Page 140 - ShowSight - May 2020
P. 140

                the breed,” according to AKC judge Ms. Judy Webb who stated this at our 2017 National. In my opinion, there are a lot of dogs cur- rently being awarded with minimal, if any, wrinkle, large low-set ears, dips in the topline, and flat feet. It is really a shame. I do have hope that through the Basenji Club of America judges education training and seminar that this will be rectified. Our breed is very lucky to have long-standing devoted breeders who take great care in preserving the correct traits and mentor new judges on what the breed standard is.
What changes have I seen during my time involved in the breed? I think the temperaments have gotten better, but that is about it. If you look at a class of Basenjis in the show ring today, and back when I started in 2003, there is still a great variety in head shape, muzzle, ears, feet, length of body, tail set and topline. It is really all over the place.
Any shift in the balance of popularity among breeds, and why? I’m actually very happy that Basenjis are not a super popular breed. Those that want a Basenji seem to have done their research so they know what they are getting into.
Any particular challenges that I face in our current economic/ social climate? I don’t have any particular challenges as a breeder/ owner in our current economical/social climate. I am lucky to be able to work from home during the pandemic and my dogs are loving it!
I’d like to see less breeders/owners stalking and chatting up their dogs with the judges. It is really uncomfortable to watch. I’d like to see the AKC put some more clarity around special event judges who are on a panel while the dogs they co-own are showing on the same circuit. I believe these judges should not be going to the judges lunches, etc., so they can bend the ear of a judge to put up their dog.
I think the biggest pitfall awaiting new and novices judges is succumbing to peer pressure to award a dog because it is someone’s friend or because another judge told them, “Blah blah dog is the best.” New judges, I beg of you to use your own mind and not the mind of someone else.
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? I don’t think glamour breeds are more popular in the ring. I do think some Hound breeds are more competitive than others. For example, at any local show there will be a Basenji entry of five and an Afghan entry of 25. It’s tougher competition to get out of the breed with a higher entry vs. the lower entry breed. With these more competitive breeds come competitive professional handlers and they are very glamorous.
The funniest thing I’ve ever seen at a dog show? My own dog was being extra frisky in the crisp morning air. As we were going around the ring, he grabbed my skirt and put a hole in it after he had pulled my skirt down to almost my knees!
TONI KOERBER
I live in Maryland and my breed is English Foxhounds. I have had dogs all my life and around 14 years ago discovered the world of dog shows and foxhounds as show dogs and then started breed- ing English Foxhounds. What do I do “outside” of dogs? I have fox hunted all my life and am still fox hunting during the season in Maryland and Virginia.
A brief overview of my breed’s purpose, temperament and level of care: My breed is used for foxhunting. There are very few com- peting at the AKC confirmation shows. There are some that are being used for performance; one currently has a MACH II title in agility and a few are competing in rally trials, obedience trials and barn hunt. Once you figure them out they are easy to train and love
to please. Because they have been used for foxhunting, the majority of English Foxhounds go back to the Master of Foxhounds’ stud book. The hunts are careful about their breeding program and the hounds must stand-up to the job. And a level temperament is important. Because of this there are few health issues and the care is easy. The younger hounds need attention and exercise—as they get older they become “couch” potatoes.
How do I think Hounds have adapted to living indoors? The English Foxhounds that I have bred have easily adapted to the show life. Even the ones that hunted for a few years and then came to me to show. Just like in any type of breed, some are show dogs and some aren’t.
The current overall quality of the breed? Because there are so few of the breed and so few breeders, the quality has been main- tained. The breed standard has not changed over the years and with the small gene pool the breeders are staying true to the standard.
What changes have I seen during my time involved in the breed? More acceptance of the breed and more interest in the breed.
Any shift in the balance of popularity among breeds? The breed is gaining popularity through the success of the English Foxhound in the show ring; more visible to the public. Plus, the English Fox- hound’s success in performance—rally, obedience and agility.
Any particular challenges that I face in our current economic/ social climate? Right now it is hard to comprehend what the future brings us. I plan to keep breeding and promoting the breed.
Any trends I see that I hope will continue or I’d like to see stopped? So few judges recognizing the Scenthounds over the Sight- hounds—the Hound Group is getting so large that it needs to be split up.
The biggest pitfall awaiting new and novice judges? In my breed the judges do not see that many in the ring, so they are not that familiar with the breed.
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? Yes, it does.
KATHI MOLLOY
I married my wonderful husband, Bob, moved to the suburbs north of Boston and got our first Norwegian Elkhound all in one year. We fell in love with our Elkhound and the breed, and 30 years later we still love our breed now even more than ever.
Elkhounds are great companions and want nothing more than to be with their human pack. They were bred to help hunters find and kill big game. They have an extremely annoying, high-pitched bark and are capable of barking up to five hours straight, all to alert the hunter as to where the moose is. Their job is to keep the moose at bay by darting back and forth, in and out of reach, long enough for their humans to shoot them. To do this job they need to be bold, confident, and able to think independently of the hunter. They need their harsh outer coat to weather the elements and the soft undercoat to keep them both warm or cool depending on sea- son. They are short-backed and can turn on a dime to avoid getting hurt by the big game they hunt. Their legs must be tall enough to get through snow. Overall they must be athletic, hardy and built for endurance.
Elkhounds peaked in popularity in the ‘70s. They are wonder- ful family dogs and great with kids and other animals if introduced early on. They do need a lot of exercise and are not always reliable off leash. They also can be annoying barkers. These qualities do not work well in some urban settings. For the right people or families, they are absolutely great dogs.
138 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2020
HOUND GROUP Q&A









































































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