Page 198 - ShowSight - February 2020

Pat Bullard continued
The largest health concern facing my breed today? The most frightening health concern facing Maltese today is the family of meningoencephalitis diseases, GME (granulomatous meningoen- cephalitis), NME (necrotizing meningoencephalitis), NLE (nec- rotizing leukencephalitis), and MUE (meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology). There is so little known about these conditions and so much fear and fiction spreading within the dog commu- nity, particularly the pet community. I am also concerned about the changes we’ve made in our breed regarding skull shape. Many of the Maltese I am seeing today have a more domed skull, ultra short muzzle and wide set eyes set in a shallow socket. This is not the head described in our standard. Although we are not a “head” breed, I think it is vital to breed the healthy head called for in our breed standard.
Any trends I see in my breed that I believe need to continue or like to see stopped? In the last few years I’ve noticed the breeders and exhibitors of Maltese are realizing how few of us there are left and are working together more to attract new people and care for each other in a more positive way. I see a genuine concern for the survival of our breed since we are now one of the low entry breeds and our litter numbers are so far down with AKC. I see us banding together more as preservation breeders and presenting ourselves as the knowledgable, caring, discerning and determined servant lead- ership we are and trying with all we have in us to keep Maltese healthy and beautiful for the next generation. Trend to stop: Gothic Maltese eyes! Leave off the make up, please.
What can the parent club do to increase awareness and popular- ity of my breed? I don’t think it’s just the responsibility of the parent club to increase awareness and popularity of Maltese. I think it is up to each of us who love Maltese and the sport to do our best to pro- mote our breed in everything we do. I enjoy collecting Maltese his- tory and sharing it on social media. Sometimes I don’t have all the information in a photo I’ve purchased but each and every mystery has been solved through sharing it with friends. An added bonus is by sharing on social media I’m creating a permanent archive of Maltese history that could easily be lost forever.
To whom do I owe the most? Through thick and thin and since the beginning of my days in the Maltese ring back in the 1980s I’ve been blessed with the friendship of Daryl Martin. What a fierce competitor and what an equally fierce friend she has been to me. Her only requirement is total honesty. I call that true integrity. A friendship with Daryl is one of life long learning as she is definitely an encyclopedia of the dog world.
Probably the biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice judges would be seeing under the the hair of the Maltese and understanding a classic head versus the baby doll head that has become fashionable but is not correct. I’ve found the best way to see through the hair is to imagine them naked. The Maltese is all about balance.
New and novice breeders have a mountain of research ahead of them if they truly want to understand the heritage of their pedi- grees. So many are only interested in the previous generation and have been told to only look back three generations. We are not cre- ating a new breed but trying to preserve an ancient one so it is vital to look as far back as you can go to truly know what is in your lines. It’s not always easy to find the old information so when you go to your nationals and old magazines, catalogs, photos and pedigrees are offered for auction, bid, bid, bid!
What else would I like to talk about? I think it’s always good for us to share something we’ve learned to help others so I’ll leave a grooming tip. For many years I’ve used cornstarch abundantly but I had an experience that made me switch. My girl came back from a very short trip with a handler with very runny eyes. Turns out she’d picked up red yeast on her only trip away from home. Clearing up the yeast took some time but, in the process, I learned about the
magic of cream of tartar. It has some anti fungal qualities and gently lightens stains. I’ve been using it ever since in place of cornstarch.
Humor at a dog show. Best to laugh at myself than at others so here goes: After all these years I had never had a dog mess in the ring until my last show. I felt just like a novice since I didn’t recognize the signs and my girl ended up going on the move. Fortunately, it all stuck in her hair and I noticed when I knelt down and found it. With no time to waste, my decision was to put it in my pocket. For- tunately, it was firm. We didn’t win that day, of course, and when I told my story to an old timer she said I reminded her of a novice years ago who did the same but was wearing white pants and the mess showed through her pocket.
CATHY COUTURE
I live in Pace, Florida on a 100 acre horse facility. After my granddaughters grew up and didn’t ride and show anymore, we leased the horse part out. So I needed another hobby.
I bought my first Cavalier pet 15 years ago. A tri boy named Bentley. As the story goes you can’t have just one, so I got a Blen- heim bitch pet who is still alive today.
I live near Pensacola and every March we have a dog show there. I always liked going and seeing the dogs. After watching the Cav- alier ring I decided that I want to show Cavaliers for my hobby. I bought my first show dog from Lorraine Hughes in Wales and proceeded to go to handling classes. I went to my first show in Tal- lahassee and realized it was harder than it looked. I did finish my boy and got his grand and was looking for a new show prospect. I got in touch with Mayfield Cavaliers and got a nice Blenheim bitch from her and proceeded to train and show her. That is when my Shih Tzu friend , Ginger Raber came into my life and helped me and stills does to this day.
The Cavaliers are the most loving dogs I have ever had. There is just something special about them.
How does my breed rank in popularity among other Toy breeds? Cavaliers are very popular among pet people. They love children and senior citizens alike. They will play ball or lay on the sofa with you. Everyone I have sold a pet to keeps in touch and just loves their Cavalier. At some shows the Cavalier breed is one of the largest classes so very popular.
Does my breed get its fair share of attention in the Group? More and more in the group ring Cavaliers are being recognized.
The largest health concern facing my breed today? Cavalier breeders are aware of the health issues. Also the pet market does their research so are knowledgeable of their issues. I believe through testing, breeders are helping to breed healthier dogs.
Males vs. Females: how do bitches (coat, size, etc.) fare when it’s down to the wire? Personally, I love my males. The problem can be that sometimes they love you too much.
Males usually have more coat, while the girls sometimes will blow coat when in season. It just depends on each dog.
It is very hard getting started in dog shows. First you really need a breeder that is willing to sell you a nice dog. Without guidance you can flounder and get discouraged. I believe the person respon- sible for helping me the most is, Ginger Raber, a Shih Tzu breeder for 30 years.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice judges? To me the judg- es have a challenge in the Cavalier. They come is different styles size and heads. The standard is wide so it depends on each judge.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice breeders? Beginners need to find someone in their area to work and guide them. Go to shows with them and watch what is winning.
In saying all this. the Cavalier is a very loving breed.
196 • ShowSight Magazine, February 2020
Toy Group Q & A