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ABOUT US – Our History
A specialist club for Great Danes was first formed in the United Kingdom in April 1883 – primarily due to the efforts of Mr Frank Adcock, Mr R Leigh Pemberton and the Rev Gambier Bolton. It was proposed to call it The Great Dane Club and under that name would be included all the various coloured specimens known as – Boar Hounds, Tiger Mastiffs and German Mastiffs.
Update – Registration Of The Colour Merle – The Way Forward
As you will most likely be aware, following the hard work of everyone involved, the colour Merle is now included under the Non Breed Standard Colour Tab for Registrations.
To have so many of our Members take the time to not only vote, but to give their thoughts on this important subject was very refreshing. When compiling the results of the responses and conversations that we received from our Members, it became clear that there are several who hold very passionate views that Merle is added as a Breed Standard Colour. Many of us have been aware that there has for some time been a building momentum with a number of exhibitors who wish to add Merle as a Breed Standard Colour, especially since the inclusion of Merle within the AKC and FCI Standards.
At The Great Dane Club Committee meeting held 28th February 2021 we discussed the colour Merle and the role that it should play in Great Danes going forwards.
We believe that it is essential that we listen to the views of all of our Members to ensure that we get a full and balanced view and act accordingly. It is important also that everyone is able to express their own opinion without influence and with this in mind the we ask you our members the following clear and simple question.
Do you wish the Colour Merle to be added as a Breed Standard Colour?
(Please respond to mailto:renescent@icloud.com stating yes or no)
This poll is for fully paid up members of the Great Dane Club and all responses must be received by 26/3/2021. We have requested that this subject is put on the Agenda for the next Breed Council Meeting, where 6 Clubs in favour would be required for the matter to progress to the next stage. That stage will potentially be a lengthy one, requiring the drafting and agreement of the Merle colour description in readiness for presentation to the Kennel Club for approval etc. Please see the Roadmap below for a more detailed explanation of everyones role in the process.
Kind Regards
David Simpson
The Great Dane Club
renescent@icloud.com
07872 461790
THE MERLE ROAD MAP – THE WAY FORWARD
Merle (Current Situation)
For Great Danes the colour Merle can now be registered with the Kennel Club as a Non Breed Standard Colour.
Individual Clubs (Their Role)
Whilst the individual Clubs will be asked to poll their Members like the Great Dane Club are doing i.e.. “do they want Merle to be added as an accepted colour within the Breed Standard? Yes or No”, this will only be the first step but an very important one, in a potentially very long process.
Once a Club has obtained results from their Members poll, these would then enable Clubs to vote at the Breed Council Meeting. (The Kennel Club will only consider changes to the Breed Standard, that are submitted by the Great Dane Breed Council, not individuals or individual Clubs.)
The Great Dane Breed Council
The Great Dane Breed Council is currently made up of 8 Great Dane Clubs. Each of these 8 Breed Clubs has one vote and a majority of 75% (6 out of 8 Clubs) would have to vote yes, for a request to change the Breed Standard to be proposed to the KC.
Without at least 75% of the Clubs backing any potential changes can go no further.
With at least 75% of the Clubs in favour, it would move to the next stage. In this case, firstly a complete colour standard description would have to be researched and agreed by the Clubs. This is a very complex subject and will require a lot of research and consultation to ensure every aspect is covered.
The Kennel Club
When the colour standard description is agreed it would be submitted to the Kennel Club for their consideration. This is by no means the end and it is possible that it may require further time and consultation to agree with the Kennel Club on a description.
As the governing body the Kennel Club has final say on anything relating to Breed Standards.
Conclusion
This is a very important decision for our Breed and one which many people have strong opinions on. It is important to be aware that it is also a very complex process which is essential to get right. Whichever way the initial vote goes, be prepared to be patient. For reference, it took around 4 years to get the colour Mantle through the same process.
STOP PRESS – UK GREAT DANE BREED HEALTH SURVEY
FUTURE EVENTS
The GDC
Championship Show
Sunday 08th August 2021
The GDC
Open Show
Sunday 21st November 2021
CANCELLED
Important Information
The Great Dane Club Members Limited Show
07th August 2021
The Great Dane Officers and Committee have taken the difficult decision to cancel this years Members Limited Show. This was due to take place on completion of the Great Dane Breeders and Owners Association Championship show on Saturday 07th August 2021. Unfortunately due to the likely event of COVID-19 restrictions taking place over the weekend, we have decided that the back to back Championship Shows should take priority. The club have not taken this decision lightly but feel that this is the right choice to make at this time. We hope that you understand our reasons and we look forward to welcoming you to our back to back Championship Show.
The Great Dane Festival
We are proud to announce that we will again be holding The Great Dane Festival together with The Great Dane Breeder and Owners Association.
The GDBOA Championship show will start on the morning of Saturday 07th August 2021 with the Great Dane Club Members Limited show in the afternoon. We will then be holding The GREAT DANE CLUBS Championship show on Sunday 08th August. Please note this year we will not be holding our normal Stakes classes.
Schedules for the show are currently on hold until we have more information regarding the current situation with Corona Virus.
Announcements will be made on Social Media and our website as soon as more information is made available.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE ONLY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF ROOMS AVAILABLE AT THE DISCOUNTED RATE AND BOOKINGS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN.
IF YOU WISH TO RESERVE A ROOM PLEASE CONTACT THE HOLIDAY INN AT CRICK ON 01788 824800 (STATE DISCOUNT CODE GD1).
IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH RESERVATIONS PLEASE CONTACT RAJ ELLIS-KHANNA BY EMAIL RAJ@THEGREATDANECLUB.COM OR VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER BUT PLEASE BE AWARE ONCE THE ALLOCATION HAS BEEN FILLED WE ARE UNABLE TO RELEASE ANY FURTHER ROOMS AT THE DISCOUNTED RATE.
Great Dane Care Charitable Trust – CORONAVIRUS STATEMENT
“Great Dane Care Charitable Trust would like to say that we are open as long as it is legally possible. Due to the present situation we cannot allow entry to the assessment centre without prior arrangement to protect our vital staff and volunteers. The same consideration is going to be given to our army of home checkers who will not be expected to put themselves or others at risk. Vet checks will be normally be taken up for people wanting to take on a Great Dane and then home checks organised after rehoming until the situation changes.
Donations are very welcome as many of the events normally attended this year for fundraising and breed rescue awareness, have been cancelled, so far this year, your continuing support is needed!! We hope the situation will soon come to an end and you will all keep safe.”
Elizabeth Davies
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