Dane of the year 2025

Sunday 19/10/25

Judge John Dyson

I would like to thank the Mid & West GDC & the Dane of the Year committee for asking me to judge Dane of the Year a show that I have always enjoyed and supported over the years. I was very pleased with my entry and the way that most of the exhibitors accepted their placings. I have just a few observations that I would like to point out regarding our Great Danes that certainly need close observation in our breeding future , Eyes (slack, lids rolling in, wrong shape) , Heads (becoming too heavy throughout and too much jowl) , Mouth (untidy with miss placed teeth), Shoulders (lack of angulation in the shoulder, wide chests which then affecting front movement), and to top it off rear ends (lack of rear angulation from both the pelvis and stifles, weak hocks leaving either ‘cow hock’ or angled lower foot placement ) all affecting rear movement and drive. Now we all know Rome was not built in a day and there is no perfect Dane out there, however please consider when breeding and rearing your pup’s.

DOGS

Class 1 Baby Puppy Dog (3)

1st Baker’s, Kinnegans Bodyguard for Preveli (IKC) Fawn, very promising baby, good make and shape moved and showed well for one so young. BEST BABY PUPPY DOG & BEST BABY PUPPY IN SHOW. 2nd White’s Kinnegans Last Kingdom at Trardanes (IKC)Fawn from same litter as 1st, promising baby, good make and shape but did not show or move as well as 1st. 3rd Bollons Shalrace Riding Shotgun.

Class 2 Minor Puppy Dog (2) 1st Mahons, Tamzdanes Dough Riginal Mantle, well built through body, little heavy in head for me, moved ok a little close behind which can be expected in one so young, held topline on the move. 2nd Fletcher’s Sophelsa Fields of Gold Fawn who would not settle and so I could not assess him throughout, however, does looks like a very promising minor puppy.

Class 3 Puppy Dog (1) 1st Wright & Cranfields Zefathers Two Faces with Irieusdane. Fawn, Well-presented upstanding dog with a good head and long neck into well laid shoulders, covered body, well of for bone, moved out well keeping a level topline. I was pleased to award him BEST PUPPY DOG & BEST PUPPY IN SHOW.

Class 4 Junior Dog (6) 1st Pocock & Pavlou’s Bubba Von Pao Eberjager with Tamzdane (Imp FCA) Mantle, this dog stood out in this class, with a good head not course or overdone in anyway, neck onto well laid shoulders, well covered body with strong bone, moved well keeping his topline. He is maturing well and should have a bright future.  2nd Nunn,Patch & Nunn’s Rosehanun Conquisstador.

Harlequin, Head ok would like a tighter eye. Well covered body, moved ok, topline good just went off at the croup a little, young big dog so will change over time.3rd Stanton’s Roshanun Chattahoochee.

Class 5 Yearling Dog (1) Absent.

Class 6 Novice Dog (0).

Class 7 Post Graduate Dog (3) 1st Bates Danemoor Henk.Black, well presented in good condition. Good head, shoulders a little straight, well off for bone, moved ok holding his topline on the move.

2nd Hitcham’s Belarosedane Satchmo Bowe at Chamith Black, Big dog,head a little strong for me, good bone, moved ok, carrying too much weight, handler not getting the best out of this dog today.

Class 8 Limit Dog (2).1st Munro’s Roucandane stolen Kisses. Fawn, Well-built dog with good bone, moved around the ring with free and powerful movement keeping a good topline, good head & neck into well lade shoulders standing four square when stopping, handler showed him well, considered him in the lineup.2nd Hitcham’s Dainoak Tempus Vincit at Chamith. Harlequin, Good head, neck and shoulders well marked with good body.

Class 9 Veteran Dog (4) 1st Robinson’s Droolakiss Tripe Miner. Fawn, 61/2 years old good head (just a little strong for me) Well bodied, moved well, handler got the best out of him. Best Veteran Dog.

2nd Hogarth’s CH Fendanesylcrest American Outlaw at Sunlind(impUSA). Fawn, 71/2 years old good head, neck into well laie shoulders, with good bone and body moved ok (a dog I have admired for a long time but just did not want to be here today).

Class 10 Special Open Harlequin Dog (5).1st Palmer’s Adoreadane Charlton (AI) Well marked,strong head, good neck and shoulders into well covered body with good bone, moved ok but a little close behind. Presented and handled to get the best out of him.2nd Henshall’s Calchas Bryan the Brave. Harlequin Nice strong dog with a good head, neck into good shoulders well covered body, and strong croup. When he moves he spoils himself by constantly pulling away, would just like sharper markings.3rd Bielecka’s Amerilkano Ataraksja in Alegriagiant.

Class 11 Special Open Fawn Dog (5).1st Cranfield’s CH Zefather’s Ralph Lauren JW shCEx OSW. Good head, good neck into well lay of shoulders, good topline that he kept on the move well-presented and handled would just like a little more size all round. Was pleased to award him BEST SPECIAL OPEN FAWN IN SHOW. 2nd Robinson’s Droolakiss Tripe Miner.

Class 12 Special Open Black Dog (5)1st Simpson’s Renescent Bewitched. upstanding dog with a good head no coarseness at all set on long arched neck, into a good lay of shoulder, good length of back with good croup, well of for bone, presented in good condition moved well keeping his topline. Was pleased to award him BEST SPECIAL OPEN BLACK IN SHOW.2nd Bates’s Danemoor Henk.3rd MacDonald’s Zeus Nero Adamantium of Ranaldane Ir JunCh IKC CJW (Imp DEU)

Class 13 Special Open Brindle Dog (1)1st Pendleton-Watkins Golddania’s King of Drago JW. Well built with correct markings good even head, strong back with ok croup, well off for bone, I was disappointed with his movement both front and rear.

Class 14 Special Open Mantle (2)1st Pocock’s CH/Int/Swiss/Lux CH Tamzdane Enpower Mint JW A dog I always like to watch him when in the show ring he always gives 100% and looks to be enjoying himself. Well-marked, Good head not overdone in anyway, parallel planes. well-muscled body with good bone that takes him around the ring. Nice effortless free flowing movement driving from the rear and reaching in front and standing fore square and balanced when stopping. Was pleased to award him BEST DOG, DANE OF THE YEAR 2025 & BEST DOG, BEST SPECIAL OPEN MANTLE IN SHOW 2nd Pocock & Pavlou’s Bubba Von Pao Eberjager with Tamzdane (Imp FCA)

Class15 Special Open Blue Dog (2) 1st Ferguson’s Int/ Ir / Lux CH Elitedaimos Magick Mago at Chateaudain. Blue dog that I have not seen for a while I was impressed with him on the stand and was not disappointed when I went over him. Has a good head and neck into good lay of shoulder, well covered body. Moved well keeping his topline. Well-presented and handled. Considered in my final few, I was very pleased to award him BEST SPECIAL OPEN BLUE IN SHOW

Class 16 Open Dog (3) 1st Chappell’s CH Selmalda Jealous Guy (AI). Brindle, what can be said about this dog that as not already being said. Large upstanding dog that is not overdone in any way with a good head on a long neck, into a good lay of shoulder strong back with good croup. flat bone, correct length of leg and tight feet. Moves with drive but just lacking enthusiasm today. very well presented and handled . RESERVE BEST DOG & RESERVE DANE OF THE YEAR 2025.

BITCHES.

Class17 Baby Puppy Bitch (4) 1st Chappell’s Selmalda My Wild Flame. Fawn Tall baby with a good elegant head, good flat bone and tight feet, moved well keeping her top line. Showed like a pro, promising baby puppy. Was awarded BEST BABY PUPPY BITCH. 2nd Hogarth’s Bondor Most Wanted for Sunlind. Fawn baby good head well covered body well off for bone moved ok another promising baby.3rd Baker’s Kinnegans Bridgerton at Preveli (IKC).

Class 18 Minor Puppy Bitch (1)1st Pocock’s Tamzdane Cherry Crumble. Harlequin well marked head ok well covered with good bone, moved ok feet a little flat, was a little tentative when going over her.

Class 19 Puppy Bitch (4) 1st Cranfield & Wright’s Zefather’s Gossip girl with Irieusdane. Fawn head ok, neck good into good shoulders well covered body and ok bone, moved ok when she got into her stride. Was awarded her BEST PUPPY BITCH and RESERVE BEST PUPPY IN SHOW. 2nd Freeman-Brand's Droolakiss Endless Love Teilamara’s. Brindle, well marked, good head, neck ok, shoulders a little straight, body and bone ok, little bum high when moving but still only a puppy.3rd Bielecka’s Alegriagiant Dare to Dream.

Class 20 Junior Bitch (4) 1st Reed’s Wildflower at Minezara. Black well-presented, head ok just a little short in foreface, neck good, shoulders good, well covered body with good bone, tight feet, moved well around the ring.2nd Bithell’s Vertumnus Raise Your Glass to Bourntwyn Fawn with good head & neck, ok lay of shoulder, well covered body with good bone, a little long in length of back resulting in a dip in topline standing and on the move.3rd Mitchell, Hooker & Lockey’s Garsak Rainbow.

Class 21 Yearling Bitch (6)1st Prazak Dickson’s Kaallana Jawska Seraphina. Black, good overhaul shape, head ok, well off for bone, well covered body just a little slack over withers, moved well.

2nd Cope’s Fonblanque Fiona (AI). Harlequin nice overhaul shape with good markings, head a little heavy, body good, croup good, moved ok.3rd Novavida Aesirs Conquest (AI).

Class 22 Novice Bitch (4).1st Cranfield & Wright’s Zefather’s Gossip Girl with Irieusdane. See puppy bitch. 2nd Lawson’s Droolakiss Love Story. Brindle well marked, head good, when standing was a little wide in front, body good. I would like a better rear angulation moved ok.

Class 23 Post Graduate Bitch (3). One bitch presented then withdrawn.

Class 24 Limit Bitch (6)\1st Stanton’s Goldania’s Diva Princess. Fawn top class bitch.Correct head parallel planes with same width throughout, good length of neck with good shoulder lay, Chest full but not overdone at all. strong back with good croup and correct turn of stifle, carrying just the right amount of weight, well off for bone but not overdone, tight feet, moved round ring with drive fore and aft, very well presented and handled. I was pleased to award her BEST BITCH and BEST OPPOSITE SEX ‘DANE OF THE YEAR’2025.  2nd Reed’s Wildflower Patch at Minezara. See Junior Bitch.

3rd Merwick’s Taradanes Star Vision for Saalan.

Class 25 Veteran Bitch (5).1st White’s Jutlander’s Are You Ready JW (Imp DNK) Fawn 8 years old, presented in good condition, nice head, neck and shoulders well covered body, moved round ring like a pro. I was pleased to award her BEST VETERAN DANE OF THE YEAR 2025   2nd Middleton’s CH Taysca Must De Cartier at Dornoir JW. Black 8 years old another well-presented and handled oldie with a good head, neck and body moved ok.  3rd Middleton’s CH Damarkann Illcit Love for Dornoir.

Class 26 Special Open Harlequin Bitch. 1st Tamzdane’s Oooey Gooey Cake JW. Head ok, neck, shoulder and back good,well covered body. Moved around the ring with free and easy movement, Showy female who ask’s to be looked at. Awarded RESERVE BEST BITCH and BEST SPECIAL OPEN HARLIQUIN IN SHOW.  2nd Cope’s Fonblanque Fiona (AI) See Yearling Bitch.  3rd Henshall’s Calchas Addition (AI)

Class 27 Special Open Fawn Bitch (5). 1st Cranfield’s CH Zefather’s Kind of Magic JW. Good head with good length of neck into good shoulders, body ok, top line a little lose on the move but moved out well fore and aft. Awarded BEST SPECIAL OPEN FAWN IN SHOW. 2nd Worsley’s Primus Encore avec Malpa. Taller bitch with a good head with correct length of neck into ok shoulders, well covered body, bone good, I was disappointed with her on the move. 3rd Lawson’s Murrayvhayle Missbehave at Droolakiss

Class 28 Special Open Black Bitch (4).1st Prazak Dickson’s Kaaliana Jawska Seraphine. See Yearling Bitch.  2nd Reed’s Wildflower Patch at Minezara. See Junior Bitch.  3rd Bielecka’s Alegriagiant Dare to Dream.

Class 29 Special Open Brindle Bitch. 1st Merwick’s Taradanes Star Vision for Saalan. Well presented with good head, neck into good lay of shoulder strong back with good bone, croupe ok, moved around the ring with drive, would prefer more defined brindle markings. Awarded BEST SPECIAL OPEN BRINDLE IN SHOW.  2nd Page’s Novavida Aesirs Conquest (AI). Brindle Tall girl with a good head and neck, front a little narrow, firm body, moved ok keeping her topline. 3rd Lawsons’s Droolakiss Love Story.

Class 30 Special Open Mantle Bitch (2). 1st Hayter’s Damarkann Secret Dare with Stevarah. Smart bitch with good head, neck, and shoulders well covered body, moved well, a little flat on her feet, mantle marking are ok. Very well handled.

Class 31 Special Open Blue Bitch (5) 1st Ferguson’s Ir/Swe CH Renescent Too Hot to Handle for Chateaudain. Very well presented with very correct feminine head, well arched neck and covered body, good lay of shoulder, well off for bone, moved around the ring with drive and well handled.2nd Simpson’s Renescent Fugget About It. Litter sister to 1st all the same comments apply, just seems a little less mature than 1st.  3rd Hayter’s Taysca Stele Mici with Stevarah.

Class 32 Open Bitch (4). All Absent.

Judge John Dyson.