backwards 3 with the nose set slightly in and tipped slightly back, large dark eyes with a small amount of white in the inner corner, fine bone, proud movement with tail over the back. Forgive: Depends on the other competition in the ring. I will put up a better quality dog that does not show well over a dog that is a true show- man but lacks the same degree of quality. Similarly, I will put up a novice handler who does not have a clue as to how to present his/her dog to its best advantage over a professional handler if the novice has the better dog. 6. While judging, do you see any trends you’d like to see continued or stopped? Good question, but I am not sure of a definitive answer at this time. In general the breed is in an awkward state right now. There are a lot of new people trying to learn—some going about it correctly, others not so much. Some are breeding without having a clear understanding of bloodlines, breed type, genotype, health issues… one could go on and on. Some are breeding just to sell puppies. Some breeders who have been involved in the breed for a long time are looking the other way on the issue of bad markings, bites, toplines, head pieces, coat texture, etc. However, I strong- ly suspect issues in the Chin are very similar to those in other breeds. 7. What, if any, are the traits breeders should focus on preserving? Traits I feel some current Chin breeders are overlooking and/or choosing to ignore include a tendency towards small heads, lack of the front fore- head dome, small eyes, lack of the characteristic white in the corner of the eyes, too much length of nose, long backs, wooly, double coats and “off” markings. 8. Has the breed improved from when you started judging? Why or why not? Depends on what part of the country I am in—in some areas the breed is very strong, in others it is weak. Why or why not is very much a reflection on the quality of the breeders in that particular area or on the bloodlines of dogs sold and shown in a concentrated number within a section of the country. There are many beautiful dogs today that are a delight to judge just as there has always been.
“THERE ARE MANY BEAUTIFUL DOGS TODAY THAT ARE
A DELIGHT TO JUDGE JUST AS THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN.”
9. Are there aspects of the breed not in the standard that you nonetheless take into consideration because breeders consider them important? Asymmetrical markings (as in white hairs in one ear or white surround- ing one eye) and over-patterned markings (such as black saddles or overly black sables) are not referenced in the standard, but I, as a longtime breeder, take these under consideration when evaluating and judging dogs as breeding stock. What I do as a judge depends very much on what else is in the ring on that day and the overall quality of the dogs. 10. Can Judges Education be improved? Formal Judges Education is only as good as the presenter. I personally feel informal education is oftentimes the better way to learn—one-on-one with knowledgeable breeders and judges, going over dogs and online study is far more valuable in the long run.
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ULY 2015 • 223
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