About Us

Coleridge Blue Great Danes

Pat Gurtner

was founded in California in the early 1960's by Katherine Elies. Through a fortunate set of circumstances, I met Katherine and purchased my first blue Great Dane in the late 1960's. As I has frequently said when I saw my first Blue it was a revelation, I hadn't even known that they came in that color - it was INSTANT love not only for the color, but for the breed. The rest, as they say, is HISTORY! Katherine and I had been told that you couldn't breed pure-color bred Blue lines and consistently produce quality - We said, watch us! We were both dedicated to the concept of breeding quality blues who were also typey representatives of the breed as well as sound in body and temperament.

Katherine and I worked closely with each other until Katherine's death, at which time I continued by myself under the Coleridge prefix. Throughout the years it has always been my ethic that when breeding, search out the very best combinations available, ones that are complimentary to each other. Demand the best, NEVER settle for lesser quality in health, looks, brains or temperament. Consequently, I have combined my own bloodlines with the very best in blues throughout the United States. I have conscientiously bred only from OFA good (or better)hips from the beginning, has C.E.R.F.d eyes and is now using OFA for Elbows, Ultrasound check on Heart, Thyroid & VWD testing - I believe that you must continue to check even when you aren't finding problems. Consequently, after 30+ years, Coleridge enjoys the enviable position of having healthy, pure color bred dogs that live to ripe old age (average for my line is 11-13 years) - Dogs that excel in both the breed and obedience rings as well as being sound, happy companions.

The name COLERIDGE is now synonymous with quality Blue Great Danes and recognized by its offspring throughout the world, notably in Brazil, Mexico, Finland, Denmark and Sweden as well as across the United States. While not breeding frequently (an average of only 1 litter per year) but selectively, I'm seeing my puppies consistently winning and earning titles in the breed ring, the obedience ring and, hopefully soon in agility as well. It has frequently been remarked upon by knowledgeable Dane experts that Coleridge pedigrees read like a Who's Who in Top Blue Danes and Blue Dane lines. My stubbornness and efforts have paid off over the years and Coleridge is now recognized as a source of some of the very BEST in blue Great Danes.

Priscilla Chabal

Affectionately called The #1 Dog Nanny by Pat, Priscilla joined Coleridge in the late 90s. She and Pat first met in the early 80s when Priscilla joined the NorCal dane community with a harl bitch from Chaufeured. Having lived in San Francisco for about 20 years, Priscilla retired early and worked for the SPCA, rescue, and developed an extremely successful pet business throughout the 1990s in Pacific Heights.
Along with continuing the Robtell Yorkshire Terrier line, Priscilla is an integral part of the Coleridge Family, facilitating all hands-on aspects. Never without a dog in attendance, she teaches the Coleridge dogs early on every part of living an everyday life. You can always expect that one of ours will love to accompany you anywhere you go and with anything you do.
Sports fans will enjoy the fact that Coleridge dogs will either ignore you or join you in LOUDLY cheering for your favorite teams...or jeering their hated rivals! She insures that our dogs will be aclimated to tiny, small, and extra large dogs as well as cats, birds and fish. WARNING: They may also have some bizarre food cravings. Many puppy buyers are delighted that Grandma Priscilla always has a place on her bed for the furkids whose parents need to get away.

Coleridge Boston Terriers

In 1996 I added to the Coleridge family with the addition of a Boston Terrier. Having grown up with a quality Boston Terrier, I just couldn't resist when I saw this little girl - T-Heart's My Folly V Coleridge. Naturally, with Pat's discerning eye for quality, Folly has been shown and her championship is almost finished. She's done remarkably well on limited showing, including a Best of Breed from the classes over Specials. Not bad for a dog with somewhat of an identity crisis - she's not sure that she's not a Great Dane instead of a Boston (or possibly a one of her handlers Min Pins).

I bred her to Ch Yoki's Sir Andrew at Mori,(Multiple BIS/BISS and #1 Boston Terrier in the U.S.A. for two years) and kept two lovely show males from the litter.
Again, Coleridge will strive to achieve the same quality and consistancy that has been its hallmark in Great Danes. It's just another Challenge to strive toward! ~ Pat

Thank you for visiting B l u e G r e a t D a n e . C o m

Coleridge Blue Great Danes
& Boston Terriers