Current breeders you most admire?
Without naming specific breeders, I admire those that have the following qualities: Breeders who strive for consistency in their lines, breeders who are there for their puppy people, breeders who consistently work on health issues and are honest and open about talking to others when issues come up and breeders who are willing to take puppies back when the need arises.

Will you mentor new breeders? Yes or no? If so, how should they contact you?
Yes, I would be happy to mentor. My email address is: jjlobato@earthlink.net

What inherited trait is the most difficult to eliminate from a breeding program?
Steep Croups and straight upper arm.

What is the most important attribute of a stud dog?
That he is pre potent and impart his qualities to a litter.

What is the most important attribute of a brood bitch?
That she is above average in quality with a stable temperament.

Best dog you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
There would be three , one a harlequin Odin who was the smartest and most devoted. Ch Maitau's Top Billing, ROM a true gentleman and an excellent producer and BIF Ch Maitau's Never Better, ROM HOF an excellent specimen of a Great Dane. A pre-potent producer.

Best bitch you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
Eva, BIS BISS Ch Maitau's Eye Candy V MJM, HOF a national winner with an outstanding show record. BISS Ch Alano's Anastasia of Maitau also a National BOB winner, a beautiful bitch. We cannot omit our ROM producing bitches: Ch Maitau's Tattletale,ROM, Maitau's Village Gossip,ROM Ch Maitau's Animated Feature,ROM ,BISS Ch Maitau's For Your Eyes Only,ROM, and Ch Maitau's Material Girl ,ROM

Current breeders you most admire?
Many Breeders, especially those who have contributed to our bloodline.

Will you mentor new breeders? Yes or no? If so, how should they contact you?
Yes. I spend endless hours with computer inquires about brown Great Danes or the rare color blue merle. I would love to mentor serious students of the breed. As my husband reminds me I am in the late innings ! Maitaudanes@aol.com

What inherited trait is the most difficult to eliminate from a breeding program?
I know that people will think that I am trite, but in reality the most difficult trait to eliminate from a breeding program is Male and/or Female. I do not know of anyone who could answer this question. There is a complete Science that devotes itself to the study of inheritance i.e. Genetics which is the science that deals with the origin of the characteristics of an individual. The science of Genetics is further segmented into any number of disciplines e.g. Molecular Genetics, Biochemical Genetics, Clinical Genetics. We are so fortunate to have been born into an era where the elucidation of the genetic makeup of Man, Canine, and Mouse has been accomplished (I refer to the mouse because without understanding the Mouse Genome, the Human and Canine would not have been accomplished).

To eliminate an undesirable inherited trait from a breeding program would require some depth of knowledge of the mode of inheritance of that trait. Is it a single gene or a polygenetic trait? Is it a trait that is attributable to a gene that is Sex-linked (genes on the X-chromosome or Y-chromosome) or is the trait autosomal (a gene on any other chromosome other that the X or Y)?

My next comment will also raise a lot of eyebrows because in the final analysis the most difficult trait to eliminate from a breeding program that perpetuates an undesirable trait is the Breeder. How does one eliminate a “bad breeder” from the pool? Bad breeders have so much influence because there is no control, no real oversight, and peer-pressure can easily be ignored. There are breeders who are gifted in their ability to consistently produce Phenotypically incredible specimens who manage to live to be 4. Old enough to produce and perpetuate their good looks but far too young to die.

To me PREMATURE Death would be the hardest trait to eliminate from a breeding program. This is also a major problem for the Breed as a whole and therefore even much more difficult.

What is the most important attribute of a stud dog?
A family tree evidenced by health and longevity.

What is the most important attribute of a brood bitch?
A family tree evidenced by health and longevity.

Best dog you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
No one favorite. I loved them all equally as they loved me…. unconditionally.

Best bitch you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
Dutchess of Darcy, foundation bitch for Chauffeured Harlequins. WHY? Her assets in terms of breed type, temperament, loyalty, love, health, and longevity sustained her influence over 7 generations of Champions.

Current breeders you most admire?
These are not necessarily in terms of “ranked order”:
Tootie & Joe Longo; Lorraine Matherly; Georgia Hymmen; Kathy Varian; Sue Davis Shaw; Gina Jaeblon; and, Neil O’Sullivan

What inherited trait is the most difficult to eliminate from a breeding program?
Bite problems, temperament, long backs and steep croups.

What is the most important attribute of a stud dog?
A good stud dog will produce himself whether line bred or out-crossed. A great stud dog will produce better than himself.

What is the most important attribute of a brood bitch?
You need to have size, soundness and temperament. She will bring at least 50% to the breeding. Do not breed a whippity Great Dane.

Best dog you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
It's VERY difficult to single out a dog. But, one would be BISS Ch Hauerdane's War Bonnet. He was a handsome, masculine Great Dane and definitely stamped a 'look'. He was my first show dog and he loved to show. I would also say BISS Ch Chaney Brier Maserati Mistrl. A very correct dog, front and rear. He was square and sound. Produced 30 champions. A super dog to live with.

Best bitch you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
Of course, I would have to include BIS BISS Ch Brierdane's Indian Amber. She was the ultimate show dog. When she was 'on', she was hard to beat. She only had a small group of friends that she allowed into her 'inner circle'.

Then I would say BISS Ch Chaney Brier Twodaloo. In my opinion, the most beautiful brindle bitch - if I could only have one more like her - before I don't know who I am !!

Current breeders you most admire?
There are some current breeders that are doing a great job. Pat Ciampa has stamped a particular look that I like.

Will you mentor new breeders? Yes or no? If so, how should they contact you?
Yes, I would mentor new breeders. I am at a lot of the shows in Southern California, or call me, or use my E-mail. brierdane@cox.net