Bill Stebbins Coffee and Dane-ish

Interview with Paddy Magnuson

I am pleased to submit the following interview with Paddy Magnuson. For more years than I can remember (and am too much of a gentleman to ask) Paddy has been a cornerstone in the promotion of the Great Dane. If you have ever read the Dane column in an AKC Gazette you have experienced her devotion and love for our wonderful breed. Over the years there are changes in the look and quality of any breed. Individuals must decide for themselves if these changes are good or not. I would invite you to read some of Paddy's comments...

Q. How did you obtain your first Dane?

A. I was born in Northern Ireland and was one of six children. Each of us had a choice of which breed we wanted. I chose the Great Dane.

My first Dane in the U.S. was obtained from a breeder in Califon, N.J. A long, funny story. I located the breeder via a newspaper ad. I checked the breeding and it was Roxdane which my meager research told me was good. I was lucky, he was beautiful. His name was Michael. He became my companion and protector for nearly 14 years.

Q. What colors have you owned/bred? Your kennel name?

A. fawns, harlequins and mantles...Magnus Danes

Q. Do you have any idea how many dogs from your breeding have finished?

A. Not really. I only bred about 25-30 litters including some that were co-bred with Nancy-Carrol Draper (Danelagh Kennels). Many of these obtained CD, CGC and TDI certifications. I was a certified TDI evaluator until I turned in my badge last year.

Q. Which of your dogs have been the most meaningful to you?

A. All of my Danes have great meaning to me. "Michael" (mentioned above) was a "Dane for All Reasons". We traveled thousands of miles back and forth across the country often with him in the passenger seat of my Chevy sedan. We hiked the trails in Yellowstone where he protected me when necessary. I had so many reasons to be thankful. He became a Therapy Dog when called upon at a local children's hospice. This was long before TD dogs were certified. He was true a "Apollo of Dogdom" in every sense of the term. Of some interest, after his puppy shots, Michael never received any other vaccines, was never wormed, and his only trip to the vet was when his kidneys failed and we said goodbye to him.

Brian Boru was a magnificent, big, sweet boy and Danelagh's Zari was my buddy as was Danelagh's Ottar, her sire. In 1981 I acquired my first harlequin from Laura Kiaulenas (BMW Danes). From that time forward I only bred harlequins. I have been fortunate to have owned many sweet and loving boys and girls..."Mignonne", "Seanachi", "Zaria", "Tiah", "Miah", and "Calhoun" to name a few... they are all so special. In 2002 I was on the wane (so to speak) then got a new lease on life when I acquired "Charli", BISS Am. Ch./BISS Can. Ch. Rockbridge Charli Angel, RN, AOMs. She was one gorgeous puppy! We were off and running. Charli gained her Am. and Can. CH. before 18 months of age. In 2007 she was bred to BISS Ch. GMJ's The General Dakota which produced a litter of five. I now have the great joy of owning (or being owned) by her mantle son, Ch. Seani and harlequin daughter, Ch. Madi. Their sister in California, Danni, needs one more major to finish. This all goes to make my Charli Angel one very special Great Dane. She is now a senior citizen and can still hold her own in the ring. She also loves visiting kindergardeners at the local school.

Q. Who was the person that was the most influential when you first began learning about the breed?

A. First was my dad, who taught us kids the importance of an animal's basic structure be it a dog or pony. In the U.S. I would have to say Nancy-Carrol Draper. She introduced me to many top breeders of the era...Anna Mary Kaufmann (Mountdania), Rose Roberts (Dinro), Mary and Jerry Johnson (Marydane), Al and Poppy Fellman (Wynridge), Hazel and Bob Gregory (von Riesenhof) to mention a few. All had developed their distinctive bloodlines. You did not have to look in a catalog to check the breeding. I honed my handling skills on Nancy-Carrol's dogs as well as learning the idiosyncrasies of judges and handlers. This was in the early 70's and judges could and would chastise a handler if they exhibited a really mediocre or temperamental Dane under them. Some judges (e.g. Peter Knoop) would help a novice stack a dog. He once helped me and then gave me WD. I am fortunate to have been part of dog shows in that era. Great dogs were acknowledged by all. There were many more benched shows where one could learn a mint with lots of time to study individual dogs. Communication was open and rampant. We no longer have that educational platform and it is sorely missed.

Q. What breeding programs do you feel have consistently made strides for improving the overall quality of the Great Dane?

A. We do not have the large kennels of yore. Few could afford to maintain the breeding stock or do the "trial breedings" that was indulged in then. However, with only a small number of quality dogs, some breeders, by applying the same principles of dedication and research, have managed to produce consistency, develop and maintain recognizable bloodlines. The breeders of today with whom I am familiar and, I believe, have been able to cut the chaff from the corn, are Riverwood (Eva Robinson), BMW (Laura Kiaulenas - deceased), GMJ (Gina Jaeblon), Sandale (Dale Tarbox), Maitau (Pat Ciampa, H. Cross, & T. Cross), WYSIWYG (Teresa LaBrie) and I would also like to mention Chromadane (J.P. Yousha) who concentrates on producing the "Working Dane" of what I call "The Whole Dane")... competitive in conformation and performance events.

Q. For the 40 years of my involvement with the breed I have heard the complaints from owners/breeders of "color" about how they are not on a level playing field with the fawns and brindles. I have expressed my opinion on this subject in a previous article for the GD Gallery. I am certain that the readers would like to hear your comments.

A. This battle of the colors has been going on for ever. I have clippings from "Our Dogs" printed in 1927/1928/1929, written by Gordon Stewart, a prominent English breeder of that era discussing Great Dane colors when the colors were first being developed. Questions about what constituted a good "blue" or "black", how much white was acceptable. Should the black patches on a harl be described as "torn" or "ragged edge"? So things have not changed much in the last 80 years or so. However, they all end up with the same declaration... "Color should be the last consideration when judging. Type and conformation is foremost." Makes one wonder why we spend so much time defining colors. I think the playing field has been leveled some but there are judges who are labeled by exhibitors for seldom, if ever, "putting up color". One can only assume they prefer fawn and brindle colors. Our "colored" dogs have improved immeasurably in the last 30 years. They certainly now hold their own as excellent representatives of the breed as a whole.

Having served on many Standards Committees (the last being 2008/9) I have come to the conclusion that having illustrations defining the colors of harls and mantles imprints on judges' minds that their color must be of prime importance even though it is always emphasized at Judges Educational Seminars (and our Standard states)..."Faults of color, with the exception of serious deviations, should not be considered as important as faults of structure and type. THE OVERALL QUALITY OF THE DOG IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE". (Yes, it is capitalized.) With this said, to me it is paradoxical that we place such emphasis on the definitive color of the harls and mantles to the point that we illustrate them. Fawns, Brindles, Blacks and Blues are judged primarily on their conformation. Why not give the judges the same "freedom to judge Harls and Mantles without having to decipher and nit-pick over color? "Apollo", the Greek god, was not worshipped for the color of his hair. He was worshipped for the overall qualities of his strength, bucolic beauty and athleticism, just as our breed should be. Removal of these illustrations would go a long way to leveling the playing field for all colors.

Q. In today's show ring what aspects of the breed do you think are the strongest? Weakest? Do you think that these factors are pretty much consistent across the country or are found in isolated areas?

A. Strongest - Despite the proliferation of bloodlines, there are some lovely, sound Danes in all six colors. They can take one's breath away. They represent the bloodlines that will sustain the continuity of our beautiful breed.

Weakest - Angles and overall balance come to mind. Many Danes are "bits and pieces" and do not "flow together". Lack of reach and drive.

Q. If you were to mentor a new owner of the breed, which areas would you stress the most?

A. Education - Research and study the breed. Learn everything you can cram into your brain. First and foremost learn structure, so you can interpret the Standard correctly. Understand why strength, balance, substance, soundness, angles, elegance and head planes are important. Find a reputable breeder, preferably one who will mentor you. When you obtain your first Dane from that reputable breeder, know that you are taking into your life a very sensitive piece of flesh and blood, who, will respond only as well as you understand his/her needs.

Q. In recent years the AKC has dramatically increased the requirements for individuals wishing to apply to judge additional breeds. The latest of these is the establishment of ringside mentors by the various parent clubs. In theory this is a positive move. In your opinion do you feel that these efforts have been (or will be) successful?

A. I would have to say that it depends entirely on who is doing the mentoring. Success would definitely depend on the mentor's abililty to see the "whole dog" and not be putting emphasis on certain parts. I think some breed clubs have mentors certified by 2 or 3 old-time breeders before they may become ringside mentors. That makes sense.

Q. Over the years there have been a number of changes to the Great Dane Standard. Do you think that the changes have, in general, been necessary and also of benefit to the breed and/or those learning the breed? Are there any former details or verbage that you might still wish were part of the Standard?

A. The illustrations did need an update but substituting the present illustrations for Gauthier's illustrations was a mistake in that they do not (in my opinion) correctly illustrate the standard...especially the Correct Dog and Correct Bitch. The dog shows a good illustration of the stove-pipe neck...not a good learning tool for judges or exhibitors. Also, our standard is very verbose. It could use a good editing job me thinks. I do believe it needs an update from time to time only because our perceptions change as does our language. Different interpretations evolve.

Q. Any other comments you wish to make about the breed?

A. I am fortunate to have had Great Danes in my life since my childhood. They are the most elegant, intelligent and loving friend one could have.

BILL

(For pictures of Paddy and her Danes through the years, please see slideshow below.)