Page 340 - ShowSight - September 2019

THE
TOY FOX TERRIER
1. Where do you live? What do you do outside of dogs?
2. A breed that gained fame as a ratter has become a top companion. How does the breed’s terrier temperament affect their household behavior?
3. How do you place your puppies?
4. Is your parent Club giving you adequate support?
5. In the Toy Group, the TFT stands out. Is this good or bad?
6. What is the breed’s most endearing quality?
7. At what age do you choose a show prospect?
8. What is your favorite dog show memory?
9. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate.
GENE BELLAMY
I was born and raised in Oklahoma City a number
of years ago. Attended local schools and graduated from Oklahoma State University. Spent my professional career in Property and Casualty insurance fields. Twenty years with a large National Insurance Company as Personal Lines Manager, retired and continued with Independent Insur- ance Agency as part owner and Vice President. Retired again after 20 more years. I have always been interest in animals, I enjoy the competitiveness of showing. Started in 4-H with raising and showing hogs, continued on to horses, dogs, cats and rabbits.
My first dog was a Boston Terrier which was given to me by a family friend I was about six months old and she was my dog for about 12 years. The next dog I had as a child was a Tan and White Toy Fox Terrier. They were called Ambertoy then. In High school, I bought my first regis- tered Boston Terrier female. From this little female came my first Champion Boston Terrier four years later. I showed Bostons for a number of years. Was notified of my 50 year award of Judging by AKC this year. For several years I was not active in showing. My wife and I had two children and we were focused on their interest and activities. In early 2000, I again acquired another Toy Fox Terrier, and then another and here I am.
I live in Oklahoma City and have been retired from Insurance Industry for 20 years. In addition to the dogs, I raise registered Zebu Cattle, registered KuneKune pigs and have Arabian Horses, Quarter horses, a Saddle Show Mule and a herd of miniature Donkeys.
How does the breed’s terrier temperament affect house- hold behavior? The Toy Fox Terrier’s temperament is very active and curious. He is very loyal to his owner and/or family. High energy level when needed and yet can be a couch potato at times.
I don’t breed with any frequency. Only when I need a new show puppy, will I breed a litter. If there are any extra puppies in the litter, I will place them through a referral or to someone who has been waiting for one of my puppies.
The Parent Club has been active in supporting the Breed. In the last few years they have been actively pro- moting breed and judging Seminars at many shows all over the country. I feel this has been very beneficial to Judges, new exhibitors and breeders. The Parent Club has also been successful in getting a flyer on Toy Fox Terriers and photos included with the litter papers and Registration that AKC sends to new owners.
The Toy Group is a difficult group. They are majority of long coat or rough coated dogs. The Toy Fox Terrier with his satin sleek coat does stand out. He has nothing hidden. Good quality stands out when he hits his show poise in the ring. There is nothing on him that can be fluffed, sprayed or shaped, what you see is what you get.
What is the breed’s most endearing quality? I like their attitude. They are active, always ready to go or be with you. The Toy Fox Terrier is so intelligent and can do well in Obedience, Rally and other like activities. They really like the Barn Hunt.
I have bred my bloodlines for a number of years, and in some cases own parents, grand parents and even further on a few. So when I breed I have an idea of what I am going to achieve with this breeding. At birth you will do the first cut for a show puppy. Markings will tell you if they will be good for a show dog. A wrong placed spot or a marking will eliminate a show prospect. Another cut can be done at eight to ten weeks, when they are up on their feet. Attitude, gait and overall balance comes into play. You make you choice and put them up for six to seven months, and hope every- thing you saw and liked as baby comes together for a new champion.
My favorite memory was when my dog won the Nation- al Toy Fox Terrier Specialty four years in a row. He also became the First Toy Fox Terrier Platinum Grand Cham- pion of record. His grandmother was the first Toy Fox Ter- rier Grand record a few years back.
I like their attitude. They are a big dog in a small pack- age. Always your best friend and brighten up each day.
“THE TOY FOX TERRIER’S TEMPERAMENT IS VERY ACTIVE AND CURIOUS. HE IS VERY LOYAL TO HIS OWNER AND/OR FAM- ILY. HIGH ENERGY LEVEL WHEN NEEDED AND YET CAN BE A COUCH POTATO AT TIMES.”
338 • ShowSight Magazine, SepteMber 2019