Courtesy of Elena at www.koh.gr

Well as we all know, the Dane is not really noted for being a water babe, infact many shy away rather than even test out the possibilities. Here at Apollodane Great Danes we feel water exercise is by far the best option for our Danes from puppy through to adult, all really enjoying their days in the pool. We start them as young as 6 weeks old, just slowly getting used to the water until they are happy to go it alone. Then what we get is the bold steps taken as shown in the video and we hope you like it.

Crete has had a special place in our hearts since we bought a home there in the summer of 2006 following our visit to the 2nd Heraklion Society CACIB Show. The island to us has a magical feel and a warmth shown by all the locals. So for us this seemed an ideal place to make our next property investment, recognising that of many of the Greek Islands, Crete really does have a lot to offer and is tipped to be the next property hot-spot. Channia was the chosen location for our holiday home, but the dog show was held just outside of Heraklion which is the home of the main airport for the island. When we were planning the years events, this show had to be on the programme as it had proved to be a very well run and organised show in 2006 when we were just spectators.

In Greece, each Canine Society has the right to organize a Dog Show. At the moment they have Societies in most Greek cities (Heraklion, Katerini, Thesaloniki, Athens and more). You can see the show schedule for each year at the web site of Greek Kennel Club.

This particular show was organized by the whole team headed by its President, Elena Alexandri and assistance was given to us in completing entry forms. Even though we live in a Greek speaking country, we have not yet mastered the art of this beautiful, but quite complicated language, especially as the older you get the more difficult it gets. This is their third show so still quite new, but I have to say it is important for us all to get behing these shows so they continue to provide us with shows for many years to come.

It was now time to book the hotel recommended by the Kennel Club, the Gallini Hotel which was a perfect choice, clean, very friendly and most reasonable in price, especially as they were very dog friendly, having 4 Great Danes of their own.

Arrival at the airport we were collected, transferred to the hotel and there we got ourselves ready for a nice evening meal and our evening stroll with the dogs. Odette and Zsacharias were the 2 chosen Danes for this trip and very quickly they got in to their show routine. The evening was spent being admired and adored in the hotel bar and I have to confess, that was the Danes and not us. I can only assume as the events of age take over, our personal appeal is less desirable and attractive than that of our lovely doggies. So for about the next 4 hours our Danes were truly spoilt by every person walking in the bar that night. They really lapped up all the attention and were on their very best behavior.

The following day we decided to explore the local area, walking first to the village and then as we had hoped in to the main town and tourist area. As we first approached the village, our thoughts turned towards the hire of a car, as this seemed by far the most obvious solution to us seeing as much as we could of that particular area, in the short space of time remaining before the show. A quick negotiation with the hire company saw us 10 minutes later driving off and exploring hidden coves and waterways we would not have normally seen on foot. After a couple of hours out of the road, we decided the heat of the day had passed and it was an ideal temperature to collect the dogs and let them share with us our sightseeing experience. Back to the hotel we went, dropped the back seats of the car, covered them with our traveling blankets and loaded the Danes in ready for their trip around the island. We had been traveling a few kilometers down a very narrow, winding and extremely dangerous road when a car behind started to furiously BLAST their horn. Now I have to say, Craig is a great driver, but patience with road hogs he does not suffer to well.

“Stay calm” I said in a reassuring voice, “Just let them BLAST their horn because it is impossible for them to pass”
We continued a few more kilometers and now this road hog is mounting the grass verge and trying to pass, screaming at us in a very angry Greek attitude. I could see Craig now beginning to get himself agitated by this car so I asked him to pull over so the car could pass. Happy to oblige, Craig pulled over, but the testosterone levels now at boiling point, his male pride would not let this car pass without him at least shouting something back that sounded equally as rude as what this ROAD HOG was shouting at us. The car passed and came to a halt at our side, our window was quickly would down and Craig asked “What is your problem, you can see this is a single road and impossible to overtake, the sun is hot and I suggest you stop shouting”
“Stop shouting” he said “I will not stop shouting, I am the owner of the car you are driving and I do not want dogs in my car”
“Ahhhhhhh I see said Craig, but we did explain at the time of making the reservation that we had dogs.”
“Yes” he said “but not such big dogs like that.”

Now !!!!!!! what are the chances of driving down a country lane and bumping in to the owner of the car hire firm you have hired your car from whilst you are transporting 2 full size Great Danes on a sightseeing tour of the island ?

Greek balding men in the heat of the day with extremely high blood pressure do not make a good sight, so the easiest option was to smile, apologies most profusely and retreat back to the hotel to return the dogs to their room. It was so funny and we laughed at the time thinking we were like naughty school boys who had just raided the neighbor’s apple tree.

The day arrived for the show and in the reception area of the hotel whilst paying our bill; we met many old faces who had traveled from many of the Greek Islands also to visit the show. It is nice to catch up and see the enthusiasm and support coming to these local shows that in some ways are quite difficult places for many to travel to. A quick hello, and exchange of each others show results from previous shows and then off we went in search of the Exhibition Centre where the show was to be held. It is actually very easy to find once you have an idea of your location and 20 minutes later we were the first to arrive. First to arrive means best pick of spaces, spread your things out to save the all to annoying barking dog setting up home next to you and then sit watching the others arrive looking for a suitable spot to set up camp.

We met 2 really lovely young ladies from Athens who had traveled 9 hours with their American Cocker Spaniels. There was the Cretian Hound club and their selection of recently accepted in to the FCI ‘Cretian Hounds’. We met once again the local German Shepherd breeder who was local to the area and had a very good following along with many other faces we had begun to recognize from shows around Greece.

It was a great venue with beautiful sea views on your arrival and space doubled from the previous year. This was actually quite a good move as last year was rather cramped and difficult getting your dogs in and out of the ring. This year we had none of those problems as classes were a good size, the rings were manageable and there was space enough to maximize on your dogs potential.

Judges for the day were quickly observed. First judging the class was a Greek lady by the name of Dekaristou, Maria-Marionka an All Breeds Judge, GROUP FINALS AND BEST IN SHOW JUDGE.

A really impressive background on dogs and involved in a project very dear to our hearts, that of the welfare of animals that have been abandoned or rejected.

The other Judge was a Russian gentleman by the name of Kupliauskas, Jevgenij an equally impressive background and always a great privilege to show under such a wealth of knowledge.

The show proceedings were opened with prayer from the local Priest, which as overseas visitors we found to be nice and personal giving a local feel to the event. Show started around 1030hrs. Classes moved fairly quickly as the judge gave her opinion and wrote out her critiques and all eyes were on her winning dogs to check out her style. I have to say from a judge’s point of view and from an organiser’s point of view; there really should be a basic dress code for some of these events. I am very much from the old school and I have covered this point many times in previous show news reports. If you are expecting to be taken at all seriously in the show ring, then respect the judge who travels many miles to assess your dog and respect the show organiser who has spent many months putting this event together and dress with an element of respect for the dog you are showing. If you can at least go this far towards PRESENTATION you are half way towards winning the points you are there for in the first place. I saw people running around the ring the wrong way, showing their dogs on the wrong side, letting their dogs become most uncontrollable in the ring and angry onlookers shouting abuse whilst the show was in progress. This is no way to carry on at a dog show and as we have been dog show educated in the UK and over in Australia, there is a certain show etiquette and the sooner we all start to learn a few principles from this requirement, shows in Europe will be elevated to a different level. This show I have to say was by far better than most we have attended and it was refreshing to see a very clear message going out regarding the double handling going on at ring side, a practice most show organisers are getting extremely tired of and now seem to be fighting back to eliminate it. It’s a start and credit goes out to all those organisers who are standing firm and removing the offenders from the ring.

First to show was Zac in Champion class, we approached the ring, waited our turn and then moved slowly as requested to stack in front of the judge. The smile on the judgeís face filled me a little with confidence that despite her own breed of the Papillion, she may just also like big dogs. Zac stood to attention!!!!! STAND I said to him, SHOW. The judge went over him from top to bottom. How old is he? Three and a half years old I said. He is beautiful, like a statue. Thank you very much, I said. He is actually a Champion in 9 countries and Grand Champion in 2, I informed excitedly. Well he deserves it replies the judge. By now Zac is relaxed and enjoying the judges comments and his ears stand to attention. Me on the other hand, beads of perspiration running down my back, hands all wet and I hear the instruction, please run your dog once around the ring and then corner to corner. Now Zac if you read my Switzerland report at this point decided to call it a day, so what was he going to do today I wonder.

Good boy Zac, show time, lets go!!!!! and off we went around the ring in just the way we have all begun to expect of Zac. He was a dream, moved like a spring lamb and shows all his Champion qualities. We did our corner to corner and then both Zac and I stood to attention, always observing the judge at all times. There was lots of writing, a little smiling between the judge and the lady writing the critiques, I later discovered to be a language misunderstanding. Zac we are happy to say won his Champion class and then we were thanked and asked to leave the ring being handed our critique which read:

SUPER DOG, EXCELLENT IN EVERY WAY. EVEN IF I TRIED TO HARD TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG, I COULDN’T. THIS DOG IS A TRUE CHAMPION AND GIVES A GREAT PLEASURE TO JUDGE HIM. EXCELLENT PRESENTATION, A REALLY SUPER MOVER.

We then prepared to take in Odette, both of who had been entered in to the Champion classes respectively. Once again we were given our instruction and we obeyed to the command. Stacked and showing her highest qualities, Odette really caught the eye of the judge again.

“Both very beautiful Danes you have, you should be very proud” and then she went over Odette from top to bottom “Can I see her teeth please?”
Odette, Teeth, good girl and as good as gold she did not move a muscle whilst the judge went over her teeth.
Once again I would like you to move your dog around the ring and then do corner to corner. This is when Odette comes in to her own and so we set off with all eyes watching and to the click of cameras. She glides and floats around as though she is on air, she just loves it and she knows she is on full show. We came to a halt, stacked once again and allowed the judge to write her critique. Happy to say the critique was of the highest standard and Odette took winning place in Champion class, her critique reading !!!!!.

ANOTHER SUPER DOG, EXCELLENT TAIL, SHE DESERVES ALL THE TITLES THAT SHE HAS, SWEET AND LOVELY DOG, SHE IS NOT RUNNING IN THE RING, SHE IS FLYING, EXCELLENT PRESENTATION.

Now we have the unenviable position of Best of Breed with both Zac & Odette in the head to head. Both received an Excellent on the critique and both had been awarded CAC & CACIB.

I have a very difficult decision here said the judge as both Danes are beautiful, but my final choice is going to the Dog, Zsacharias. Wow, we were over the moon and so happy that the judges choice was such a close one between Zac and Odette and Odette is really now starting to come in to her own, quite coincidently at the similar age to when Heidie started to realise what it was all about.

So here we were in preparation for group which to be honest I have to say is always a difficult one. Compared to some of the other groups we always face some very tough and stiff competition and it is never guaranteed a place. At the end of B.O.B I made a point of thanking the judge for her super and very complimentary critique to which she replied;

“If I was judging Best IN SHOW, I have to say I would seriously be looking at placing your dog, he is beautiful and when I feel from my heart something is so good, I wish for it to happen. Unfortunately I am not the judge for Best In Show so I can only wish you the very best of luck”

What a lovely and reassuring comment for her to make and how kind to say such complimentary things about both Zac & Odette.

Groups were soon called and in a different order to how we expected, so nearly missed our call. Fortunately the ring steward saw us at ring side and quickly told us to get into the ring. We moved slowly in to place and I have to admit, for my particular liking it was not the best place in the line up for Zac to show himself to full potential. He had a dog behind him that was getting a little to close for comfort and then to my horror his show lid came undone and I was left fumbling to get it back on again. Lucky for me the judge was now down at the other end of the line up and missed my little accident and when he returned we had regained composure and were standing to attention.

Third place, second place, to me they were just a blaze of names and dogs, all I wanted to do was make sure this first place which still had not been announced went to Zsacharias. First place is the Harlequin Great Dane. !!!!!!!! Oh my goodness me, I felt like a Miss America finalist, overcome with emotion and so proud of Zac and so very privileged to have been chosen by this very authoritative judge. This is the judge that was going to be judging Best In Show, so again happy that he had chosen us, feeling he may recognise us and place us in the Best In Show line up, but this was something we would just have to wait and see.

Groups came and went, then they went on to do Best Puppy which I have to say the Harlequin Great Dane puppy took 2nd placing, so well done to him and then on to Best In Show. By now the crowd had built up around the main ring and it was so gratifying to know that they had stayed to see the final part of the show. At this point so many have left and the best part of the show is left with a hand full of hardcore show groupies, staying to offer their support and see the outcome of the day.

In we all went and presented when requested to the Best In Show judge. We were then broken down in to smaller groups and asked to run our dogs and then it was the turn of the remaining group. The judge looked us all up and down, kindly shook all our hands which makes such a difference to know that they also appreciate our hard work and efforts and that they can see the dedication that has gone in to getting this far.

Announcements in reverse order and I am looking at the club President for a clue when she was taking instruction from the judge, but not a clue did I get. I stood there, Zac stacked like he knew he had to stand out in a crowd and 3rd place was announced. A round of applause and a few cheers and third place took to the podium. 2nd place was announced and once again that all familiar sound of cheers for yet another popular choice. First place was !!!!!!! the silence seemed to take forever and I stood there thinking, well either we have done very well or we have blown it big time. First place and Best In Show goes to the Harlequin Great Dane, Zsacharias. Yes we had done it again, but this time in a country not our own, which I have to say for us is more important than the place itself. Donít get me wrong, Best In Show is the best accolade we could have bestowed upon us at any show, but to be accepted amongst local clubs who have also worked very hard to get to the final line up was in itself more than our words could express. People genuinely cheered and applauded us as we ran around the ring and we really do owe a huge thank you to the judges, firstly for believing in us and second for having the faith to place us in such an honourable position in the show, representing the clubs show and a country we were merely visitors to.

We came out of the ring on a complete high and we have to personally thank the clubs President Elena Alexandri along with her husband who were one of the first to congratulate us. To both judges who I have to say it was an honor and a privilege to show under and to the show stewards and show personnel, both in front and behind the scenes, thanks to them for what they did to make life so much easier on the day.

It was a great venue, a great show in terms of it’s organization and the results of the day made our journey all the more worth while. Like the Switzerland show last week, we would fully urge anyone to make the journey the next time a show is organized and we look forward to returning, not only to the show in Crete, but to supporting the other Greek Societies Shows as so far they have all proved to be very well run ad very well organized. Like so many who have not experienced the European show circuit, despite many of the comments that come my way regarding the standard of dog being poor, that titles are easy to win, that European titles do not have the same value as titles in non FCI ruled areas and that the standard of judging is by far lower than non FCI governed regions. What I would say to all those who express their thoughts openly and have not yet experience the European culture, please accept our FCI invitation, come and show your dogs here in Europe, sample it first hand and let us see how well you do in a country where dogs are judged on their quality and standard and not on the person at the end of the lead. We have a very tough circuit indeed, the FCI rules are very clear and the FCI judges I have had the priviledge to show under are as experienced and knowledgable as any up for the challenge. So please do not sit there thinking we have an easy time of it, believe me we do not. We have stiff competition, we have a very high standard of dogs and many of the most famous lines have come from European shores.

We have our own specialty show next week in Nicosia where we will be taking 9 Great Danes and then for all you would be travelers, our Double International Show is being held on the weekend of the 21st / 22nd October. Cyprus will play host to the Mediterranean Winners Show again to be held in Nicosia and I would urge all that can attend to either show or just support all those that have entered. They should to get in touch with the Cyprus Kennel Club. It will be a really good show weekend with the added bonus of the Mediterranean Show also being a Crufts 2008 qualification show.

From the show it was a swift transfer to the airport ready for our return flight to Cyprus.

The whole weekend was most enjoyable, it was a credit to all the organizers and once again we would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for giving us such a lovely weekend.

Special thanks also to Sam, her mum & dad who were a family we met in the hotel and who’s daughter (Sam) took to the Danes as though they were her own. So insistent was she that she came to the show, her mum and dad hired a car and brought her along as our support, so a big thank you to them. Our congratulations are sent to John & Eve who have 2 of our puppies and who’s daughter got married and who’s event we had to miss because of a clash on dates. Special thanks once again to the judges for their confidence in us that we were worthy winners. Thanks to the whole Heraklion canine Society for making us feel so welcome and finally to all those supporters who we did not get the time to talk to but who clearly loved Zac and Odette as they ran round the ring.

Last but not least, Apollodane Great Danes would like to dedicate this BEST IN SHOW win as a part of the Apollodane Great Danes tribute to ; Aust Ch Stordansk G’Stone Webe Awesum Imp USA and who can be found here. He is the Grand father to our girl Odette and our girl Heidie and Great Grandfather to our new puppies, unfortunately he passed away this time last week and we send Julie and family all our love.

Our show photos were all taken professionally at the show by RIALTO photo videography and will be forwarded to us some time this week when we can get them straight on to the web site and the link will appear as a separate e-mail for you all to view.