r h o d e s ian r id g ebac k
q&A
1. How many years in dogs? Showing? Judging? I have been in dogs since 1969, beginning with Saint Bernards and Great Pyrenees. I have bred Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers since about 1974. My judging began with one breed (Wheatens) in 1996 and I now do four groups and am working on Herding breeds. I just did my second Wheaten national last week—a real honor. 2. Describe the Rhodesian Ridgeback in three words. Strength, dignity, well muscled. 3. What to you is the ultimate hallmark of the breed? Aside from the hallmark ridge, I feel the muscle and body tone is the most important. Also good feet are essential. 4. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? Some RRs are just too Whippet-like in body, underline and bone. Also too much rear angulation, which would restrict proper rear movement. 5. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are bet- ter now than they were when you first started judg- ing? Why or why not? Yes I think they are better in head and backline. Soft backlines are not as common. But upright shoulders are too common (but this is a problem in most all breeds). 6. Your pet peeve in the show ring is? I dislike throwing bait around the ring and not picking it up and stuffing it in the dog’s mouth just as I am going to exam it. 7. What advice would you give a novice exhibitor? I would recommend you watch the experienced han- dlers, practice, be positive with your dog and relax. Nerves go right down the leash to the dog. 8. What is the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? When I approach a dog I usually say, “Hello cha cha” just to introduce myself. But one exhibitor with a Border Terrier (I think), said, “Oh, this isn’t a Chow Chow, it’s a Border.” I guess she thought I didn’t know the standard.
I’m sure there are many, but the most memorable one was recently I was showing a big goofy youngster. We go down and as I turned he put one of his legs between mine and down I went. I got up and told the judge I was okay and went down again. On this trip as I turned he stepped on the back of my shoe and down I went again! I couldn’t believe it. That had never happened to me; and the dog looked at me saying with his eyes, ‘What are you doing down there?’ A little later with a different breed and a different ring but the same judge I started to enter the ring and the judge said, “You can’t come in my ring.” I said, “Not to worry. I changed my shoes.” It was a small show, so many people had seen my mishap. After I fin- ished with the second breed the chief steward came into the ring with a wheelchair to wheel me out. We all had a good laugh; and the day was very successful. I live in North Carolina, though I grew up and did most of my breeding and exhibiting activities in New England. 1. How many years in dogs? Showing? Judging? Many years—since I was a kid. Breeding, showing, pro- fessional handler, judge. 2. Describe the Rhodesian Ridgeback in three words. Athletic, able, confident. 3. What to you is the ultimate hallmark of the breed? Well, without a ridge it would be hard to call it a Ridgeback. 4. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? As in many breeds I think there is a tendency to overval- ue big reach and drive, and to think that lifting in front and also kicking up behind is good. This breed should be constructed so that it has the endurance to go many miles, most likely at a trot. LINDA MORE 5. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are bet- ter now than they were when you first started judg- ing? Why or why not? I think the average is about the same. 6. Your pet peeve in the show ring is? Too much bait and bait badly used. 7. What advice would you give a novice exhibitor? Try to get objective advice about your dog so that your expectations for his or her success in the breed ring are reasonable. Then practice! If your dog is a good one, and you work to present the dog adequately, you can win. SHAROL CANDACE WAY My husband Roger and I live in Cochranville, Pennsylva- nia, outside of Philadelphia. We do a lot of international travel, are Meals on Wheels volunteers and just relax.
t4 )08 4 *()5 . "(";*/& / 07&.#&3
Powered by FlippingBook