CHRIS DRESSER
Christine Dresser DVM has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs since 1965. She and her mother, Pat, breed under the Dress Circle prefix. Th ey have bred and owned group, specialty and best in show winning
Whippets, Bull Terriers, Standard and Toy Manchesters, A ff en- pinchers and Pugs. She has been a veterinary small animal prac- titioner since 1985 and owns her own practice in Richfield, Ohio. Christine got her first Pug in 1980 and has competed in conforma- tion and obedience. She owned the first Pug in the US to achieve a Utility Dog Excellent title. She, along with her fellow Pug fancier Curtis Rowe, Trump Pugs, have partnered over the past 30 years to breed an exceptional line of black Pugs. Christine has served as health liaison for the Pug Dog Club of America for over 20 years and has worked to raise awareness of health issues in the breed, has been instrumental in promoting health research, including a genetic susceptibility test for Pug Dog Encephalitis and advises the parent club on supporting projects with the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the Morris Animal Foundation. 1. Where do you live and what do you do outside of dogs?
I live in Medina, Ohio. Outside of dogs, I am also interested in cats as I own a small animal veterinary clinic. As for other leisure activities, now that my triathlon days are over, I enjoy walking, reading and classical music. 2. Number of years owning and/or showing Pugs? I started showing with my mom, Pat, in 1965. I got my first Pug in 1980. I was at a show that Annie Clark, who was my mom’s bridesmaid, was judging and told her I was considering getting a Pug. Her response was, “You could do worse!!” She was so right—it has been an amazing journey. Doing the math, I have been in the sport for 50 years and have had Pugs for the last 35 years. 3. What is di ff erent now about the sport from when you started? Th e breed has become more popular which has attracted some fanciers who seem more focused on quantity and less on quality, health, temperament and the welfare of the breed. For a natural breed, grooming of show Pugs is totally out of hand. I have watched owners spray up and scissor a topline on a dog. Hey judges—when you run your hand down the neck and onto the back and you hit an area that feels like plastic bristle, do you REALLY think that is a good topline?? Much of the facial pigment is now supplied by permanent markers. Th e most outlandish grooming e ff ort I have seen was a handler frantically back combing the hocks. On a Pug. In the ring. Seriously?? I was around for “the good old days” and many of us who were do not think the sport is heading in the right direction. Th e judges often do not have the depth of knowledge about general structure and soundness, let alone the desirable qualities we breeders value and are trying to produce. Judges are not doing their job and are doing the exhibitors no favors when they walk in the ring and base their decisions on the latest magazine ads. Not all of the top-winning dogs should be rewarded— and often the other exhibitors know it. I haven’t produced the perfect dog yet, but I look critically at my dogs and those I am up against, as do others in the sport. 4. Describe the Pug in three words: Make mine black!! 5. What about the breed makes it a great show dog? Th ey are clownish, biddable and usually extremely food motivated. Th ey are easy to like and tend to get along well when traveling and in a show venue. 6. What advice would you give a newcomer? Do your homework. Study structure and function of other breeds. Read all you can, especially from very successful breeders like Pat Trotter and BJ Andrews. Attend the national, talk to people who genu- inely care about the breed and their breeding program. 7. What is your funniest experience at a dog show? We were at a show where Andrea Glassford took one of Mamie Gregory’s pygmy goats into the best in show ring under Joe Gregory. I was also at a show talking to a friend who got an odd look on her face and said, “Dear God, that poor child looks like a monkey.” I turned to look and, of course, it was an actual monkey all dressed up in baby clothes. My friend truly didn’t know it was not a human baby. Of course, any dog show that Luc Boileau attends is better than “Saturday Night Live”.
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M AY 2015 • 201
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