bone but slightly slack in pasterns currently, well sprung ribs of good depth reaching elbow, level topline, croup a little steep, good width to thigh.   

3rd Tempests Adoreadane Just The Ticket, unfortunately unsound today. 

GB (5, 2a) 

1st Stevens & Squires Garsak Season Of The Witch At Tabordane, fbm, lovely headed bitch, good head planes with plenty of length of foreface, enough stop, dark tight eyes, largish ear but good carriage.  Well arched neck of good length, shoulder well laid back but short in upper arm, straight bone.  Topline rather slack and exacerbated by steep croup, well sprung ribs with depth just reaching to elbow.  Hopefully her topline will strengthen and improve her outline.  Best mover in class. 

2nd Walker’s Riverdragon Seren Fach, black in gleaming coat, VHC in JB.  Very immature as yet and lacking in substance, lovely head type, good planes, dark tight eye, good expression.  Neck is long enough, little straight in front angulation, depth of rib just shy of elbow, topline ok, good croup and tailset, good hind angulation with lovely turn of stifle and well let down hocks.  Wonderful catlike feet with correctly arched toes. 

3rd Taylors Black Dawn Glory. 

PGB (9) 

Some really lovely quality bitches in this class. 

1st Woods Alsphuzazz Fit For Function, 3yo harli bitch with very balanced outline as described by her name, lovely headpiece with good length of foreface, tight dark eye, good ear carriage and a look of dash and dare.  Lovely arched neck into shoulder, which was well laid back, fraction short in upper arm, well sprung rib with depth reaching to elbow, level topline which was held on the move, little steep in croup, well angulated hind quarters with reasonable width of thigh, lovely catlike feet with arched toes.  Heavily marked but very black and very white.  Movement extends equally fore and aft providing reach and drive. 

2nd Nunn’s Roshanun Show Business, 20mo harli, very well balanced bitch.  Good head planes, good length of foreface, tight dark eye, little lacking in stop.  Well arched neck of good length which fitted well into shoulder, lovely front assembly with good width to chest and correct angulation and upper arm,  straight bone and catlike feet, level topline which she carried on the move, little steep in croup, well angulated hindquarters with low set hocks.  Background coat could be cleaner, but it would not stop this bitch being fit for function.  Another which excelled in movement.   

3rd Newton’s Grand Royals Irresistible Lady Di At Shlarra (Imp Swe). 

LB (3,2a) 

1st Ellis-Khanna’s Ravendane Maleficent For Harvaxe, 3yo harli bitch.  Good head planes, eyes ok, ears little large but well carried.  Neck of good length, well laid back shoulder but slightly short in upper arm, well sprung rib and depth to elbow, well boned, excellent catlike feet, level topline which was held on the move, good croup, well angulated hind quarters with good width to thigh and lovely low set hocks.  Moved quite well. 

SOFawnB (2) 

1st Stevens & Squires Garsak Season Of The Witch At Tabordane, 1st in GB. 

2nd Bourton’s Tenaya Cherokee Sun Dance For Verano, 3yo fbm, heavier type than 1, good head, earset correct, dark eye, good length of neck, shoulder well laid back but upper arm a little short, well off for bone, good depth of rib, moderate hind angulation, good catlike feet.   

SOBlueB (3, 1a) 

1st Park’s Rayjen Aces High, 2yo, balanced bitch of heavier type, lovely expression with good eye, good head planes, neck long enough, moderate angulation fore and aft, ribs well sprung and depth to elbow, level topline and slightly steep croup, good width of thigh.  Moved soundly. 

2nd Harrison’s Jasnettdanes Misty Morning, previously 2nd in NB. 

SOBlackB (3) 

1st Raymond’s Renescent Pole Position At Sofala, 2yo, 4th in PGB, tall upstanding bitch, good head with dark eye and lovely expression, good length of neck, shoulder well laid back but short in upper arm, level topline and good croup and tailset, rib of good depth to elbow, straight bone and good feet, moderate hind angulation.  Moved ok. 

2nd Walker’s Riverdragon Rosie I Am, 2yo, lovely headed bitch, balanced but not enough angulation fore or aft and lacking substance, long dry neck, ribs do not reach to elbow, lovely tight feet. 

3rd Taylors Black Dawn Glory. 

SOHarliB (6, 1a) 

1st Woods Alsphuzazz Fit For Function, 1st in PGB. 

2nd Ellis-Khanna’s Ravendane Maleficent For Harvaxe, 1st in LB. 

3rd Nunn’s Roshanun Show Business, 2nd in PGB. 

SOMantleB (1) 

1st Waring’s Ravendane Queen Of Darkness For Elleyenda JW, 3yo, well balanced bitch, well marked, with correct face markings, full white collar, stockings and tail tip.  Good head proportions, tight dark eye, arched neck of correct length (although markings can give illusion of being shorter), moderate shoulder angulation and good width of chest, well sprung ribs with depth reaching elbow, level topline, slightly steep croup, well angulated hindquarters with low set hocks.    

OB (2, 1a) 

1st Chappell’s Selmalda Zizi’s Journey JW, fbm, real quality bitch, very balanced outline and typey.  Lovely rich fawn and blackest mask.  Good head planes, dark tight eye, quizzical expression, good length of foreface.   If I had to be critical, my personal preference would be a little more defined stop and a bit ‘more’ head, but that doesn’t detract from this bitches quality or closeness to the breed standard.   Nicely arched neck of good length and well set on, well angulated shoulder, well sprung ribs with depth reaching to elbow, flat bone and catlike feet, level topline and good length of loin, croup a little steep.  Well angulated hind quarters with low set hocks and good width of thigh.  Moved soundly.  Judged this bitch at her first show aged just 6 months, and awarded her BPIB, it was lovely to go over her again now she is mature and a pleasure to award her BIS. 

Judge: Kris Kingsley (Dainoak)