The old adage “time flies when you're having fun” certainly applies to my life since entering the dog show world.  My interest in Great Danes and particularly harlequins began in 1976 and eventually resulted in a relationship with Gina Jaeblon, of GMJ fame.  Gina introduced me to the sport of dogs, and I was “hooked”!  Gina was a great mentor, readily sharing her knowledge and care for Great Danes. 

   I began my ownership of Danes with harlequins but eventually developed an interest in fawns and brindles.  By the mid 1980’s I began exhibiting Danes from the Honey Lane breeding program out of Chicago.  In 1989, CH. Honey Lane’s Cheers became my first dog to achieve the coveted “Top Twenty” status and so began my career as a Great Dane breeder, owner and handler.  Another outstanding dog acquired from the Honey Lane program was a brindle dog CH. Honey Lane’s Highlight.  Although “Marker” was never shown as a “Special” in the Best of Breed ring, he became an outstanding stud dog and even today can still be found in the top pedigrees in the country.  Marker was not only a producer of champions but his sons and daughters are also prolific champion producers (this is the characteristic of a truly great stud dog).  Thanks to canine reproduction science,  he continues to make a contribution to the breed, with only a few breeding unit still waiting for the right female – watch a show ring near you for Marker sons and daughters!

There was a long association with Kathy Weaver and it started  with the breeding of Ch Dagon's Great expectations  "Dickens" to a bitch  (Honey Lane’s Vanna) that produced the winner of the 1992 Great Dane Club of America’s National Futurity “NCR’s The Artful Dodger”.  Iincluding “BISS CH. Avant’s Bon Chance v. Weaver”, a six-time Best in Specialty show winner, two-time Great Dane Club of America National Specialty Award of Merit winner, and the only Great Dane ever to be ranked in the Top Twenty Great Danes nationally that was shown with uncropped ears.  In 1998 “Rufus” was ranked as the number two male Great Dane in the United States – quite an accomplishment – all owner handled by Randy! 

Along the way, I have piloted numerous clients’ dogs in their career, many to their AKC Championships and others to achieving ranking in the Top Twenty.  Through the years, as my interests and insights have expanded I have exhibited, owned and loved Petite Basset Griffon Vendeens and Clumber Spaniels.  Several of these have achieved top rankings in their breeds as well.  This has led to many life-long friendships throughout the United States and countries abroad. 

I am thankful for the experiences our dogs have afforded me over the past 39 years and look forward to my future “in dogs”.  I have been dedicated to the health and welfare of all the dogs I have owned and exhibited.  In my breeding programs, I am committed to producing sound, healthy dogs of good temperament exemplifying true breed type.  I have been a member of the Lexington Kennel Club, PBGV CA and the Kentuckiana, Cleveland and Cincinnati Great Dane Clubs, as well as the Clumber Spaniel Club of America. We welcome you to look around the web site, please feel free to contact us if we can be of service.

Welcome to my new home on the world wide web, www.avant-weaver.com,
where we are blending the past with the present, forming a promising future.

Sincerely,

Randy A. Weaver