toy fox terrier Q&A
WITH DR. JOHN F. DAVIDSON, ANN HEARN & CHARLOTTE PATTERSON
AH: No. Everyone is too busy trying to get correct type bred and exhibited, they haven’t gotten to the glamour stage yet. We beloved Americans have the distinct feeling that if a little is good, a lot more is better. CP: No, I feel the breed has improved since its AKC approval. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? JFD: They certainly have improved since the 1960s. They have gone from being apple-headed and bug-eyed with short muzzles, barrel bodies and short legs to what I call a thoroughbred style that is the opposite of adjectives above. Change develops slowly over time. I think the breed is too new to see significant differences (other than size) since AKC recognition. AH: Oh, are they ever better! Rears have come to the attention of the devoted breeders and they seem to be working hard to improve them. Front straight legs were never too much of a problem and they’re pretty well established. Level top-lines with appropriate length of back are still something to be considered when selecting that stud dog. CP: Yes, I do feel the bred has improved and has set a breed type. I think dedicated breeders are the reason they have improved.
“...THIS IS A LIVELY LITTLE DOG.”
5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? JFD: I think many new judges do not expect the TFT to be particularly saucy. Judge them moving rather than on the table. A professional handler told me once that the TFT is one of the most difficult breeds to train and is very incon- sistent in its presentation. Some lines gray earlier than others, but this should not disqualify those TFTs from the ribbons. I consider color the least of our problems. AH: They may think that it’s just a mini Smooth Fox Terrier. Not even close! CP: I feel most new judges should understand this is a lively little dog. Do not expect them to stand still for long peri- ods of time. 6. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? JFD: I would rather that the TFT be shown as naturally as possible. No need to go to the floor—let the TFT self- stack. I don’t want to see a statue, but instead a wired little dog that believes himself to be much larger. AH: They are the most delightful, easy-to-live-with breed ever. That is probably the closest they come to a Smooth. They are fun, make an adorable picture in the ring and are not dumb. You have to think out of the box and quickly to get ahead of them! CP: This breed is a prime example of what can be accom- plished by true breeders. 7. And, for a bit of humor: what’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? JFD: There was the time that two exhibitors, who also showed chickens, were going to exchange roosters at a show. (What were they thinking?) At 5 am on Saturday morning, the roosters began announcing a new day as only a rooster can. Needless to say, lights went on in all of the hotel rooms and two cars exploded out of the park- ing lot headed toward the show site. At least dogs weren’t blamed—it was those darn chicken people! And no, they did not stay over on Saturday night. AH: I must laugh at the time the puppy Bull Terrier grabbed my newly knitted scarf from around my neck as I was bent over going over him. He had more fun! Pulled me down to the floor, the handler (a novice) was so embar- rassed she ran out of the ring and I’m laughing so hard I can’t deal with the situation properly. I finally got up, she and her red face came back into the ring, decorum was restored and he won! By golly—that’s exactly the way a Bull Terrier is supposed to act!
t4 )08 4 *()5 . "(";*/& 0 $50#&3
Powered by FlippingBook