What inherited trait is the most difficult to eliminate from a breeding program?
Gay tails, bad croups and poor movement, such as lack of reach and drive, and lack of true breed type are the most evident. I think some of the traits that breeders assume are hard to eliminate are due to lack of knowledge on the part of the breeder. Line breeding is done for a reason, because the outcome is usually quite predictable!

What is the most important attribute of a stud dog?
The stud dog must compliment the bitch in all aspects of the living picture and the known pedigree. I truly believe that temperament is paramount.

What is the most important attribute of a brood bitch?
The same qualifications apply as to the stud dog.

Best dog you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
Multiple BIS, Multiple BISS Ch Chimo's Rebel Prince of Tara, bred by Marilyn Riggins. He was the epitome of great personality, loved to show, loved other dogs, loved all kids, and had the most beautiful head and soft expression that I have ever seen.

Best bitch you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
Multiple BISS CH Orleans Whisper of Chimo TX-C, co-bred by the TX-C. She is a breeder's dream. She is beautiful, spirited, very photogenic and moves like the wind - effortless and flawless. We hope her babies will be the same!

Current breeders you most admire?
Hazel Gregory (Von Reisenhof), Ray Cataldi Jr. (Rojon), Sue Mahany (Danelane), Marsh Stoner (Lostcreek), Pat Ciampa (Maitau) and my partners, Marilyn Riggins (Tara) & Nancy Lerch (Orleans)

Will you mentor new breeders? Yes or no? If so, how should they contact you?
Of course! I will gladly share my experience, breed knowledge and offer advice to anyone willing to listen! I will also learn from their experiences, good and bad! I particularly enjoy assisting new breeder/owner/exhibitors with techniques that can improve their handling abilities, just as I was helped when I first began. I can be contacted by phone at 512-280-3017. E-mail shennessey@austin.rr.com 

What inherited trait is the most difficult to eliminate from a breeding program?
Steep croups.

What is the most important attribute of a stud dog?
The ability to reproduce at least as good as himself but hopefully better.

What is the most important attribute of a brood bitch?
A bitch should be the focus and foundation of any good breeding program.

Best dog you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
My best show dog would have to be BISS CH. Danebridge’s Pretty Boy Floyd GDCA AOM x2- a true stallion in the ring.

Best bitch you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
Two of my best bitches would have to be Ch. Chardonnay V. Danebridge who I bred. She produced three champions which included her daughter Ch. Danebridge’s Loose Change R.O.M. Lucy was bred once and had all five get finish. Lucy was co-owned with Elizabeth & Angela Reilly.
Current breeders you most admire?
I am not sure if he is still actively breeding but I have always admired the Rojon line of Ray Cataldi. I understand and agree with Ray’s philosophy on Great Dane type and beauty. I have great respect for Kathy Varian Toomey’s vision and her ability to grade a litter and for Beve Hauer’s wealth of knowledge of pedigrees and of Danes from the past.

What inherited trait is the most difficult to eliminate from a breeding program?
Those traits that have been present in your dogs pedigree for at least 2-3 generations tend to be the most difficult to remove. For example, if you have one or two dogs in a litter that have lighter than expected eyes when both the parents and grandparents have dark eyes. This would certainly be easier to correct than trying to correct light eyes in a line where the parents, grandparents, etc. have light eyes.

What is the most important attribute of a stud dog?
Consistency in producing desirable traits. If a dog can consistently produce those correct traits for which he is known, this in itself can be a powerful attribute to a breeding program because it allows you to be able to be selective in your breeding program and focus on correcting those undesirable traits that you want to eliminate.

What is the most important attribute of a brood bitch?
Besides the fact you always want a good mother, consistency again is the name of the game. You want to consistently produce the desirable traits. As with a stud dog, consistency allows you to be selective in your breeding program and to have forward progress in your program.

Best dog you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
BISS Ch. Avanti’s All for One Elan (Redford) – Because not only was he a wonderful show dog with a great personality but also a very good producer. Redford has many attributes that are desirable and he has been consistent in what types of dogs he produces. Not only has Redford produced numerous champions he has received health certifications in five different areas (heart, eyes, thyroid, hips, elbows).

Best bitch you have EVER owned and/or bred? Why?
BISS Ch. Challanger’s Allegra V. Avanti, CGC. (Allie). Allie was a good show dog and although she was not bred by Avanti dogs directly she was a direct descendent of our original foundation bitch Ch. Rojon’s Roulette V Raintree. Allie provided the very beginning of the Avanti Kennel. Although she was bred only one time, she provided the very consistency that I spoke of earlier. She had six very healthy beautiful puppies, five of which became champions. Although only one was consistently shown beyond a championship (BIS, BISS, Ch. Avanti’s Attractive Asset), several went on to be excellent producers in very limited breeding (Ch. Avanti’s Taylor Dane, Ch. Avanti’s Royhl Rogue and Ch. Avanti’s Additional Asset). These dogs along with some of their more notable get (Ch. Elan’s Nash Bridges Royhl and Ch. Avanti’s All for One Elan) are in many of today’s pedigrees.

Current breeders you most admire?
I have admired many different breeders over the years. In particular, breeders like Anna Mary Kaufman (Mountdania), Don & Mary Lou Carmody (Don-Lu) and Ray Cataldi Jr., (Rojon) that have put many countless years into breeding programs and breeding better dogs as well as furthering the great dane breed.

Will you mentor new breeders? Yes or no? If so, how should they contact you?
Yes – I can be reached via e-mail at Avantidogs@comcast.net  or via telephone (708) 645-1216.