GORDON SETTERS:
BEV ANDERSEN I live in Scottsdale, Arizona. Out- side of dogs, I quilt, sew, knit, and read as many books a month as pos- sible between other activities. We pur- chased our first purebred dog before we were married, and then our second purebred dog which launched our show career 43 years ago. I have been judging for 10 years. GARY ANDERSEN
movement that is proper for a Gordon Setter with appro- priate reach and drive. GA: Overall balance, deep head (top to lower jaw) big bone, substance (body), level topline, square and SOUND. BB: Good Color, Substance, Head and structure. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? BA: Sloping toplines, exaggerated rear angles with straight fronts and lastly lacking bone. GA: Yes, over angulated rears and lacking in bone. BB: Negative temperaments. Straight fronts, too long, lack- ing substance. We are losing the lift and reach that the front should have in this breed. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? BA: Yes, the Gordons are very different from when we pur- chased our first Gordon Setter. Rears have improved dra- matically as in the 70s many exhibits were cowhocked with longer hocks. Toplines have improved as you do not see as many with very low tailsets as in the past. Heads have improved as there was a time when the backskull could be too wide or not enough flew. Overall, move- ment has improved. GA: Oh my goodness yes! Much better now. When we first started showing no two looked alike. They had terrible roaching toplines, low tail sets, some had bone and no body, others had great fronts and terrible rears. BB: Yes, the heads are improving, substance is better, move- ment is better coming and going. 5. Your pet peeve in the show ring is…? BA: Long toenails, dirty teeth, dirty dogs and showing dogs with the lead under the right ear when the dog clearly is fighting this and throwing its front movement as a result. (If the dog is not fighting the lead under the ear, that does not bother me.) GA: Exhibitors over-showing their dogs! BB: Pro handlers not respecting owner handlers.
I live in Scottsdale Arizona. Outside of dogs, I enjoy photography (since the day of the Kodak box camera), volun- teering and when I have time work on my 69 Ford Mach I, or 70 Ford Torino. Have been in and showing dogs for 43 years, I started my animal interest showing cattle in high school through 4-H. I have been judging for 23 years.
BARBARA BURNS
I live in Freeport, IL—I am a Paralegal, elected Official (Town Clerk) and a retired Emergency Medical Technician— Intermediate. Showing since 1979— Judging since 1990.
1. Describe the breed in three words. BA: Square, bone and body. GA: Substantial, beautiful and stylish. BB: Sturdy, family dog and intelligent.
2. What are your "must have" traits in this breed? BA: Bone, square outline, level topline, outgoing tempera- ment, (not shy), balanced angles, soundness, and lastly
6. Do you think the average judge understands the temperament of the Gordon Setter?
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