INTERVIEW WITH JACKIE LAWRENCE

Q:  In what year did you obtain for first Great Dane?
A: 1985.

Q:  Any interesting story on how you obtained your first Dane? 
A: I was your typical ignorant puppy buyer. I got my first Dane through a newspaper ad.

Q: What colors have you bred/owned? Your kennel name?
A: All or the AOC colors, except Blues.  Shady Creek Danes.

Q: Do you have any idea how many dogs from your breeding have finished?
A:  8 out of 8 homebred litters, 1 from my first, 3 out of my third, 1 from the fourth (with another still showing), 3 from my fifth (with another needing a 3-pt major to finish), the next 3 litters are maturing, but there are pointed puppies from them.

Q:  Do you have any "favorites of the dogs you have owned or bred?
A: Grace is my Heart Dog. As is the case with most breeders they are all special to me; however, there will always be a special place in my heart for my foundation bitch, Carma Ques ICandy of Shady Creek as without her I would not have what I have today.

Q:  Who was the person that was most influential when you began learning about the breed?
A: Well years back, Larry Jean Cochran (Lamb's Creek Danes) did mentor me for a while.  Most of the knowledge I gained was learned with help from the Great Dane Reporter and many of the great online resources available and from watching other breeders.

Q:  What breeding programs do you feel have consistently made strides for improving the overall quality of the Great Dane?
A: The kennels and personal names that I feel have made consistent contributions and improvements are ... Rojon, Shadam, My-Jon, Dagon, Honey Lane, Longo, BMW, Riverwood, GMJ, and Michaeldane.

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: I know that there was a time when "color" seldom was recognized.  However, in today's show ring, I feel that the recognition of "color" is about even with the fawns, but do feel the Blues have improved greatly, but still do not get their fair share of recognition. . 

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: I believe the strongest factor is probably heads, bone and susstance and the weakest being front assemblies, toplines and croups.  I also believe that these factors are fairly consistent across the country. 

Q: If you were to mentor a new owner in the breed, what areas would you stress the most?
A: The three areas of conformation on which I would dwell would be breed type, soundness and balance, but I would also stress the importance of temperament, health and longevity!!. 

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 feel that these efforts have been (or will be) successful?
A: Although the new ringside mentoring program may have positive results, I cannot believe it would be as educational as the former program of in-ring mentoring.

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 believe that some of the changes were necessary, but, more often than not, I do not believe they were necessary nor of benefit.

Q:  Any other comments you wish to make about the breed.
A:  I would be much happier if people spent less time breeding "paper" and show records and spent more efforts on improving overall breed quality.

BILL

                        (Please scroll down for a slideshow of the Danes of Shady Creek)