Nigel White

The Midland and West of England Great Dane Club

5th February 2023

Judge - Marina White

It was an honour to be asked to judge this special colour format open show. The club has to be recognised for adding so many beautiful finishing touches making it an extra special event. The puppy line-up was especially exciting and well done to the breed judges for putting through some nice exhibits.

 B.I.S   Cranfield's Zefathers Ralph Lauren JW, this young fawn was a stand-out winner in this line up, who caught my eye entering the ring with his powerful, sound and active side gait and is impressively accurate coming and going. His balance, strength and shape was what I was looking for coupled with a confident stature, proud head carriage and keeping his long tail controlled on the move. His head was clean cut, had good length and strength, good eye placement, deep set and dark in colour which gave a very pleasing and dignified expression, his front legs were poker straight and stood on well cushioned tight feet, condition wise he was spot on, well muscled but not overdone in any way. Absolutely loved him and wish the owner the best of luck in the future.                           

 R.B.I.S Mackenzie's Carsan Vincent. This blue male was also extremely well built and demonstrated a decent long and powerful stride, holding his topline and moving with head high and proud. He had the edge for maturity on the fawn, with his deep and well developed chest, good spring of rib and stood firmly on strong tight. Not quite the head of 1 but deserved his place in the top 2.

 B.B & B.O.S. Collett's Foaldown Dark Secret. I kept being drawn back to this black bitch in the line-up, her handler really does well considering she's rather petite (I know the problem!), unmistakably feminine and not overdone in any way but has that strength in body with a touch of elegance. She has strong quarters and a decent front and had enough muscle to propel her in an easy and free gait in all directions.   

 B.P.I.S  Bliss' Stagbatch Hi De Hi, a quality and promising harlequin who shows strength in her fore limbs and rear quarters, particularly liked her head which was clean cut, balanced, of good size and proportions, flat skull, triangular shaped ears set high, with decent length of neck, well laid back shoulder, good ribbing, strong loins, she was very sound and parallel on the move for one so young, presented and handled in excellent condition.

 R.B.P.I.S   Merwick's Taradanes Star Vision for Saalan, brindle b showing alot of promise and not quite as mature at this stage as my winner, plenty of attitude, friendly and outgoing and I liked for style and substance, she's put together so well, her forehand matching her rear and plenty of angulation to grown into, with a little more time I should imagine will be winning well.

 B.V.I.S Burton's Ch Ravendane Deal Me In With Elbarevol. I was really impressed with this 6.5 year old mantle male, he had the strength, substance, balance and soundness I was looking for. In top nick condition for his age, not a mark on him, and muscular, his feet were noticably tight, well padded and well knuckled up. His size and shape of head matched his substansive body, holding a firm topline in the stand and on the move, his handler sure got the best out of him and could've been a different result if he had won through from the breed classes. A very worthy champion, a real credit to his owner and well deserved BVIS.

Special Veteran Dog.

1. Burton's Ch R Deal Me In With E.

2 Cook's Ziran Zlatko. Good size harlequin with substantial bone and a large head with strong muzzle, long neck, firm topline, good depth of chest, good rear angulation, long tail, not quite the easy stride of 1 on the move and wasn't in a clean enough condition.

Special veteran bitch

1 Bailey's Primus Party Like Gatsby. A quality fawn who had good angles, forechest, good underline, laid back shoulder, straight forelimbs, strong hocks, very nice head with good length of muzzle, deep set eyes, high set ears, appealing expression, she was a little lacklustre on the move however and I'd like to see a shade more leg length for balance.