Page 213 - ShowSight - February 2020
P. 213

                  Toy Group Q & A
“I’D ALSO LIKE TO SHARE THAT GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP NEV- ER GOES OUT OF STYLE. WITHOUT COMPETITION, OUR SPORT HAS NO FUTURE. BE KIND TO EACH OTHER.”
 The biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice judges? Getting “sucked in” to the trends of the breed. And honestly, this is any breed. The standard is the standard. Trends come and go. Judge the standard. Judge what you have learned and taken so much time and money to earn the approval of judging the breed.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice breeders? Feeling that breeding to the #1 dog is the way to improve your breeding pro- gram. That particular dog may not be the right one for your bitch. Your breeding program should be influenced by your mentors but ultimately it is up to you to develop it. Read your pedigrees. Go back and look at what a sire has produced in the past and look at the bitches he was bred to. It is a two way street! Look at lines that consistently produce the type of dog you want to produce. Go from there.
This breed is so unique, so quirky and I am thrilled to be a small part of it. They are wonderful companions and lovely show dogs. I am thankful to all my mentors who have helped me produce the dogs I am producing today. Remember, you don’t own a Chin, a Chin owns you!
The funniest thing I’ve ever seen at a dog show? Um...really? Aren’t all dog shows a ball of laughs?
PEGGY SHAW
I am President of The Heart Of America Chinese Crested Club, Director for Chinese Crested Club Of America and Cornhusker Kennel Club.
I am always willing to help a new comer or assist another exhibitor if they need an extra hand. If you see me at a show, please introduce yourself. We all need to join together to promote our great sport.
I live in Nebraska. I have been raising dogs for 26 years and have been showing for ten years. My life revolves around spending time with my family and showing my dogs.
I breed and exhibit both Miniature Pinschers and Chinese Cresteds. In 2018 and 2019 I had the number one ranked Min- iature Pinscher Dog, #2 BOB. Last year was a bucket list year for me as I won the Miniature Pinscher National Speciality and the Regional Speciality.
I have won BOB in the National Owner Handler Champion- ship for both Chinese Crested and Miniature Pinscher.
My breeds described in three words: Miniature Pinchers are loy- al, spirited and intelligent; Chinese Cresteds are clownlike, addic- tive and affectionate.
Do my breeds get its fair share of attention in the Group? I believe both of my breeds receive their fair share of group placements.
Males vs. Females: how do bitches (coat, size, etc.) fare when it’s down to the wire? With both of my breeds, I always prefer to show males. I find their temperaments to be more consistent. With males, I feel I am their world and they are willing to do anything
to please me. When it comes to the females, I am allowed to live in their world.
The largest health concern facing my breeds today? I feel that the largest health concern for both breeds is Epilepsy. There is ongoing research being done to locate a genetic marker. Once a genetic marker is found breeders will be able to test and eliminate affected dogs from the gene pool.
What can my parent club do to increase awareness and popular- ity of my breeds? I would like to see all parent clubs invite the public to their National Specialities. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to talk to reputable breeders and see excellent representations of the breed standard.
I find my local kennel club has helped me the most. We have training classes and very experienced exhibitors that have helped me on all levels.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice judges? I find the expense involved in getting their judging license is the most chal- lenging for new judges.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice breeders? Finding suit- able breeding stock is a big challenge. Finding a breeder who has quality dogs and who is willing to trust a new person with their bloodlines can be challenging. As a breeder, my first priority is to protect the integrity of my bloodlines. Yet, I feel a sense of duty to help newcomers to grow the sport of purebred dogs.
I feel as exhibitors, we need to be more responsible for how we behave at motels and show sites. It is becoming increasingly harder to secure venues simply because people do not leave the facility as they found it.
The funniest thing I’ve ever seen at a dog show? Anytime I have the opportunity to watch the PeeWee Showmanship, I find a rea- son to smile and laugh (in a good way). The kids are so genuine in their attempt to work as a team with their dog. Yet, there are always comical antics.
I’d also like to share that good sportsmanship never goes out of style. Without competition, our sport has no future. Be kind to each other.
ERICA VENIER & RACHEL VENIER
I have been interested in dogs for as long as I can remember, having been intro- duced to the world of pure- bred dogs by a 1918 copy of The New Book of The Dog. Paging through that book made me determined to have a group of beautiful dogs of my own one day. After a few common missteps I bought a Sheltie bitch who eventu- ally won the Working Group. That experience cemented the
desire to continue to have fabulous dogs.
I purchased my first Cavalier in 1996. My daughter, Rachel
Venier, is my teammate, brainstorming breedings and training youngsters. Together we have finished well over one hundred AKC Champions in three breeds, among which are are four ACKCSC
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