Page 274 - ShowSight - July 2019

THE
CHINESE CRESTED
1. Where do you live? What do you do “outside” of dogs?
2. How many years in the Chinese Crested? Showing? Judging? Breeding?
3. What, in your opinion, is the secret to a successful breeding program?
4. Do you prefer one coat variety over the other? Why?
5. The flashy CC is a favorite of ringside spectators. Do you feel this gives an advantage in the Toy group? Why or why not?
6. What is your favorite dog show memory?
7. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate.
SHELLEY HENNESSY
I live in Toledo Ohio. I am a retired Toledo Police Sergeant. My main inter- ests besides dogs, are movies. My current breed is Chinese Cresteds, but I have also bred Afghan Hounds and Whip- pets (and also owned Collies) putting numerous titles on my dogs in confor- mation, obedience, rally, lure coursing, agility, barn hunt and scent work. I am approved to judge four Groups (plus breeds in the other three groups ), rally, and lure coursing.
I’ve had Chinese Cresteds since the breed gained full AKC recog-
nition. I have also bred Afghan Hounds and Whippets. I have been showing since the 1970s and judging since the 1990s.
The secret to a successful breeding program is never breeding to dogs with a Major fault!
Do I prefer one coat variety over the other? No. I love both HL and PP!
Do I feel the Chinese Crested being flashy and favorite of specta- tors an advantage in the Toy group? No. I don’t think Cresteds win in the Toy Group as often as other breeds. and the ones that do are usually the HL and are professionally handled.
My favorite dog show memory is winning a Toy group with one of my powderpuffs, who was also the breed’s first RAE, and who earned her CDX with two specialty High in Trials!
It is becoming harder for a true HL to win in the breed ring. The newer judges especially, reward more and more hair on the HL.
Also, very few Crested owners show in performance events, such as Rally or Obedience, which is a shame as the breed is so intelligent.
CLAIRE WISCH ABRAHAM
I live in Lovettsville, Virginia and I am in the commercial con- struction business. I have had Chinese Cresteds for nine years. I show and co-breed with Victor Malzoni, Jr. I am approved to judge nine breeds and recently applied to judge Chinese Cresteds.
The secret to a successful breeding program? Chinese Cresteds breedings/litters don’t seem to have results as predictable as some of the other breeds I’m involved with. It could look great on paper but not what I was hoping for in the box. I don’t breed a lot so I still feel like I have a lot to learn. I’m very fussy with my puppies so I don’t breed unless I know I have homes.
Do I prefer one coat variety over the other? In the ring I love a beautiful correct dog puff or hairless doesn’t matter. In my heart my favorites are the true hairless.
Do I feel being a ringside favorite gives an advantage in the Toy group? Flashy yes but I think the breed is overlooked in the group.
There are so many very beautiful and correct Chinese Crested being show that deserve placements.
My favorite dog show memory is a dog I bred and raised winning the Sporting Group at Westminster KC in 2013.
JENNIFER YOUNG-JOHNSON
I live in Southern California. The High Desert. Basically half way between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I have a busi- ness, California Dogs, where we make handmade dog jammies, beds, mats, etc. And I also use my own drawings to have fabric made of a few toy breeds (Mostly Cresteds!).
I recently got into Miniature Horses and have been having a lot of fun show- ing in halter and driving.
I got my first Chinese Crested in 1999. I just fell in love with the breed. They are so fun and happy and
just live to make you laugh.
I think breeders are the heart of our sport. I have finished 18
Cresteds from the Bred by Exhibitor Class. I breed very rarely now and I believe in the quality of the dogs I have produced.
The secret to a successful breeding program I think is knowing type. Look at the siblings of the dogs in your pedigrees. Look at the whole dog in your breeding program. I am not a believer in breeding to the big winner. I started my breeding program around 3 dogs and they are dominant in all my pedigrees. Ch Myown Academy Award, CH Blandora Without a Doubt and CH Moonswift Iced Diamond. I produced beauty, movement and temperament using these lines.
Health testing is so important and we have DNA markers for sev- eral issues in our breed. Do not be afraid to use a carrier. Some of my most beautiful dogs have been PRA carriers. As long as they are bred to clear they will never produce that issue.
Do I prefer one coat variety over the other? I love them both. A beautiful powderpuff with a glorious coat is hard to beat. And a lovely hairless is a thing of beauty. I love them all.
Do I feel the Chinese Crested being flashy and favorite of specta- tors an advantage in the Toy group? We seem to run in streaks. We won't have a top 10 all toy dog for a few years and then they are winning every group! I think there are a lot of amazing specials out right now.
My favorite dog show memory: I just had a wonderful one. Our girl that we are specialing gave me fits trying to finish her in bred-by exhibitor. One day her tail would be up, the next day she was not feel- ing it and would just pout the whole time in the ring. After I finished her I put her with my friend who is a handler and they have figured this whole thing out and my girl is Happy Happy! Well, my handler could not be at a show a few weeks ago, a toy specialty and I decided I would try to step in. Well we won the breed with some wonderful competition and then we won the whole toy show! I rarely end up in the group and I just had a blast. It was so fun to text the photo of the toy show ribbon to my friend and we laughed and cried.
I think the whole hair/no hair issue should always be discussed. There are truly hairless dogs but they are few and far between and they just do not breed true. The public does not realize that some hair over the body is very common now and sometimes they have quite a bit of hair. They are still wonderful companions and are hairless dogs. It seems to be the foremost thing breeders end up discussing with new show people and companion people alike.
268 • ShowSight Magazine, July 2019