the working group Q&A ALBERTO BERRIOS I live in Acworth, Georgia and have been in dogs for over 45 years. I am a retired Civil Engineer PE who worked for the Corps of Engineers. I was a breeder and a professional handler for 16 years and have been approved to judge since 1996. I began as a Boxer breeder-owner-handler in the early 1970s. After exhibiting many top champions of my own, I became a professional handler. I showed many top-winning Boxer specials to group, specialty and BIS wins and finished several dogs of other breeds. My wife and I have bred several champion Pugs. The highlight of my judging career has been judging the American Boxer Club National three times. I have also judged Boxer nationals in Canada, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, the Siberian Husky Nationals in Argentina and Canada and the Doberman Pinscher National in Argentina. 1. Give an overview of the Working breeds. It is my opinion that overall Working breeds need to be improved with the most common faults involving the fronts. Straight shoulders and short upper arms are very common. Breeders need to be more conscious that top winners are not necessarily top producers and should be more concerned on who to breed to. Fortunately there are still some experienced, serious and good breeders who have been very successful and should be consulted by less experienced breeders. If breeders could establish a mentoring relationship with top breeders, their breed- ing programs would be able to improve. 2. What is the current overall quality of the Group? I can say that when I judge the group the quality overall is very good with about 60% to 70% of the breeds being nicely represented. This is an average since in some areas of the country I find the quality even greater and in some other areas not as good. 3. What changes have you seen during your tenure as guardians of these breeds? I have seen throughout the years how size has been increased in many breeds; producing them with longer legs which in turn can affect the shoulder layback. Tem- peraments are also a problem in some breeds more than others. Proper proportions are a common problem and in some square breeds many top winners are slightly longer in body proportions. 4. Have there been any shifts in the balance of popu- larity among breeds? People are going for medium to small breeds since they are not as expensive to maintain.
5. Are there any particular challenges Working Dog breeders face in our current economic/ social climate? Entries are going down because of the economical situ- ation, such as higher travel and entry costs and extreme higher veterinary costs. 6. What attributes make these breeds suitable as household companions despite their size and original breed purpose? Generally speaking, breeders have been careful about breeding nice temperaments in their programs and making sure that they are raised with the proper upkeep surrounded by affection. Many can do their original jobs as guardians and watchdogs protecting their family and surroundings. As a whole, they are loving companions. 7. Anything else you’d like to share? We have started a new Working Dog Club in the Atlanta area. Our purpose is to encourage new exhibitors and keep them excited about the sport. We think that this is a great start. 8. And, for a bit of humor: What’s the funniest thing you’ve experienced at a dog show? When a Chow Chow came into my Working Group and I was wondering what new breed had been allowed into the Working Group. HOUSTON & TODDIE CLARK We have been involved with pure bred dogs since the mid 1950s. We lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the first 35 years and in 1995 we built our retirement home on the lake in Decatur, Tennessee, just north of Chattanooga. We have four children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild and they are the most important part of our lives. We fish and we’ve taught them all to fish and we have an annual trophy for “big fish” for the Clark Klan. 1. Current overall quality of the Group? Usually the Working group is one of the strongest groups at the shows; as in all the groups, it varies around the country, but there is generally a better than average num- ber of deserving exhibits. 2. Changes you've seen during your tenure as guard- ians of these breeds? There are a few breeds that have fallen from grace while others have become stronger in breed type and sound- ness. Twenty to thirty years ago Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers were strong in numbers, type and soundness. These two breeds have fallen rather quickly almost to the
214 • S how S ight M agazine , M arch 2018
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