Page 215 - ShowSight - February 2020

Toy Group Q & A
“Our sport has some issues and only we can fix them. We need to be kinder to each other, we need to care about the dog itself and not just the ribbon.”
What can Cavalier breeders and enthusiasts do to increase awareness and popularity of our breed?
RV: Our breed has grown in popularity over the years. Like most breeds, we need increased participation by responsible preser- vation breeders to protect and maintain the vitality of the Cavalier. We all need to help the breed by mentoring and supporting Juniors and newcomers to the sport. My mom and I have tried to share competitive dogs judiciously and support talented young handlers. This game is not about any one day at a dog show. It is about the long-term vitality and preservation of a breed we love.
JACQUELINE S. ZWIRN
I live in Northern Califor- nia. I’ve been involved in dogs my entire life as I am from a multi generational show fam- ily. Outside of dogs I collect Hot Wheels with my husband and am an avid football fan.
I am a 3rd generation show breeder, and 2nd generation rescue volunteer. My family had Great Danes. I’ve owned and shown a variety of toys and a few hounds as well, but my passion is the Miniature
Pinscher and has been since 1980. I take great pride in breeding and showing O.F.A. health tested Miniature Pinschers. Health and temperament are paramount in any dog and we all should strive to breed this way. I don’t breed often and in the last 11 years, after taking 15 years off due to medical issues, I have bred 24 Owner Handled Champions (I’ve finished many other dogs bred by peers), an All Breed Best In Show winner, multiple Best in Specialty win- ners and a few dogs with multiple NOHS Best in Shows.
My breed described in three words: intelligent, quirky and exciting.
How does my breed rank in popularity among other Toy breeds? I’ve found Min Pins are fairly popular and misunderstood. Seems like , every time I am out and about with a dog someone comes up to me and says “I’ve had a Min Pin” or “my friend/family member has a Min Pin”.
Does my breed get its fair share of attention in the Group? I feel that the breed is starting to get more appreciation in the groups, and Best In Show rings.
I believe most judges do judge the dogs and while the movement is so different from every other dog, when it is correct it is breath taking. That beautiful side gait MUST be accompanied by sound structure and correct breed type, and some of the breeders are striv- ing for a sound, typey stunning moving dog
Males vs. Females: how do bitches (coat, size, etc.) fare when it’s down to the wire? Coat isn’t an issue, in fact I had an exhibitor spill coffee on my bitch as I walked into the ring. I wiped it off with my hand and showed her to a breed win. Females can get moody when in heat so there is that draw back , but if you are specialing a male he may loose his brain if there a bitch in season around him. I person- ally love specialing bitches....my males are great but they are such sweet goobers and my bitches tend to have that extra “bitch zing”
attitude in the ring. They have been known to turn and look at the judge while moving as if to say “ I own this ring” then look back at where we are moving...its really interesting to watch
The largest health concern facing my breed today? Legg-Calve- Perthes disease. Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease involves spontaneous degeneration of the head on the femur bone, located in the dog’s hind leg. This results in disintegration of the hip joint (coxofemo- ral) and bone and joint inflammation (osteoarthritis).I’ve personally known top winning dogs who never limped and people just said its a “weak rear”, but upon (my requirement prior to breeding to my dogs) health testing they are found to be bilaterally affected.
Any trends that I believe need to continue? Health testing.
Trends I’d like to see stopped? Stop breeding only for the side gait. That is not the most important thing on a dog. The dog must be sound down and back. The dog must conform to standard, meaning stop showing over size dogs, stop covering color DQ’s and understand what correct breed type is. Learn the standard, adhere to the standard, respect the standard, and be true to the standard.
What can my parent club do to increase awareness and popu- larity of your breed? Participate in public education beyond “Meet the Breeds” at Royal Canin. Get out there at various shows and have booth’s there, get involved in Pet Expos where “Joe Public” is. Education is key to the survival of the breed, the sport and the pure bred dog itself.
Honestly I owe the most to my mother, Delilah Underwood. She is who allowed the gift of my first Min Pin, she is who taught me ethics and to do it right ,or don’t do it at all. As for which mentor, that is a tie between David Krogh, Gene Haupt and Dee Chambers, all three were paramount in teaching me how to show, especially in the group rings. I still can hear Gene telling me things to this day and its been 40 years! I can hear David as if it were yesterday talking pedigrees and qualities with me, and Dee, well Dee, taught me what nasty games to watch out for in the ring.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice judges? The approval process and the lack of extensive hands on before they get approval. Its hard to get “kennel visits” because there aren’t kennels like there was 40, 50, 60 years ago. It’s hard for the judges to get their hands on every type of dog, especially those who’s owners/breeders that are willing to point out faults, DQ’s, etc.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new/novice breeders? The rush to do everything in the first year, such as showing a bred by dog to its championship. You have to crawl before you run. Learn the art of showing a dog, then the art of breeding, instead of jumping in blindly and both feet first.
I love and encourage new exhibitors, I am an AKC approved Dog Show Mentor. I will help and mentor anyone that asks for it, but they need to want to learn, not just hear what they want to hear. Our sport has some issues and only we can fix them. We need to be kinder to each other, we need to care about the dog itself and not just the ribbon. We need to not in-fight, because the AR loves when we do that. We need to be responsible and honest. its not all about just you and that ribbon, its about the breed and the sport.
The funniest thing I’ve ever seen at a dog show? The late Syl- via Rodwell came out of her RV, at a Great Dane Specialty during lunch and put a live Lobster on a show lead, promptly put it on the ground in the ring and proceeded to try and walk it around—oh such a great and funny memory.
ShowSight Magazine, February 2020 • 213