INTERVIEW WITH JOHN STUSEK.

At the 2009 National Specialty I had the opportunity to speak to several prominent Dane people and will, in ensuing months, be presenting their responses to my interview questions. This month I am highlighting my discussion with John Stusek. I have known John and Myra for probably 30 years and am happy to present the following:

Q. In what year did you obtain your first Great Dane?
A. 1970
Q. Any interesting story about how you obtained your first Dane?
A. This was the classic story of a puppy mill dog. We actually wanted to get a black but wound up with a brindle male.
Q. What is your kennel name? What colors have you owned/bred?
A. Our kennel name is My-Jon. We have had fawns, brindles and harlequins. The primary pedigrees behind our dogs have been Tamanaco, Lincoln and Rojon.
Q. Do you have any idea of how many dogs from your breeding have finished their championships?
A. 71
Q. Any comments on some of your more memorable dogs?
A. We are very proud to have had 7 different dogs that have competed in the Top 20. All of them have been breeder-owner handled. A couple of names that others might know would be Chicago, Telemachus and Thriller (who sired 40 champions).
Q. Who was the person(s) that was the most influential when you first began learning about the Great Dane?
A. Micky and Lenny Ruzinski
Q. What breeding programs do you feel have consistently made strides for improving the overall quality of the Great Dane?
A. Mountdania and Bob and Hazel Gregory
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. I believe that a good Dane will win regardless of its color.
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 that the major metropolitan areas usually have the best breeding programs. Top breeders continue to excel while there are those that think the sport is less than honest. I personally think that two of the weakest areas are heads and shoulders. As far as strengths, I am not overly enthused about the overall quality that we see today.
Q. If you were to mentor a new owner in the breed, which areas would you stress the most?
A. Temperament and general appearance.
Q. In recent years the AKC has dramatically increased the educational requirements for individuals wishing to apply for additional breeds. One of the latest programs 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. We need more competent and knowledgeable mentors in order for this program to be successful.
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 wish that the original standard were still intact. Although not a part of the standard, I also wish that you still needed a five-generation color pedigree in order to enter the Futurity. Today all you need is $40.
Q. Any other comments you wish to make about the breed?
A. I love it!!!