says IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE A DIFFERENT BREED BESIDES YOUR OWN— WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
and really, only a handful of US groomers have the expertise. If one is unfortunate enough to compete against one of these expert groomers in the ring, forget a win—it has become a beauty contest—even Bill McFadden said so on TV. The Havanese is very Bichon-like in temperament and I wouldn’t trade this temperament for anything. —Anonymous While Havanese will always be my main breed and the only one I will likely ever breed. I sure do love my Pointer boys and my Tibetan Terrier boy! —Kathy Ambler
My breed is Silky Terriers and working Anatolian Shep- herds (with our dairy goats). I would like to get a Whippet. Although they like to run and chase, they are also great com- panions. I first liked them in historical English tapestries. Then I met one in England that was the companion of an older man that was staying at my bed and breakfast. Also, my first show Silky and foundation bitch nursed on a Whip- pet, who had a litter within a week of the Silky. I always like to think that there is a little bit of Whippet in my Silky line! —Pam Richardson
I have English Cockers. If I switched, it would be Austra- lian Shepherd. Smart, affectionate and loyal. —Kim Estlund
A Siberian or a Pomeranian. My breed is the Keeshond. I have an affinity for the Nordic Spitz Breeds. —Anonymous
Anatolian. I have Akitas, and I like independent large dogs. Anatolians seem to have a lot of the guard traits I like, but are still companionable. —Anonymous
I would not want a different breed than Pekingese. If I had no Pekingese, I would probably have only what wandered up to the house and asked to come in. Pekingese are the most loving, glamorous, precious dogs, in my opinion, and I’m sor- ry, but that is my breed for life. —Anonymous Boston Terriers. My mom did them when I was a kid. They are easy to handle and great companions. They are live stock full of personality. And, they can go into senior citizens homes as well as live in condo apartment setting. —Anonymous
French Bulldog or Brussel Griffon. My breed is Mastiff and Bloodhound —Anonymous
My breed is Boxers and I have loved an owned them for over 40 years. This September I will turn 65 and like many in our sport we are aging and find some of the larger dogs somewhat difficult to show. As a result I hired a handler. The hiring of a handler promotes additional costs but it also takes away the time and joy that I have in showing my own dog. Prior to my knee replacement I was able to show the Boxers but with the advent of a new knee and another new one in progress I am no longer able to go in the ring. With many of us having limited mobility I see more wheelchairs and canes in and around the show ring. I wonder if there is a concession to be able to show your own dog but have someone else move the dog. Certainly it would take more time and with judges only having a precious two minutes per dog that could be problematic, just a thought. While I appreciate that handlers are often a necessity I must also acknowledge that they do not necessarily do a great service to our sport. Along with handler and the statistics that are kept we have devolved into a sport that only the very wealthy can afford to compete and campaign a top dog. We no longer see large kennels as often and in years gone by and that has also changed our sport considerably. I originally began showing because I wanted something else to do with my dog. It was a joy to be in the ring and working with my own dog. Upon hiring a handler I found that in addition to the exorbitant expense it just was not as much fun to sit ringside and watch. I wanted to be in the ring and I wanted to work my own dog. Isn’t that what this should be about? After an exhausting search and looking at many breeds I settled on the French Bulldog. This breed has a big dog atti- tude in a little dog body. They are fun to be around and I have once again found joy in the dog show ring. Win lose or draw I am taking the best dog home and that is as it should be. —Cindy Knox
Mini Bull Terrier, they are merry as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. —Anonymous
Leonberger they are another large breed that I like and I enjoy their personalities. —Anonymous
I cannot imagine being without a hound. I have been showing my my breed exclusively for the past 31 years in con- formation, performance, tracking, lure coursing and along with therapy work. Possibly a PBGV or a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno. My reasoning is simply because they are smaller than than my present breed and as I get older, I may need to get a smaller breed. —Anonymous I have Tibetan Terriers. If I couldn’t have one, I would get a PBGV. I think they have the same fun, tough spirit without the ridiculous coat care. —Anonymous Belgian Malinois. I am getting to the age where I would like a dog who is obedient in my life. I am also looking for a dog who I can do events my Basenjis will not do, like dock diving, fly ball and others. Also I like the look of the breed and also the intelligent eyes. I can tell the brain is thinking all the time, just like the Basenjis. —Laura Gilchrist I currently have English Cocker Spaniels, which I have shown and bred since 1976. If I were to get a different breed, I think it would be the 13" Beagle. My parents had a Beagle and she actually lived with me the last two years of her life. I love their personality and the maintenance is much less than the ECS’s which, as I get older, can be a chore. My first love though is German Shepherds, the first ‘breed’ I ever had and I love them. If I found the right one, that would
Duck Tollers, love the breed they are great family dogs, sweet, smart and great hunting dogs. —Mary Ellen Meyer
168 • S how S ight M agazine , J uly 2018
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