My thanks to the Great Dane club for inviting me to judge the annual Members Limit Show at the Dane Festival weekend. My thanks and gratitude also to the exhibitors who graced me with a wonderful entry. My puppy class was superb with lots of quality puppies which is always exciting for the future of this lovely breed. It was a joy to be given the pleasure of judging so many super Dane’s.
Thank you to my capable ladies in white, Helen and Lisa, who stewarded super efficiently for me topping off my really enjoyable day.

PUPPY
1st Simpsons – Renescent Bewitched. 
Super stylish elegant black puppy male of 11 months. correct headplanes with desired length of forface and narrow back skull framed nicely by his neat high set ears that he uses to complete the picture. the darkest of eyes and gorgeous big nose , a very kind and handsome chap to look at. his clean arched neck leads into filled front set on legs of fabulous Bone and the very best of feet which is hard to achieve on a dog of his size and substance . his well set shoulders flow into a lovely firm top line , clean wrinkle free withers flowing into strong topline and the desired slight rise over the loin, elbows well tucked under and his spring of rib forming well for age . Carries his tail correctly presenting a pleasant outline on the move. As he matures and muscles up I’m sure he will have a very bright and exciting future ahead of him. very pleased to award him best puppy.

2nd Lawton & Farqhharson – Garsak Sir Winslow at Thornbrae
A more mature taller heavier 11 months fawn boy with great substance well developed heavier head for age with a kind eye and appealing mask lovely width to his well filled front and elbows that sit tidily under his well developed chest. Good top line held as he moved with ease using his super rear angles.

JUNIOR
1st Bourton-Thorne – Verano Viva Las Vegas. 16 months pretty and feminine yet substantial fawn bitch. Super kind expression and dark eye on this black masked fawn, well filled front and elbows which are well tucked under, good tuck up. Well placed shoulders and wrinkle free withers leading into a level top line with desired slight rise over loin. good angulation and bend of stifle which contributed to her moving well and steadily for her handler.

2nd Cope and Thorn – FonBlanque Fiona.
16 month old harlequin bitch with the darkest kindest eye enhancing her exquisite expression. Clean neck with clean white chest, torn black patches well distributed nicely all over . Strong top line kept on the move , well ribbed and nicely muscled, moved soundly with purpose and stands for square presenting a super outline. Really like this girl, just lost out on maturity in this class but a promising youngster . 

NOVICE
1st Hayter Mr S & Mrs S – Taysca Pequena Luna Blu with Stevarah
Three-year-old bitch of good steel blue colour . I Like the make and shape of her but she would benefit from losing a few pounds to improve her outline (like a few of us !) That said this could not detract from her overall good honest qualities. Gorgeous head with good length of skull and equal length foreface with big black nose giving typical Dane expression, lovely and inquisitive. Filled front and correct depth of brisket, well ribbed. Firm topline, exceptional strong rear quarters with fabulous width to thigh which is well muscled nicely angled stifle and well let down hocks hence moved purposely around the ring so well with her young proficient handler. 

2nd Miss K Kingsley – Simangaliso Spirit of Dainoak
10 months blue puppy bitch, well balanced creating a lovely outline. Super dark blue well fitting jacket, strong but elegant head which is nicely chiselled, flat skull with desired stop and good length of foreface. Clean crested neck of good length into clean shoulders and wrinkle free withers. well filled front, good depth of brisket well ribbed for age. Strong level top line held on the move good croup and tail set that she carries well and held on the move. Well developed quarters for her age, a real promising puppy that I look forward to seeing as she matures. 

POST GRADUATE
1st Evan’s – Bellarosadane Lady Bayleigh.
Three year old harlequin bitch, a feminine girl with a pretty head, uses her neat well set ears to her advantage which compliments her dark kind eye and expression. Long crested strong clean neck flows into good top line. Desired clean white front without flecking which is well filled and of great width. Moved with a free and easy action in unison with her handler who gets the best out of her which won her this class.

2nd Tasker & Malloy – Newarthdane Mars
Sweet 2 1/2 year-old black boy with a masculine pleasant head. His dark tight eye creates a kind gentle expression which which could be enhanced if he used his ears a little more. Clean neck, well filled front and tidily tucked under elbows, short coupled, good top line. Moves steadily. Does everything to please his kind gentle handler. 

LIMIT
1st A McLennan Anadain – Dead Ringer For Love
Good honest fawn boy, correct headplanes and lovely dark mask on this handsome lad, neat small ears He holds high and uses well. Super well filled front with lovely depth, tight tidy elbows cradling his deep well ribbed brisket. Clean neck flowing into well placed shoulders and wrinkle free withers. Firm top line that he held on the move. Pleasing tail set and carriage. Strong well developed rear angles that are not overdone and he used on the move with ease. Doing everything asked of him. Thrilled to award him a well deserved Best In Show in show.

OPEN
1st N Morgans – Reema Boadixiya 
Eye catching attractive brindle Bitch of good size, strong yet elegant head with a kind dark eye long beautiful crested neck flowing into strong topline which she held on the move. Well filled front nice clean tuck up without any skirt into strong powerful rear quarters which used to move with purpose.

SPECIAL OPEN HARLEQUIN
1st Pococks – Tamzdane Apple ever After JW
Lightly marked harlequin bitch with the cleanest of white background. Appealing head enhanced by her lovely eye make up, would love her to use her ears more. Good length of foreface, flat skull, long clean white neck flowing into strong topline. Lovely cat like feet. Moved freely and easily with purpose. 

2nd K Kingsley – Fontanarossa Fait Accompli for Dainoak
11 months old harlequin puppy bitch. A pretty headed girl with brick on brick head piece, desired clean white neck and chest well filled front for age torn black patches. Nicely distributed all over her short coupled body. A balanced puppy that moved well today.

SPECIAL OPEN FAWN
1st Bartleys – Primus Gambler Atelib
14 months old fawn boy, masculine head with a dark eye not the tallest but extremely well muscled throughout. Strong lad that enjoyed his day out giving his handler some fun. 

SPECIAL OPEN BLACK
1st Renescent Bewitched – See Puppy notes

2nd Tasker & Malloy – Newarthdane Mars See PG notes

SPECIAL OPEN BRINDLE
1st Mrs. C Spackman – NovaVida Norseman Warrior.
13 months old tall brindle boy head of good proportions, lovely clean long neck, well filled front and strong level topline. Will benefit with maturity to drop into his rear angles which at his age and height is to be expected. Moved steadily for his handler. 

SPECIAL OPEN MANTLE
1st Pocock and Pavlou – Bubba Von Pao Eberjager with Tamzdane (imp FCA)
Almost 12 months strikingly marked mantle male with desired white collar, chest and tip of tail. Elegant head on this puppy without any excessive lip, which will mature in time. Clean long neck into beautifully filled front of great depth for age. Correct top line with slight rise over loin. Went around the ring at one with his clever handler.

2nd Hayters – Damarkann Secret Dare with Stevarah 
Good level head planes on this pretty and elegant mantle girl with a kind and gentle expression. Long neck, filled front, nicely balanced and short coupled with good top line. Desired slight rise over loin. Moved steadily with ease.

SPECIAL OPEN BLUE
1st Middletown’s – Carsan Augustina at Dornoir
Three year-old blue bitch a lovely elegant yet substantial girl presents a super outline. Typical head with flat skull and good length of foreface with kind eye and gorgeous big nose, well set ears she uses to enhance her expression long neck filled front good top line strong rear quarters. 

2nd Hayters – Taysca Stele Mici with Stevarah
Another lovely three-year-old blue bitch, a very close call between these two and I’m sure another day places could change. Kind and expressive head of parallel planes on this well presented substantial girl. Well set neat ears she uses to advantage, long neck but not quite as clean over the withers and slightly longer cast than first place which was my deciding factor today on this super class of blues. Firm top line super width to thigh and good bend of stifle giving the impression of great power behind. moved out really well using that powerful well built rest for her handler. I could happily take either of these girls home. 

SPECIAL VETERAN
1st Middletown’s – Damarkann illicit Love for Dornoir
Substantial girl presented in super condition a credit to her owner. A strong headed girl with clean white background. Well filled front excellent Bone, adequate neck, and firm top line. 9 years young and not showing it at all. Pleased to see her strutt her stuff to a lovely well appreciated round of applause. Quite brought a tear or two to my eyes. Very proud to award her best veteran show