Scottish Kennel Club

SCOTTISH KENNEL CLUB - 14TH MAY 2026

GREAT DANES

I would like to thank the committee for the invitation to judge and the friendly hospitality on the day. I do, however, have one request for future shows, please can we have a ring which is an appropriate size for the breed. It was extremely difficult to assess true striding movement in such a small ring.

I chose to walk the Danes as this showed the true movement and tracking required and this changed many placings as good handling can hide a multitude of sins.

It has been 4 years since I last judged and a lot has changed some things have improved and unfortunately others have declined. When you look at our beloved breed it should be instantly recognisable and demand your attention. The Great Dane is a hunting breed and should be able to do what they were intended to do or at least attempt it. Where has the size, substance and dash and dash and dare gone?

I was pleased with my principal winners and the younger classes show strength and promise. Dentition was correct on most but please do not mistake a level bite for correct scissor bite as they are different.

Puppy Dog (3, 2abs)

1st Pycz’s RASPUTIN DE MUMARTIN’S FROM OLYMPDANES - 7 month old harlequin of good size and substance well marked correct colour. Strong head with good drop of lip, strength of neck continues to adequate shoulders. Deep chest, topline very soft and rear end not his fortune at the moment, he is what he is a very raw baby. He was a little nervous and both him and his handler would benefit from time to fill his large frame along with some ring craft & guidance from others in the breed. He stood alone and awarded Best puppy dog.  

Junior Dog (2, 1abs)

1st Davies’ KINNEGANS TULSA KING (IKC) Upstanding fawn whom draws your eye on the stand. He has the correct make and shape, head developing nicely, nice neat ear set, a kind dark eye with an alert expression. Long neck leads onto well laid shoulders. Deep chest, straight strong bone, topline a little loose as expected at this age, well angled fore and aft, moved ok once settled but would like to see him in a bigger ring to show his true potential. He has everything there but just needs to fill his frame, tighten up and mature. I am sure he will have a bright future.

Post Graduate Dog (3, 2abs)

1st Watson-Hall’s ADOREADANE FRANK SENATRA (AI) – 2 year old well marked harlequin showing real attitude. Clean head, dark eye, neat well-set ear, strong neck flowing into well laid-back shoulders, deep chest, firm topline which is held well on the move. Strong defined muscles and one of the few showing a prominent second thigh this could be seen on the move. I was pleased to award him the RCC which he won on the walk where he confirmed his correct placement and tracking.

Limit Dog (4, 1abs)

1st McLellan’s ANADAIN LIFE IS A LEMON - 2 year old fawn who took my eye as he entered the ring, classic make and shape, he fills his frame on the stand. Clean head, dark eye, strong neck into well laid back shoulders, deep brisket, well sprung ribs, short loin, well muscled throughout and moved with ease on tight feet just not showing his stride or sparkle today which cost him in the challenge.

2nd Munro’s ROUCANDANE STOLEN KISSES – Fawn with a dark mask, strong head, kind dark eye, would prefer smaller ears as it ruins his look from front and side views, short in neck, adequate shoulders and rear angles, not quite to extend, a little long in loin which showed on the move. Nice depth of brisket and width of chest. Pleasing croup and tail set.

3rd Maganaris & Booth’s ROUCANDANE TEMPEST HEBRUS

Open Dog (7, 1abs)

1st Pendleton-Watkins’ GOLDANIA’S KING OF DRAGO JW - Correctly marked brindle, classic make and shape that fills your eye. Defined chevrons on a fawn background, lovely head, dark eye and alert expression, long neck into well laid back shoulders, deep well filled chest elbows tucked under well sprung ribs, strong topline. Would prefer a slightly better croup, well muscled and defined second thigh, tight feet but won this class on his movement strong, driving and lithe. In the challenge I was pleased to award him the CC.

2nd McLellan’s ANADAIN DEAD RINGER FOR LOVE JW – Fawn with black mask, very much a male but not overdone in any way. Correct head, long neck, well laid back shoulders, longer cast than 1 but of equal attributes pushed the first hard, he just lost out to the movement of 1, I felt he was not on top form today I’m sure they will swap places on many occasions.

3rd Simpson’s CH RENESCENT BEWITCHED JW

Good Citizen Dog (1)

1st Ferguson’s INT/IR/LUX CH ELITEDAIMOS MAGICK MAGO AT CHATEAUDAIN - Blue, a solid honest male not overdone in any way, clean head, dark brown eye, well filled chest, would prefer a better spring of rib, slightly long in loin and would prefer a slightly better croup. Well presented and handled.

Puppy Bitch (7, 2abs)

1st Nayar’s ROUCANDANE GAP YEAR FOR KEMANILO - 10 month old fawn bitch who stood out in this class. Nice head, dark eye, alert expression, well set ears used to her advantage, long neck lead into well laid back shoulders, chest well developed for age, firm topline held well on the move. Best Puppy Bitch and BPIB

2nd Gough & Da Silva’s ROUCANDANE LAST DANCE OF JOOPSTAR - Brindle I would prefer a lighter fawn background. Smaller make and shape than first, nice head and neck into well placed shoulder. Deep chest, firm topline, nice spring of rib, and correct croup. She moved well just not quite the ease of 1.

3rd Allan’s MURRAYVHAYLE MY INDIA AT DRAMADANE’S 

Junior Bitch (2, 1abs)

1st Liddell & Allison’s SMOORIKEN FAR ABOOTS - Fawn, nice make and shape with clean lines, head developing nicely, would prefer a darker eye, strong neck into well laid shoulder, straight flat bone, firm topline held well at all times, presented with tight feet. Well muscled with second thigh developing. Moved with drive covering the ground well. Pleased to award her the RCC in the challenge which she won on her movement.

Post Graduate Bitch (3)

1st Liddell & Allison’s SMOORIKEN GONNAE NODAE THAT - Fawn bitch and litter sister to junior winner. Pretty head, dark eye, would prefer a darker fuller mask, neck ok into shoulders, nice spring of rib, firm topline but slightly long in loin, well muscled and presented. Covered the ground well which won her the class.

2nd Pendleton-Watkins’ GOLDANIAS PRINCESS ETAIN JW – Fawn, on the stack on my first look she was my class winner. She had a classic head, with dark eye and quizzical expression, well filled chest, nice spring of rib, firm topline, second thigh developed. But today was not playing ball on the move so lost out to first as not showing enough reach and drive.

3rd Watson-Hall’s SMALLTALL’S QUICKSTEP (IMP NOR)

Limit Bitch (6, 2 abs)

1st Kelly’s ONABONN ALISH - Well marked harlequin bitch, classic head, dark brown eye, wide nostrils defined stop, correct ear placement used well when alert. Strong neck into well laid back shoulders, correct spring of rib, firm topline held on the move, well muscled throughout, stands on strong tight feet. I am aware she has a slight kink in her tail but this did not affect her overall conformation and movement. I would prefer her a little less fidgety on the stand as she does not show herself to full potential but stood long enough to gain my attention. When she moved that’s what won her the class, strong, lithe and easy movement powering around the ring driving from behind true coming and going. Best mover of the day. Pleased to award her the Bitch CC & BOB.

2nd Tempest’s ADOREADANE MAY WEST (AI) - Clean well marked harlequin bitch, compact make and shape, clean head, dark eye, long neck into shoulders, deep chest not completely filled yet ribcage still developing too, firm topline, stood on tight feet moved well but not quite the reach and drive of 1. I do feel that there is more to come from this bitch once she matures.

3rd McGill’s TAYHAMBLUE FROM THIS MOMENT AT KARNDUKE

Open Bitch (8, 2 abs)

1st Prazak & Dickson’s MULTI CH KAALLANA JAWSKA SERAPHINA CJW25 - Solid black bitch,well presented and gleaming, strong headed but not overdone, dark tight eye, alert expression long neck into well laid shoulders, deep well filled chest, firm topline, well muscled throughout, visible second thigh, tight feet, moved well covering the ground with ease, however she lost some of her sparkle and lacked drive in the challenge which lost her the RCC.

2nd Gourlay’s DINAHTRON BELLA - Fawn bitch, nice clean make and shape demands your attention as a Dane should on the initial stack. Nice head, dark eye, ears used well, alert expression, deep well filled chest, slightly long in loin, well muscled and tight feet, covered the ground well but not as fluent as the first on the move which cost her the class.

3rd Thomson’s ROUCANDANE CYCLONE

Good Citizen Bitch (1)

1st Grant’s LOMONDANE CA CANNY AT EILDANE - Fawn, small and compact, greying dark mask, correct head, dark eye, sweet melting expression, strong neck into well laid shoulders, well filled chest, would like a better spring of rib, good topline held on the move, presented in firm overall condition, covered the ground well but would prefer move reach and drive. A joy to watch a special bond of her and her handler in unison well handled.

Judge: Joanne Flanagan