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European versus US Show Rings
by Solvi Nordin

Nowadays, we often hear people talk about the differences between the European and the US “show ring”.

There certainly are some very distinct differences, and you will find them inside the ring as well as in the immediate surroundings. The judging system, the look of the Dane, the dress code, the use of pro handlers and double handling are some of the most visible distinctions.

In most of the European countries, the Great Dane breed is divided as if it were 3 different breeds. Blue is judged alone, black, harlequin and mantle are judged together and so are fawn and brindles. This means that we have a WD, WB, BOS and BOB for the Blues, the same for the Mantle, Black and Harlequin and also for Fawns and Brindles. It might seem amazing for one who is used to see few Blue’s in a US show ring but in Germany the Blue color is the most common!

Another important difference between the judging systems is the European use of a written report. While viewing each individual, the judge will write a small but somewhat detailed description about that particular dog and this can be of great help for owners and breeders to better understand the excellence and/or the flaws of any particular dog. After a number of shows a pattern will often emerge on the written reports that confirms a general opinion from multiple judges about features of the dog. If, for instance, 8 out of 10 judges write that the dog has an excellent square rear or a steep shoulder, we have to assume that this is “true” about the dog in question. It also usually makes the owner appreciate why the dog was placed in a particular manner.

The use of the written report means that each dog, first and foremost, is judged towards the standard for its breed. It has to obtain the highest score given, “excellent”, before it will be judged against other “excellent” individuals of its breed.

We also have differences in class divisions and some countries, like Italy, have a Youth Championship that is achieved on a point scale.

Which “type” of Dane is often referred to and most of us divide them into “US type” and “Euro type”. Even though it is a generic statement, it is somewhat true for the Dane with mostly “US heritage” and we think of the “US type” as a Dane that is of the lighter or more elegant model and with heads of rectangular shape that are without excessive skin. When we refer to “Euro type” we most certainly cannot speak in generic terms as if referring to Europe as one region, but have to understand that it specifically points to the Danes that we mostly find in the French, Spanish and Italian region of Europe. This type of Dane is often more massive and/or bulkier and has a scull that is more square with “excessive” skin. In the mid European region including Holland, Germany and Great Britain for instance we find more of the “mid range” Dane, they represent a type somewhere in between the first 2 mentioned. They are often substantial and often do not carry excessive skin and do not have a very elongated muzzle. Then you have the Northern European countries, including Scandinavia and Finland, that have a Dane type that very much resembles the US type, but with some more substance. As the interchange of blood lines across borders and oceans has become quite common, this distinction between “Dane types” might become less evident.

Another big difference between the US and European “ring” is the dress code. In Europe there is NO dress code! People come in clumps and sweat pants or about anything that they would wear around the house. There is certainly no thought to how their outfit matches the color of the dog….. Personally, I have to say that I find it nice to see that some Europeans are changing the trend and are paying attention to their clothing before stepping into the ring.

In the US, the Pro handler has a full time job. In Europe, there is NO Pro handler, that kind of occupation simply does not exist. Most people show their own dog or are helped by breeder or friends. This has an impact on the general atmosphere in and around the “ring” and it gets somewhat more laid back, as the mood is not set by professionals needing to earn a living. This is not to say that the European show scene is not competitive, that would be far from true and the usual bickering around the ring about the judge putting up a very bad specimen, certainly one that is of lesser quality then our own, is true anywhere…

We have a very curious difference between the way we present our dogs to the judge. In the US, the handler will usually keep a rather thin collar up under the cheek of the dog and keep a tight hold while the dog is “stacked”, meaning the dog has to stand in a particular pose. I have met many Europeans who react in a very negative way when they see this, and they often say “poor dog !”, “is he trying to strangle that dog?!” , “why do they keep the dog like that?!” etc. In the US, we also use bait in the ring and it is the responsibility of the person holding the dog to present it for the judge as best possible and any double handling is forbidden.

Double handling is when a person on the outside of the ring is trying to influence the presentation of the dog by YELLING its name, throwing a favorite squeaky toy in the air, bouncing the soccer ball time and TIME AGAIN, bringing a cat in the inner pocket or running around with a bitch in heat…. All this goes on simultaneously while the dogs in the ring are presented on a loose lead, often with a BIG collar, and who cares where the legs are placed ?! It also seems to me that the further south you go in Europe, the more experts there are on the “art” of double handling. :-) Sometimes I find it amusing, other times simply chaotic, but I can personally appreciate the show scene on both sides of the Atlantic.

Solvi Nordin is originally from Norway and was the owner of the late ITj/Am CH Terminetor B del Castello Gamenario. "Oscar" who obtained his Italian Youth Championship, later came to the USA, at 5 years old, and gained his AKC Championship. Oscar, at the age 9, entered an international show under Swiss judge Mr. Neugel and took took home a CAC win(equivalent of Winners in the US)! You can see Oscar's BGD ad in the Haus of Bluez. Also, look for Oscar's memorial ad in Daneworld.

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