WITH JANCE MCCLARY & ANGELA STEIN
They have also incrementally made their way into policy positions, giving them in roads which affect all of us try- ing preserve our breeds, while they seek to eradicate us. The other problem I see now is the new flank of the extremists into “rescue” The rescue folks in my own breed thankfully, do a wonderful job and do not engage in some of the blatant tactics being witnessed today. 4. Advice to a new breeder? Advice to a new judge of your breed? JM: Breeders should not just breed without some knowledge of genetics. As a new judge: speak to as many breeders as possible, study the standard. Judge the whole dog—not parts nor advertisments. Every breed has specific things that make that breed. In OES: square, rise over loin, pear shaped, narrower in front than in rear, good coat texture, shaggy and not excessively trimmed. May amble, pace or trot with a roll. AS: Read everything about the breed’s history and it’s pur- pose! Form follows function—it does not follow a “pretty picture”! Talk to many breeders who have had 30-50 years involvement in the breed! Learn to understand the hard work and dedication required to breed! As a judge, exhibitors need to remember—one can only judge what is in the ring on a given day. Understanding structure and anatomy is essential. It is very discouraging to have a long time breeder shows to
a judge several dogs with the same faults demonstrated by their movement and then comment the judge did not “like” their dogs instead of asking the judge. A confident judge will answer their questions. Exhibitors should also bring in dogs that have breed type demonstrating hallmarks of the breed. An Old English Sheepdog, that does not have breed type is just a blue and white dog with hair! 5. Anything else you’d like to share—something you’ve learned as a breeder, exhibitor or judge or a par- ticular point you’d like to make JM: I’ve been a breeder of OES for 50 years. A good breeder of any coated breed should be able to evaluate the struc- ture of that dog and see through the coat. AS: As a breeder, I am still learning after 50 years. One of my biggest let downs, as a breeder, is mentoring some- one, who then decides they know everything and are ungrateful for sharing one’s knowledge with them. I will always mentor regardless, because it carries the breed forward in years to come hopefully. As an exhibitor, I have learned that, when I go in the ring, it is just one judge’s opinion. On the other hand, just as an exhibitor should be willing to hear what a judge has to say, judges should be receptive to what exhibitors and Breed Men- tors have to say about their judging. It is very discourag- ing to see a judge put up an Old English Sheepdog with a level topline, without a long gracefully arched neck and lacking pear shape—three major breed characteristics! The Breed Standard requires the Old English Sheepdog to “cover maximum ground with minimum footsteps, so they are required to have good shoulder layback and upper forearms equal in length to the scapula to reach along with good bend of stifle and a long second thigh with strong low set hocks to drive. As a Breed Mentor, I am often asked, “Is the Old English Sheepdog a ‘head breed’” Yes! it is. The breed uses it’s head as a tool for it’s job. Besides being alert and focused, they use their mouths to nip at the stock. They must have a strong square head, with a good stop and a strong truncated muzzle with a long powerful underjaw and a level or scissor bite. Level is listed first, because it is the preferred bite, because it does not tear the wool when they nip. Lastly-the breed is an Old English Sheepdog or a Bobtail-it is never a “sheepie” or worse, a “fur baby”. 6. And for a bit of humor, what’s the funniest thing that you ever experienced at a dog show? AS: I won’t mention any names(they know who they are), but my husbnd went into a porta potty. While in there, a friend decided to take their truck and come up to the door and start sliding the porta potty on the grass. My husband is in there with this sliding action and the “stuff” sloshing back and forth. We all had a good laugh. Thankfully, he has a great sense of humor!
“A GOOD BREEDER OF ANY COATED BREED SHOULD BE ABLE TO
EVALUATE THE STRUCTURE OF THAT DOG AND SEE THROUGH THE COAT.”
262 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2018
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