SPORTING GROUP JUDGES Q&A
GREGORY ANDERSON
KARIN ASHE
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? Right now, I’m in Simi Val- ley, California, helping my father, Carl J. Anderson, a retried AKC judge. He is 96. I’ve been in the sport of dogs all my life. (I was born into dog showing family.) I started in Juniors and had great time. Two “greats” took me under their wings: Anne Rodgers Clark and Jane For-
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I have 50 years in dogs, 30 years as a judge. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? My original breed is the Pointer. Scan- point is my kennel name. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? DC Scanpoint’s Touch O’ Troll Any performance or
syth. I guess they saw a talent that I had. I’ve been in the sport for over 50 years—hard to believe! I’ve been judging now going on 26 years. I was approved to judge the Sporting Group at the age of 35. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? My original breed is the Cocker Spaniel, but the first two breeds I fin- ished were a blue roan English Cocker and a Borzoi. However, I fell in love with the Spaniels, and I worked and learned from many great people in Terriers, Poodles, Boxers, Dobermans, and the Sighthounds. My kennel name was GRAND, and I was lucky to have bred some lovely Cockers. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or field titles? The dogs I bred were for myself. I was a professional handler for over 20 years and had the opportunity to handle some of the finest Cocker Spaniels in history, winning many Groups, Bests in Show and Nationals, also winning at Westminster. I was so hon- ored to show such quality! How important are Performance and Companion titles in a Sporting Dog? Performance is very important. They must perform what they are bred for. Have I judged any Sporting Breed Specialties? Yes, I have judged many Sporting Specialties. I was honored to judge the Ameri- can Spaniel Club National five times, plus the Brittany Summer National. To sum it up, I’ve judged Specialties in all Sporting breeds all over the country and overseas. Do I find that size, proportion, and substance are correct in most Sporting breeds? I feel that in most of the Sporting breeds, their size and proportion are okay. Is breed-specific expression important to me as a judge? Can I offer some examples? Yes, eye expression is very, very important to me! A beautiful eye is so great!! What are my thoughts on the current grooming practices among the coated breeds? Well, people who know me know how I feel about grooming; condition, coat texture, weight, and muscle tone! Are the Sporting breeds in good shape overall? Any concerns? Some Sporting breeds are very strong and some need improvement, having steep shoulders, lack of rib spring and depth of body. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Sport- ing Dogs of the past? I have seen so many great Sporting dogs from the past—people will never forget them—but I’ve also seen some great ones coming in their own now. I have found in my judging that some of the Sporting breeds have improved, and some have taken a step backwards. Why do I think the Sporting breeds make up a large portion of the typical show’s entries? People love Sporting dogs; their attitudes, wagging tails, and wonderful way of pleasing you. It really is a Fam- ily Group. People love their Sporting Dogs. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story I can share about judg- ing the Sporting Group? I do have a funny story about judging the Sporting Group. It was my first Group assignment in Northern California, about 25 years ago. I was so excited! I flew up there, all ready, and the show was canceled due to weather! I went back to my room and ate a pizza by myself. (The excitement of a dog show!!)
field titles? DC/AFC Scanpoint’s Mackenzie. How important are Performance and Companion titles in a Sporting Dog? These titles are very important. Have I judged any Sporting Breed Specialties? I’ve judges many. Do I find that size, proportion, and substance are correct in most Sporting breeds? No. Too many have beautiful profiles, but lack rib spring and bone. Is breed-specific expression important to me as a judge? Can I offer some examples? There can be a lack of proper ear, muzzle, and eye shape. What are my thoughts on the current grooming practices among the coated breeds? As long as the coat is not clearly scissored and the coat looks field-tapered, it’s not a problem. Are the Sporting breeds in good shape overall? Any concerns? Some are in beautiful shape for their Standard. Others are a bit overdone. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Sport- ing Dogs of the past? Today’s dogs are more of a “groomed” dog than a dog that does its work in the field. Why do I think the Sporting breeds make up a large portion of the typical show’s entries? They do, quite a bit. They are popular for their temperament and loyalty. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story I can share about judg- ing the Sporting Group? I have judged the Group so many times, but there is one time that I can remember where I looked through the breeds and thought to myself, “There is not one dog in here that fits the Standard and looks like it can do its job.” Then, one of the bird dogs had a bird land in the ring, and went on point. That made my day! DYANE BALDWIN Where do I live? How
many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I live in Central Pennsylvania on 34.5 acres with my daugh- ter, Jennifer. I have spent 43 years in dogs. Started judg- ing in 1998. What is my original
breed? What is/was my ken- nel name? My original and only breed has been the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The kennel name I use is Pond Hollow. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or field titles? BISS CH Pond Hollow Casablanca WD, #2 all-time sire; CH Pond Hollow Punt Gunner and his sister, CH Pond Hol- low Bayberry Tides In, who are found in many pedigrees; CH Pond Hollow Morocco, a National Specialty BOB; CH Pond Hollow Bering Sea, a top sire here and in the UK; CH Pond Hollow Otter Point UD MH QAA, the first female Chesapeake to hold all of
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2022 | 233
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