Page 132 - ShowSight - May 2020

their jobs. In Whippets, I have noticed that the breeders have done a wonderful job of getting their companion owners involved in dog sports and breed-specific events. This accomplishes two things: It keeps the dogs active and entertained and also promotes the con- tinuation of the purpose of the breed.
The current overall quality of the breed? I believe Whippets to be in a very good place all-around. At any dog show around the country, you can count on being able to find quite a few deserving Whippets throughout the entire entry, not just the specials class. In addition, whichever dog is chosen as Best of Breed is typically very competitive in Group and Best in Show competitions.
Any shift in the balance of popularity among breeds? As of late, it seems the success of the Whippet in the show and performance arenas seems to have given us a boost in popularity. Certainly not like some breeds as this breed is not for every family, but definitely more interest.
Any particular challenges that I face in our current economic/ social climate? There is definitely a challenge in vetting each par- ticular home efficiently. Whippets can be very sensitive to certain things and require training, exercise and certainly patience. This is not a breed that can be sold to just any family. It takes time to really match each individual puppy to the certain family to assure a mutu- ally beneficial life for puppy and family.
Any trends I see that I hope will continue or I’d like to see stopped? I see quite an upstart in the fancy of my breed recogniz- ing the importance of a dual-purpose dog, being successful in both conformation and coursing and/or racing. This is of very big impor- tance in my breeding program and I truly hope to see this continue.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new and novice judges? Proper men- toring is of vital importance in my breed as to train the eye [to recognize] a correct, typey Whippet. It is so easy to become blind to the importance of the important virtues and fall victim to awarding the generic show dog or the most advertised. Soundness, shape, and type are of critical importance.
There are numerous Hounds that are considered “glamour” breeds, and some that are more familiar in make and shape. Does this affect their recognition in Group and Best in Show competi- tion? Absolutely. I believe my breed may be considered glamorous and they definitely receive their fair share of recognition, but I am a Hound person first and foremost and love to see a previously over- looked Hound of any breed be recognized by a true Hound expert.
I’d also like to share that this is God’s most perfect creature. You only need to live with them to understand this. The adult Whip- pet is a family companion, a child’s pet, a mother’s friend, and a fathers’s hunting partner.
The funniest thing I’ve ever seen at a dog show? I have watched a Whippet shame many professional handlers who attempt to force a Whippet around the show ring. Those handlers either learned to ask a Whippet or stopped showing them completely. You cannot force a Whippet to do anything.
ZOE BOLIN
I live in Southern California, north of Los Angeles. I’m lucky to live on a 2.5 acre plot of land with plenty of room for dogs. I have two breeds, Black and Tan Coonhounds and Standard Manchester Terriers. I’ve owned purebred dogs my entire life, but got my first show dog in 2006.
I retired from the LAPD as a civilian employee nearly two years ago. I worked in their Communications Division as a 911 opera- tor and dispatcher. The dogs take up a great deal of my time. We recently built a pickleball court at our house so I’ve been playing a lot of pickleball lately.
A brief overview of my breed’s purpose, temperament and level of care: The Black and Tan Coonhound is a truly American breed, developed as a gentleman’s hunting dog. The Black and Tan is the
largest of the six Coonhound breeds and, therefore, hunts more slowly than the smaller, racier breeds. The typical AKC Black and Tan has a laid-back temperament, is a great family dog, loves chil- dren, and can be a couch potato inside the house and a willing par- ticipant in whatever you like to do outside of the house. They love their people and want to be with them. The short coat is easy to care for. An occasional bath and nail trim is about all that is needed in grooming. Some dogs are prone to ear infections. Weekly cleaning will usually keep the ears in good condition.
How do I think Hounds have adapted to the change to indoor living? AKC Black and Tans have made the transition from hard- core hunting dogs to family pets pretty easily. There are UKC Black and Tans, bred to a different breed standard, that have a very dif- ferent temperament. The UKC temperament is sharp, has a lot of prey drive, and is not particularly biddable. They are independent thinkers and don’t make good family pets.
The current overall quality of my breed? The current quality of the breed continues to improve. Even though our numbers at big events are down, the quality is higher than it’s been in the last ten years.
What changes have I seen during my time involved in the breed? The overall balance of dogs has improved tremendously since I have been in the breed. In years past, we saw dogs with big fronts, nicely laid back shoulders, long loins, weak rears, and poor movement. Rears have substantially improved, which has improved movement.
Any shift in the balance of popularity among breeds, and why? Black and Tans have stayed about the same in numbers of registra- tions for the past 15 years. We had a big influx of FSS dogs about ten years ago, when AKC opened the Stud Books to the UKC dogs who were languishing there. From the puppy inquiries that I get, it seems that the public has discovered that this is a nice breed to live with, as long as they choose a pup from AKC lines.
Any particular challenges that I face in our current economic/ social climate? I think that education plays a huge role in answer- ing this question as far as owning or placing these dogs. Black and Tans are a hunting breed and have a huge, bawling bay. I live in a semi-rural neighborhood where everyone has acreage and everyone has dogs, so my neighbors are probably more understanding than most. I am very conscientious about letting the dogs bark during the hours when most people are sleeping. My dogs are crated at night after 10 PM and don’t go out until 7:30 AM. That works in my neighborhood. I always talk to potential puppy buyers about their ability to keep the dog in a situation where the dog is not going to get them in trouble with their neighbors.
Any trends I see that I hope will continue or I’d like to see stopped? We have recently seen an influx of junior handlers into our breed. I love that! The kids do a great job with the dogs and we all hope that they stick around long enough to become breeders. Black and Tans have really caught on in many other countries. There are several breeders in Europe and the UK who are producing out- standing dogs. These breeders are conscientious, thoughtful, and talented and the dogs that they are producing are terrific. Our Black and Tan National Parent Club, the ABTCC, has worked closely with the new Parent Club in the UK to get our breed recognized by The Kennel Club. The ABTCC is freely sharing our written breed standard and our illustrated breed standard with foreign Clubs that ask permission to use it because we want the breed standards all over the world to be derived from our AKC standard.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new and novice judges? Tempera- ment has become a hot button topic in our breed. Our standard says, “even temperament, outgoing and friendly,” “may be reserved with strangers,” “never shy or vicious.” Also, “must be able to work in close contact with other hounds” and “aggression toward peo- ple or other dogs is most undesirable.” Thirty years ago, when the current standard was approved, there was more of a problem with
130 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2020
HOUND GROUP Q&A