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Sculptors
Peggy Dieter Ritter

CH G-Dieters Debonair Gibson

BISS CH G-Dieters Chance Encounter

BISS CH Sharcon's Tomahawk AOM
at the 2007 GDCA National

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In our “Sculptors” series we ask blue breeders questions to provide some insight into the various schools of thought found around the world. In our first article, we interviewed Peggy Dieter Ritter of G’Dieter Danes in Hagerstown, Maryland, USA.

Peggy began her commitment to Danes 23 years ago when she bought her foundation bitch “Greta”, Paige Greco Greta, in 1984. A combination of the names Greta and Dieter produced her kennel name G’Dieter Great Danes. Peggy has bred fawn/brindle as well as a black/blue line of Danes in her time with the breed. She has bred many champion Danes including a couple of Best in Specialty Show winners.

Now on with the questions…

How did you get started in Danes?
Oh my, I don’t know if anyone else has gotten started like I did. And if anyone had told me 30 years ago that my life would revolve around Great Danes like it does, I would not have believed it.

I got my first Great Dane after my home was broken into while working night shift at a nursing home. I lived alone up in the mountains so I wanted a dog that had an intimidating bark and size but was gentle. After researching different breeds I came up with a Great Dane or a Newfoundland. At the time I did not have air conditioning, so I went with the Great Dane for the short hair.

The only way I knew to get a Great Dane was to look in the newspaper. So that is how I got my wonderful Greta. I was very fortunate in that Greta was healthy, had a great temperament and (not that I knew at the time) had pretty good conformation. She was my best friend and we did a lot together. I took her to obedience class and she did great. And she loved going to the Potomac River to retrieve the sticks I threw for her in the water.

It was not until I met Carol Sloan that I got interested in showing. We bred Greta to Addidas Friday and Marci, the stud owner took a puppy and sold her to Carol. I don’t remember how Carol and I connected but we did. After Carol suggested we go to some dog shows, I was determined to learn how to show my danes. Unfortunately I did not really have a mentor starting out, so I relied on reading books on showing and the Great Dane standard. I watched the AKC Great Dane standard video over and over again. Later I met some very helpful people like Charlene Kamler, Norma Jacobson (who I acquired my Belle from) and also my handling class instruction, Vic Guilmino with the Mason Dixon Kennel Club.

Who has helped you the most in your time with Danes?
Besides those mentioned above, Richard and Peg Nelson of Woodcliff Danes, Pat Haltmeier, Elaine Baldi of Deer Run and Maureen Clark of Sharcon have helped me a lot. And I have enjoyed my time with Sandy Hann and Barb Myers when we critique dogs together…. A great learning tool.

Is there a particular dog or bitch you felt epitomize what you were striving for in your breeding program?
There are so many wonderful dogs out there, although very few blues that I feel are nice. We see so many danes out there with straight shoulders (some of mine included). And not enough front and rear angulation (some of mine included). And cow-hocked! Oh my, I hate that. With that being said, I have to say that Tommy, Sharcon’s Tomahawk is the closest thing to the standard that I have seen when you are talking blues.

Who was your first champion?
My first was a fawn, named G-Dieters Debonair Gibson. At least he was the first that I personally finished that came from my breeding. There were others that I [bred but] did not own. Of course, the two that I admire most are [BISS Am CH] G-Dieters Chance Encounter who was owned by Nancy and Gary Gale and [BISS Am CH] Sharcon’s Tomahawk owned by Maureen Clark.

What has been your greatest achievement to date? Greatest challenge?
To learn to exhibit a dane without messing up and looking like I don’t belong there. LOL. And the first time I won a point…what I great accomplishment that was for me. And then the first championship. And the wonderful temperament we have in our blue/black line. But I think there is nothing more rewarding than to hear from a puppy owner about how wonderful their dane is and what that dane means to them.

What health testing, if any at all, do you think should be performed on a Dane? Why or why not?
I think hips are most important.

I have recently learned how the thyroid can affect a dane…more so than what I thought…so I think thyroid is important especially if it runs in the line.

CERF and cardiac should be done also, but I don’t think it is “as” important because of the fact that it is only good for the time that you do it. We hear of dogs that drop dead after being cardiac clear. And you have heart and eye conditions that can be heredity and some that are not and some that they are just guessing about.

Do you have any advice for someone getting started in the Dane world?
Always do what is best for the dog. Don’t be afraid to be different. Grow a thick skin. AND… never say never.

How do you feel about cross-color breeding?
See the previous question. If you think it will improve the breed, go for it. I am no expert on color genetics, so I depend on the ones more knowledgeable and what I read to guide me. I am told the color can be fixed once you have the conformation, health and temperament you want. I also thank the Lord that I live in the USA where the choices are mine to make.

At what age do you evaluate a litter to decide a "keeper"?
When we watch a litter grow from birth, I think we have an idea of which is our pick before they reach 8 weeks old. At least I usually find myself watching one particular pup. But I try to go by what Pat Hastings says and evaluate them at 8 weeks old. If it is feasible, it is nice to continue to watch them until they are about 12 weeks.

Peggy Dieter Ritter

BlueGreatDanes.net would like to thank Ms. Ritter for taking the time to share her perspective.