WITH VANDRA HUBER & MARETH KIPP
towards friendliness with terrier tendencies rather than Terrier dominance. MK: I truly believe the Aussie is overlooked by many judges. Those of us from Terriers have a great love for all our Ter- riers. I’m afraid many new judges coming into our group have no idea just what it takes to prepare our exhibits for the ring. I have been lucky to have seen some of the won- derful Aussies of the Drs. Barnes, and unfortunately, the names escape me of the other very successful breeders from around this area. 6. What is the biggest concern facing the breed today? VH: As with many Terrier breeds, the concern is to maintain quality and the distinctiveness of the breed. If Aussies over time merely sit on laps, rather than work, then over time the distinctiveness of the two breeds may blend. MK: As in any breed, there are still some things all breeders need to be cognizant of: length of body, some are becom- ing way to cobby, toplines and color. One of the breeds that describes a docked tail, but we are seeing dogs with tails being shown. I will admit I don’t mind a full tail on an Aussie as long as it is set on and carried correctly. I am also seeing some not such nice feet, long toes and very flat. Coming from a livestock background, feet and legs are one of the areas breeders should strive to improve. Also there are dogs being shown that could do with more hair and the ability to walk in a straight line. I’m pleased that it is still a very much owner-handler breed. Go for it guys. Stand proud and show the world your pride and joy. 7. What is the overall impression of the breed at the moment? Is the breed better or worse today? VH: There are definitely some outstanding specimens in the breed today. Due to the dearth of breed numbers overall, there is concern in finding those specimens and ensuring that they are awarded. Too many judges have seen too few Aussies with outstanding coat, varmint- catching but companionable Australian terriers. Judges many not know a good one and have enough strength of conviction to award it. MK: I have to add, seeing the great Crackerjack dog helped to instill type, condition and soundness in my mind of a lovely dog and breed. I think with some of the dogs in the ring today, it’s hard not to notice them. 8. Anything else you’d like to share—something you’ve learned as a breeder, exhibitor or judge or a par- ticular point you’d like to make? VH: It’s important to work within a breeding family of peers who share your values about breeding in general and your breed particularly. They must be good enough friends they will spare no barbs but will help you criti- cally evaluate your breeding stock and discuss concerns and how to work around themI also think you should have what I term an Alpha line and a Beta line. These are closely related but not the same. Then if something happens in one line, you can utilize your back-up bitch to move in a different direction. Finally, Forget about angry Facebook folks who don’t have your interests at heart. And never in pain or fear post on Facebook such that you open yourself or others
up to ridicule. Those who are less successful are lurching and waiting to make you look bad. Just do the best you can with your breeding program. If something doesn’t work out, then think it through with your breeding group and do the best you can to minimize the fault or health issue. 9. And for a bit of humor, what’s the funniest thing that you ever experienced at a dog show? VH: It’s only funny now. I had two temporary front teeth in my mouth when attending great Western. After stack- ing a puppy on the table, I went about business as usual. That is, I held the lead with my teeth while I maneuvered the bait with my hand. Just as the judge approached and I stretch the lead, my two temporary front teeth flew out, flying on either side of the judge’s head. I had to go around the entire weekend with missing front teeth. I felt like a hick from the back country. MK: I was judging in California when in walked one of the nicest Chocolate Lab puppies I had the pleasure to judge. He was eight-months-old and when I went to check his manhood, there was nothing there. Thought perhaps I’m had misread the class and it was a bitch instead of a dog. I asked the handler to take the puppy around as sometimes the testicles will magically appear, not this time. I men- tioned this to the handler (I believe owner handled) and her response was, “He is just a puppy, they will grow” and of course, I tended to disagree and excused her. Her retort was, “I’ll show you, I’m taking him to the show Vet and he will tell you”. I saw the Vet later and asked if a woman with a Chocolate Lab puppy came to him. He acknowledged she had and indeed the puppy had no testicles. “THERE ARE DEFINITELY SOME OUTSTANDING SPECIMENS IN THE BREED TODAY. DUE TO THE DEARTH OF BREED NUMBERS OVERALL, THERE IS CONCERN IN FINDING THOSE SPECIMENS AND ENSURING THAT THEY ARE AWARDED.”
274 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2018
Powered by FlippingBook