Our Usual Day

7am rise and put kettle on let out the puppies and older gal out for the first toilet of the day.

Clean up any overnight mess from them.

Make that coffee.

7.20am let retired mutleys out for their first toilet of the day let them take their time doing so and supervise whilst drinking  coffee.

Whilst doing that make up breakfast for all dogs.

Raw feeders first as its easier and quicker.

Go help up one of the old dears if she has fallen over. Balance can be a sod at times for them if they decide they want a zoomie and then realise they really cant. Sweep and mop and dry mop their room, clean up any accidents they may have had.

Give meds to dogs that get in their breakfast even the raw feeders. (lot easier).

Ditch now cold coffee and make another.

8am dish up everyones breakfast.

all oldies are resting and being petted by kids before school.

8.10am seeing of the kids wiping down their uniform of hairs as usual. Let the pups out

8.45am start on the pen and let out girlies for a good old romp out in the yard. Sift through their bedding and sort out fluffing it up for them. scraping up poop and hosing it all.

9am realise you haven't even made that coffee. Let the pups out

9.30am finish up in pen and have a romp with the girlies in the yard. Older girlie loves her cuddles.

10am come in and make and drink a hot coffee check Facebook. Let the pups out

10.15am back out to the kennels and let them out for a romp. Wilma always gets a cuddle before you even make a start on her kennel. Stripe just looks at you and runs thinking its play time. I do have to be firm cos he has knocked me over being a bit OTT.

Scrape out kennels sort out shavings and fluff up for them. Now its footie time for Stripe as Wilma doesn't play.

11.15am come in and make a start on my own breakfast and another coffee. Let the pups out

12 noon let pups out and then check in on Facebook and blog update where needed. Let oldies out.

12.30pm if not raining or to cold go to beach with a few of the dogs. We usually do this every other day when the spring comes all dogs love this and can be friendly with other dogs too and it helps them to know other dogs are there too.

Do housework in-between letting pups out. Do a spot of training with one or two of the dogs regardless of age. They love the one to one attention.

1pm start on lunch for humans and dogs. Feed everyone. Check pen and kennels and scrape if needed. If in and not at beach.

3pm think about dinner for us. Make a coffee for me. let oldies out keep an eye on them whilst having that coffee. Start laundry for dogs mine is done at night.

4pm let the pups out.

4.10pm Al does training with his dog and Stripe if needed. A stance or stay a walk or run in yard for 5 to 10 minutes.

5pm stick on the dishwasher let pups out. Prep dinner

6pm let pups and oldies out. Eat dinner.

7pm coats on dogs if cold and/or raining start taking out in their groups. Oldies only to be walked the half mile at their speed. Except Mondays and Wednesdays as this is ring craft class night for the pups. Take out earlier if feasible(see above).

8pm Supper time for all. Let pups out and oldies.

9pm let puppies out.

10pm bedding down for the night. Let pups out.

10.30pm last toilet of the night for indoors but if they need after we still let them out. More so the retired ones as they seem to need out every 3/4 hours.

11pm bed for me. To start all over again. I usually check in on Facebook and don't crash till after 1am. If I crash before them I am up at silly o'clock.

If at a show we leave instructions for all of this to be done during the day.

All dogs regardless get 3 feeds a day in winter and twice in summer.

If pups on the go we all muck in-together as the adults and kids all like to help out as we have a very much extended family as well which at times is a godsend.

House is shut down when pups are on the go by the way so if not family you aint getting in for 2-4 weeks.

LIVINGSTON CANINE SOCIETY

Culseandanes Vipers Tale 

Reserve in Great Dane Graduate.
Judge today was Mrs J.M. Wakker

Culseandanes Viper's Tale aka Stripe with his woman, 

Mandisadane Lady From Culseandanes aka Wilma enjoying a sunny winters day just chilling 

In Junior Handling today with Al and Culseandanes Vipers Tale

Reserve in JHA 12-16 Years.
Judge today was Miss J Sturrock. 

Not a bad effort today with dog and handler seeing as Stripe has been out of the show ring for 8 weeks since Working Pastoral at Ingliston Edinburgh. 

He has gained over 10kgs in weight as we just kept filling him up,  it has worked for him and he looks lovely on it. We'd like another 5kgs on him and he'll be set. 

Al I am very proud of today as he was getting tired and bored with the long wait on JH, but waited on his class without having a meltdown. 

Well done Al. 

Our Handler today was Al Sneddon and he did himself proud with Stripe.

We all had a great day out with friends new and old. Thanks to them also for the words of encouragement to Al including one of the committee members. Sorry for Al lack of interest but he wanted his book signed and he was tired as it had been a long day.

Al 6th time out in JH.

Putting Weight On A Dane

Stripe aka Culseandanes Viper's Tale.
32 inches and 54kgs/8st 8lbs at September

Stripe is as of the 27th Dec 64.75kgs =10st 2.7lbs 

He is nicely marked for a mantle and when he is behaving stands well. He allows judges to check him over with no problems and isn't fazed with other dogs in the ring or out for that matter. He is a hunny with humans and dogs alike. 

Is in fact trial and error all the way, I would be the same for other Dane owners and breeders alike. What works for one wont work for another hence its trial and error.


At the moment Stripe is eating Greyhound Gain 28 kibble with Tripe, Sausages, Liver, chicken, turkey, steak, sardines whatever I can shove into him.

Tripe is always green never white as the latter isnt good at all as its been stripped of the goodness.
Steak is a smallish amount as it makes him loose and the same with liver it is only given once a week which has to be seared for him the fussy bugger.

I don't give veg as this makes him loose.


There is also days he wont eat anything. Now I do worry over though's days, but they are few and far between and now I don't worry as I have since discovered this is normal.

Stripe has put on the weight and then some and now needs to lose some of the back end but not a lot.

In his garden a week ago.

3 days ago at the beach.

So since the end of August he has in fact gain over 10kgs = over 20lbs

Yes some danes are lean and some are heavier boned so this trial and error too but I knew my Stripe was under weight. So our mission was to get him to gain and its working. He gets conditioning tablets and stress powder as well in his meals every other day. He looks really well now that others are commenting on his gain not his losses.


(Hindquarters Extremely muscular, giving strength and galloping power. Second thigh long and well developed, good turn of stifle, hocks set low, turning neither in nor out.)
^
this is what I am looking for on his back end and it is slowiy coming. His hocks look good no over display of bone, a nice layer of fat is coming over them. Hindquarters nicely muscular and he can gallop in the yard but we don't want that in the show ring. 

A nice run on and a good solid movement in his stride would be excellent. Head held high more a prancing movement for him. Showing of what he can actually do and he can do that when he behaves and there hasnt been a bitch in season in the ring as he then hoovers the floor. 



Stripe is now being shown at Championship Shows only because of the bigger rings.

Our Bella

I have a fawn, a fawn after not having one in our lives for over 4 years.

We are hoping (fingers crossed) that she will be in the show ring.

Which will be at the end of March but I shall be leaving her till the Scottish Champ show at the beginning of April.

She has begun her training already and does a stack/stance lovely.  Still not sure of the lead but that is coming.

Her nature is second to none and she is a wee scamp playing with the other puppy we have here. She has bonded with everyone. This includes human and dog, as I type they are playing happily.

She has the most amazing full black mask ever.

She can be a bit stand offish but she is slowly getting there with me.

Having lunch 

Front row seat

Playing with Storm 

LARKHALL & DISTRICT CANINE CLUB

LIMIT OPEN SHOW 

AT LARKHALL LEISURE CENTRE 

Culseandanes Brutus Blue 

2nd in Great Dane Open

A.V. Abe Harkness Special Beginners Stakes  3rd

A.V. Abe Harkness Memorial Stakes......Open  4th 

Al Sneddon was handler for the day.

It was lovely to see dog and handler in the ring. 

Really chuffed with them both.

GREENOCK & DISTRICT KENNEL ASSOCIATION

Ho Ho Ho Pre Xmas Open Show

At the Magnum Centre Irvine

Culseandanes Brutus Blue 

reserve in A.V.N.S.C Working Dog. 

Reserve in A.V. Jingle Bell Stakes Open in strong class of 9. 

Handled today by Neil Craig.
Thanks to judge Mrs Hilary Norbury for thinking so highly of Leo 

Al did really well today with Culseandanes Brutus Blue

he was placed 2nd in Junior Handling in a very strong class of 4. 

He walked Leo because there was no mat down instead of running at the end as he knew big dog no mat not a good combination so he made a decision on what was best for the dog and it paid of, Leo loved being in that ring with him.

Thanks to Mr Dick Morrison for thinking so highly of them both and for the kind words and pointers to Al. 

This is Al 5th time out in JH.

CUMNOCK & DISTRICT CANINE CLUB

AT THE TOWN HALL, 

CUMNOCK

LIMIT SHOW
JUDGE MS D KIRKWOOD 

CULSEANDANES BRUTUS BLUE

AV PUPPY DOG 3RD

THANK YOU TO ALL FOR THE LOVELY  DAY MEETING OLD AND NEW FRIENDS.

LANDS o'BURNS CANINE CLUB

TODAY AT THE MAGNUM CENTRE 

IN THE OLD ICE RINK
JH JUDGE MELISSA LOVEROCK

ALAN DID REALLY WELL 

IN JUNIOR HANDLING WITH HIS CHOSEN DOG.

 IT WASNT A DANE THIS TIME. 

SHE WAS A BULLMASTIFF CALLED ROSE. 

BOTH DID REALLY WELL IN THE RING AS THEY HADNT MET TILL THE DAY OF SHOW.

CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUPERB SHOW FROM THEM BOTH AS THEY GOT A 3RD

EVEN IF AL FORGOT HER BISCUIT TILL THE END.

THEY BOTH EVEN GOT A WEE MENTION IN THE DOG WORLD MAG
IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER.

WORKING & PASTORAL BREEDS OF SCOTLAND

JUDGE MR G HOOKER

VIPER'S TALE FROM CULSEANDANES 

GREAT DANE POST GRADUATE DOG VHC 

Thanks has to go to my handler Amanda this time out.

Leo at home posing 

CULSEANDANES BRUTUS BLUE 

GREAT DANE PUPPY DOG 2ND

GREAT DANE LIMIT DOG VHC

MIDLAND COUNTIES CANINE SOCIETY

at the County Showground Stafford

We went and had a very fabby day. 

We did not get placed this time, but Debbie and  Culseandanes Brutus Blue did themselves proud on the day so I couldnt of asked for anything better. He stood beautifully in his open class and in the stake classes he was entered in. 

10 months old at The New Bingley Hall 

County Showground

Stafford

KIRKINTILLOCH, LENZIE & DISTRICT CANINE CLUB

in LAWRIE & SYMINGTON AGRICULTURAL CENTRE LANARK

CULSEANDANES BRUTUS BLUE 

GREAT DANE GRADUATE 3RD

GREAT DANE OPEN 3RD 

Picture taken at Alva the Scottish Great Dane Open Show 

(Really need to get more photos of Leo) 

THANKS TO THE JUDGE MS  FRAN KAYE FOR THINKING SO HIGHLY OF LEO

JUNIOR HANDLING 

12-16 AGE GROUP

ALAN AND  CULSEANDANES BRUTUS BLUE 2ND

QUALIFIED ONCE AGAIN FOR THE SEMI FINALS AT RICHMOND SEPTEMBER 2013 DID EXCEPTIONALLY WELL TODAY AS THIS WAS A DIFFERENT DOG FOR ALAN AND HIS 3RD SHOW OVERALL.

THANK YOU TO MISS TRACY HAMILTON FOR THINKING SO HIGHLY OF LEO ON THE DAY. 

Our Breed Standard

GREAT DANE

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Very muscular, strongly though elegantly built, with look of dash and daring, of being ready to go anywhere and do anything. Head and neck carried high, tail in line with back, or slightly upwards, but never curled over hindquarters. Elegance of outline and grace of form most essential.

CHARACTERISTICS
Alert expression, powerful, majestic action displaying dignity.

TEMPERAMENT
Kindly without nervousness, friendly and outgoing.

HEAD AND SKULL
Head, taken altogether, gives idea of great length and strength of jaw. Muzzle broad, skull proportionately narrow, so that whole head when viewed from above and in front, has appearance of equal breadth throughout. Length of head in proportion to height of dog. Length from nose to point between eyes about equal or preferably of greater length than from this point to back of occiput. Skull flat, slight indentation running up centre, occipital peak not prominent. Decided rise or brow over the eyes but not abrupt stop between them; face well chiselled, well filled in below eyes with no appearance of being pinched: fore face long, of equal depth throughout. Cheeks showing as little lumpiness as possible, compatible with strength. Underline of head, viewed in profile, runs almost in a straight line from corner of lip to corner of jawbone, allowing for fold of lip, but with no loose skin hanging down. Bridge of nose very wide, with slight ridge where cartilage joins bone (this is a characteristic of breed). Nostrils large, wide and open, giving blunt look to nose. Lips hang squarely in front, forming right angle with upper line of fore face.

EYES
Fairly deep set, not giving the appearance of being round, of medium size and preferably dark. Wall, or odd eyes permissible in harlequins.

Ears
Triangular, medium size, set high on skull and folded forward

Mouth
Teeth level. Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Neck long, well arched, quite clean and free from loose skin, held well up, well set in shoulders, junction of head and neck well defined.

Forequarters
Shoulders muscular, not loaded, well sloped back, with elbows well under body. Forelegs perfectly straight with big flat bone.

Body
Very deep, brisket reaching elbow, ribs well sprung, belly well drawn up. Back and loins strong, latter slightly arched.

Hindquarters
Extremely muscular, giving strength and galloping power. Second thigh long and well developed, good turn of stifle, hocks set low, turning neither in nor out.

Feet
Cat-like, turning neither in nor out. Toes well arched and close, nails strong and curved. Nails preferably dark in all coat colours, except harlequins, where light are permissible.

Tail
Thick at the root, tapering towards end, reaching to or just below hocks. Carried in straight line level with back, when dog is moving, slightly curved towards end, but never curling or carried over back.

Gait/Movement:
Action lithe, springy and free, covering ground well. Hocks move freely with driving action, head carried high.

Coat:
Short dense and sleek-looking, never inclined to roughness.


Blues: colour varies from light grey to deep slate, the nose and eyes may be blue also.

Mantle: Black and white with a solid, black blanket extending over the body. Ideally - black skull with white muzzle, white blaze optional, whole white collar preferred, a white chest, white on part or whole of the forelegs and hind legs, white tipped black tail. Nose always black, eyes and nails preferably dark

Harlequins: pure white underground with preferably all black patches or all blue patches, having appearance of being torn. Light nails permissible. In harlequins, wall eyes, pink noses, or butterfly noses permissible but not desirable.

Brindles:.must be striped, ground colour from lightest buff to deepest orange, stripes always black, eyes and nails preferably dark, dark shadings on head and ears acceptable.

Fawns: colour varies from lightest buff to deepest orange, dark shadings on head and ears acceptable, eyes and nails preferably dark.

Blacks: Black is black.
In all above colours white is only permissible on chest and feet, but it is not desirable even there. Nose always black, except in blues and harlequins. Eyes and nails preferably dark.

Size:
Minimum height of an adult dog over eighteen months: 76 cms (30 ins); bitches: 71 cms (28 ins). Weight, minimum weight over eighteen months: dogs: 54 kgs (120 lbs); bitches: 46 kgs (100 lbs). I don't think you are penalised these days over height and weight unless overly skinny or not walking or running correctly.

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to preform its traditional work.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

You can have your dog spayed or neutered in the show ring nowadays and as long as you tell the KC.

Courtsey goes to the KC for this.

Photos mine and yes I am a Mantle Snob. 

The Great Danes 100 Colours (well some)

As we already know there are 6 known KC colours for Danes for the show ring. 

Ok there is in fact 7 colours now as we in UK can show blue Harlequins which are winning at Champ level.

the reason for the first three is this is my chosen colours over the rest. 

but did you know there is 100 colours in this breed, of course most are mismarks but make excellent pets of course. 

WARNING: Mismarks are NOT rare colours so don't be fooled by the words rare and exotic or even the breeder asking for more money for these rare, exotic colours because its lies.

Mismarks cant be shown but make brilliant pets.

What is your favourite mismark? I love the full merle. Grey blanket and the torn black and grey patches. 

Here are a few of them and I have to say I have seen some of these in real life and in pictures

A diverse set of colours don't you think 

Merles, Merle mantles, mantle pi, merle pi, harli pi seem to dominant our market mainly these are from harli x harli and harli x mantle matings.

I am trying to find actual pictures of some of these and mainly it seems they are American and not from the UK at all. 

Useful fact

Merles came first before Harlequins.

Fawns may have become popular because of scooby doo, but he is in fact a mismark.


Also some folks are saying he is a chocolate if so this mean that Scooby wouldnt exist as both chocolate and black cant mix together.


Chocolate;  is a dilute of black but so is blue so my question is who came first or even is a chocolate a dilute of black at all but the darker hew of the fawn and brindle which then became diluted over the years. Which is possible I would say.


Lilac: is there also but again this comes from the blues as in less pigment and can be shown as it will be classed as a blue but lightly coloured. I have to be honest here I have never ever seen one yet. Yes I put yet because I will most likely see one in the future no doubt.

Genetics do play a big part here for your colours solid and dilutes of course.

What colours have you seen and what ones haven't you seen or is it is that really a Dane at all.

PAISLEY & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY

AT MAGNUM CENTRE IRVINE

CULSEANDANES BRUTUS BLUE
GREAT DANE GRADUATE 3RD
GREAT DANE OPEN 3RD

CULSEANDANES VIPER'S TALE
GREAT DANE RESERVE
PEGGY MCADAM STAKES OPEN RESERVE

THE PARLOUR 

JUNIOR HANDLING 

12-16 AGE GROUP

ALAN AND CULSEANDANES VIPER'S TALE  3RD

QUALIFIED FOR THE SEMI FINALS AT RICHMOND 2013