Page 332 - ShowSight - November 2019

Norwich Terrier Q & A
“These little dogs are friends for life. They can live to be 15-16. Litters are usually small so there are not many. We must carefully breed them, be cognizant of getting the appropriate health testing, only sell to responsible homes and provide for our dogs in our wills so proper care occurs when we pass on. They count on us.”
Mary Aggers continued
don’t buy one. If you’re not willing to put in the time to train and enjoy doing it don’t get a pet.
ELLEN LUCAS
Born and raised in California. Graduated from UCLA. Served as Senior VP of Human Resourc- es for May Department Stores and Carter Hawley Hale Stores. Retired to New Mexico with my husband Bill and moved to Tulsa Oklahoma in 2007.
I have had Norwich since 1990 with multiple ranked Champions including Isaac currently.
Also have Berger Picards since 2015, including nationally ranked Gulliver and now his daughter Nyxie. Both finished in the Top 10 Picards at the 2018 Elevage
amongst 82 Picards.
In addition I have rescued two black Labs. Cody achieved his
Obedience, Agility and Rally titles in AKC and UKC.
I live in Tulsa Oklahoma. Outside of dogs I support the Univer- sity of Tulsa and Women’s Rowing Team and attend all their events. I used to row myself and started the first women’s Rowing Team at UCLA. I support all athletic events and attend Football and Bas- ketball games. I’m a member of Mid Continent Kennel Club and Tulsa Dig Training Club and have served as President and Board of Director’s member for the Norwich and Norfolk Club of America and Norwich Terrier Club of America. I also have rescued over 400
Norwich and mixes for over ten years.
Is the breed’s popularity good or bad when it comes to finding
breeding stock? Norwich have small litters so availability from rep- utable breeders is the best way to secure a puppy. Go to the NTCA Club site to look for reputable breeders. Do not go online.
Is the Norwich the ideal household companion? Yes. Their small compact suite makes them fun. They love their people. They are a pack breed so multiple dogs in a household develop a hierarchy. Of course males of the same age can posture and bitches can be domi- nant, they always are, but I have had multiple Norwich living in my house with little or no problems. A male and a female together are fine.
What about the breed serves them well in the living room and in the show ring? Their friendly, happy attitude and size makes them great in the living room. But, they can excel at other activities ie, agility, barn hunt, go to ground, Service dogs, confirmation. They are smart and affectionate. A great combination.
At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? Most breeders evaluate structure at nine to eleven weeks old. You also are looking at attitude, which ones have the “it“ factor.
What is it that makes showing dogs all worthwhile? Dogs you breed or raise from puppies are always your super dogs. Seeing one of these excel and love doing is an amazing experience.
What is the most important thing about the breed for a novice to keep in mind when judging? Evaluate the whole dog but also focus on movement and angulation. Form follows function. If they can’t move out, something is not right with structure. They may be small, but when moving away you should see all four pads.
My ultimate goal for the breed? To be bred and owned by responsible breeders and owners who know our Standard. My goal is also to have none of these dogs get into the hands of volume breeders who just breed constantly to sell for profit.
My favorite dog show memory? Isaac winning Breed at Mont- gomery weekend every day plus getting a BIS Friday and Group 4 Sunday at Montgomery.
These little dogs are friends for life. They can live to be 15-16. Litters are usually small so there are not many. We must carefully breed them, be cognizant of getting the appropriate health testing, only sell to responsible homes and provide for our dogs in our wills so proper care occurs when we pass on. They count on us.
CATHY ROGERS
In 1973, we purchased a Min- iature Schnauzer on the condition it would be shown; something I knew nothing about. Thanks to a great mentor who is now a friend of 50 years, I learned. In the 80s I saw a Norwich at a show and was smitten. In the 90s during a hiatus from dogs, I bought a two year old Appaloosa. For ten years I lived and breathed horse shows. I learned so much about move- ment and structure during that
time. Then, I bred my last Norwich, just once more to have a pet for myself. She ended up going WB at the Specialty from the Puppy Class. She is the dam of a Multiple Best in Show winner, a dog handled by myself. It’s been a wonderful ride!
I live in Northern Kentucky, near Cincinnati, Ohio. Outside of dogs, I am a retired Elementary School Teacher.
Is the breed’s popularity good or bad when it comes to finding breeding stock? There are not a lot of Norwich, so finding a stud dog can be challenging. For someone interested in finding a good
330 • ShowSight Magazine, noveMber 2019