WORKING GROUP JUDGES Q&A
ment. Structure is important. Each Working Dog was bred to per- form a task and should be able to do so. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Work- ing Dogs of the past? There certainly are good examples of Work- ing Dogs to be found today. I’m not sure the dogs of the past were necessarily better. Perhaps, we just remember them more fondly. Why do you think the Working breeds are so admired as family companions? The first thing that comes to mind would be loyalty. This trait is expressed in many of the Working breed standards, and I have certainly experienced it in my own Akitas. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story I can share about my experiences judging the Working Group? I have only been judging the Working Group for a year, so I have yet to have an amusing story that I can share. I do, however, have a story about myself and the wonderful judge whom we just recently lost, Joe Gregory. I showed Remington myself for the first year. I was at a show in New Hampshire where he had won the Working Group, and we were all in a line-up awaiting the decision in Best. I was so busy fussing and stacking that I failed to realize that Mr. Gregory had been standing in front of me. When I finally looked up, he smiled in his easy-going manner and said to me, “Well, if you really don’t want this I can give it to someone else.” It took me a few seconds to regain my composure, but red-faced and extremely excited, I quickly retrieved my ribbon. KEN BUXTON
In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Work- ing Dogs of the past? Today’s exhibits, in general, compare favorably to the Working Dogs of the past. However, many are over-groomed; sculpted, sprayed, teased, shaved, dyed, and on and on—not good. Why do I think the Working breeds are so admired as family companions? Many find that the Working Dog’s intelligence, affec- tion, trainability, size, and their desire to please and protect make them very suitable for their role as family companions. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story I can share about my experiences judging the Working Group? One time, while judging the Group, an exhibitor lost control of the lead as the dogs were going around the ring together. The dog never missed a step, and when they all stopped, it stepped into a perfect stack. The exhibitor did catch up to the dog… and all was well. TERRIE BREEN
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I live in Windsor, Connecticut. I pur- chased my first purebred dog, an Akita, in 1982. I have been in dogs for forty years, judging since 2007. What is my original breed? What is/ was my kennel name? My original breed is the Akita. (I’ve also owned an English Foxhound.) My kennel name is Takara
Dogs have always been a part of my life. When I was a child, my fam- ily owned a Boxer, Beligan Sheepdog, Mastiff, and several mixed breeds. I have been active in the dog fancy since 1966 when my wife, Donna, and I purchased our first St. Bernard. We have been active as breeders, train- ers, and exhibitors in Conformation, Obedience, and Tracking. We have finished many St. Bernards to their
Akitas. “Takara” means “treasured” in Japanese. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or parent club titles? Notable dogs include: Multiple BIS BISS CH KAMAKAZI’S Remington, Multiple BISS CH TAKARA’S Cous- in Cogs, and BISS CH TAKARA’S Right Up My Ally. “Remington” was a Versatility Dog and a ROM, a two-time Top 20 Winner and 2004 Akita National Winner, four-time West- minster Breed Winner and a Group Placer. “Ally” was 2011 Akita National Top 20 Winner and Winners Bitch and Best of Winners at the 2008 Akita National. What are the qualities I most admire in the Working breeds? I admire their beauty, strength, independence, and intelligence. Have I judged any Working Group Specialties? I have had the honor of judging Akita Sweepstakes, Dogs, Bitches, Intersex, and Top 20, as well as assignments for Samoyed, Alaskan Malamutes, Regional Boxer, Doberman, and Siberian Specialties, and Junior Showmanship at the Doberman and Bernese Mountain Dog Nationals. I also judged the Akita National in England. Do I find that size, proportion, and substance are correct in most Working breeds? I find some breeds go through periods where bod- ies may be longer than desired or leg proportions may be too short. Sometimes, substance—or lack thereof—can be an issue. Breeds with no height requirement need to be evaluated to ensure that it does not hinder the dog’s ability to perform its function. Is breed-specific presentation important to me as a judge? Can I offer some examples? It is always “a plus” when a dog is presented correctly. That said, it ultimately is the quality of the dog that mat- ters. A dog with wonderful attributes can easily be shown by some- one who is not presenting it in the best way, but, somehow, the correct conformation of the dog shines through. What are my thoughts on cropping/docking the Work- ing breeds? I do not come from a breed where these practices are preferred. I understand there are strong opinions on the subject. I, myself, respect the parent clubs’ recommendations and judge according to the standard for each breed. Are the Working breeds in good shape overall? Any concerns? There are always exceptional examples to be found in each breed. However, recently, I find a lot of straight fronts and restricted move-
championships with limited showing. We also owned a Siberian Husky. In 1979, I was first approved to judge Obedience and I am now approved to judge all Obedience, Rally, and Tracking classes. My first love is St. Bernards, and will always be. I have had the privilege of judging the St. Bernard National Specialaty five times as well as several other national specialties. I am approved to judge the Sporting, Working, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups. I now judge approximately 40 shows a year. I enjoy sharing my love of dogs with people around the world. I have had the opportunity to judge throughout the United States as well as in Russia, Columbia, Venezuela, Bermuda, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, S. Korea, Japan, Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, France, and Canada. I retired in 1995 as an Accounting Manager with a large equip- ment manufacturer. I graduated from Chase College with majors in Economics and Finance. I have served on the Board of ADSJ for 25 years; and several kennel clubs in various positions. I serve on the Board of a retirement home and church council. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many as a judge? I live in Kingwood, Texas. I have been in dogs for 56 years; judging for 44 years. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? The St. Bernard is my original breed; kennel name, Twin Oaks. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or Parent club titles? Notable dogs include: Ch. Twin Oaks Cin- namon Bear UDT, the first St. Bernard to get all titles at that time (and our first homebred champion out of our first litter); Twin Oak
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2022 | 149
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