INTERVIEW WITH JACK WATTS

Q:  In what year did you obtain for first Great Dane? Any interesting story on how this happened?
A: My wife and I got our first Dane in 1976. We had no intentions of ever showing our dog. We obtained her from a kennel in Houston.

Q: What colors have you bred/owned? Your kennel name?
A: Our first dog was a blue whom we lost in 1984. Other than this first dog, we have always had Fawns and Brindles.  Our kennel name is Jakay Great Danes.

Q: Do you have any idea how many dogs from your breeding have finished their champions?
A:  We have bred 19 champions and purchased 3 or 4 other dogs that have also finished. Initially, we used a handler.  By the 1990s, I had learned enough to where I began showing my own dogs. By the late 1990s, I did some selective handling for other people and finished about 7 or 8 of their dogs. We have never really had any goals as far as "numbers." We just try to do it the right way.

Q:  Which of your dogs have been the most meaningful to you?
A:  We purchased a bitch at the 1999 National-Ch Danesmore Diamond Jubilee ("Jewel") on a co-ownership arrangement. She finished at 18 months of age and although I was able to identify the "holes" in her structure, her ring presence was simply incredible!! She accumulated over 80 BOB wins, and at nearly 6 yrs of age, competed in the Top 20 competition at the 2005 National!!

Q:  Who was the person that was most influential when you began learning about the breed?
A: In general, my wife and I taught ourselves about the breed. I am a believer in learning by doing. However, one person that was very helpful in helping me about breed type was Milton Pardue.

Q:  What breeding programs do you feel have consistently made strides for improving the overall quality of the Great Dane?
A: Three programs that come to mind, Rojon's, Lamb's Creek, and Calypso

Q: For the 40 yrs of my involvement in the breed I have heard the complaints of owners/breeders of "color" and how they are not on a level playing field with the Fawns and Brindles. I have expressed my opinion in a previous article for the GD Gallery. I am certain the readers would like to hear your comments.
A:  In today's show ring the overall quality of "color" is oftentimes better than the Fawns and Brindles. This question goes back to what people are willing to put in the ring. Regardless of the color, there are dogs from lesser quality breeding in the show ring throughout the dog world. If a lesser quality of dog of "color" is not rewarded, then it is not right to criticise the judge for not being willing to put it up. 

Q:  In today's show ring, what aspects of the breed do you think are the strongest? Weakest?
A: Rather than specifying any particular aspects, I would like to say that there are breeders doing it the right way and putting good quality dogs in competition.  We seem to be taking a position of treatment vs prevention. In many cases, there is a lack of education amongst breeders and handlers. There are also individuals that are mentoring others that probably do not have the knowledge to do so. 

Q: If you were to mentor a new owner in the breed, what areas would you stress the most?
A:  I would tell them to develop an eye for the breed.  Listen to people from different backgrounds and bloodlines and develop a good overall picture of what is correct rather than the thoughts of a single person.  As far as a specific aspect of the breed, I would stress temperament. We tend to blame incorrect demeanor on a lack of training ("mommyitis") or socialization. These are certainly factors, but we have to ask ourselves if there are not some hereditary issues when we see this problem consistently in certain dogs. Even a pet quality dog must be able to exist in society. 

Q:  In recent years, the AKC has dramatically increased the educational requirements for individuals wishing to apply for 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 fell that these efforts have been (or will be) successful?
A: Yes. I am a believer in any additional education.

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 our standard?
A: I do not really have an answer to this question since I am not as conversant as some as to the changes that have occurred over the years in our standard.

Q:  Any other comments you wish to make about the breed.
A:  I would stress again the need for individuals to educate themselves and to get their education from multiple sources. Also, I would ask that we all remember that this is a dog game, not a people game.

BILL

                          (Please scroll down for a slideshow of the Danes of Jakay)