Page 57 - ShowSight Express, January 7 2021

BONNIE THRELFALL, EDGEWOOD ENGLISH COCKER SPANIELS
Ch. Edgewood Fan-Tan, ECM
of judges look at English Cockers as a scaled-down version of a set- ter. They could not possibly be more off base, but that’s the reality of it and that’s what they reward. I no longer enter an all-breed show unless the judge is one of about two-dozen judges from outside the breed, who actually understand correct breed type and take pride in rewarding it. I know the old cry of how will they learn type if they don’t see it in the ring, but they do occasionally; it’s always the odd man out (please read Richard Beauchamp’s book), and gets third out of three behind two setter types. Here’s one example: Fan- Tan was BOB at two Nationals and BOS at two more, so not a fluke. Granted, he wasn’t shown very extensively, but all he man- aged to win at all-breed shows was one Group Fourth. (You thought I exaggerated!)
The sport has changed greatly since you first began participating. What are your thoughts on the state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?
The sport certainly has changed greatly since I began to partici- pate. It used to be all about who had the talent and eye for a dog, to breed and put into the ring the type and quality of dog that the standard describes. One that could fulfill its original purpose. Now it is all about the statistics and who can train a dog to “nail a stack” and run around the ring like showmanship personified, asking for
Left to right: Ch. Edgewood Crowds Cheered, CA (f) never shown after finishing her championship then shown as a veteran at the National where she was Best Veteran and Award of Merit; GCH. Edgewood Freedom Fighter (m) National Reserve Winners Dog from the puppy class. Best in Show winner; Ch. Edgewood First’N Foremost (f) National Best in Sweepstakes. National Award of Merit. Multiple Group winner; GCHP Edgewood Insider Information (m) National Winners Dog to finish. National Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex. Best in Show winner; Ch. Edgewood
Ilarity Insued (f) not shown after finishing. National Reserve Best in Sweepstakes. Best in Sweepstakes & Best of Winners from 6-9 Class at Morris & Essex, an English Cocker Spaniel Club of America Specialty.
the finger point by the awestruck person in the middle of the ring. Then it’s off to the next show to collect all-breed points in the quest for Number One whatever.
When I began in the sport, we all learned structure first; how a dog was put together, what balance meant, what dog terms meant— Dogs 101, if you will. Once that was understood, then breeding specific type was learned. Structure was learned on any number of breeds. We watched other breeds being judged. Books and breed history meant something and you learned.
In our current world of instant gratification, new people will tell you that they know what they like. They show and breed what they like. They can’t see or understand structural faults; they only see what appeals to them about the breed. A dog can have all the breed details that they love, but if it’s hung on faulty construction it will not be successful. Then it’s time to blame politics and professional handlers. Nobody takes the time to learn basic dog construction.
I do feel that newcomers are joining us. The problem is they don’t last. They have fun with their dog and then they are on to something else that takes their time and money. What is seriously lacking are breeders.
At specialties, the quality and numbers are in the Bred-By class. I judged an independent specialty in another breed and in Bred-By bitches there was an entry of one. The breeder was a professional handler. I understand the appeal of the Owner-Handled Series, but who is going to breed the owner-handler’s dog? To be a successful breeder you have to have a passion for your breed and the time to do it right. The time involves planning several generations into the future and seeing it through. Passion and time have no place in our instant-gratification society. I don’t have the answer.
Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?
A decade or two, at my age? I should be so lucky. I am very for- tunate that my son and daughter-in-law have interest in the breed. They have a busy handling business and two young sons, but hope- fully they will continue on in the future. There is also a co-owner in the Midwest who started her breeding program with one of mine and has been very successful. We currently co-own a young bitch that I bred. For now, I am still waiting for the best dog that I ever bred to be born.
Finally, tell us a little about Bonnie outside of dogs... your profes- sion, your hobbies.
After I retired as a professional handler, I applied to judge, which I still do. I judge two Groups and some breeds from all the other Groups. I decided a number of years ago not to apply for any more breeds. I want to learn the ones I already have. I don’t want to be that person in the middle of the ring who doesn’t understand breed type.
Outside of dogs, I am never without a book. I also enjoy work- ing outside in my yard.