Showsight - February 2022 Edition

WORKING GROUP JUDGES Q&A

have come. I am also impressed with the quality of our breeds in the NOHS Group and how well they are presented. I have been honored to judge the Samoyed National Specialty in both the US and Canada. I have judged many Working Groups, but I’ve loved doing the Top 20 for Samoyeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards. I have judged in China, Korea, Jamaica, and Mexico. In Mexico, I found an Alaskan Malamute that, literally, took my break away. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Work- ing Dogs of the past? At a recent judge’s dinner, the topic, “What is your pet peeve when judging?” came up. Without a minute’s hesita- tion, mine was/is the rough handling of the dogs. A corrective pull on the leash is okay, but beyond that, please, no! Why do I think the Working breeds are so admired as fam- ily companions? I find the Working breeds are some of the most striking breeds in AKC. Whether they are of the more reserved or outgoing dispositions, the Working breeds are devoted and loyal. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story I can share about my experiences judging the Working Group? Years ago, I was visiting a breeder of Kuvasz, and a small child ambled away. We spotted the Kuvasz gently herding the little toddler back to our set-up from where she had wandered off. Our dogs are amazing! HELENE NIETSCH I am an almost-fifty-year vet-

I find people who just get a dog on a whim. They’re losing the whole concept of what showing dogs should be. They’ve forgotten about breeding stock. That’s what it’s all about. Why do I think the Working breeds are so admired as family companions? I think for protection and loyalty. I think whatever their background is, people get Working breeds for this particular reason, whatever the breed. Do I have a funny story I can share about my experience judg- ing the Working Group? I was doing a Group in Florida, and this handler (I’m not mentioning her name) had this Akita, and her arm band was a dog number. So, as I was going over the dog, I went down to check testicles and I couldn’t feel them. I realized there was a vulva there and said, “Ma’am, your dog doesn’t have testicles.” “Well, this is not a dog,” she said. “It’s a bitch.” I said, “Well, you need to change your number.” She apologized for two years after about that. That was one of the funniest experiences. CHRISTIEMARTINEZ Where do I live? How many

years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I live in Port Ludlow, Wash- ington, with my husband, Manny, where we enjoy cruising the San Juan Islands and Canada on our boat, Twilight Time . What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? I had a Sam- oyed and a Toy Fox Terrier at two

eran preservation Breeder of Merit of Bullmastiffs, continually striving to breed quality Bullmastiffs that exemplify the breed standard, dogs with outstanding temperament, and consistent health clearances. I’m an AKC judge, approved to judge four Groups (Working, Hound, Sporting, and Non-Sport-

years of age, and later, two Toy Poodles. Along with my lifelong involvement with Samoyeds, I have enjoyed finishing a Toy Fox Terrier, a Yorkshire Terrier, and my sweet little Havanese, “Poppy,” who, as I write this, lays on my lap. My original breed is the Samoyed. At two years old, the Samo- yed I had was named “Keta.” So, in memory of him, my kennel name is d’Keta (of Keta). Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or parent club titles? My favorite dog was probably Multi-BISS CH d’Keta Strikes Gold, aka “Riley.” He is featured in The Samoyed Tales Trilogy: Celebrating Life, Love and Lessons with Our Dogs , written by Jim Cheskawich. Riley won Best Puppy at the SCA National Specialty in 2001 under Houston Clark. In 2011, he won Best of Breed at the SCA National Specialty under breeder-judge Beth Riley. Do I find that size, proportion, and substance are correct in most Working breeds? In 2011, I wrote an article titled, “SIZE MAT- TERS,” for The Working Digest . When measuring breeds where it is called for, it is a pleasure when they measure in and are at the correct height. Is breed-specific presentation important to me as a judge? Can I offer some examples? It is discouraging to see our breeds scissored and trimmed far beyond just neatening up the feet. What is appro- priate or not is spelled out very clearly in the breed standards. What are my thoughts on cropping/docking the Working breeds? I must admit that when some of the Working breeds (and those in other Groups as well) first started coming into the ring with tails, I struggled. However, working with the parent clubs’ Judges Education, I am now quite comfortable. The confusion for many judges is when the standard says, “tail docked” and the powers-that- be say otherwise. Are the Working breeds in good shape overall? Any concerns? I think the Working breeds are in good shape. I am especially impressed with how far the newer breeds in the Working Group

ing), Junior Showmanship, Miscellaneous, and Best in Show. I have judged internationally in England, France, Spain, Japan, Sweden, South Africa, Hungary, Colombia, Australia, and New Zealand, and I was honored to judge the American Bullmastiff Association National Specialty two times. I am a published author in various dog magazines, both general interest and Bullmastiff-specific, including the cover feature article for the AKC Gazette. Additionally, I have served as the Breed Col- umnist for the Gazette for 17 years. I’ve bred more than 100 champion Bullmastiffs, including the top-winning Bullmastiff in the history of AKC. I have garnered more than 30 Registry of Merit awards for top-producing sires and dams, including five Gold Registry of Merit awards. I’ve won the American Bullmastiff National Specialty as breeder, co-breeder, handler or owner nine times, most recently in 2021 as owner, breed- er, and handler of my Bullmastiff bitch. I am currently the President of Newtown Kennel Club and a member of the American Bullmastiff Association (ABA), where I serve on the club’s Health and Research Committee, and on the Judges Education and Breeder Education committees. I have also previously served as President and Director of the ABA. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I live in Newtown, Connecticut, with my three Bullmas- tiffs, London, Mochi and Maizey, and my Maine Coon Cat, Lucy. I acquiredmyfirstBullmastiff in1969. I havebeen judging since1998. I am now approved to judge four Groups: Working, Hound, Sporting, and Non-Sporting.

162 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2022

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