Page 344 - ShowSight - September 2019
P. 344

                Toy Fox Terrier Q & A
“THAT TERRIER TEMPERAMENT IN A DIMINUTIVE PACKAGE MAKES FOR A LOT OF FUN!
They are playful and full of themselves and yet love to cuddle. They sometimes get a little too assertive with barking and bouncing when our horses or the neighbors’ dogs come near ‘their’ fence line and no lizard, squirrel,
frog or bird is safe in Toy Fox Terrier space.”
 Lila Fast continued
How do I place my puppies? When placing puppies, I like to meet the families or individuals looking to add one of my dogs. I research them prior to meeting them to insure my dogs and family are safe. This helps me to match them with the appropriate puppy.
Is my parent Club giving me adequate support? I believe both AKC and UKC parent club are very pro active within the breed and supporting those with in it.
Is the breed standing out good or bad? I believe the uniqueness of the TFT within the toy group can give him a competitive edge over the normal lap dogs. He is graceful, spunky, funny and ultimate show machine.
What is the breed’s most endearing quality? They are loyal to their families, smart, and quick as whips.
At what age do I choose a show prospect? When picking a show prospect I look at which will improve my next gen- eration. I then watch them from birth cover the next few weeks I slowly shorten list until I am down to two. Then I evaluate with other breeders. I take is all into consideration. Eight weeks and then by 16 weeks I have my pick.
My favorite dog show memory is Cassidy winning the Grand Champion class and Best of Breed at the UKC Toy Fox Terrier Nationals. Cass is 12 1/2 now and going strong.
KATHERINE LA RUE
I live in Ukiah, California in beauti- ful Mendocino Wine Country. What do I do outside of dogs? I have a dog grooming shop and go to shows, so I guess the answer to that is nothing out- side of dogs, except for a little gardening.
How does the breed’s terrier tem- perament affect their
household behavior? TFTs play with toys always to sharpen their hunting skills. They will rid your garden of gophers and moles.
How do I place my puppies? My favorite homes have previous TFT experience.
Is my parent Club giving me adequate support? ATFTC is not a member club of AKC so by definition is not really a parent club. At about 100 members, in my opinion, it barely functions.
Is the breed standing out a good or bad thing? I person- ally have had a great year in the all-breed standings so I will say “good”.
What is the breed’s most endearing quality? Loyalty. My dogs would walk through fire for me—very bonded to their people.
At what age do I choose a show prospect? At seven weeks I can tell structure and balance. Seven months adult teeth are in and they must not single track when moving.
My favorite dog show memory? In TFTs, winning the National Specialty 2013 under Darryl Vice whom I so admire as a Breeder/Judge in two tough Toy breeds.
I’d also like to share that I grew up show- ing Dobermans and these little dogs remind me of them with their fearless but loving nature. Once you have lived with a TFT it is not easy to be without one.
SUSAN THIBODEAUX
Susan began showing in 1978 with Cockers. In the 1980s she became a Vizsla person finish- ing her first Vizsla at the 1984 AKC Centennial. Married to an Army soldier, Susan used their assignments overseas to show her Vizslas, Cockers and Eng- lish Cockers across
Europe. In 2013 Susan decided to retire out of the Sporting breeds into Toys and she now has Toy Fox Terriers and one Toy Manchester. She is an American Toy Fox Terrier Club Board Member, Brevard Kennel Club Board Member, is currently responsible for the ATFTC’s Meet The Breeds, Judge’s Education, and Facebook page and is the Legisla- tive Liaison for BKC. She is a past President and Training Director for the Brevard County Dog Training Club and has been an active member of other clubs over the years. She stewards for two Ring Steward Associations and enjoys judging matches and sweepstakes.
After years of moving around with my husband’s mili- tary career and then my job, we settled in Cocoa, Florida. I am Vice President with a company which provides a variety of services to the Federal government. I also have Appaloosa horses and am a hobby wildlife photographer.
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