JANE TREIBER I have just moved to Eastern Washington after living on the West (rainy) side for over 40 Years. I began in dogs in the ear- ly 1970s with harlequin great danes and basset hounds. Out- side of dogs, before my husband passed away, we were very involved in ball room dancing and taking cruises all over the world. I know like to garden, particularly growing flowers, and I have tried my hand at quilting, but I am not very good at it yet. My husband and I acquired our first Dane in 1972. He was a Harlequin, and was sold to us as “show quality.” Well, you can probably guess the punch line.” He was not show quality, but he was a wonderful companion and went every- where with us: camping, sledding, hiking, swimming, etc. We bred Bassets and Great Danes for the next 20 years under the name “KIMO” which is a Mojave Indian word for Big Dog. We were very blessed to have the foundation stock that we had and the mentoring of my best friend. We have produced many generations of Champions, Specialty winners, group placing and group winning dogs in both breeds. I applied to judge Bassets first as I was specialing a Great Dane. When his career was finished, I applied for Danes. I am now approved to judge the Working group, the Hound group, Juniors, and BIS. I enjoy judging, and I try to make every exhibitor com- fortable in my ring and feeling as if their exhibit was judged fairly. I have judged Specialties for many breeds all over the country and in Canada. I have judged the Canadian National, and several years ago, I judged the Dane Specialty in New Zealand. I also judged a Dane, Basset, and Rhodesian Ridge- back Specialty in Australia. I was on the Board of the Great Dane Club of America for six years, and I was the Judges’ Education Chairman for the Parent Club. I completed the pro- duction of an educational CD on the Great Dane for judges, breeders, exhibitors, and anyone who wishes to learn about the “Apollo of Dogs.” I am a retired teacher, and I share my home with two Bullmastiffs and a wonderful kitty. the working group Q&A 1. Give an overview of the Working breeds. What is the current overall quality of the Group? In my opinion, the overall quality of the working group is beautiful! When I first started in Danes, the Dobes and the Boxers were the important players in the group. The other two placements were up for grabs. Now, I see quality in many breeds that consistently place. I have particularly observed a huge improvement in the Mastiffs and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. 2. What changes have you seen during your tenure as guardians of these breeds? In my own breed, Great Danes, I have seen a huge improvement in the rears, top lines and heads. Fronts are still a struggle as it is with many Working breeds. Danes have become very beautiful and elegant, but sometimes at the sacrifice of soundness! I am so thrilled that as
science progresses, we can now health test for so many diseases and problems. It is tantamount that the breed- ers use every test to ensure their future breeding stock and to protect the puppy buyers. With Great Danes, I am particularly worried about temperaments. I have seen and judged many Great Danes that are nervous and spin- ning in circles with wide eyes of fear. This breed is to be “friendly, dependable and never shy or aggressive” (Great Dane Standard). 3. Have there been any shifts in the balance of popu- larity among breeds? Are there any particular chal- lenges Working Dog breeders face in our current economic/social climate? I do not know if some breeds are more popular than in the past. However, with the current demographics, it is more difficult to have a large number of some of the more giant breeds. There are many cities with zoning restric- tions and buying land with property is more expensive and difficult in different regions of the country. Many of the Working breeds need exercise to stay sound, both mentally and physically, and a small suburban backyard is not ideal. An owner with multiple dogs, that is gone to work all day, has to be concerned with neighbors that object to any noise. 4. What attributes make these breeds suitable as household companions despite their size and original breed purpose? Many Working breeds do not ever do their original job. For example, the Great Dane does not hunt bear or bore, and the Bullmastiff will probably never get to hunt a poacher. However, the temperaments of Working dogs make them wonderful family pets and companions. They live to be with their owners and families and will show you each day how important you are to them. A trained Working dog in just basic house manners and beginning obedience commands will live well with its family and be a wonderful companion for their family, their families’ friends and a welcome quest at the soccer field, picnics, camping, hiking, etc. Most Working dogs do not have to be trained to protect the people they love, but will do it instinctively when it becomes necessary. 5. Anything else you’d like to share? I was waiting for this question… I have spent many hours mulling over two things in my mind. With the current rating systems, it is much more difficult to campaign most of the Working dogs because they do not fit under the seat and are very, very expensive to ship as cargo. Here on the west coast, we do not have shows every weekend in a short driving distance and must spend hours and hours to reach shows. Coupled with that, is that I have seen many a show dog in the cabin as a
194 • S how S ight M agazine , F ebruary 2017
Powered by FlippingBook