BIS Magazine USA • Issue 14

WE ARE

Best in Show

Our magazine has been making waves across the US bringing lots of interesting stories, interviews and articles. We are thrilled to announce that we are expanding our reach to the new country - Canada.

With the same philosophy and commitment to quality as we have always had, our Team is excited to unite the Sport in USA, Europe and Canada. BIS Magazine is a publication with a heart. With its focus on affordability, style, and quality. Whether you’re a breeder, owner, or handler, Best in Show Magazine is the perfect platform for you to showcase your dogs and connect with others in the dog community.

We are still at the very beginning, but our team is working hard to make our publication popular WorldWide.

HOUSE Lauren & Stephanie

Please share with our readers how you both got involved in the world of pedigreed dogs?

Our family of course. Before we were even born, back in the early eighties our parents got into Rottweilers. Our Rotties included a Golden Gate Kennel Club Best of Breed winner. Our family fell in love with English Mastiffs and started breeding under the kennel name BrightStar Mastiffs. Additionally, our grandfather also bred Irish Water Spaniels, and we finished five of them when we were both young girls.

What handlers inspired you both in the beginning, and who did you apprentice under?

A: There have been so many. They all showed awe inspiring dogs when we were incredibly young. We started with Dixie Ray Perry when we were seven, we went on to work for Laurie Jordan-Fenner, Mike Stone, Woody Warnoll and a handful of others.

Lauren – Michael and Michelle Scott.

Stephanie - Gabriel Rangel, Valarie Nunes-Atkinson, and Andy Linton.

How do you decide who handles what dog and does this change weekly?

We have our own clientele, but we show our dogs like we are a team- except for our favorites, we try not to share those.

As handlers, are you more excited to win at an allbreed show or a breed specialty show?

It does not matter. We just like winning and doing an excellent job for our clients.

The purpose of dog showing is to compare future breeding stock against one another. Do you feel your clients have this to the forefront of their mind when they place a dog with you to show? Equally, do you believe that this is the mantra of those that show dogs in general?

We are blessed to work for many long-time active breeders. We also are fortunate enough to work for single dog homes and feel the quality in our truck is

strong. We feel that our clientele that are breeders are breeding dogs to better their breeds. But we do not believe that most of the sport is not breeding dogs to better their breeds. They have simply just bought a dog and want to show it- whether it fits the standard or not. To some people this is simply a hobby, sport, or just a paycheck.

Is there a particular breed or group of dogs you prefer to handle? Please give reasons for this choice.

Lauren - I love the entire working group, primarily Siberian Huskies and Rottweilers for their beauty and work ethic.

Stephanie - Sighthounds, particularly Salukis and Whippets for their grace and beauty.

Is there a particular coat type you enjoy working with or one you find challenging?

Taking a dirty dog and making it a shiny show dog is rewarding no matter the coat.

You both have had many exiting wins can you please share some of the most memorable ones with our readers?

Top seven favorite wins: Boston Terrier National Specialty BOB with Tommy, three national BOB wins withMiniatureAmericanShepherds(LeoandDancer), and multiple Best in Shows in other countries. Also, a Best in Show with Emburr under the one and only Judge Joe Gregory. It was his last best in show assignment (fun fact he showed the first Siberian Husky to win a BIS in AKC history). Also, multiple top twenty wins in Siberian Huskies and Rottweilers including Winners Dog from the Bred By Class at the Siberian Husky National and a Westminster Group 4 with Reese the Siberian Husky.

Do you collaborate with assistants, and if so, what do you hope to impart on them during their time with you?

Yes. We want our assistants to care about the dogs and know how to care for the dogs, anybody can run in a left-handed circle. Care runs deeper than making them look pretty.

What hander from the past do you wish you could have apprenticed under?

Lauren - Joe Gregory

Stephanie - Gabriel Rangel

Do you have time to breed your own dogs? If yes, what breeds to you raise and if no is this something you wish you had more time for in the future?

Lauren - I have 25 years into Siberian Huskies. I am an active breeder and regularly have 15-20 dogs of my own in my breeding program that live with me.

Stephanie - It is difficult to be a breeder and a full-time professional handler, but I make it work. Between my three breeds, which are Boston Terriers, Salukis and Whippets I have been breeding for about 25 years. Between the two of us, we have bred national specialty Best of Breed winners, national Winners Dog, Best in Show winners and Best in Specialty winners. We are so proud of the dogs we have bred and raised in our care.

What coast do you prefer to show on?

A dog show, is a dog show. We have friends all over the world and enjoy visiting them!

How do you both feel regarding the number of shows held weekly around the country?

With Covid happening, and with all the calendar changes we are happy to have more time home to enjoy our dogs and give them a weekend off.

What are some of your favorite shows to attend in the USA?

Palm Springs (Palm Springs KC), Fresno (Sun Maid KC), Woofstock (Vallejo, CA) and Montgomery.

Have either of you have shown outside of the USA?

Yes, we both have. We have shown in Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Italy, and England.

Would you both like to become judges in the future, if so what breeds or groups would you like to concentrate on?

Lauren - Yes, some day and obviously working breeds.

Stephanie - Yes, eventually. I would love to judge all

the breeds. I cannot wait to get my hands on all of them.

You have the power to change dog showing for the better in your eyes, what would you both change?

If we could change anything in the sport of purebred dogs, it would be the focus of real breeders. The bred by class should be front and center. No more ownerhandler.

What is your favorite way to unwind on days off, do you both have hobbies outside of the dog world?

As breeders, there are no days off. Our hobbies include caring for our own breeding programs, raising litters and sharing the excitement for the new generations. However, we will never turn down an invite to the lake or a relaxing day at the river.

What is your favorite holiday destination?

We are snowbirds and enjoy the Royal Canin show.

Beverage of choice?

Anyone who knows us will say that Red Bull gives us wings.

Do you prefer to cook at home or eat out, and what is on your ideal dinner menu?

Stephanie - Eat out, Mexican.

Lauren - Eat out, Thai!

PALM SPRINGS Kennel Club

RINGSIDE click

R. BEST IN SHOW

GCHS Wynmarks Les Bijouxs

RockN Rolz At Reverie

Breed: Havanese

Handler: David Murray

Owner: F Holt, M Coombs, B & C. Hewlett & B. White

BEST IN SHOW

GCHP Sunlits King Of Queens

Breed: Afghan Hound

Handler: Alicia Jones

Owner: T Richardson, A Morrison Jones, J. Souza-Bartlett & M. Hunter.

GCHS South Willows Drop It Like Its Hot

Breed: Boxer

Handler: Aaron Rosas

Owner: M Foley & S Davidson

GCHS Cammcastles Back To The Future

Breed: Rottweiler

Handler: Erin Piercy

Owner: S & J Roberts, S Guynn & P Marsh

WORKING group SPORTING group

GCHP Stagedoor Mercury Comet Cyclone

Breed: Setter (English)

Handler: Lindsey Cook

Owner: T & M Goldberg

GCH Thrill Of The Hunt Blue Magic

Breed: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Owner: J King & R Carter

Breeder: R & J Carter

GCHG Lavender Hills Sin City RN

Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog

Owner: S Parr & C Gorath

Remiss I Will Always Love You

Breed: Portuguese Water Dog

Handler: Remy Lewis

Owner: R Lewis

Temescals Family Affair At Tuscany + Clovercreek

Breed: Retriever (Labrador)

Owner: A & M Garfinkle & L Colombani

CH Hellfires Dancing In The Dark

Breed: Spaniel (Sussex)

Handler: Luke Baggenstos

Owner: J Grant & A Monaghan

TERRIER group

GCHS Aimhi Head Dover Heels

Breed: Smooth Fox Terrier

Handler: Amy Rutherford

Owner: A Rutherford, P Holson & B Miller

CH Longvue Dare To Dream

Breed: Airedale Terrier

Handler: Christian Rangel

Owner: E Trausch

GCHP Sunlits King Of Queens

Breed: Afghan Hound

Handler: Alicia Jones

Owner: T Richardson, A Morrison Jones, J. Souza-Bartlett & M. Hunter.

GCH Vin-Melcas The Jaywalke

Breed: Norwegian Elkhound

Handler: Patricia Trotter

Owner: P Trotter & J Reed

CH Studio Be Curios JP Justice Hero

Breed: Welsh Terrier

Handler: Gabriel Rangel

Owner: Y Iguchi & J See Hjohoos Yes Hjo Can

Breed: Cairn Terrier

Owner: M Schmitt & E Theodorsson

GCH Quiet Creeks Legend Absolut

Breed: Bloodhound

Handler: Tara Schultz

Owner: Susan Lacroix Hamil & Tara Schultz

GCHS Jolly Time My Way At Topsfield-Lebrera

Breed: Basset Hound

Handler: Michael Stone

Owner: S Shor, C Orlandi & G & C Gonzalez

TOY group

GCHS Wynmarks Les Bijouxs RockN Rolz At Reverie

Breed: Havanese

Handler: David Murray

Owner: F Holt, M Coombs, B & C Hewlett & B White

CH Winsome-Nirvanas Achy Breaky Heart

Breed: Pug

Handler: Jorge Olivera

Owner: V Flatley & E Veltman

GCHP Fox Canyons I Won The War At Goldshield

Breed: French Bulldog

Handler: Perry Payson

Owner: S & M Fox, A Geremia, F Cashin, P Payson & A Vorbeck

GCHG Spotlite & Dblshots Premier Edition

Breed: Dalmatian

Handler: Darcie Cantor

Owner: J Meisch & Dr. C Jackson

GCHG Winters-Eagle Ring Of Fire

Breed: Miniature Pinscher

Handler: Jacob Waters

Owner: K Winters & C Griswold

GCHB Aslan Vindicated Victory

Breed: Pekingese

Owner: L & M Stephen

GCHB Dreamlands Game Changer

Breed: Chow Chow

Handler: Michael Brantley

Owner: C Chandler & M Brantley

CH Players Alitara Magic in the Air

Breed: Tibetan Terrier

Handler: David Murray

Owner: S & D Getman, J Krynzel & G Mattison

Saturday 7th January 2023

HERDING group

GCHS DC Aces Chain Reaction HXAds HXBd

Breed: Bouvier des Flandres

Handler: Larry Fenner

Owner: J Reifschneider

GCH Blue Heavens Orange Crush

Breed: Shetland Sheepdog

Handler: Tyker Crady

Owner: T Crady, S Perry Hinkle, K Rickard & E Crady

GCH Glasshouse Cant Fight This Feeling At NSR CGC

Breed: Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Owner: J & M & V Cornish & & L Frost

GCHS Cloudpointe Ringside Gossip

Breed: Norwegian Buhund

Handler: Amie McLaughlin

Owner: A McLaughlin & O Stensen

R. BEST IN SHOW

GCHP Sunlits King Of Queens

Breed: Afghan Hound

Handler: Alicia Jones

Owner: T Richardson, A Morrison Jones, J. Souza-Bartlett & M. Hunter.

BEST IN SHOW

GCHP Fox Canyons I Won The War At Goldshield

Breed: French Bulldog

Handler: Perry Payson

Owner: S & M Fox, A Geremia, F Cashin, P Payson & A Vorbeck

GCHS Cammcastles Back To The Future

GCHS South Willows Drop It Like Its Hot

Breed: Rottweiler

Handler: Erin Piercy

Owner: S & J Roberts, S Guynn & P Marsh

Breed: Boxer

Handler: Aaron Rosas

Owner: M Foley & S Davidson

GCH Rivergroves Wonder Dog at Pycreek

Breed: Great Pyrenees

Handler: Stephanie House

Owner: C P Persen, SJ Axelrod & J Austin

WORKING group SPORTING group

CH VJK-Myst Heir To The Throne

Breed: Pointer (German Shorthaired)

Handler: Valerie Nunes-Atkinson

Owner: Y Deterding, V Atkinson & S Stutz

GCH Triseter Celtic Usher

Breed: Setter (Gordon)

Handler: Loran Morgan

Owner: R Albrecht & E Joseph

GCHB Starlaine Standing Ovation

Breed: Doberman Pinscher

Handler: Andy Linton

Owner: K Kato, K Schoning & E Hopper

CH Hyspire Ghoststone A Tough Nut To Crack

Breed: Retriever (Labrador)

Owner: V & J Russell, S Brown & J Chambers

GCHG Simpatico Journey Of Thrills

Breed: Weimaraner

Handler: Keith Pautz

Owner: B & J Rosenberg

TERRIER group

GCH Round Town Samson Of Maryscot

Breed: Scottish Terrier

Handler: Gabriel Rangel

Owner: A Musser

CH Rockledge Knock On Wood At Thorntons

Breed: Irish Terrier

Handler: Ernesto Lara

Owner: L Sobin Comstock, E Fugiwara & S Mansfield

GCHG First Class Victoria Berland Empress Of Magic

Breed: Bedlington Terrier

Handler: Kellie Miller

Owner: J Fogel

GCHS Lotus Mic Drop

Breed: Miniature Bull Terrier

Handler: Luke Baggenstos

Owner: R & P Briganti & L & R Baggenstos

GCHP Sunlits King Of Queens

Breed: Afghan Hound

Handler: Alicia Jones

Owner: T Richardson, A Morrison Jones, J. Souza-Bartlett & M. Hunter.

GCHB Elistas Cross My Heart

Breed: Borzoi

Owner: J Carleton

GCH Camelots Godfather

Breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback

Handler: David Bueno

Owner: S Cordova, C H Heathcock & S Alford

GCHS Jolly Time My Way At Topsfield-Lebrera

Breed: Basset Hound

Handler: Michael Stone

Owner: S Shor, C Orlandi & G & C Gonzalez

TOY group

GCHG Winters-Eagle Ring Of Fire

Breed: Miniature Pinscher

Handler: Ashley Waters

Owner: K Winters & C Griswold

GCHB Aslan Vindicated Victory

Breed: Pekingese

Owner: L & M Stephen

GCH Amores Red Velvet

Breed: Italian Greyhound

Owner: J Love, K Day & K Bakker

GCHG Castle Peak Field Of Dreams CGC

Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Handler: Janice Hayes

Owner: R Lofholm & P Johnson

SPORTING group

GCHP Fox Canyons I Won The War At Goldshield

Breed: French Bulldog

Handler: Perry Payson

Owner: S & M Fox, A Geremia, F Cashin, P Payson & A Vorbeck

CH Players Alitara Magic in the Air

Breed: Tibetan Terrier

Handler: David Murray

Owner: S & D Getman, J Krynzel & G Mattison

CH Spotlight No Filter Needed At Amethyst

Breed: Dalmatian

Handler: Tara Schultz

Owner: C Jackson, DVM & M Jackson

CH Skylines Continuum

Breed: Keeshond

Handler: Jean Gauchat-Hargis

Owner: K Cullen , W Cullen, J Gauchat-Hargis & J Hargis

RESULTS

HERDING group

GCHS Cloudpointe Ringside Gossip

Breed: Norwegian Buhund

Handler: Amie McLaughlin

Owner: A McLaughlin & O Stensen

GCH Blue Heavens Orange Crush

Breed: Shetland Sheepdog

Handler: Tyler Crady

Owner: T Crady, S Perry Hinkle, K Rickard & E Crady

Sunday 8th January 2023

GCH Scotts Georgia On My Mind

Breed: Bearded Collie

Handler: Susie Olivera

Owner: C & T Wathen & J & S Olivera

GCHS DC Aces Chain Reaction HXAds HXBd

Breed: Bouvier des Flandres

Handler: Larry Fenner

Owner: J Reifschneider

JUDGING ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS

by Boris Pegan

Dog show exhibiting glorifies the external beauty of the English Springer Spaniel, but hunting is the heart and soul of the breed. As a judge, I believe that every Gundog breeder, at some point in their breeding process, should closely consider what their dog was originally bred for. They must understand that breed Standards were not written with chalked up and fluffed up show dogs in mind, but for working Gundogs. For the English Springer Spaniel, the Standard describes a unique breed, their skills, instincts, outward appearance, conformation and hunting desires, and that these attributes are different from any other breed. The Standard was written for a dog that, for years, was bred for a particular purpose that didn’t include free stacking or running around a show ring. How many breeders and judges read the Standard and ask themselves ‘why’? Without at least basic knowledge of the English Springer in the field, it is practically impossible to understand what correct type and conformation are all about.

English Springer Spaniels were bred to be hunting dogs. Specifically, they were used to ‘flush’ or ‘spring’ game, meaning they would find and chase birds into flight so that hunters could then shoot. English Springers can also retrieve game from land as well from water. My first Springer retrieved birds, while hunting with my father, from a frozen lake at -15C and continued hunting afterwards, which shows that the breed is quite sturdy. From their hunting style comes their structure and hence the very important sentence in the breed standard: ‘Symmetrically built, compact, strong, merry, active. Highest on leg and raciest in build of all British land spaniels’.

The first Standard was written by gamekeepers and hunters and initially was referred to as ‘The Points Of The English Springer’. It was created in February 1921 by the English Springer Spaniel Club. The original 1921 Standard stated, ‘general appearance should be symmetrical, compact, strong, merry, active, and

built for endurance and activity’. This statement has remained, pretty much unchanged, for 100 years throughout various modifications so it should be very clear that ‘symmetrically built and compact’ is an extremely important aspect of breed type.

There are several Standards in the world for English Springer Spaniels - in my opinion, a few too many! As well as that of the country of origin, there is the FCI Standard, the American Kennel Club Standard, the Canadian Kennel Club Standard and the South African Standard. All Standards describe the same breed although the American version is much more extensive and detailed than the FCI standard which is actually very brief, and in my view, leaves too much room for interpretation. In most countries covered by FCI, it is the FCI (English Standard) that is used. Japan is an exceptiontothis,wheretheAmericanStandardisused. Americans, of course, follow the American Standard where the parent club, ESS ESSFTA has patronage. In Canada, the Standard is under the patronage of the English Springer Spaniel parent club and approved by the CKC. If you have accepted a judging assignment, it is your responsibility to judge the dogs on the day, according to the Standard that is applicable to the country that you are judging in. Most clubs will send you this information prior to your appointment but if not, you need to do your homework beforehand and follow the relevant Standard religiously while you are judging.

In the second version of the English Standard, written in 1934, an English Springer’s movement was described as ‘strictly his own’. This characteristic is specific to the breed and this wording is still present in most Standards, but no such term is found in the current

JUDGING SPRINGER SPANIELS

AKC breed standard. I still wonder when and why such an important line and type description was removed. ‘Movement strictly his own’ … never forget that! Once you see how the correct Springer moves, it will stay in your memory forever. As I said, the early Standard for Springers was written by hunters and gamekeepers describing a breed with unique abilities, instincts and desire to hunt that set it aside from any other breed. I know that many judges struggle, consciously or unconsciously, to judge this breed as throughout the world we see attractive dogs of incorrect type winning, while correct dogs go unnoticed. It doesn’t matter if you are going to judge one breed only, or many breeds, you should still have a clear understanding of essential breed type in order to reward the most typical dog rather than the generic show dog. There is nothing worse than seeing the typiest dog ignored by the judge in favour of the current winning, flashy, but incorrect exhibit. For me, it is utterly devastating and it happens too often. Judging is an evaluation of breeding stock and can impact a breed’s progression, therefore we must be diligent as judges, to both understand the Standard and to apply it to the dogs in front of us.

When you are standing in the middle of the ring as a judge, look at the overall picture of the dog and judge on its merits first. Do not fault judge, as this could leave you with exhibits of poor type. Select your dogs on overall quality and then narrow down from there. If I have a large class of more than four entries, I cut the class in sections and then evaluate each section, mentally noting after each dog, a simple “yes” or “no”, so I know my cut immediately when the class lines up again. Your own ring management technique may differ somewhat. The English Springer is a perfect

combination of utility, beauty and symmetry. It is well balanced and moderate without any exaggerations. The Springer is a sturdy dog, yet the raciest of all his English land cousins. At the show, as the class comes into the ring and lines up, I begin my assessment by observing all the dogs in profile. The legendary Finnish all-rounder Hans Lehtinen offered an invaluable piece of advice, “line the dogs in the class up, stand well back, mentally paint them all black, study the silhouettes and THEN get into the detail”.

Keep in mind that there is no perfect dog. The art of judging should be about finding the dog possessing

the characteristics most typical of its breed and its ability to perform the task for which it was bred. Most importantly, the English Springer Spaniel should be of medium size. It should not be similar to, or cobby, like an English Cocker or racy and tall like a Setter, nor heavy and low on leg like a Clumber. Neither should it remind you of a Welsh Springer with its very different outline and proportions. Many years ago, the ESSFTA (Parent Club in the USA), published an illustrated Standard for the English Springer Spaniel. The first time I saw it, I thought there had been a mistake as all the illustrations looked to me more like a Welsh than an English Springer. Thankfully, that illustrated Standard didn’t last long but we still see many dogs winning that look just like that. If it reminds you of a Welsh Springer, then it is not a good example of an English Springer. The UK, FCI and Canadian Standards all state ‘highest on leg and raciest in build of all British land spaniels’. The term ‘raciest in build’ was also removed, at some point, from the AKC Standard. This is a key phrase that distinguishes the English Springer from all other Spaniels and in my opinion, should never have been removed. The word ‘racy’ also appears in the Irish Setter standard. Why is this important? ‘Racy’, according to the dictionary, means ‘for a vehicle or animal that is designed or bred to be suitable for racing’. The Springer should be altogether more moderate, symmetrical, well balanced and free from all forms of exaggeration. If there is any part of the body that draws your attention, there is most likely something wrong. The mark of a great dog, regardless of breed, is the fact that its appeal lies in the overall picture that it presents and that your eye is never drawn to just one overriding feature.

JUDGING SPRINGER SPANIELS

Are the shoulder blade and upper arm approximately equal in length and well laid back? What is the angulation of the front assembly? Are the front pasternselastic? Aretherearanglesinbalancewiththe forehand? Are the back feet in a natural position below the root of the tail? It is recommended to evaluate the dog in a natural position rather than when it is stacked by the handler. Most professional handlers can stack a faulty dog to present a perfect picture. Proportions and balance are of utmost importance in the English Springer Spaniel in understanding correct type. It is the balance between the length of leg in relation to the depth of the body. It is the balance between the size of the bones and the overall size of the dog. It is the balance between the length of the neck to the length of the head. Is the head proportional to the size of the dog’s body? Is the length of the skull the same as the length of the muzzle? Is the depth of the head proportional to its length? What are the parallels? The FCI Standard doesn’t state that the lines of the head must be parallel, but I feel, the more parallel they are, the better. That, however, doesn’t mean that the dog should look like a Pointer. Is the back level with a slight arch over the loin and well coupled? Is the elbow under the highest point of the withers?

The original Standard describes a height of about 51 cm for both males and females. This ’approximation’, means, in my opinion, that a dog or bitch should be no more than two centimetres either side of 51cm meaning that only a height of between 49cm and 53cm should be considered typical for this breed. Dogs larger or smaller than this should not be rewarded. The American standard is much more precise, describing the ideal male at 20 inches (50.8 cm) and 50 lbs in

weight (around 22.5kg) while the ideal female should stand at 19 inches (around 48 cm) and 40 lbs (around 18kg.) European and Australian dogs have more oscillations in height than American dogs and we often see dogs losing breed type due to their height and everything else that comes in the package with it. In America, dogs are more even in height, but they often have other problems, some with short legs and some with short backs. For years, Americans struggled with height in the breed with very small dogs, reportedly due to close line breeding.

The construction of fronts is a big problem in American dogs, not only with the English Springer but with all Gundogs. In my communications, I have realized that many Americans do not understand how the front of a dog should be assembled, how long the upper arm should be, where the shoulder blade is placed or where the withers should be. Terrier fronts can often be seen

in Gundog breeds and judges both tolerate and reward it. Correct front assembly, in my opinion, is a huge issueinmanyNorthAmericangundogsandregrettably insufficient front angulation often goes hand-in-hand with excessive rear angulation, detracting from the overall balance of the dog and causing uncoordinated movement. Of course, there are a decent number of English Springers with good fronts but they are much harder to find than in the rest of the world.

If the dog gives a square appearance then it is not typical of the breed. The Standard describes a breed whose leg length from the ground to the elbow is the

same or slightly higher than the elbow to the highest part of the withers. The Springer should be a little longer from the point of shoulder to the sciatic bone, than its height from withers to the ground. They are not meant to be a square breed and this is a very common flaw especially in North America and more recently in some European countries. The length of the English Springer is not measured from the withers to the root of the tail.

If a dog fulfills all of the above, then it will be a typical representative at first glance and would be able to do the job for which it is intended. The next type test for this breed is movement. This will reveal how satisfactorily all its parts are connected. The movement of a Springer should be fluid, easy and ground covering. Since 1934, the Standard has described the movement of the English Springer as a breed-specific trait. When viewed from the front, the forelegs should swing forward from the shoulder (not elbows) in a free and easy manner so that the front feet touch the ground in a vertical line in front of the nose, all without difficulty or effort. The hind legs should have a driving action with hocks well under the body following in line with the forelegs. We observe whether the front legs, when moving, come under the dog without intersecting with the hind legs. Foot timing is important; many shorter backed dogs will cross over on the go round. Rolling when moving is not typical for this breed and should be penalized. When evaluated from the side, while moving at moderate speed (trot) on a loose lead, the Springer should show a good long forward stride. In line with everything else for the breed, the keyword is ‘moderate’, so do not be attracted by an overreaching front gait because it is

not correct. As the speed increases, the legs naturally converge towards a central line of travel. The UK and FCI Standards clearly say ‘at slow movement may have a pacing stride typical of this breed’, a statement that has also been removed from the American Standard.

How is the topline of the dog in motion? Is it firm and level? Can a dog carry its head in multiple ways? Does the dog proudly carry a tail which is a reflection of its temperament? After the type evaluation, we should also observe the temperament of the dog, which must be cheerful, happy, outgoing and always ready to work. Aggressive or timid dogs should be severely penalized. The Springer’s temperament should be obvious, he should love people, life and all beings around him. Temperament stability should not change whether you pull it by the ears, pinch it or stroke it, but don’t do this in the show ring – you get the point, right? Stable, loving, easy going and gentle. All of the above should be thoroughly checked before putting your hands on the dog.

Now that the dog is in front of you, start by looking at the head. The Standard describes the head in great detail, so we should conclude that the head is very important when assessing this breed. The head of the English Springer is different from the heads of all other Spaniels. The Standard states that the skull should be almost, but not quite, flat (slightly rounded at the top), ‘rising from the foreface, making a stop and brow, divided by fluting between the eyes, drifting away along the forehead towards the occipital bone which should not be prominent’. This, again, is where the American standard slightly differs, ‘the skull is medium-length and fairly broad, flat on top and slightly rounded at the sides and back’.

JUDGING SPRINGER SPANIELS

The biggest head faults that we see today are too much or too little fluting and stop, rounded and overly wide skulls, unaccentuated eyebrows, pendulous lips and round, light and incorrectly set eyes. The eyes need to tell the story of their ‘heart and soul’ when you look a Springer in the eye. The Springer should look at you softly with their “talking eyes”, reaching deep inside your soul. The stop should rise between the eyes creating fluting or a groove which stops in the middle of the head. You can feel this groove with your fingers as you evaluate the head. The Standard describes the head as having a muzzle and skull of the same length. Short muzzles are a common problem world-wide. The muzzle should be wide and deep enough to allow a larger bird, pheasant or rabbit to be retrieved and carried. We often see specimens with drooping lips (especially in Europe) although the Standard clearly describes the muzzle as deep and square.

The AKC Standard gives more detail to this description, with ‘the upper lips come down full and rather square to cover the line of the lower jaw, however, the lips

are never pendulous or exaggerated.’ The American Standard gives a beautiful description of the head, ‘the head is impressive without being heavy. Its beauty lies in a combination of strength and refinement.’ It is very clear that the head should not be heavy, as commonly seen on dogs worldwide, but by no means does it convey the impression of a pointed or narrow muzzle. Flews come down to fully cover the lower jaw, but are not pendulous. The Springer should never be described as ‘lippy. The ‘stop’ is moderate with a subtle rise where the muzzle blends into the skull, further emphasized by the groove and shape of the well-developed eyebrows. The stop should never be prominent like the American Cocker or Pointer. A very important characteristic of the Springer head is the beautiful chiseling under the eyes. As you go over the head, you should be able to see and feel the chiseling that adds further refinement and beauty to the head. This is a breed requirement the English Springer shares with the Irish Setter. Heads lacking in fluting and chiseling are unfortunately very common. Cheeks should be flat. The UK Standard requires that the teeth should form a perfect and complete scissor bite but the American Standard permits an even bite and also that one or two incisors out of line are to be considered as a minor fault. Still, if we are to follow the premise of ‘fit for function’, a dog could still hunt with a less than perfect head so for me personally, I could forgive that as long as everything else about the dog is correct.

However, the eyes are of great importance to me when I judge and I would never put up a dog with an ugly eye or expression that doesn’t heal my soul if I have other options in the ring. The FCI and UK Standards call for an ‘almond shaped eye’ yet another thing I feel

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very strongly about. The American Standard calls for an ‘oval’ eye. To me, this is closer to ‘round’, and is probably why we see so many round-eyed Springers in North America. The Standard defines eyes as ‘medium size, almond-shaped, not prominent nor sunken, well set in (not showing haw), alert, kind expression. Dark hazel. Light eyes undesirable.’ This amount of detail suggests that the eye is also of great importance when evaluating this breed. I remember, many years ago, I was judging a Spaniel Specialty somewhere in the world about 15 hours by plane away from Canada and an exhibit entered the ring that instantly made my heart sing. I had always admired this dog in photographs so much so that I used to stare at his photos and fantasize about owning him and using him in my breeding program. I approached his breeder a couple of times trying to buy him but without success. Anyway, this particular exhibitor was luckier than I had been and had managed to acquire the dog and years later, he appeared in my ring. I cannot even begin to say how hard it was for me to keep a smile off my face when I saw the yellow eyes that were staring back at me in the most unpleasant way. That was the end of my infatuation with that dog and he didn’t get much further that day. No matter what, if you judge the breed, penalize yellow eyes, simple as that. They are completely foreign to the breed, very easy to get and extremely hard to breed out. American dogs generally have darker eyes but at the same time, have poorer eye and nose pigment especially in liver dogs. Finding the correct shape and colour of eye on the same dog anywhere in the world is not easy.

Now that you have examined the head, you are going to put your hands down the neck which should be

about the same length as the head, ‘good length, strong and muscular, free from throatiness, slightly arched, tapering towards head’. I put my hands on the withers and check how smooth and laid back they are. Bulky withers should immediately tell you that there are fundamental construction issues in the front assembly, in just the same way that a flat or dropped croup will tell you instantly that there is much wrong with the structure of the rear. Effortless movement

in front calls for a correct forequarter assembly. The AKC Breed Standard describes it perfectly: ‘The shoulder blades are flat and fairly close together at the tips, molding smoothly into the contour of the body. Ideally, when measured from the top of the withers to the point of the shoulder to the elbow, the shoulder blade and upper arm are of apparent equal length, forming an angle of nearly 90 degrees; this sets the front legs well under the body and places the elbows directly beneath the tips of the shoulder blades.’ Unfortunately, the FCI standard is much shorter on words leaving it somewhat vague but nevertheless, we still find much better fronts in England and Europe than in North America where fronts have been a problem for decades and sadly, are not getting any better.

The Springer is slightly longer than tall with a strong body, well sprung ribs and is neither too long nor too short. The loin is muscular, strong with a slight arch felt in the muscle mass of the loin (not roaching) and well coupled. This part of the Springer body is very well described in the AKC breed Standard as: ‘the portion of the topline from withers to tail is firm and slopes very gently. The body is short-coupled, strong and compact. The chest is deep, reaching the level of

the elbows, with well-developed fore chest; however, it is not so wide or round as to interfere with the action of the front legs. Ribs are fairly long, springing gradually to the middle of the body, then tapering as they approach the end of the ribbed section. The underline stays level with the elbows to a slight upcurve at the flank. The back is straight, strong and essentially level. Loins are strong, short and slightly arched. Hips are nicely-rounded, blending smoothly into the hind legs. The croup slopes gently to the set of the tail, and tail-set follows the natural line of the croup’.

A Springer’s tail should be carried horizontally and never high like a terrier or so low that it gives the appearance of fearfulness or temperament issues. The FCI Standard states that the tail is set low and never carried above the level of the back. The American Standard also states that the tail is docked so some judges consider an undocked tail to be a fault. It also states that the tail can be slightly elevated which would never go down well in the UK. The English Springer croup is also different in America and England. American dogs generally have a flat croup, while many English dogs have a steep drop in croup. Neither is correct.

JUDGING SPRINGER SPANIELS

The feet are tight, compact, well rounded, with strong, full pads. I personally have a thing for feet and I love dogs with beautifully round, compact feet both front and rear as well as lovely bone which should never be too flat.

A Springer should be shown in working muscular condition and never cobby like an English Cocker or racy like a Setter. It should have well-developed hips and thick thighs, with a rear assembly that suggests strength and driving power. The efficiency of the rear angulation should be neither more than, or less than that of the forequarters. We often see dogs with too much rear angulation and an imbalance between front and rear angulation and this will always result in faulty movement. If you look at the dog in a standing position, the rear foot should be under the root of the tail. Sometimes, a longer lower thigh can contribute to an over-exaggerated look, which is flashy and often rewarded in the ring but it is far from correct. Thighs are broad and muscular and stifle joints, strong and moderately bent. The hock joints are somewhat rounded. The rear pasterns are short, strong and well boned. When viewed from behind, the rear pasterns should be parallel. The hind feet are tight, compact, slightly smaller than the forefeet and well-rounded with strong, thick pads. Dew claws may or may not be present, and you will find more dew claws intact in Europe and Australia than in Northern America. Personally, I find some English lines too high on hock which results in a powerless driving action at the rear. Sickle hocks are foreign to this breed and should be penalized.

In assessing colour, we are guided by the UK and FCI Standards that simply state that liver and white or

black and white, with or without tan, are acceptable. The AKC Standard is considerably more detailed when it comes to colour, probably because so many judges are unaware that a Springer can come in so many

JUDGING SPRINGER SPANIELS

patterns. They love those ‘cookie cutters’ in North America but sadly, it isn’t helping to make them better dogs, just, in my opinion, more generic. Don’t follow fashion, as colour pattern is always irrelevant to quality. Many Springers come with a lot of small dots on the body sometimes known as ‘ticking’, ‘flecking’ or ‘roaning’. Many are open colored. Julia Gasow, (Salilyn) and Fred Jackson, (Frejax) eliminated ticking from the English Springer in America but still the colour was either liver or black and white with tan markings so it fitted the standard of the country of origin just fine. Once a fellow colleague, a judge from overseas, told me that she hated the “American cowgirl look” - referring to the open marked exhibits of the North American lines. I asked her why there were so many Cowgirls and Cowboys winning so much around the world but not in the States. For decades, Americans were infatuated with breeding clones in terms of markings with many strongly believing that the only correct Springer was black and white, with a white neck and

a perfect jacket. I do beg to differ as after judging the breed all over the world, I can safely conclude that I often find type better in livers than blacks and that colour pattern has nothing to do with quality. All variations of these colours are correct and should be rewarded equally. Often American dogs have a purer white colour without many spots and liver dogs have a lighter nose pigment, while in England dogs have more spots and better pigment. This, of course, is a generalization and not always the rule. I have seen a number of spotted Springers in America and when I was judging in England, a dog entered my ring that was painted like an American with no ticking at all.

My personal opinion, given all the many differences between the dogs throughout the world, is that the English Springer to remains one breed. I also believe that breeders should work more together to improve their stock, correct flaws and safeguard the many virtues of this wonderful breed.

RINGSIDE click

PORTLAND Kennel Club

GCHS Allegiance How To Get Away With Murder At Law CGCA BCAT TKN ATT

Breed: Portuguese Water Dog

Handler: Tiffany Skinner

Owner: C & J Duclos

GGCHG Lavender Hills Sin City RN [Bitch]

Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog

Owner: S Parr & C Gorath

WORKING group SPORTING group

GCHB Clussexx On Red Alert At Stonecroft

Breed: Spaniel (Welsh Springer)

Handler: Roxanne Sutton

Owner: S Blau

GCH Boardwalk Here Comes The Sun TKI ATT VSWB

Breed: Lagotti

Handler: Tiffany Skinner

Owner: A Ross & A Killeen

GCHS Twlight Georgie Girl Of Landmark

Breed: Giant Schnauzer

Handler: Jorge Olivera

Owner: M Lande & P Poole

CH Hierarchs Sympathy For The Devil

Breed: Doberman Pinscher

Handler: Michelle Yeadon

Owner: C Schacher, N Hanon & L Philyaw

CH VJK-Myst Heir To The Throne

Breed: Pointer (German Shorthaired)

Handler: Valerie Nunes-Atkinson

Owner: Y Deterding, V Atkinson & S Stutz

CH Rush Hills Brr-Ing It On RN CGC [Dog]

Breed: Retriever (Golden)

Owner: K Wigner & T Struble

Saturday 21ST January 2023

GCHP Ringo Star Ot Nevskogo Hobbita

Breed: English Toy Spaniel Bl & PC

Handler: Christopher Keith

Owner: P & R Caldwell

GCHP Empees Cyber Monday

Breed: Pomeranian

Handler: Mario J. Panlilio, Jr.

Owner: M J Panlilio Jr. & M Ingco

TOY group NON SPORTING group

CH Players Alitara Magic In The Air

Breed: Tibetan Terrier

Handler: David Murray

Owner: S & D Getman, J Krynzel & G Mattison

Ananas Kaavie Fionn Cualainn

Breed: American Eskimo Dog

Owner: S & H Redfield & S Paulsen

CH Oestes Askin for Kisses

Breed: Havanese

Owner: J Larkman, M King, R Schindler, J Vogel & T McFadden

GCH Flash Of Joy Seattle FDC TKI

Breed: Pug

Handler: Tiffany Skinner

Owner: C McCormick & M Nomura

CH Master Rock Calaco (Alonso/Tojo)

Breed: Xoloitzcuintli

Handler: Dylan Kipp Keith

Owner: S Tojo & M Alonso

GCHS Loredos Stealing The Party

Breed: Boston Terrier

Handler: Margaret Noble

Owner: L Dolan

TERRIER group

GCH Random Rumblebee

Breed: Wire Fox Terrier

Handler: Fan Yu

Owner: Fan Yu

GCHP Lbks Rebel And Proud Party Crasher

Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier

Handler: Blair Aguillard Commisso

Owner: T Chlan, I Ispas, J Branch & L & L Benítez

GCHS Pinnacle Broxden Lickety Split

Breed: Smooth Fox Terrier

Handler: Dylan Kipp Keith

Owner: A Moulton & A Rodrigues

Cherry Fields Red Phoenix

Breed: Miniature Schnauzer

Handler: B McFadden

Owner: H Ueki

GCH Dobhrans Alexa Play Some Music

Breed: Otterhound

Handler: Jason McIllwaine

Owner: S & J Wilkins & A & J & J McIlwaine

Soletrader Buddy Holly

Breed: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Handler: Janice Hayes

Owner: J Hayes, D Moore, E Cadmore & C Neill

GCHS Windbourne Remy Martin

Breed: Black & Tan Coonhound

Handler: Tiffany Skinner

Owner: S Campbell & T & S Skinner

Giotti Del Vignazzi

Breed: Cirneco dellEtna

Owner: G D’Emma, G Palazzola & N Wight

Saturday 21ST January 2023

HERDING group

GCH Kaleefs Mercedes

Breed: German Shepherd Dog

Handler: Kent Boyles

Owner: C Wilhelmy

GCH Blue Heavens Orange Crush

Breed: Shetland Sheepdog

Handler: Tyler Crady

Owner: T Crady, S Perry Hinkle, K Rickard & E Crady

GCH Jasms Light Up The Night

Breed: Bouvier des Flandres

Handler: R Gschwender

Owner: J & G Vaughn, A Howells & R Gschwender

GCH Foxwood Lionharts Belle of the Ball

Breed: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Owner: M VanVleit & J Mayhall

Best in show

GCH Random Rumblebee

Breed: Wire Fox Terrier

Handler: Fan Yu

Owner: Fan Yu

GCHB Clussexx On Red Alert At Stonecroft

Breed: Spaniel (Welsh Springer)

Handler: Roxanne Sutton

Owner: S Blau

Katie Gochev GRAPHICS

GGCHG Lavender Hills Sin City RN

Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog

Owner: S Parr & C Gorath

GCHS Allegiance How To Get Away With Murder At

Law CGCA BCAT TKN ATT

Breed: Portuguese Water Dog

Handler: Tiffany Skinner

Owner: C & J Duclos

WORKING group SPORTING group

GCHB Hyspire Ghoststone A Tough Nut To Crack

Breed: Retriever (Labrador)

Owner: V & J Russell, J Chambers & S Brown

GCHS Cammcastles Back To The Future

Breed: Rottweiler

Handler: Erin Piercy

Owner: S & J Roberts, S Guynn & P Marsh

CH Vanderbilts For a Good Time Call

Breed: Samoyed

Owner: A Murphy & J Elford

GCHB Clussexx On Red Alert At Stonecroft

Breed: Spaniel (Welsh Springer)

Handler: Roxanne Sutton

Owner: S Blau

GCH Next Generations This Is My Land

Breed: Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)

Handler: Devon Kipp

Owner: A Levy & D Kipp

GCH Creswick & Moonrysn This is the Way

Breed: Spaniel (Clumber)

Owner: D Bergstrom & J Wickwire

GCHP Ringo Star Ot Nevskogo Hobbita

Breed: English Toy Spaniel Bl & PC

Handler: Christopher Keith

Owner: P & R Caldwell

GCHS Wynmarks Les Bijouxs RockN Rolz At Reverie

Breed: Havanese

Handler: David Murray

Owner: Fredith Holt, M Coombs, B & C Hewlett & B White

TOY group NON SPORTING group

GCH Marvels Hemsworth The Wait

Breed: Poodle (Standard)

Owner: O Hodgkinson, C McFadden, M & S Olund & L

Campbell

CH Shady Oaks High Tea At Highwood

Breed: French Bulldog

Handler: Erin Piercy

Owner: T Stress, A Vorbeck & P Payson

GCH Touche & Infinitistars The Puppet Master

Breed: Japanese Chin

Handler: Luke Baggenstos

Owner: D Young, A Wolfson, A Bell & J Martenson

Kick Em Kenny v Tani Kazari

Breed: Affenpinscher

Owner: Y Savard

CH Players Alitara Magic In The Air

Breed: Tibetan Terrier

Handler: David Murray

Owner: S & D Getman, J Krynzel & G Mattison

CH Robertos Amazing Always On My Mind

Breed: Xoloitzcuintli

Owner: J Acton & R & E Peeters

TERRIER group

GCH Random Rumblebee

Breed: Wire Fox Terrier

Handler: Fan Yu

Owner: Fan Yu

CH Tregoads Fascination

Breed: Smooth Fox Terrier

Handler: J Orvos

Owner: J Orvos & E Boyes

Giotti Del Vignazzi

Breed: Cirneco dellEtna

Owner: G D’Emma, G Palazzola & N Wight

GCHP Lbks Rebel And Proud Party Crasher

Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier

Handler: Blair Aguillard Commisso

Owner: T Chlan, I Ispas, J Branch & L & L Benítez

CH Studio Be Curious JP Justice Hero

Breed: Welsh Terrier

Handler: Gabriel Rangel

Owner: Y Lguchi & J See

GCHS Windbourne Remy Martin

Breed: Black & Tan Coonhound

Handler: Tiffany Skinner

Owner: S Campbell & T & S Skinner

GCH Dobhrans Alexa Play Some Music

Breed: Otterhound

Handler: Jason McIllwaine

Owner: S & J Wilkins & A & J & J McIlwaine

GCHS Windbourne Remy Martin

Breed: Black & Tan Coonhound

Handler: Tiffany Skinner

Owner: S Campbell & T & S Skinner

HERDING group

GCH Kaleefs Mercedes

Breed: German Shepherd Dog

Handler: Kent Boyles

Owner: C Wilhelmy

GCHS DC Aces Chain Reaction HXAds HXBd [Dog]

Breed: Bouvier des Flandres

Handler: Larry Fenner

Owner: J Reifschneider

GCH Random Rumblebee

Breed: Wire Fox Terrier

Handler: Fan Yu

Owner: Fan Yu

GCHG Mvr Diamonds In The Rough

Breed: Border Collie

Handler: Julie Despot

Owner: K Marquardt

GCH Moxies Rocknrolla

Breed: Collie (Rough)

Handler: Annie Oster

Owner: M Barber

GCH Kaleefs Mercedes

Breed: German Shepherd Dog

Handler: Kent Boyles

Owner: C Wilhelmy

NEW YORK

by Mary Marshal

The 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Pro Plan, will have a new location this year. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows—Corona Park in Queens, New York City, will be the new site for the prestigious event to be held on May 8-9, 2023. The Westminster Kennel Club Show, which is the second oldest continuously held sporting event after the Kentucky Derby, is the centerpiece of Westminster week. The 10th anniversary of the popular Masters Agility Championship will also be showcased.

America’s Dog Show, as Westminster is affectionately known,willbethepremiereventthatattractsthousands ofpurebreddogs,theirowners,andhandlersfromacross the country and the world to compete for championship titles. In addition to the Masters Agility Championship and the Masters Obedience Championship, the schedule encompasses over 200 breed competitions, seven group competitions, Junior Showmanship, and the crowning of the Best in Show title on the final night of the event to be held in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“As we march towards our 150th Anniversary in 2026, the Club is excited to bring the dog show to a venue that has always celebrated world-class athletes, and these champion dogs are no exception,” said Westminster

Kennel Club President, Darrell W. Crate. “The sprawling complex will give spectators a truly memorable experience as they meet thousands of purpose-bred dogs that each have a rich history and background.”

The Westminster Kennel Club, inaugurated in 1877, has a rich and storied legacy as the oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. The show has been televised since 1948 and holds the title as the longest nationally televised dog show in the history of the sport. The mission of the Club from its humble beginnings has always been to celebrate and promote responsible dog ownership, breed preservation, education, and to advocate the continued legacy of the purebred dog. Programs are also held to introduce new owners to the right breed selection for their family and lifestyles.

The historical significance of the Westminster Kennel Club and the annual dog show as an American icon has withstood the test of time. It has grown to exponential proportions as America’s Dog Show completely upon its own merit.

The club was formed in 1876 at the Westminster Hotel bar in Manhattan as a meeting place for a group of wealthy sportsmen who met there regularly to regale their hunting stories. They formed a kennel club and named it after the Westminster Hotel. The newly formed Westminster Breeding Association aided in creating a dog show in Philadelphia to celebrate the centennial of America. The show was an overwhelming success, and the group decided to change their name to the Westminster Kennel Club which was incorporated in 1877.

In 1877, the First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs, sponsored by the Westminster Kennel Club, held its inaugural show at the Hippodrome at Gilmore’s Garden in New York City, drawing an amazing entry of 1,201 dogs. The show was extended to four days due to the overwhelming number of patrons.

Fun facts of historical proportions include that the annual dog show has overcome the Great Depression, two World Wars, multiple power outages, historic snowstorms, the Great Recession, and two worldwide pandemics. The annual dog show pre-dates the invention of the automobile, the refrigerator, and the light bulb. It was well in existence long before the final completion of the Brooklyn Bridge (1883) and the original Yankee Stadium. The dog show has outlasted three previous versions of Madison Square Garden. It is one of only four events to be held in all four “Gardens.”

Spectators are at the forefront of this annual event that provides a chance to meet and greet outstanding canine representatives of every breed. Family friendly events are held throughout Westminster Week, and tickets to the event will be available in early 2023.

“Accessibility, education, and connection are at the

core of this event. Spectators are always surprised that they get to meet and pet these exceptional dogs, but the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was created to engage with the public. We encourage people to come and learn about dog breeds from the owners, handlers, and preservation breeders. For over a century, this celebration of dogs has thrilled people, and our 2023 events will continue that tradition,” says Westminster Director of Communications Gail Miller Bisher. The Billie Jean King National Tennis center, opened in 1978, is the host for the US Open, one of four Grand Slam Tournaments in professional tennis. The center was originally called the USTA National Tennis Center but was renamed for tennis legend Billie Jean King in 2006.

In addition to the Arthur Ashe Stadium the facility consists of 22 outdoor and indoor courts. The stadium is the largest tennis stadium in the world and can hold over 23,000 spectators. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center also holds the New York Open and WTA Tour Championships. Many programs and events are offered at the facility for the local community including youth tennis programs and varied events throughout the year.

JADE Chase

Please tell our readers how you got involved in the world of dogs and dog showing.

I got involved in the world of dogs and dog shows through my sister, Lian. She started out in 4-H and moved onto showing in AKC. I was incredibly involved in dance and most of my time was spent at the studio. I happened to have a weekend off, so I decided to go to one of the local AKC dog shows to watch

INTERVIEW WITH JUNIOR HANDLER

my sister. Lian asked me to help her take a Miniature Pinscher into the ring since she had a ring conflict. From that experience, I was hooked and loved showing. I started doing 4-H at the age of eleven, then transitioned into AKC. My very first juniors’ dogs were a Boxer and a Black Russian Terrier. 4-H was a great start for me and prepared me to show in AKC.

Who were your mentors from the beginning, and do you currently have the same or any additional mentors?

My mentors from the beginning are Lian, Patty Bartley Shonts, and Rachel Eken. These are the people who really helped me as I was starting out. They all helped me learn how to train my dogs for the conformation ring and shared their knowledge with me. To this day, these people are still my mentors, and my greatest supporters. In addition, Shelley Bergstraser and Laura Kling are incredibly supportive of me. They entrusted me with showing their Collies in juniors and in the breed ring. It is through them that I learned that there are breed specific techniques in grooming and presenting in the ring.

My years as a junior have allowed me to meet many influential people in the dog world. The following are not only mentors to me, but people I can depend on to guide me and be there for me. Among them are Kimberly Pastella Calvacca, of KimRo Miniature Pinschers, and Laura Taft of Far Away Portuguese Water Dogs. Kimberly has spent a lot of time with me in fine-tuning my handling and gives me a ton of advice on how I can improve my handling skills. Laura is always teaching me howtogroomandcareforPortugueseWaterDogs,which is a breed that I am in love with, and she is just a joy to spend time with. They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I have also worked for Clint and Karen

Livingston for about three years, and they exemplify professionalism. I hope to be as professional as they are. I feel incredibly lucky to have all these wonderful people in my life and guiding me.

What breed/breeds have you been involved in handling?

Iprimarilyhelpshowthe breedsmy familyisinvolvedin, Black Russian Terriers, Miniature Pinschers, and Russian Toys. A highlight for me was getting to show our Black Russian, Dread, in juniors in Orlando because he is a grandson of our foundation dog, who was an influential dog to the breed. I also co-own or have handled the following breeds: Portuguese Water Dogs, Bloodhounds, ChineseCrestedandCollies.Workingforhandlersaffords me the opportunity to show many other breeds.

INTERVIEW WITH JUNIOR HANDLER

form, and function? Secondly, I feel like dog shows help educate the public who may not be familiar with purebred dogs. Preserving purebred dogs is an important part of history and I hope dog shows help educate people on their importance as family members and how they can influence our lives. They will also see that showing dogs is a great family sport!

Do you find it difficult to balance personal, school, and dog show life? How do you are available to fit everything in?

Do you currently breed and is this something you see yourself doing in the future?

Yes, I have bred one of my Miniature Pinschers. Unfortunately, it was not successful, and I learned to appreciate the effort that goes into breeding dogs. I am planning a breeding this spring and hope it will result in my first bred by prospect. I am super excited to see what I will get! Lian, Patty Bartley Shonts, and my mom co-breed Black Russian Terriers and Russian Toys under the kennel name Naissur. I know breeding is not for the faint of heart, but nothing could be more rewarding than seeing the dogs I bred successful in the ring.

What in your words is the purpose of dog shows?

There are two purposes of dog shows. One, is to allow breeders to highlight what they have bred to see how well their dogs follow the breed standards. Does the dog that the judge is selecting represent breed type,

Yes, it is challenging at times to balance everything. l work hard to try to get ahead of my school assignments, that way I do not have to stress about it whenever I am at a show. I am incredibly lucky to attend a four day a week school and my school supports extracurricular activities. My teachers are incredibly supportive, and I repay that by staying ahead on my assignments. I have had to miss school activities, but that is okay. I would rather be showing dogs. Since my mom, Lian, and I travel a lot, my dad stays home and takes care of the remaining dogs. We could not do it without him.

What profession would you like to have as an adult?

I still must figure out what I would like to do as a career. I will attend college in the fall and hope to figure it out along the way. I know dogs will be an important part of my life, regardless of my career path.

Do you prefer handling table dogs or larger dogs?

My breed is Miniature Pinschers, so I enjoy showing table breeds. However, I like to handle both table dogs and large dogs. My family breeds Black Russians, so I learned while showing large dogs. It has helped me be a better handler by expanding my handling skills with different breeds of all sizes.

INTERVIEW WITH JUNIOR HANDLER

Is there a certain coat you prefer to prepare for the ring?

Certain coats I prefer to prepare for the show ring would be setters and spaniels just because I find it calming and therapeutic when hot drying their coats. I also enjoy getting wavy/curly coated breeds ready, too. I like the challenge of sculpting them to enhance their qualities.

What professional handlers or owner handlers inspire you?

Clint and Karen Livingston and Kimberly Pastella Calvacca inspire me because they are all great people to spendtimewithandtalkto.Theyareallsoknowledgeable when it comes to dogs, and they are very willing to help me when I need advice and have encouraged me through the difficulties of showing dogs.

If you could be an assistant for any handler both past or present, who would it be and what would you hope you could learn from them?

I am glad this question was asked because I have already worked for my dream handlers: the Livingstons and Kim Calvacca. I am blessed to be associated with these people because I feel truly valued when I assist them. I feel included and part of a team when I work for these handlers. When assisting Clint, Karen, and Kim, I have learnedhowtobeateamplayer,theimportanceofhaving a work ethic, that you can always improve your handling skills, and how to be professional around people.

What dog from any point in time do you wish you could handle and why?

I think it would have been an honor to handle Matisse, the top winningest Portuguese Water Dog in history. Whenever that dog stepped into a ring, he had so much

presence and was such a performer. Michael Scott had that dog in excellent condition, and I loved watching them every time they showed together. I would like to show Matisse because he was such an influential sire to the breed.

Do you show your own dogs in breed competition? If so, what breeds?

I do show my own dogs in the breed ring. The two main breeds I show are Miniature Pinschers and Black Russian Terriers.

INTERVIEW WITH JUNIOR HANDLER

THE PEKIGNESE · HISTORY IN ENGLAND

What have been some of your greatest achievements in the breed ring?

Some of my greatest achievements in the breed ring have been qualifying for the MPCA Top 20 with both of my Min Pins CH Marlex Sunsprite How Can I Resist You (Mia) and GCHB RBIS Charkara Sadie in Red At Sabrie (Sadie). Additionally, I have won multiple regular Toy groups and a regular Reserve Best in Show as well as multiple NOHS BIS and being number one NOHS in 2022 with my Min Pin, Sadie. I have finished several of our Black Russian puppies as well.

If you could not show your own dogs, what handler would you ask to show them?

If I could not show my own dogs, without a doubt, I would ask Clint and Karen and Kimmie. They all bring out the best in the dogs that they handle, and all their dogs are happy when showing with their handler.

You recently had a great accomplishment at the AKC show in Orlando, can you please share this with our readers?

My Black Russian Terrier, (GCHB Sparta-Naissur I am No One To Be Trifled With) Dread, and I were selected as a JuniorShowmanshipFinalistunderjudgeMarianneConti. Her kind words and compliments were very encouraging to hear. I was ecstatic and so proud of Dread. He never missed a beat when we showed that day, and considering he is a young dog, he held his own and lasted for 3+ hours in the junior’s ring. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, he represents our line of dogs, and I am proud that I am showing a dog my sister and I raised and trained.

What is your favorite show of the year to attend, and why?

My favorite show of the year to attend is the AKC National

Championship in Orlando because I get to see so many of my dog friends that I do not get to see on a regular basis. It is always fun to catch up and spend time with them. Another great part of Orlando is that dogs I admire in magazines are often there. I learn a lot by sitting and watching the best dogs in the country compete and watching how their handlers handle and prepare them. Not to mention, the junior competition is fierce, and it makes me rise to the challenge. Looking at the different vendors is fun, too.

Have you been to any shows outside of the USA, if not, would you like to?

I have not been to shows outside of the USA. I think it would be a very educational experience. I would find it interesting to see how the shows are run in other countries, what the atmosphere is between competitors, and the ratio of professional handlers to breeder-ownerhandlers. Since I have an interest in grooming, I would study the grooming and presentation of the various breeds I know well.

Is there anything you wish judges understood more when it comes to judging Junior Showmanship?

I have thought about this question often. I had difficulty puttingitintowords,soIamgoingtocomparemyfeelings to the breed ring. When you are judging in the breed ring and you see a great dog that is young but there are several well-known dogs in the ring, do you take the chance on the young dog? You do not know the handler, pedigree, etc. You decide to go for it and give the breed to the class dog. Two years later, you see that dog in the best in show line-up. You lean over and say two years ago, I gave the breed to that dog over some well-known specials.

Iwishmorejudgestookthechanceonthejuniorthatdoes not have a well-known family, the outspoken handler, or the handler’s trained special. That chance may give you the opportunity to say I took a chance and gave that best in show handler a best junior. I am afraid if we do not take chances on juniors, they will bottleneck like many breeds are. Also, when juniors ask what they can improve, being able to tell why or what can be improved validates the placing and encourages us to move forward. Please do not respond “You did great, it just wasn’t your day, or you did great, you did nothing wrong.” It makes us wonder if you remember us at all. If you cannot tell us what we can improve, tell us what made the best junior stand out. Inspire us to move forward and walk away not knowing. We put so much of our time into this and want to hear the opinions of the people we look up to.

Junior handlers are the future of the sport. Do you feel in general that you and other juniors are treated with the respect you deserve to inspire you to stay in the sport?

Personally, I feel like I have been treated with respect and have received tremendous support from people in my breed, handlers I have worked for, and dog people in general. Breeders have trusted me with great dogs,

which allowed me to experience success in the ring and hopefully eventually in the whelping box.

Forexample,ArmandoAngebelloandMarciaTuckerwere willing to take a chance and put one of their breeding’s with a junior. With that being said, the Min Pin they gave mewillnowbemyfoundationbitchwhenIstartbreeding, and I am forever grateful to them. By taking a chance on me, they inspired me to stay in Miniature Pinschers for a lifetime. However, that said, not all juniors are treated with respect from others. I have heard and witnessed people being rude to juniors and degrading them with their words and actions; whether that be in person or through social media, and I find that sad because that is one of the biggest reasons that this sport could die: people not being kind and respectful to juniors.

Do you have any pastimes outside of the world of dogs?

Before I got involved in the world of dogs, I used to dance. I started when I was about 5 years old. I did classical ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, and Broadway. With dance, there comes a certain time when you must really decide if you want to pursue dance since it is so time consuming; you are either committed or not. When I was fifteen, I decided I wanted to go the route of dog shows, and I do not regret the choice I made.

What are your own personal future goals in the world of dogs?

My personal future goals in the dog world would be to continue to work for different handlers to gain and expand my knowledge in grooming and to continue to improve my handling skills. I will be attending college next year but will show as often as I can. I hope my future career involves dogs in some way.

BEST IN Show

Best in show

GCHS Wishing Well Bobcats Peace Love & Pixie Dust

Breed: Brussels Griffon

Handler: Paul Catterson

Owner: P Keenan, P Catterson & E Boyes

CH Copperridge Believe It Or Not

Breed: Australian Shepherd

Owner: S Diaz Martinez & J Miller

Best in show

BEST IN Show

GCHP Auroras Rhythm Of My Heart

Breed: Saluki

Handler: Julie Mueller

Owner: J Mueller

2

GCHG Barnstable Ripple Effect

Breed: Norwich Terrier

Handler: Judi Hartell

Owner: S Stemmier & M Kelley