TENAYA GREAT DANES
BACKGROUND

Ch Toscade Action Replay of Tenaya
Photo by D Johnson
Day Winner Petplan Junior Stakes 29 May 2005
Daisy was Overall Runner Up Bath Championship Show
Judge: Jill Peake

Background

It’s been an incredible journey since I got my first Great Dane at the end of January 2003.  This was a fawn puppy dog I named Erik (Toscade Secret Weapon).  With Erik I learnt the basics in the show ring.  To his credit he did get placed at Championship Shows and qualified for Crufts each year he was shown.

Erik at 6 months Three Counties Champ Show 2003

Then in May 2004 I bought his half sister Daisy (Toscade Action Replay).  Showing then became a serious hobby!  Within 2 years Daisy became up a Champion and was Top Great Dane Bitch 2006 in the UK.  She had to be astounding because I was still a novice handler learning the ropes!  So everything she achieved was based on her own merit.  Then to finish off 2006 she had a quality litter of 14 puppies in December.  The sire was Ch/Ir/Int Ch Tantallon Celtic Brave.

Helen & Daisy October 2005   Photo by Farlap

What a litter that turned out to be!  Originally 10 out of 14 puppies went in the ring during 2007.  In 2008 there is still a core of 6 or 7 being shown in the UK and Eire. Six got their Stud Book Numbers by the age of 2 years. Blake got a RCC at 9 months and was BIS at an all breed Open Show at 11 months in 2007. Flynn and Star qualified for the Premier League Finals at 9 months in 2007. Then in 2008 Flynn has gained his Junior Warrant on top of the many Championship Show wins Tenaya Danes have all gained. By the end of 2009 there were 5 Apache litter Danes in the ring with a total of 2 CCs and 10 RCCs. By the middle of 2010 there are 4 Apache litter Danes still in the ring and they now have 4 CCs and 10 RCCs between them.

Star and Flynn at 10 weeks old

Where the Tenaya Danes Live

Back of Ringdown House looking up from the bottom of the garden

We live in the Blackdown Hills on the Devon and Somerset border about 4 miles from the M5.  It’s a beautiful spot and we have 12 acres of land of which 3 ½ acres is ‘Dane proofed’.  Due to the number of deer we have roaming about the place we have to be very careful that the Danes don’t go ‘deer hunting’!  Our land is undulating with slopes and flat areas which is ideal for Danes to play on as it helps them to muscle up and become fit. 

Erik and Daisy spot a deer in the long grass

On the premises we have about 5 or 6 horses which the Danes learn to ‘respect’.  Once kicked they learn to keep a safe distance!  The Danes are rarely on a lead.  They play, run and potter around the place most of the day.  They don’t have the run of the house but they do live in part of it where they have their own room and comforts.

Daisy and Flaire playing

Star saying hello to the horses

Star and Flynn pottering around

JJ talking to some other Danes

We do have indoor and outdoor kennels which the Danes go in occasionally when I am at Shows or away for part of the day.  The indoor kennels are an extension to a new Barn built with modern stables inside.  The kennels have thermostatically controlled heating and the run area is covered with dust extracted shavings so the Danes are lying on something soft and warm.  The roof is polycarbonate which lets in natural light and is cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  The outdoor kennels are only used in warm weather and the run is partially roofed so the Danes have shade from the sun.

Indoor kennels and runs are snug and bright with thermostatically controlled heating.

Bedtime for Tenaya Danes

Tenaya Affix

Tenaya was an Indian name I came across in the Yosemite National Park whilst on holiday in California. Just liked the name and thought it had a nice ring to it…….hence the association with Indian Tribes!

Chief Tenaya was a Native American Chief in the Yosemite Valley in the 1850s. He had several run ins with the non-indigenous miners and authorities and refused to stay on a reservation. He was a rebel who led a small tribe back to the Yosemite Valley. He died when he was stoned by an Indian from another tribe over a dispute concerning stolen ponies.

Erik and Daisy by the pond

Not that my Danes are Indian rebels but I like to think they have a freedom living here. They may be show dogs but they are first and foremost pets. The bitches will never be used as breeding machines and the old uns will stay with me for the length of their life. Where a Tenaya Dane is sold or rehomed there is always the option that they can come back to me under any circumstances. I have no interest in making money out of them. I will only breed the best I possibly can when I think the time is right to do so.

Tenaya Great Danes is sponsored by Office Reality & Cafe Reality