Page 208 - ShowSight - April 2020
P. 208

                AMERICAN HAIRLESS TERRIER Q&A
“AMERICAN HAIRLESS TERRIERS ARE A HIDDEN JEWEL IN DOGS. THEY ARE EXTREMELY VERSATILE AND CAN COMPETE IN MANY DIFFERENT SPORTS. THEY CAN MAKE WONDERFUL FAMILY COMPANIONS IF GIVEN THE PROPER SOCIALIZATION AND EXERCISE.”
Does the average person on the street recognize the breed? Hardly ever. Most think it is a Xoloitzcuintli. Second guess is usu- ally a Chinese Crested. Most often asked question is, “How do you pronounce the name of your breed?”
Are there any misconceptions about the breed I’d like to dispel? There is no lethal gene like they say there is in Cresteds. (Another conversation). Breeding hairless to hairless is just fine.
What special challenges do breeders face in our current eco- nomic and social climate? For me in the PNW, the breed is not well known, therefore, making it hard sometimes to place puppies.
At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? As in most breeds, some you know right away. I usually like to do a first grading at eight weeks. My show prospects are held onto until about 12 weeks.
What is the most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? You are going to see good and some not so good. As a judge, you are tasked with selecting the best for us to move on with. A lot of times, especially on the West Coast, we have to bring a variety to build points. Just point to the best as you would in any breed.
What’s the best way to attract newcomers to my breed and to the sport? Be seen, go to the shows, especially the bigger ones. There are a lot of spectators, be friendly and talk to them. Meet the Breeds events also are a good place to talk to people.
My ultimate goal for the breed? To continue on improving in breeding.
My favorite dog show memory? Winning the first All-Breed Best in Miscellaneous at Palm Springs.
This is an active breed. It has an off switch and loves to cuddle. They get along with large breeds and small ones. Mine live with Boxers and Cresteds.
KELLYE VESPER TOWNSEND
I have been competing in dog events for over 30 years. My 23 year old daughter and I are partners in our dog endeavors. I successfully competed in conformation, obedience, hunt tests and field trials with German Short- haired Pointers in the ‘80s. Then had Rhodesian Ridgebacks for 18 years, competing in conformation, rally and lure coursing. I always had a Rat Ter-
rier as my “go to dog,” so when Rat Terriers became eligible to compete in AKC events in January 2006, the search was on for a quality Rat Terrier. I found a wonderful breeder and was not dis- appointed. We competed in conformation, rally, agility, weight pull, nose work, dock diving, drag racing and lure coursing in multiple venues.
I acquired my first American Hairless Terrier in 2009 from Kari Jepson. Nova became the first AKC registered AHT with an AKC rally title. I became enthralled with the breed from that point for- ward. Our second AHT, Phoenix, came from Linda Dannemiller. He is a gamey little dog and was the first AHT with an AKC dock diving senior title and the first with a junior excellent title.
I am excited to be a part of this breed and greatly appreciate all of the hard work the founders put it.
I live in Kerrville, Texas. I have been teaching secondary science in public schools for 30 years.
Do I hope the breed’s popularity will change or am I comfort- able with the placement? I am comfortable with this placement right now. This is a very young breed and does not need to climb in the number of dogs at this time. We as breeders need to concentrate on quality rather than quantity at this time.
Do these numbers help or hurt the breed? Our gene pool is still rather small. We need to work together as breeders to breed the best dogs to the best bitches. We do have the advantage of being able to breed back to the Rat Terrier to broaden the gene pool.
Does the average person on the street recognize the breed? Abso- lutely not! We spend a lot of time educating people about our breed, which I thoroughly enjoy. Maybe it’s the teacher in me.
Are there any misconceptions about the breed I’d like to dispel? They do come with hair (coated) as well and the coateds are just as important to the breed as the hairless. Also they are Terriers with Terrier-tude. Some can have a high prey drive.
At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? Most early evaluations are done at eight weeks, but even then it is hard to tell.
What is the most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? First off, coateds are just as worthy of a win as a hairless. Secondly, they should not be as straight in the front as many other Terrier breeds, thus should not have a stilted movement in the front.
What’s the best way to attract newcomers to my breed and to the sport? Be nice! Encourage newcomers, help them to best present their dog in the ring. Let them know nicely how they can improve the presentation of their dog.
My ultimate goal for the breed? Maintain good tempera- ments and health. I would like to see more AHTs competing in performance events.
My favorite dog show memory? Going Best of Breed at our 2019 National Specialty (even though my shoe broke on the final go round, causing me to kick both shoes off and finishing in my socks). It was our largest entry ever and there were so many nice dogs representing our breed last year. It was truly an honor.
American Hairless Terriers are a hidden jewel in dogs. They are extremely versatile and can compete in many different sports. They can make wonderful family companions if given the proper social- ization and exercise.
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