QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: ALASKAN MALAMUTE
SHILON BEDFORD
JOE & ROBIN HUG
My husband David and I live in New Germany, Minnesota. Our professional training is in the field of Horticulture. We have a home on 47 acres with an orchard and a large landscaped home site that keeps us pretty busy. We also have a home on Lake Superior near the Canadian border and enjoy spending any time we can get up there hiking, kayaking and just
We live in the foothills outside of Den- ver, Colorado with our Alaskan Malamute pack. Joe is a Chiropractor and Lay Pastor for our local church. Robin teaches at a local dog-training center (Blue Springs n Katidid Dog Training) and enjoys spend- ing time with her three grandchildren when available. Joe has been involved with Alaskan Malamutes for 45+ years,
enjoying the outdoors. We have had Alaskan Malamutes since 1982. We have participated in conformation, agility, rally, sledding, weight pulling and backpacking with our dogs. I have been judging the breed since 1999. I have had the plea- sure of judging our National Specialty on two occasions and have judged in Australia, Italy, France, Belgium, England, Hol- land and Sweden. I judge the Working Group and several Toy breeds as well as Elkhounds, Manchester Terriers, Bichon Frise, Junior Showmanship and BIS. ROGER GIFFORD I grew up in a family that loved animals, including dogs, cats and parakeets. My father showed group-winning Chihua- huas and Boston Terriers before I was born. I got my first pet Malamute in 1970 and heard about dog shows so I thought I would try it out. I quickly learned my girl was not a show dog, but I was hooked and bought a puppy from Nancy Rus- sell (Storm Kloud Kennels). My pup was Ch. Storm Kloud’s Eski Nuka UD. She not only became a top ten special but also was the eighth Mal to earn a Utility Dog title. With a lim- ited breeding program, I bred and handled several top ten specials and obtained more obedience titles. I’ve been very active in the Alaskan Malamute Club of America, serving on numerous committees and two terms on the board. I’ve also been active with the Dayton Kennel Club and Dayton Dog Training Club wearing many different hats. I started judging in 1997 and currently do the Working Group and nearly half of the Sporting breeds. I’ve judged coast to coast in the US and also specialties in Spain and Italy. I enjoy the judging as much as exhibiting. It’s always great pleasure to judge good dogs. I particularly enjoys the many friends I’ve made over the years.
showing for 43 years and judging for 7. Robin has been involved with dogs for 30 years when she started showing Akitas and acquired her first Malamute 25 years ago. Robin has been judging for 10 years.
PATRICIA PUTMAN
We moved from San Francisco to Cen- tral Washington State along the Colum- bia River between Seattle and Spokane. Here in Wenatchee we raised our family, enjoyed the outdoors, community activi- ties, business activities that allowed us to give our children a foundation in Horse- manship—Eventing, Dressage, now a third generation activity. My education
and interest in the Fine Arts has led me to juried shows and a pursuit in cultural anthropology, which ties in well to the study of origins and appreciation of canine/human develop- ment. Our interest in breeding beautiful functional dogs, train- ing, club affiliations, youth activities, enriches our life. I began professionally in dogs during the 50s in high school, handling German Shepherd Dogs, Bulldogs, Norwich and Norfolk Terri- ers. My first Group win was with a black and tan Norfolk, Gold- en Gate Kennel Club, 1954. I was fortunate to be mentored by an Englishman who was devoted to saving the Icelandic Sheepdog from oblivion. I started judging Sweeps and Matches 1964 to 2006, when I was convinced to apply for 8 breeds. I’m honored to have judged Malamute Nationals in 4 countries. I now judge the Herding Group, half of the Working Group, a few Toys and I am the AKC Delegate for the ISAA.
212 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , F EBRUARY 2017
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