Page 20 - Great Dane Magazine issue 5 , 2022

Interview with a judge

It’s a big joy to share my passion with my daughter Alma

What do you dislike most when judging? not possess the essence of the breed.
I could say that I don't like seeing Great Danes
that don't reflect the type, badly built and with How do you define the type?
bad movement. What I regret the most is seeing The TYPE is the set of characteristics that dis-
dogs where selection has caused damage to tinguish a breed, those that make it unique and
their health… I call it genetic mistreatment and unmistakable. In the case of the Great Dane,
to me it is unbearable. I might add that I am sor- those characteristics are very strong, just think
ry for arrogant and rude exhibitors, they are rare that there is no other breed that resembles it,
but this kind of person is everywhere. it is absolutely unique among all dog breeds. Its
distinctive characteristics are those that I explai-
What differences do you see in the judges to- ned in the previous answer and are also those
day as opposed to those in the beginning of that make it so difficult to breed because they
your career? are almost in contrast to each other: size, sub-
In my time (this is how all the stories of grand- stance, power must be combined with elegance
parents begin…) to become a judge, it was ne- and nobility, only the Great Dane is like this.
cessary to have accumulated years and years of
experience and to pass the exams it took a really Do you find the breed differs around the world,
deep technical preparation. Today this is not al- if so, how?
ways the case and unfortunately, we see at the The most obvious differences are between the
rings the consequences. European and American Great Dane. It seems
that they are very distant, even in their genetic
When you are judging Great Danes what do heritage. In Europe, it is not difficult to recognize
you look for? a Great Dane - especially fawns - with Nordic
I look for type, construction, movement, class blood. But there are now numerous subjects
and distinction. Easy to say .... I am still looking born in southern Europe with the typical cha-
for dogs whose characteristics agree with health racteristics of Scandinavian dogs, given to the
and longevity. I am not saying that I can guess abundant use that have been made by use of
the future of a dog, but the correct construc- these blood lines. There were, certainly, some
tion, solidity, elastic and powerful movement are advantages, as the Nordic Great Danes, especi-
good omen. I look for the basic characteristics of ally fawns and brindles, have good construction,
the breed: the Great Dane is a harmonious dog, even if they often show slightly angled shoulders
without excesses in any sense, MUST be elegant and long body. What I don't like is the expres-
and powerful, distinct and strong, however a sion: in the "face" of these dogs, the receding
Great Dane that lacks class and distinction does stop often leads to defects in the position of the

20 Great Dane Magazine | Issue 5-2022