Susan Davis Shaw
Owner/Founder

My first husband, Stanley, bought me a Great Dane puppy in 1976 as a housewarming gift. (In place of the pony I always wanted.)  He was a harlequin named Maitau’s Bennington Von Odin and was from Pat Ciampa, Maitau Great Danes.  Pat asked us to bring Ben to a Great Dane Club of New England match where Laura Kiaulenas was judging.  I knew absolutely nothing about showing dogs and was scared to death, but took him in the ring and placed second in a large class, right behind Pat.  That was all I needed – I was hooked.  We fell in love with the breed and soon added another harlequin to our family, a female this time.  Double D von Maitau, CD produced my first homebred champion, CH Davisdane’s Double Exposure, CD.  That was the start of Davisdane.  I have finished several harlequins over the years, and strive to dual-title them.  My dogs are part of our family and I do not, and will never, have a kennel situation.  Stanley died in 1991 and I married Dana Shaw in 1995.   Dana shares my love for this breed and often accompanies me to dog shows.  I have two grown children, Linda and Steven.

I am active in the Great Dane Club of New England, serving three terms as President and  holding every office except Treasurer.  I am currently on the Board of the Great Dane Club of America, also serving as Recording Secretary, Affiliate Secretary and Northeast Division Secretary.  I was given the incredible honor of being voted by the GDCA membership to judge their Futurity in 2006.  It was the thrill of a lifetime.

I have served many years on the board of my local all-breed club, South Shore Kennel Club, where I am currently President.  I had the honor of being awarded their Good Sportsmanship Award in 2004.  I am also Vice President of my local obedience club, South Shore Dog Training Club, where I teach show training, obedience, and puppy preschool.  In addition, I am a CGC Evaluator for AKC and also do pet sitting.