Firstly we wanted to say that we had never shown dogs before and we didn't buy Harvey with the intention of showing. BUT, with some encouragement from people we had met who knew about Danes and show dogs, we decided to have a go. Both Jacky Howe and Marilyn Winyard (Alchera Great Danes) both encouraged us on the basis of Harvey's qualities and his look - he is a stunning looking Dane. We caught the show bug - and it's not that Harvey does particularly well at the higher level shows, its just that we all enjoy spending the day together where the focus is completely on Harvey and we get to mix with other doggie and particularly Dane people. We also love just sitting by the ring watching other Danes elegantly run round the ring and stand looking beautiful - they are wonderful to watch in the ring. Then you also see the other side of them, when they're out of the ring with their owners, just sitting or sleeping by their feet, oblivious to the fact that they've just won or lost. The dogs that have the attention and time of their owners clearly love showing. More recently, and since Crufts 2006, we've 'stopped' showing Harvey. More because of the huge time (and expense) that showing involves and because although we think he's perfect, he doesn't quite 'hit the mark' at the higher end shows. It's certainly made our weekends less hectic and no 4am start on a Sunday morning is quite nice!!! We still do the odd show here and there - those closer to home or the more fun Companion Shows, but our days at Championship level are over!!! We certainly see Crufts as Harvey's show highlight and we have lovely memories of that day as it was always a little dream for us to get him there - there is more news and Crufts pictures on the 'Crufts 2006' page. Here's another picture of Harvey looking smartly stacked in the park...



We think it's also important to mention that showing can be very competitive. We think if you are going to embark on showing your dog, your attitude to it is really important and whatever the outcome, at the end of the day, your dog is still your dog and has no idea what the prize card or rosette means - your Dane still wants and needs your love and affection.

We started by 'training' Harvey to stand still for more than 20 seconds and to then let us move his legs around and running with us at the right pace to make his striding look as best as it could. When you watch experienced handlers in the ring, you realise how much work there is to making a superb show dog, but for us we did what we could! This is him in a recent 'show pose' and doesn't he look good?!!.....



We won't go into the different type of shows or breed standards for Danes as if you want to know more, the Kennel Club website (see 'Helpful Information' page) explains all that. But we started at some Exemption Shows and did very well. This is Harvey getting a 2nd place rosette at his first ever show.....



Then we carried on with more Exemption shows and he has had two Best in Shows and one Best Puppy in Show at shows with quite large entries of pedigree dogs!!!

So we decided to join some Great Dane Clubs and enter some Championship and Open shows, both 'All Breed' and Dane only. At this level you're competing against the best of the best in Great Danes and our results showed it!!! Harvey, compared with the competition, didn't do well, but then we knew that there were certain elements of Harvey that didn't quite match Breed Standard. Although its not a very interesting picture, this is what a Great Dane Championship Show hall looks like....just thought we'd add it here as we had no idea what to expect when we went to our first show.



We had also gone to Crufts a couple of times after having Harvey - to support the other Dane people there, and to get lots of experience and knowledge from the best handlers in the world. It's also a great opportunity to shop!!!!!!!! We were so impressed with the huge extent of the show and that planted the seed in our heads that we wanted, even if it was just once, to gain a qualification for Harvey so we could show him at Crufts.......and this is the point where we got that qualification at Windsor Championship Show in 2005.....this is Harvey just about to get his 3rd place, handled by Nick....



This next picture is of Harvey after his 2nd place in Special Open Black Dog at the East of England Great Dane Championship Show - it shows the judge, Susan Cottrell, writing her 'critique' and you can read our first critique on the 'Show Results' page.



So, off we go to Crufts 2006 with Harvey and we're really excited - just to be able to achieve a dream and show him there is enough for us when we had never even thought about it before we had him.

We don't really go to Championship Shows but do the odd Exemption Show and Open Show - whatever takes our fancy really! We always say we won't do as many the next year, but then get drawn in again and think it will be fun to do, so we have got the bug! It's also a great excuse to see lots of dogs, learn about showing and buy things....having said all of that, it is an exhausting day for all of us - with driving to the show, finding the show (Satellite Navigation really helps!), finding your ring number and ring, waiting for your class, being in the ring, watching the judging and then driving home....but importantly Harvey finds it tiring so need his rest and sleep. He's always full of beans when he gets to the show and sure enough, sleeps all the way home!

We've noticed over time that Harvey seems to be improving with his showing 'successes'. He doesn't get placed more often than he does, but we've had some real surprises (2nd out 7 at Dane of the Year Show in Special Open Black Dog for example) which make it all worthwhile. It just takes that one day, that one judge and everything going according to plan to make it a special day. Maybe Harvey is getting used to what we're expecting of him, or, more likely, some days he decides he fancies showing, others he flatly refuses to do what's asked of him and messes around, but thats dogs for you. To be honest, the days when he behaves and clearly has fun are what makes showing for us