Page 35 - ShowSight Presents The Miniature Schnauzer

BETSY DALE
1. Where do you live? What do you do outside of dogs?
I live in Michigan. Outside of dog activities with judging and clubs, I do a lot with my family and friends. I love travel adventures!
2. Number of years owning, showing and/or judging dogs?
Years in dogs—forever! I loved dogs, even as a small child. I started breeding and showing with Airedales in the 60s. I started judging in 1984 and now do three Groups and BIS. I have judged in six continents!
3. What traits, if any, are becoming exaggerated?
None.
4. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? What shortcomings are you willing to forgive? Must haves: solid topline—standing and moving, nearly square outline, sound moving. Can forgive a bit longer coat if good texture.
5. While judging, do you see any trends you’d like to see continued or stopped?
There are more rolled coats, which is good.
Sometimes there are dogs that are too fancy and extreme, not sure that is a trend though! It can be pretty but it is not correct.
6. What, if any, are the traits breeders should
focus on preserving?
Perhaps concern about the correct type—that does apply to many breeds.
7. Has the breed improved from when you
started judging?
Definitely better! When I first started judging, their move- ment was terrible! Several breeders around the country took that on and improvements were and still are great. Also the black/silvers became much more competitive.
8. Are there aspects of the breed not in the standard that you nonetheless take into consideration because breeders consider them important?
Male and female characteristics.
9. Can Judges Education on this breed be improved?
More hands-on and ringside mentoring from knowledge-
able breed experts.
10. Do you have anything else to share?
The standard was revised in 2012. It calls for severe pen- alty for an undocked tail. I don’t think this is not a realis- tic expectation in today’s global situation. It is a cosmetic fault and I would think genetic faults should call for more penalty than the undocked tail.
MARCIA FELD
1. Where do you live? What do you do outside of dogs?
I live in Libertyville, IL, a suburb of Chicago. My life outside of dogs is now pretty empty. I do help
the local Senior Center to provide programs and other activities.
2. Number of years owning, showing
and/or judging dogs?
Dogs have always been a part of my life.
The only break was college, and the first
years of my marriage. My husband did not want a dog. Then one day looking at the newspaper, he commented that, “If we ever have a dog, it will be one of these.” When he returned from work the next day, I had a puppy waiting for him. That was 1978. This bitch’s firsts Cham- pion was titled in 1982. In 1984, Feldmar had the #2 Min- iature Schnauzer. Both were black and silver. This bitch carried the then unpopular black and silver gene and was the base of my line. Working with the recessive black and silver gene was a puzzle and intriguing “occupation” as I was rearing my two sons. My first export was to a Schnauzer guru in South Africa/Belgium. He authored a book called The World of Schnauzers and requested that I supply a chapter—which I did.
AKC is the only one that allows an interbreeding of colors; which gave us a large advantage in improving the quality of the black and silver. But it also requires that we work to maintain correct color. The 1980s saw my dogs going all over the world. Retaining proper color while improving the black and silver quality was my prime requisite. Also, it was interesting matching puppies to breed Standards elsewhere as there were some variances. I also learned to breed for a natural ear as most countries would not accept cropped.
Judging began when I realized that I had accomplished what I set out to do. My last export was to Germany, country of origin.
I found, and still find, that learning and comparing breeds is fascinating also. I began my judging experience with attending the Cal-Poly Institute in 91, where luckily Annie Clark and I became good friends.
3. Describe your breed in three words:
Miniature Schnauzer—alert, loving and hard-coated.
4. What traits, if any, are becoming exaggerated?
No, I think that the breed is in pretty good shape now. We have dealt with over extended rears; and then also with a long, snipey muzzle. Both are pretty much gone.
5. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? What shortcomings are you willing to forgive?
Must haves: Proper size. Correct coat color. No dye allowed! Strong muzzle—got to be able to hold that rat! Shortcomings to forgive? I’m not sure there are any that I would totally forgive.
6. While judging, do you see any trends you’d like to see continued or stopped?
I think the breed is fairly consistent. The world has got- ten smaller and gene pools are no longer as isolated as they used to be.
7. What, if any, are the traits breeders should
focus on preserving?
I’ve always felt that we allowed the furnishings to become too plush. These dogs were bred to chase and catch vermin and those furnishings would never have been allowed. Pretty? Yes. Correct? No. I also think we need to watch the strength of the muzzle.
8. Has the breed improved from when you started judging?
Q&A
264 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2015