Doolin, our 7 year old Mantle Great Dane, was strutting his stuff this weekend at the Willamette Valley Great Dane Specialty Dog Show. Doolin is retired, but once a year he gets to go to the dog show for a day and be a show dog again. He really enjoys himself. He loves seeing his Aunties and gives them jumpy kisses. As he runs around the ring, his dog show family claps and cheers. We love our veteran dogs. Doolin is my first Great Dane show dog and he has a very special place in my heart. He is almost human and every day with him is a joy.
We’ve been looted – Doolin – our Mantle Great Dane
This weekend Doolin, one of our Mantle Great Danes, made his debut in Albany, Oregon as a veteran at the Willamette Valley Great Dane Specialty shows. We brought home great loot – ribbons and trophies. Great Danes can be shown as “veterans” from the age of 6 on. The Specialty shows are the ones that have classes for these 6+ year old Great Danes. It was great fun and heartwarming to see the veteran Danes trot around the ring. The crowd makes a point of clapping as they go around. For a breed that has a shorter lifespan than we would like, seeing healthy active older Danes is wonderful.
Doolin’s return to Dog Shows
For Doolin, his return to the show ring was immense fun. He really had a good time. He loved all the attention from his “Aunties”. He loves seeing Georgia Hymmen (Daynakin Great Danes in Washington) and Karen Hamlin (Hamlin Great Danes in Oregon) who have handled Doolin in the show ring. They are part of his very special family.
For Doolin, who loves being fussed over, he was also thrilled liver treats, used as bait in the show ring. The dogs love liver and will willingly do just about anything asked of them, for a nibble of liver. I believe Georgia is missing a couple of fingers from handling Doolin on Friday, March 31st. We are confident her fingers will grow back shortly 🙂 🙂
Doolin was the only male Veteran Great Dane shown in the two Great Dane specialty shows. He came home with some nice ribbons and a couple of trophies, silver and crystal, and a little bell that also holds a photo. I’ve learned so so so much attending dog shows. My dogs are so much the better for it. Breeders have decades of experience with the breed, know as much or more about Great Danes as my vets do. My dogs have learned to trust and like people from their exposure at shows and they are calm in chaotic dog filled situations.
Remy (Oregon Great Dane) again WD in Albany Oregon
Remy, our beautiful sweet Oregon Great Dane, was again awarded Winners Dog and Best of Winners during the McKenzie Cascade Dog Fancier’s Show in Albany, Oregon, February 24-27, 2017. He had already been awarded Winners Dog and Best of Winners the first day of the Show. It was an unexpected delight that he was chosen a second time for Winners Dog and Best of Winners .
Remy shown by Georgia Hymmen
Georgia Hymmen of Daynakin Great Danes once again piloted Remy to his wins. Georgia’s involvement with Great Danes has spawned decades. She actively and enthusiastically breeds and shows Fawn and Brindle Great Danes. She also is a member of Great Dane rescue clubs. One of the reasons it is crucial to stay in touch with the show world, is the knowledge of people who show. I am constantly learning from my Great Dane dog show friends about the health and welfare of my dogs. My vet appreciates the knowledge I share with her, most from these dog show friends. I am lucky to have friends so knowledgeable about the breed they love and raise.. I don’t think any of us could imagine our lives without these goofy dogs.
Remy (Mantle Great Dane Oregon) awarded WD, 2017
We had a wonderful four day weekend at the Linn County Kennel Club and McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers shows in Albany, Oregon, February 24-27, 2017. Remy (Mantle Great Dane Oregon),our beautiful Mantle Great Dane was awarded Winner’s Dog and Best of Winners.
Off to the Dog Show
We still think of Remy as our sweet Great Dane mantle puppy who is a joy to live with and he LOVES going to dog shows. Remy knows when I start loading up the car and bathing him that it is time for a dog show. He runs to the door wagging his tail, essentially saying, let’s go, let’s go. Remy loves all his “Aunties” at the show that pet him and give him treats. He loves his dog friends at the show. We are careful not to let his enthusiasm infringe on another dog’s space, but he does have dog friends that he has had play dates with who he knows and loves and he loves seeing them at the dog shows.
WD awarded in Albany Oregon for Remy (Dane – Mantle)
Remy (Great Dane – Mantle) was awarded WD in Albany Oregon
This was a very fun dog show with Remy as his breeder Kathleen Davis was up for the show. This was a good sized show and Remy was awarded Winners Dog. His sister, Dharma, from Norther California was up visiting. She was awarded the Winners Bitch. The judge liked both dogs and Dharma was awarded Best of Winners, this was a major win for Dharma who is a Harlequin Great Dane. I love this picture of Remy and Kathleen his breeder. Remy is almost always shown by Georgia Hymmen and he was shown by Georgia in this show, but Georgia had to run off to show another dog, so Kathleen stepped in so we could get a win picture with the judge. Huge thanks to both Georgia for piloting Remy to the win and to Kathleen for helping with the picture.
When breeding in the Harlequin color family, the Harlequins don’t breed true, meaning that if you breed two Harlequins you won’t get all Harlequins and you could get white puppies that could suffer from hearing and site issues. The safer breeding is to breed mantles to harlequin or merles which will give you Harlequin, Mantle and Merle puppies.
Remy (Mantle Great Dane) in an International Champion
Remy, a Mantle Great Dane, receives his International Champion Title in a Washington
Our baby Remy, about 18 months received his International Champion Title in a weekend. Once again aptly handled by Georgia Hymmen of Dynakin Great Danes, Remy was judged by 3 judges who each felt he was a good example of a Great Dane and issued him a leg toward his International Champion Titles.
The International System is another system, like the AKC or CKC. Often judges from the AKC judge the shows. The International shows are smaller and easier going, it is easier to get an International Championship and it is a great place to practice handling your dog in a dog show. We had a great day in Washington and it was fun to come home with a certificate. The competition isn’t a difficult as an AKC show, and we primarily go to AKC shows, but practice and training are good and it was a fun weekend with friends 🙂 Which is a big part of what dog shows are about, fun with friends and time with lots of beautiful and loving dogs
Remy (Mantle Dane) is an International Champion!
Remy awarded his International Championship
Remy is an International Champion! During a fun weekend with Georgia (Daynakin Great Danes), Remy’s handler, Remy earned his International Championship! The International shows are a different system from the larger AKC shows. Oftentimes the International shows have AKC judges. The International shows are a good way for young dogs or new people to dog shows to show their dogs. These shows are much smaller and the competition isn’t as competitive and the judging system is different. In AKC shows, only a single dog and single bitch in a breed are awarded points toward their championship. In the International shows, the dogs are only judged against the breed standard, so every single dog can get points toward their championship.
Since these shows are smaller and everyone is generally more relaxed these shows are wonderful training opportunities and good fun. You can complete your championship in a single weekend, or even a single day. If you have a chance to attend and show in an International show I would definitely do so! If you are looking at getting a puppy, even for a pet, I would advise looking for a puppy from a breeder who primarily shows in the AKC system in the US. The judging is more rigorous and the breeders are generally more knowledgeable.
Doolin’s Wall of Dog Show ribbons
Doolin’s Ribbons on display
Doolin is primarily a goofy family member we all just love to death! I’ve enjoyed showing him because I get to take my beloved dog and go play with other dogs, hanging out with good friends who love dogs. And believe me, you have to have a good sense of humor if you have Great Danes. Great Danes are such goof balls>
Doolin is a well structured healthy Great Dane who is a good example of the breed, so he has done well at dog shows. We have quite a collection of ribbons and they were just stuffed in a drawer. I wondered what to do with them. My friend, Eric Timmons, had a great idea and helped me put them up on the wall. I think we did a GREAT DANE job 🙂 Thank you Eric!!!
Doolin (Mantle Great Dane) in Portland Oregon
Doolin (Mantle Great Dane) shows in Portland Oregon
It is always wonderful to see Doolin, our Mantle Great Dane boy, shown by Kathleen Davis of Davishire Danes, his breeder. Kathleen and Diane Collings sometimes come up from Northern California for the Portland shows and stay with us. It is great great fun, they usually bring 2-3 of their Great Danes with them. Dogs are part of the family and its great, although not necessary, if you and your dog’s breeders become friends. Responsible Great Dane breeders love hearing how their puppies are doing. And your dog’s breeder should be an incredibly valuable resource for you the entire life of your dog, especially if you are new to Great Danes.
Showing dogs is part simply a fun social hobby, like fishing, but with umbrella drinks at dinners in restaurants, hot showers and comfortable beds in moderately priced hotels 🙂 It is also substantially an education about the health and welfare of dogs. I have learned far more about Great Danes from my show friends than my vet. I’ve received tons of help and advise from them. I will be forever grateful to my dog show friends.
Doolin (Mantle Great Dane) is WD in Klamath Falls Oregon
Doolin awarded Winners Dog in Klamath Oregon Dog Show
Doolin and I had a wonderful time at the dog show in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Doolin was once again handled by Karen Hamlin. She handles Doolin beautifully and he added another point toward his Championship
By going to dog shows, I’ve traveled to many locations in Oregon, Washington and California that I wouldn’t otherwise have gone to. Although the traffic on I5, the main North South highway going through Oregon, Washington and California, is becoming much heavier, I still really enjoy my trips. Dog shows are held in expo centers. Oftentimes the Exp centers are just off the freeway. Other times the Expo Center is in the middle of nowhere surrounding by cornfields or dairy cows. I remember going to a show and when the GPS said we were there, it was just a corn field. Fortunately I saw a sign pointing where to go. I love the West Coast.
