Page 280 - ShowSight - September 2019

Terrier Q & A
“The things seen from inside of the ring may be way different than from the outside perspective. We may not always agree, but an honest advice and objective evaluation is why I am there.”
Valeria Rickard continued
tive years. GCHS Joval Angel’s Glory is the dog I won the most with myself, owner handled. In a very limited showing, she was top Female in 2018, and together we won the Airedale National and Won Terrier Group at the World Dog show. Besides my own top dogs, I would say Ch Evermay’s High Performance was one of my favorite males, as well as Ch Sterling Cool Hand Luke and Ch Greenfield Celtic Legend, these dogs also had the most impact in our breeding program.
There is no “Perfect Dog”, judges and breeders must be able to recognize the “total package”. I believe one must be objective when looking at a dog and be able to celebrate their positive qualities while recognizing the areas that could be improved. All breeders should have the goal of trying to improve their lines with every breeding they do, but objectivity is the key to making the best breeding deci- sions to achieve that goal.
The most humorous thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? I really enjoy seeing the younger handlers (teens and even pre-teens) in the ring. They remind us of the purity of the sport—where it is truly about the bond between the handler and the dog. In Airedale ring specifically, these kids simply show their hearts out—not for money, fame, prestige or rankings, but because they love it. I think many in the ring could learn a lesson from them in true sportsman- ship and why we walk in the ring in the first place.
NATALIA SAMAJ KUNZE
Originally from Europe, I live in Virginia, exhibiting and breed- ing Kerry Blue Terriers under the kennel name Cross the Rubicon for the past 25+ years. My recent top ranking owner bred and han- dled show dogs include the 2015 No.1 male Kril, 2016 No.1 bitch Vega, 2018 No.1 Kerry Vixen and a new young special, the 2019 Westminster Best of Breed, Korvin.
At what age do I pick a show prospect? Most of the time, that one special pup catches my attention at the very early age, before the general evaluation starts at eight weeks.
Some of the pups do not stay true, but as I am unable to keep them all for a long time, the decision needs to be made even if I regret it later. Looking back at past five years, I was very fortunate in my choices.
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What terriers of the past have impressed me the most? Airedale wise, my heart goes to my own dogs. GCHG Joval Sweet Time, is my most special dog. She was Res BIS at Mont- gomery, Top Airedale and Top 5 Terrier in the nation for two consecu-
How do I choose a Stud Dog? The power of the pedigree is not as important to me as it once used to be. Now I look for a combina- tion of both, the phenotype and the genotype to achieve the vision of a perfect Kerry in my mind. The show record is not as important, but unfortunately, the “out of sight, out of mind” comes to play and the dogs promoted get looked at more often.
How do I place my pups? For the past few years my pups serve as a replacement for those great pets which passed away or are an addition to a current Kerry. Despite my show record, it is very rare for me to find a good “pet home with a show career”.
Is a win at a Specialty more important to me than a win at an all- breed show? No doubt it is the Specialty win. But what makes the Specialty so much better? It’s the name of the judge and the number and the quality of the entries the Specialty draws.
Are there any overall trends in my breed that should be addressed before they get out of hand? My biggest pet peeve is an aggres- sion in the terriers. I love my breed but they are no way convenient family pets.
The current society is all about the convenience and in my opin- ion, the terrier temperament we enjoy so much, hurts the popularity of the group in the eye of the general public. Also, I need to mention the coat quality (wavy, not curly) and a movement based on the purpose a Kerry, an all-purpose working farm dog.
Who was my mentor? Unfortunately my mentorship was sparse and mostly based on the observation and a trial/error approach. My big thanks goes to an old-time Kerry and Soft Coated Wheaten Breeder, Mrs. Donna Goshen Perdue of Kerryglen kennel and the professional handlers as Gabriel Rangel, Peter Atkinson and Bob LaReuch who helped me to adjust to American way of presenta- tion. The learning never stops and I find joy in “talking dogs” with fellow exhibitors.
What terriers of the past have impressed me the most? In 1998 at the European dog show in Genova, I fell in love with the Kerry Blue Terriers of Aran kennel in Italy, based on an old Irish bloodline Louisburgh. My first import from this kennel was born in 2001 and I had the honor to lease, finish and breed their last bitch in 2014. Both of the kennels retired from the breeding and showing. http:// www.arankerries.it/dusty_ped_res.htm.
I would like to urge the judges to remember the shows are about evaluating of the breeding stock and the breeder’s efforts to create a perfect dog. And as such, please be helpful in your critique. The things seen from inside of the ring may be way different than from the outside perspective. We may not always agree, but an honest advice and objective evaluation is why I am there.
BETH SANTURE
We live in South Eastern Michigan. I’ve been breeding and showing Miniature Schnauzers since 1985
At what age do I pick a show prospect? I do my first seri- ous evaluation at eight weeks for structure and measurements.