Suomen
Tanskandoggi ry – The Great Dane Club of Finland was founded in
1972 and ever since its active officials and members have worked
for the benefit of the breed. Initially the Club functioned
under the Finnish Companion and Toy Dog Club as a member club
and later as it grew and all necessary requirements (including
the number of registered Danes) were met, the Great Dane Club of
Finland was granted breed club status by the Finnish Kennel
Club.
The primary goal of the Great Dane Club of Finland is to
preserve the Great Dane breed as described in the breed standard
in terms of temperament, appearance and health. A healthy,
beautiful Great Dane with a great temperament is the goal of our
Club and its breeding committee.
There are
several committees that function under the Club, including but
not limited to the breeding, rescue, and show committees. Each
committee has an important role in our strive for the betterment
of the breed. Individual people spare no effort in their work
for our beloved breed. These are the makings of a
well-functioning and structured breed club which has several
issues on its plate.
Regional
chapters have been set up to cater for the local Dane
enthusiasts by bringing people together and providing activities
in close proximity to Dane owners. Thus the regional chapters
play a major role within the Great Dane Club.
The Great
Dane Club of Finland publishes its own magazine “Tanskandoggi” 4
times a year. The magazine covers current events, show and trial
results, health statistics and other issues pertaining to the
breed and owning a Great Dane.
Our Specialty Show, an official show approved by the Finnish
Club, is organised annually in varying locations across the
country. Accredited, accomplished breeder judges are invited
from all over the world to judge this show. In addition to the
Specialty Show, the Club organizes unofficial shows such as the
Color Format and the Puppy, Junior and Veteran Show. These shows
do not adhere to official show rules and regulations but rather
have their own customized rules. Judges at these events need not
be official judges and thus breeders and other long-term
enthusiasts are often called to judge these shows.
The
breeding committee has a major role in the development and
maintenance of our breed. The committee works by helping and
guiding breeders according to their needs, following the
protocol approved by the general meeting of the Club. Each of
the color groupings, black-harlequin, blue, and fawn-brindle,
has its own breeding advisor – a breeder of said color with
sufficient knowledge to function as an advisor. The committee
also has expert members such as a show judge and a veterinarian,
and assembles regularly to develop its operations and to make
breeding-related decisions. Litters approved by the committee
are available through the Club’s litter list.
As president of Great Dane Club of Finland I wish to welcome
everyone to familiarize themselves with the Great Dane breed
through our website. The site will be updated regularly and is
being developed by an active Internet committee.
Sincerely,
Teija Salmi-Aalto
