My intro to the conformation ring came with the purchase of Shanee - the Great Dane, at that time I housed Standard Poodles from the renowned Ilsa Konig Shangri-La kennels.
After I acquired Shanee I researched knowledge about this magnificent breed. I became active with the Great Dane Club of America. The Club had very stringent rules back then. I returned to college to take a course of Genetics, relating to the Color Code of Ethics.
Shanee completed her championship with the capable handlers Dan Lasky and the Forsyths. I had the benefit of their years of ring experience coupled with the knowledge gained from sitting at the ring side and critic the judging.
In 1972, I breed Shanee and one of her pups went to Europe to Curt and Ulla Magnison, which introduced my breeding to that part of the world. I bred a total of 6 litters of Danes from 1972 - last litter in 1985 - and put all my attention into judging, study, learning about pedigrees, background, color and temperament of this great breed. It's magnified Apollo of Dogs.
Fortunately, the American Kennel Club decided that my years in purebred dogs and my knowledge in Danes, as well as membership in the Stewards Club of America and Match Show judging provided sufficient background to approve me as a provisional judge of Danes.