10. How does the breed in the US compare to other parts of the world? I have not judged outside the US, but a Scottish Terrier won Cruft’s show this year (Ch. McVans to Russia with Love, handled by Rebecca Cross). I believe that simple fact says a lot about how Scottish Terriers from the US compare to those around the world. FREDRICK R. STEPHENS Glenby Scottish Terriers 1. Please tell us about your background with Scottish Terriers. We established our kennel, Glenby, in 1966. It is an inher- ited name that came to us from Bertha Russell who got us our first bitch and is a friend of the family. For high- lights there have been so many I have no idea of where t o start. Judging experience—Linn Brumby gave me Scot- ties for my first breed in September, 1977. It has been a fun 38 years and almost every one of them has been a learning experience. 2. In order, name the five most important traits you look for in the ring. The standard says, "Primary objective must be symmetry and balance". After I did a Specialty several years ago I spoke on the why of the Scottish Terrier because there is a reason for every part of him. When you ask for the five traits I must reply that there are more than 5 traits. Yes, there are some that carry more weight than others. However, It has been said in judging that we start with perfection apply the forgiveness with the one forgiven the least being the winner. With that in mind it is difficult for me to single out 5 traits in judging this breed. 3. What shortcomings are you most willing to forgive? What faults do you find hard to overlook? On shortcomings, it depends on what else is in the ring. As far as overlooking faults… it is my opinion that struc- ture dictates type and influences movement. For that reason I put a lot of influence on the structure of the dog. 4. Which traits are going in the wrong direction or becoming exaggerated? The breed has changed a lot since we became involved. The Scottie is now a bigger, leggier and slightly longer breed than what we saw 49 years ago. Remember Ch. Bardene Bingo? He was a BIS winner at the Garden in 1967, when compared to today’s Scottie it would be dif- ficult to find him because he was so much smaller that today’s Scottie. 5. Why do so few judges spar Scottish Terriers? Is that a good thing?
I think the majority are brindle, or black and brindle. The common perception is that Scotties are black dogs, and it seems that to me that that kind of entry is what is rewarded. Wheatens on the other hand, are much less common in the breed, being the result of a double reces- sive gene. If both parents don’t carry the gene, it can’t be expressed. In all of the years of breeding Scotties, we only whelped one wheaten bitch. The wheaten Scottish Terriers have a different coat, and exhibitors who do not regularly produce wheatens are not experienced in grooming that coat. I can think of few Scotty breeders who do whelp wheatens on a regular basis and have had success at higher levels of competition, but since the total number of wheaten dogs is so low, you see far fewer of them in the ring. As a judge, I want to judge the dog, and try not to pay too much attention to the color. The breed standard states the coat should be “black, wheaten or brindle of any color”. There is no emphasis on any one color over another in the standard, and I agree wholeheartedly. 7. Explain the importance of grooming. Grooming is very important, but not so important as to ignore the dog underneath the coat. I will favor a great dog that has some grooming errors over an average or below average dog that has been groomed to perfection or beyond. 8. What do handlers do that you wish they would not? What are your thoughts on lifting a dog by its tail and chin? I have no problem with a dog being lifted onto a table by its tail and chin. The breed’s thick, strong tail was developed to be used as a tool or handle to remove a dog that has gone to ground after quarry, so it should be strong enough to be used to lift him. What I do not like to see is excessive baiting in the ring. As I walk down the line, I want to see your dog’s expression. If an exhibitor is baiting the dog excessively, I can’t see the eyes and that exhibitor may not place well because I didn’t see the “keen” expression which that I hope to see. I do not have any patience for exhibitors who throw bait around in the ring. As a judge, I find it very distracting, and the bait can distract other exhibitor’s dogs as they pass by it on the ground. If I ask the steward to pick it up, it takes them away from their duties. If I ask the exhibitor to go and pick it up, it wastes time in the ring. 9. What previously campaigned Scottish Terriers come close to your ideal? Please explain. Ch. Braeburn’s Close Encounter, “Shannon”, shown by George Ward is the dog that exemplifies my ideal type. I saw her in the Montgomery County show ring in 1990 and I was just in awe of her. She won the Veteran’s class and was the sentimental favorite of the crowd around the ring in Breed judging. She moved effortlessly and embod- ies what I look for in the show ring.
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