Page 282 - ShowSight - September 2019

Terrier Q & A
Beth Santure continued
You never really know for sure until adult teeth are in and they are done growing.
How do I choose a Stud Dog? Of course phenotype Is what catches ones eye. Then I like to look at the grand parents pheno- type. Lastly see how the pedigree might meld together on paper.
How do I place my pups? Miniature Schnauzers are a popular enough breed that I usually have a wait list and finding good homes is not a problem.
Is a win at a Specialty more important to me than a win at an all-breed show? Yes definitely a win at a Specialty specifically a National is more important than all breed show. Breeders usually are showing their best dogs at Specialties so it’s a real test to how your own dogs compare.
Are there any overall trends in my breed that should be addressed before they get out of hand. Oversized dogs being shown and judges reluctancy to measure them and enforce the standard. We have a size DQ. I would also like to take this opportunity to ask judges to remember that an undocked tail is to be “severely penalized”.
Who was my mentor? I was fortunate to have a wonderful men- tor who remains a dear friend to this day, Debbie Herrell of Sercatep Miniature Schnauzers.
What terriers of the past have impressed me the most? The head study of Skylines Blue Spruce I think is near perfect type for a Miniature Schnauzer.
The most humorous thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? I think every woman has a story about those darn pantyhose. I do too, but not ever had to walk out of a pair to be able to continue your go around as is a story I have heard. Never let the dog look bad!
ANITA KAY SIMPSON
Proud owner of “Gilbert” GCHS Lonsdale Sir Joseph Porter, the BOB Eukanuba in 2011; and #1 Dandie All-breed in 2012 and 2013; “Gabe, GCH Pennywise Hearthrob, #1 All Breed in 2017; #2 All Breed and #1 Owner-Handled in 2018. They always gave and have given their best as show dogs and as ambassadors of the breed. I live in Florida and have over 40 years in dogs.
At what age do I pick a show prospect? Six weeks; but until per- manent teeth are in, you cannot be certain with a terrier. Every prospect finished Ch. with very limited breeding over these years compared with other breeders, I have had four Dandies that have won six Best in Shows; two were handled by professional handlers; two owner handled.
How do I choose a Stud Dog? In Dandies the gene pool is so small, that the best choice at this time, in this breed is to choose outcross; but most important is temperament. The temperament of the bitch and the dog, and their offspring is tantamount. All else, is mere icing on the cake. Show records can be bought and often, it is who is on the end of the lead, not the quality of the dog so I never choose just on show record. Dogs don’t live at the show. They need to live in a home, to love and be loved.
How do I place my pups? Very carefully; with references, with knowing the home layout and vet recommendation. Every pup is sold with money back guarantee for life. In 40 years, 18 litters, only one puppy had to come back and I sent someone with a check to get her. Finding good homes needs to be done carefully and thor- oughly, with what is best for the puppy and the potential owner. Saying no to someone who really wants a puppy is hard, but if you know it is not the right decision for both parties, you need to have the strength to make that hard decision.
Is a win at a Specialty more important to me than a win at an all-breed show? No, the politics at Specialties are unbelievable.
Are there any overall trends in my breed that should be addressed before they get out of hand? Gene pool being too small and severe kennel blindness. This is a breed on the edge. It may already be too late.
Who was my mentor? Cathy Nelson. The most valuable thing she taught me was do what you think is right for the breed.
What terriers of the past have impressed me the most? Ch. Amstamm Happy Sonata, Scottish Terrier; she was #2 Terrier bitch in 1978; beautiful specimen of the breed. That same year my first show Dandie, Ch. Misty Morn MacWatson was #3 Terrier bitch. They were both paving the way in our respective breeds for the ladies to get recognition!
Judges need to read and refer to the breed standard. With very few exceptions, they do not see enough of this breed to be familiar with standard and if they judge primarily in one area of the country, they think what they see must be the standard. I truly admire those judges who really know the terrier breeds and put up the one’s who most closely match the standard, not the ones whose picture are in the magazines and are being shown only by handlers or have been bred by other judges. Yes, handlers show great dogs; some judges breed great dogs, but the best dog in the ring is not always shown by a handler or bred by a judge. And the AKC and dog clubs are making it increasingly hard for those of us who are owner-handlers and who have to work for a living to compete in the shows. Clusters that run from Tuesday through Sunday or for two/three weeks at a time, are impossible for us to participate.
What’s the most humorous thing I’ve ever witnessed (or heard about) at a dog show? The costumes people wear at the shows in West Palm Beach when the clubs give prizes for the most creative costumes. It is incredible what these dog show folks can come up with to wow the crowds!
KATHRYN LISSA THOMAS
I live in California, USA. I have had dogs all my life, but terriers only since 1990. Jack Russell Terriers that went into AKC as foun- dation stock. Jack Russells then turned into Parson Russell terriers. In 2015 I got my first Russell terriers. I also have had Border Collies, Great Danes, Springer Spaniels and Poodles.
At what age do I pick a show prospect? Ideally you should pick a show prospect when it matures (which varies as to breed—smaller breeds tend to mature faster than bigger breeds.) One to two years old would be ideal but not practical when it comes to showing. Four to six months in a smaller breed could give you a pretty good idea, and most of the pups I have purchased for showing have been about three to five months old (not what I think you should do but what I have done). I have also picked some younger than that, but it is always a gamble, especially with an outcross, they mature at differ- ent rates, etc.
Also picking a successful show dog is not just as simple as pick- ing a good dog—you could have an excellent show dog but you are in area where there are not a lot of dogs in your breed so you have difficulty getting points and/or a major in order to complete your championship. Or you could have the opposite problem, you could be in an area, like California, where there are a lot of top handlers and dogs. This also makes it quite difficult to get points and majors. Who is showing your dog and how it is being shown is very important (if your dog is not well trained to move well at the end of the leash the judge cannot tell how your dog moves. Standing correctly in a stack is very important, if the dog is stand- ing funny it may have excellent structure but that cannot be seen by the judge because distorts its visible structure. Grooming is also critical. Poor grooming can distort proper structure. (I am horrible at grooming but have been privileged to have some of the top groomers in the country groom my dogs.)
Traveling with your dog is important if you want a top dog so it can be seen nationally and internationally. This also gives you the opportunity to see dogs that you like in person and meet many breeders and owners. Although I could not travel too much in the USA , just to a few large shows like Montgomery, AKC
280 • ShowSight Magazine, SepteMber 2019