There is currently twice as much reason to celebrate with Greta. Last Saturday, Greta from Gawy achieved the title of German Champion (VDH). Almost at the same time, the official confirmation arrived from Spain: she may now also officially carry the title Campeón en España de Belleza de la RSCE.
At just two years of age, Greta is now a Luxembourg Champion, Spanish Champion and German Champion (VDH).
Of course, we are delighted about these titles. But for us, the journey behind them is even more interesting. When you see Greta in the show ring today, it is easy to forget that she too was once a small puppy whose future development could never be predicted with certainty, despite all the careful thought that went into choosing her.
Her first major success took us to Alicante
Greta was born on 29 May 2024. She was bred elsewhere, but comes from our own breeding line. This connection, and especially the mating from which she was born, played an important role in our decision to choose her. Even then, we had in mind that Greta might one day find her place in our breeding programme.
But a puppy is still a puppy. A pedigree and a carefully planned mating may be promising, but how an individual dog develops physically, in terms of health and in character only becomes clear over time.
With Greta, there was an especially memorable moment very early on.
In December 2024, she stood on the main podium at a dog show in Alicante. Still only a puppy, she was named third-best puppy of all breeds. For us, this was her first truly major show success.
At the time, Greta was only a little over six months old. Champion titles were still a long way off. Today, that photograph has taken on a completely different meaning: the young dog who first attracted attention on a major stage in Alicante now also holds the Spanish Champion title.
Luxembourg Champion at 15 months and one day
The next major step came in Luxembourg.
At the CACIB show, Greta became Luxembourg Champion at just 15 months and one day old.
Her young age makes this achievement particularly special. Dogs can only compete in the classes relevant for this Champion title from the age of 15 months. Greta had therefore only just reached the required age.
During the same weekend, she also earned a Crufts qualification and was awarded BOS – Best Opposite Sex.
The fact that a national Champion title can be achieved at such a young age is also connected with the particular requirements in Luxembourg. Other national championships require more qualifying awards, which means that those titles cannot be completed in the same way immediately after reaching the minimum age.
The fact that Greta became Luxembourg Champion so soon after reaching this age limit still makes this achievement particularly special to us.
Since then, the German Champion (VDH) title and the now officially confirmed Spanish Champion title have been added.
Of all dogs, Greta knows how to stay still
Anyone who only knows Greta from dog shows sees just one side of her.
In everyday life, she is outgoing, curious and full of energy. Whenever something is happening, Greta wants to know what is going on. Simply staying where she is when there might be something interesting to discover is not necessarily one of her strongest qualities.
Magnus regularly gets to experience her enthusiasm as well. Teasing him a little seems to be part of Greta’s personal entertainment programme.
That makes the contrast at dog shows all the more enjoyable.
Outside the ring, our normally energetic girl is often completely relaxed. Between her appearances she can lie quietly at our stand, switch off and simply let all the activity around her pass by.
With Greta, it really is the calm before the big show.
But the moment she enters the ring, she is fully present: attentive, confident and visibly enjoying herself. We sometimes affectionately describe her as a real “showgirl”.
Not because Greta has to perform or because she is pushed into this role. Quite the opposite. She simply seems to enjoy these moments. You can see that she loves moving and presenting herself in the ring.
And that is exactly what makes showing her so enjoyable for us.
From carefully chosen puppy to future breeding female
Looking back today at the decision to choose Greta is therefore especially interesting.
She was not born in our home, but her pedigree leads back into our own breeding line. We studied her background carefully, and the particular mating she came from convinced us.
But even with a familiar bloodline, there is never any guarantee as to how an individual puppy will develop.
Today, we can say that Greta has convinced us with her health and her character. At the same time, she has developed in the show ring in a way that makes us very happy.
If her further development continues accordingly, she is also intended to become part of our breeding programme at Celtic Mountain. This gives her story an additional meaning for us: a female from our own breeding line may herself become part of the next generation.
For Sybilla, it is particularly special to see how the puppy she once chose so carefully has developed into the dog Greta is today.
Titles are wonderful – but they are not what matters most
As much as we are delighted about Greta’s achievements, our priorities remain clear:
Health and temperament will always come before success in the show ring.
A Champion title is a wonderful recognition. But it does not automatically make a dog a good breeding dog, nor does it tell you on its own anything about the dog’s health or how that dog behaves in everyday life.
For our breeding programme, it is always the complete picture that matters.
And Greta is not defined only by her three Champion titles, but equally by her openness, curiosity, energy and character.
The next generation is already here
The title “Champions of the New Generation” therefore refers to more than simply Greta’s young age.
Holly and Ingo now represent the experienced generation of our Mastiff family. At the same time, our younger dogs are already beginning to write their own chapter in the history of Celtic Mountain.
Miss Marple from the Celtic Mountain is three years old, was bred by us and holds both the Luxembourg Champion title and, since Sunday, the German Champion title. She has already raised her first litter.
Magnus from the Celtic Mountain is also part of this generation. He is a German Champion and International Junior Champion, has earned several additional winner titles and has already sired his first litter.
Each of them shows in a different way how the younger generation has developed into dogs that are now also taking on responsibility within our breeding programme.
For the moment, however, this particular story belongs to Greta.
From the puppy standing on the podium in Alicante, to becoming Luxembourg Champion at an exceptionally young age, to achieving the German Champion title last Saturday and now receiving confirmation of her Spanish title – a great deal has happened in a very short time.
And yet, to us, it feels much more like a beginning than an ending.
No one can completely plan what a puppy will eventually become. We can choose carefully, observe closely and make thoughtful decisions. The rest is revealed with time.
And with Greta, we are very happy with what time has shown us so far.
Champion Titles 2026
