5. What about the breed makes it a great show dog? We love the Pugs for their enthusiasm for life which makes them a great show dog, but also a joy to live with at home. Th ey are so comical, love to be close and snuggle, and have a reliable, amicable personality that makes them an easy keeper. Well, except for the shedding (we have learned to decorate and dress in beige). Pugs are more than purely a wonderful lap dog. While that is what they were bred to do and are clearly experts, they are able to be successful in many other venues, i.e. Obedience, Rally, Agility, Barn Hunt titles—we even know of Pugs who compete in Tracking, Drafting and Lure Coursing! 6. What advice would you give a newcomer? Newcomers should establish a relationship with a mentor who knows the standard, pedigrees, health con- cerns and will be honest enough to critique their dog’s qualities and faults. Th is mentoring relationship is important in showing the dog, but extremely important when the newcomer begins a breeding program. 7. What is your funniest experience at a dog show? Th e funniest thing we have ever seen at a dog show involved the young daughter of a good friend of ours. Th e child was absolutely in love with our Pug. At her first dog show, a Masti ff walked by and she got so excited she could hardly talk exclaiming, “It’s… it’s… it’s a… BIG Pug!!” SUZANNE DILLIN 1. Where do you live and what do you do outside of dogs? I live in Texas in a smallish town called Flower Mound; it is north of the Dallas/ Ft. Worth metroplex and south of Denton, Texas. So we are fortunately within reach of great museums, restaurants, cultural events and prominent entertainers—great place to live. My other interests would be my return to paint- ing and writing a children’s book. 2. Number of years owning and/or showing Pugs? I have been held captive by the Pugs for over 25 years. I have refused to pay the ransom to get away from them, so it appears that I will remain stuck beside my precocious Pugs. So our first Pug filled our hearts and mind, making me promise not to be without one. Ever. Th at was about 1987. I began joining the dog world in about 1965. I fell in love with the Irish Setter and so we took them to heart. However, we also had three young sons to raise and found ourselves out of time. Later I glimpsed the beautiful English Cocker Spaniel. We eventually acquired a Galaxy granddaughter, the beginning of 47 years in the breed. My husband is a bird hunter which brought us the German Shorthaired Pointers over 25 years ago. About the same time a Pug hooked into my soul and here we are. 3. What is di ff erent now about the breed and sport from when you started? Th e Pug has changed a great deal. Today we are clearer coated, utilizing a stronger side gate, shorter backed, stronger in rear and top line, feet and pasterns. We had big dogs back then as we do today. Our standard calls for 16-18 pounds. Pugs are a Toy breed. Changes in the Sport: if I go back just 45 years I would find R.E.S.P.E.C.T. I remember shaking from the fear of actually talking to a judge, well-known handler or successful breeder. Of course in those days, everyone hung out in the grooming areas. We weren’t invited into the conversations, but never the less made welcome. We listened and absorbed the knowledge. We relied on our vintage mentors to guide us through the animal husbandry, mandatory to succeed in the care, breeding and showing of the dog. We did not know it all after 5 years of owning a show dog. 4. Describe the Pug in three words: Saucy. Jaunty. Captivating. 5. What advice would you give a newcomer? Stop. Look. Listen. Learn about a breed before you pick one. Join a vintage breeder. Join a local all- breed kennel club and volunteer! 6. What is your funniest experience at a dog show? We were in Beaumont showing an English Cocker. It had rained the night before and was still flood- ing the grounds at show time. Th e water was well over our ankles but you know... the show must go on. “Jacob” and I were sent on the down and back. Th e dog loved water! He must have thought how much fun he was having. At any rate, he was like a motor boat. Water splashing up on either side—dog in charge—and me just holding on running at full speed. As we approached the judge, “Jacob” caught his second wind. We were headed straight for the judge when I put the brakes on. It was like we were on a slip’n slide. Dog goes past judge; I slid into the judge; Judge fell into stanchion. Stanchion falls taking the ring rope down. Everyone rushing around trying to pull the judge out of the flooded ring. He gets up, glares at me and my prized racehorse and wades his way to the tipped table saying, ‘And your num- ber is....?’ Did I win? Nope. But one thing I know for sure is: the winner clearly did not have the reach and drive that mine had. Ha!
200 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M AY 2015
Powered by FlippingBook