Page 158 - ShowSight - September 2020

important coat quality is unless you have gotten your hands into it. I also think many non-Terrier people confuse gameness with viciousness. They are not the same at all.
How important is presentation, conditioning, and expression in the Terrier ring? Presentation is very important; first impression is huge. That said, I often struggle with an exhibit that is superior in structure, but not in optimum condition. Which will produce bet- ter puppies, the lesser dog in great condition or the better dog out of shape? The caveat there is whether the coat looks poor because the grooming is not up to par, or because the coat is of poor quality and texture?
What are my thoughts re: bites among the Terrier breeds? The standards are the final word on whether a scissors or level bite is allowed. This is not open for interpretation. Much more important to the function of a Terrier is the size and strength of the teeth.
How important is ear carriage in the Terrier breeds? Ears on most Terrier breeds are a critical part of the expression. Ears are just one fault, but they are difficult to overlook when they are front and center every time you look at their face.
How do I evaluate undocked tails in traditionally docked breeds? I prefer docked tails. Not docking in a breed that calls for a docked tail is a fault. In my opinion, it’s a minor fault as it’s a man- made fault that will not breed true. I look at the tail set, and the carriage up to the length it would be docked, and judge accordingly.
Can I offer advice to novice judges re: sparring in the ring? When it comes to sparring, make sure you have room. There must be sufficient room for each dog to back away from one that’s lung- ing at him without backing into another dog. It’s a good idea to watch someone who’s experienced and also evaluate your exhibitors; you don’t want to throw a person who really doesn’t have their dog under control to start with into a situation where they’re going to have to control it even better. Also, remember that some breeds are NOT to be sparred, so read your standards.
Are there specific challenges presented when judging the low entry breeds? The challenge is learning low entry breeds, not judg- ing them. If you can recognize an excellent specimen he is excellent whether there are 30 dogs in the ring or just him. If you have an image in your mind of that breed as described in the standard, when he pops up in front of you it’s the stuff that makes your heart beat faster. Now, learning requires effort to attend specialties and larger entries far and wide. It is difficult to hone your eye when looking at three or four dogs, particularly from a single breeder. You will need to expend some effort to “get it.”
Have I attended Earthdog Tests or Barn Hunts? I have attended Earthdog Tests and Barn Hunt. It’s fun, fast, but not as fast as a loose Terrier in a field full of ground squirrels or a barn full of rats. I have seen the real hunt and kill, and understand well what it means to be a game hunter.
Would I advocate dividing the Terrier Group? I don’t have a strong opinion regarding division of the Terrier Group. It has grown quite large, but I don’t see an obvious split that will yield two more equal pieces: short-legged, long-legged? Bully breeds and others?
Can I name one or two of my all-time favorite Terriers? Mick, the British Invasion Kerry Blue Terrier: His conformation was excellent, he had the typical coat, color, and texture of the breed, and walked in the ring breathing fire. He could take your breath away.
Ch Thrumpton’s Lord Brady, the Norwich: I may be mistaken, but to my knowledge he lost Breed only two times in his career— both times under the same judge. The rest of the time he generally went Best in Show. He was cobby and sturdy and sound and showy and sported a great jacket, and he had a face to die for.
What can be done to promote Terriers as family companions? Terriers promote themselves as great family companions. What’s needed is exposure, so people can see what delightful dogs they are.
DARLE HECK
I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have been in dogs all my life; my parents raised and showed Scottish Terriers. I started judg- ing in 1999.
Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? I am interested in art and photography, and I love to read. I used to be involved with horses, and we currently have sheep that function as the acreage lawnmowers.
Can I talk about my introduction to Terriers? As I said, my par- ents raised Scottish Terriers, and as a junior I had the opportunity to be mentored by some of the old timers. I worked for a handler in my teens and developed a few of my own clients before taking off for university. I came back to the sport after I married and I’ve been involved ever since.
What makes a Terrier a Terrier? Well, first it’s that crazy atti- tude; smart, active, curious, ready-to-go, courageous, and just plain “full of it.” Then it’s the coats and...
Are there breed characteristics that are difficult for non-Terrier judges to understand? Yes, there are. Fronts are critical to type in Terriers. You have to understand the digging fronts, their function, and the structural differences that make them unique. It’s impor- tant to know which breeds within the Group have these fronts and which breeds don’t; particularly in the case of the “straight Terrier front,” which is specific to the Terrier Group and confined to only a few breeds within the Group.
The Terrier Group developed, for the most part, in Great Brit- ain, and several of the breeds are separated by subtle differences. It becomes important in this situation to understand the subtleties: The fold of an ear—or where its tip points—matters; the set and carriage of tail; coats and colors.
Coats are critical, We have breeds that describe the coat/the color in the name; Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Wire (Haired) Fox Terrier.
To understand this Group, you have to understand coats (par- ticularly wire coats), the transitions they go through, what is a good coat, and what is a poor coat full of product. Can you recognize a coat out of condition or one that will never be correct?
How important is presentation, conditioning, and expression in the Terrier ring? Presentation in the Terriers is an art form. The masters are truly skillful and raise the level for all who participate. The dogs have to show; he has to have attitude and expression. Sev- eral standards specifically require it. The conditioning and presen- tation in the coats are defining features.
What are my thoughts re: bites among the Terrier breeds. I think this question brings up the question of standards across the world. Obviously, we have to judge by the standard, but this is one of the points that varies a lot in Terrier standards around the world. While the US may accept a level bite in a breed, the Europeans, the Brits or the Australians don’t. It then becomes important to know the standard of the country in which you are judging. I think any other viewpoint is a personal opinion and irrelevant to judging.
How important is ear carriage in the Terrier breeds? I think it’s important to know what the correct ear carriage is for each breed. As I stated previously, it’s one of those subtle differences that defines a breed. I don’t believe most judges will be able to tell the difference between a natural or an unnatural ear carriage in today’s show ring.
How do I evaluate undocked tails in traditionally docked breeds? I’ve judged a lot of dogs in countries that don’t allow dock- ing. I’ve found that my eye has become very used to the undocked look. I focus on the outline and the tail set. Unless I’m specifically instructed by a standard to pay attention to it, it has become a non- issue for me.
Can I offer advice to novice judges re: sparring in the ring? Well, first understand the purpose. It’s about seeing the dogs standing fully focused, pulled up over themselves, looking the best they pos-
156 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2020
TERRIER GROUP Q&A