least one other, but it has its own virtues. It is only to be judged against other Black Russians in the ring. EL: Good bone and substance are mentioned in the Black Russian standard many times. Without that, breed character is lost. GN: They are not Giant Schnauzers. I believe that judges also reward the generic rather than the breed specific far too often. SS: This is not just a tall breed, it is a large boned breed and not one that has an Afghan gait. 6. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate. AG: While at their National dinner a few years back, the group discussed the examining of this breed. One very important idea was raised and a solution was found. It needs to be shared with all the handlers and judges. This breed has a heavy fall of coat over its eyes, thicker than most breeds. With light eyes being a serious fault and two or more missing teeth a DQ, judges have to get right in there—so to speak. To make it easier on the dog and the judge, they would like to person on the end of the lead to lift the fall so the eyes are clearly seen and then open the mouth for examination. EL: In the 1980s we heard from our European contacts that there were black Komondors being bred in Russia. These were probably either untrimmed Black Russians or some Komondor crosses, which went into the development of the current breed. Certainly the steady, courageous demeanor we see in good Black Russians could have been borrowed from Komondors. “GOOD BONE AND SUBSTANCE ARE MENTIONED IN THE BLACK RUSSIAN STANDARD MANY TIMES. WITHOUT THAT, BREED CHARACTER IS LOST.”
GN: I had the honor and privilege of judging the Black Rus- sian Terrier National a few years ago. It was one of the highlights of my judging experiences. The sheer quality and quantity of the entry was a memory I will never forget. The breed is very special and the owners and breeders are obviously dedicated and devoted to the breed. SS: Temperament is very important, which is why the Rus- sians disqualified the Black & Tans. They found that the dogs with the Rottweiler/Airedale markings were of questionable temperament. 7. And, for a bit of humor: what’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? AG: So many funny things happen to all of us. When I just started to learn how to handle dogs, my instructor said, “When the judge is at the front of your dog, go to the back. Then when they are at the back, go to the front.” Well I was up against another open dog and I wanted to do everything right, so I went to the rear quickly as he went to the front. There was one small problem. I had not held onto the lead and Gulliver ran out of the ring. The judge said to me, “I thought you had the dog?” I said to him, “I thought you did,” I did not know what else to do so I said, “Well did you like the way he moved?” I did not win and never let go of the lead again. GN: I’m not sure if it was funny, but definitely fun. I went to judge in Arkansas and there was a ZZ Top concert on the show grounds—adult beverages, food and great music the night before the show was a special treat. SS: In Emil Klinkhardt’s ring (that was many years ago), an exhibitor could not hold on to a slipping slip. She final- ly let it go and stepped right out of it in her gate. Along comes Kim Griffith behind her, the gallant man that he is, and, without missing his stride as well, he scooped up the slip and put it in his pocket. He returned it to her outside the ring. Funny, now that I look back on this so many of the humorous dog show stories I experienced involved Emil. “TEMPERAMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT...”
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