Bosworth Reg'd Great Danes

The Noble Companion

Breeding for conformation, health and temperament.

She Loves her Giant Lap Dogs!

December 27, 2008

Valerie Hill

KITCHENER RECORD STAFF

Watching Rory climb onto owner Barbara Shirk's lap is like watching a clutch of clowns squeezing into a Volkswagen: it can be done but with strategy and a lot of wiggling. First, there is the soulful look with those droopy brown eyes. Then there is the full butt turn followed by the butt slide as Rory settles her enormous rear end onto Shirk's lap.

Front legs, as long as an antelope, remain on the floor because when you're the size of a small pony you must make sacrifices to be a lap dog.

"I got a rescue (Great Dane) 15 years ago and thought they were the most beautiful dog I'd even seen," enthused Shirk, a director with the Great Dane Club of Canada. "I loved their personality. They're addictive."

When Shirk talks about her Great Danes, the word "love" pops up. A lot. She loves their beauty and grace, their goofiness and gentle manner. She loves the attention they get in public.

"They are so regal, she said. "You can go for a walk and look like a total slob . . . nobody even looks at you."

Then she laughs and adds "why would you want a 150-pound dog if you didn't want people to look?"

Shirk is a long time animal lover and her house is a testament to this devotion. Boswoth Danes (www.bosworthdanes.com) is her rural property near Drayton and home to a hedgehog, one cat, various rabbits, three teenagers, a pot bellied pig, a tortoise and three female Danes. Shirk also runs a grooming business on the property.

"Everyone around here has Shitzus," she quipped.

For the sunny blond with the huge smile, Danes are the dogs that bring her happiness. Unfortunately for Shirk, regional bylaws prevent her from finding too much happiness by restricting how many dogs can be kept in a house and she can't bear the thought of her Danes in an outdoor kennel, or anywhere but draped across the couch. Danes, she said, are people-dogs and emotionally whither if isolated.

There is no withering going on in her household as dogs romp and play and cuddle and go berserk when there's a rap on the front door. Who is the wonderful new friend about to enter their house? Last summer, this chaotic household was bursting when one of the dogs gave birth to 16 puppies of which 15 survived. So many puppies meant a lot of loving, wiping, cleaning and feeding as the mother dog only had eight teats.

"Every three hours we had to bottle feed," she said. "You have to know each puppy and know if one is getting sick. It's a big responsibility." Born at a pound and a half, by eight weeks pups are ready to go to new homes and will sell for $1,500 to $2,000.

"To supply families with wonderful puppies, that brings me such joy," she said.

Shirk advises anyone looking for a dog, of any breed, to do their homework, make sure the dogs are thoroughly vet checked and that both sets of parents are available for viewing, and of course petting.

Shirk is a member of both the K-W Kennel Club and Elora Gorge Kennel Club, which is holding its annual dog show this weekend at Bingemans. She encourages people to talk to breeders before making any decisions on a new puppy, particularly Great Danes.

"I encourage people come out to see these dogs so they can get a sense of what it's like to have this sitting on your lap," she said.

Bosworth Registered Great Danes is a small country property in Southern Ontario.  In the 1800's the property we own was located near a village long gone now called Bosworth.

I have been involved with Great Danes since 1995 when I adopted a rescue Dane named Bruce.  He opened up a world for me that has grown and grown.  I found this breed elegant and intelligent, with a great history and wonderful personalities.  The breed fit into my young family very well and my respect for it continued to deepen my interest.  I have spent these years researching and learning from the past about how to breed Great Danes not to sell puppies in a local "buy and sell" paper, but to breed well rounded individuals to go to loving pre-approved homes that come from parents cleared of genetic problems by Veterinary Specialists, shown to their Canadian Championships, and with sound and loving temperaments.

After a few years in the fancy I learned to be very fussy about your foundation dogs for breeding.  Along the way I had bred fawns and brindles, but decided I wanted the quality of a line of dogs with a history going back to parents all cleared and shown and of course registered with the Canadian Kennel Club.  That is really where the Bosworth story begins.  I will be forever grateful to Dantrydanes for bringing Dantrydanes Hope of Joy "Hope" into my life, with her I began this wonderful adventure of breeding, showing and meeting a lot of terrific people with the same passion as I.  I hope you enjoy my website and I am proud to introduce you to my wonderful dogs.

I am a Director for the Kitchener Waterloo Kennel Club, as well as a Director for the Great Dane Club of Canada, and a member in good standing of the Canadian Kennel Club.

I am very passionate about this breed and welcome your questions and inquiries.