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 exhibi- tors no favors when they walk in the ring and base their decisions on the latest magazine ads. 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. 2. What about the breed makes it a great show dog? They are clownish, biddable and usually extremely food motivated. They are easy to like and tend to get along well when traveling and in a show venue. 3. What is your funniest experience at a dog show? 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. WARREN & JOYCE HUDSON 1. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are bet- ter now than they were when you first started? Why or why not? Through the years there has been steady progress in breed type. We have been involved with the breed for 44 years, and look back at pictures decades ago and really treasure what the general impression has become with the Pugs of today in the ring. 2. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? When mentoring new judges, we try to emphasize the “heavy boned” aspect of this breed. A fine-boned Pug just does not have breed type. 3. And, for a bit of humor: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? There have been many hilarious happenings in showing and judging dogs. I judged my first assignment as an AKC Judge (a Pug Specialty) in Brush Prairie, Washington. After glancing at my Judges book, I turned around to start judging the Pugs, and there was Jim Moran, as con- fident as all life, kneeling down stacking a Bulldog. So, it was once around the ring and out! One never knows what will happen at a dog show. JASON HUFF 1. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are bet- ter now than they were when you first started? Why or why not? In general, I think the breed is better today than ever before. Breeders’ focus on improving top lines has paid
off, with significant improvement displayed for all to see as the Pug moves around the ring. Our Pugs’ headpieces are stronger than ever. 2. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? New judges need to focus on the Pug and the Pug only. It is my opinion that too many times, judges are impressed by top handlers who may not be presenting the best specimen on the day. Judging should be an honor and a privilege and not the opportunity to float ribbons to heroic icons on the end of the lead. 3. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Our breeders are doing a fantastic job building strong breed type that is cobby and square with a big round head and a tight curly tail. One note for judges to consider, beware of aggressive and forceful examination of the Pug bite. It is absolutely not necessary and it leaves not only the exhibitor but the Pug with a negative ring experience. Also one of the most endearing parts of the Pug is the required dark round eye. Light eyes do not give the proper expression in the breed and they are distracting. A light eye, clear or not, is incorrect. SANDRA MORGAN 1. What is different now about the sport from when you started? The current obsession judges seem to have with clear pale fawn coats, which has led to a lack of pigment. Now we’re seeing less head wrinkles. I don’t think the sport itself has changed. I think the participants have tighter budgets and less time. This leads to less fun being had, and more pressure to finish dogs quickly, or not at all. 2. What about the breed makes it a great show dog? They enjoy being with people and playing to the crowd. 3. What is your funniest experience at a dog show? The time we took our van and a giant silver tarp we were using as a shade cover. The wind came up and because we’d clipped the tarp to the top of the expens, the pens lifted and one of the dogs escaped. She was running around and under the van, while we were trying to catch her and manage the tarp before more Pugs escaped. We still laugh about that one. We bought a motorhome before the next show.
248 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , F EBRUARY 2017
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