“I ENJOY THE COMPLETE PACKAGE OF THE MIN PIN, IN LOOKS AND CHARACTER. THEY’RE MORE TERRIER-LIKE THAN ANYTHING, CLOWNS, FEISTY, SHOWY, SELF-POSSESSED, HIGHLY ANIMATED, FEARLESS.”
Brushing frequently is important and scaling which is not easy as none of my Min Pins succumb to it peacefully. 12. What do you enjoy most about owning this breed? I enjoy the complete package of the Min Pin, in looks and character. Th ey’re more terrier-like than anything, clowns, feisty, showy, self-possessed, highly ani- mated, fearless. Least enjoyable is their tendency to be excessive barkers! 13. What grooming tips or hints would you like to share? Grooming for the show is important and really minimal, compared to most other breeds. Th ere’s trimming of whiskers and guard hairs around the face, ear edges and ear base, neck line, tail, underline and of course making sure teeth are clean, as well as the dog. 14. What makes this breed a great show dogs as well as a companion? A good specimen of the breed in looks, movement and character is a formidable contender in the ring because of the Min Pin self-possessed “King Of Toys” attitude that demands attention. Th ere’s nothing
prettier than a Min Pin, self-stacked at attention in the middle of the ring claim- ing its turf. It is these attributes and traits that make the Min Pin a great companion for people who understand and love what the breed is all about. 15. What tips or advice would you o ff er the newcomer? Most important for a show newcomer is to seek a mentor who has had success in the breed, who would o ff er objective advice, guidance and impart knowledge so the newcomer can develop his/her own vision and goals in due time. Watching and asking successful breeders/owners/ handlers questions and really listening are a must for the serious newcomer. Sometimes I see so-called mentors whose goal is to tell the newcomer what to do, when and where, with lots of strings attached, which basically is not condu- cive to imparting knowledge and deci- sion making capabilities. 16. How do you determine the stud dog you will select to breed to your bitch? The stud dog must be of excel- lent type, with virtues to compliment
the bitch of excellent type as well and avoid doubling up on faults. If a prov- en stud dog, analyze his get. Don’t let the pedigree or win record wag the dog’s tail. 17. If you were starting a kennel would you buy a bitch fi rst or a dog? Starting out, I would buy the very best specimen I could get, regardless of sex. 18. What three words best describe your breed? Self-possessed, square, hackney-like. 19. What is the single biggest miscon- ception about your breed? Th e biggest misconception from the general public is that the Min Pin is a bred down version of the Doberman. 20. What is the most de fi ning charac- teristic of your breed? It is the only breed with a unique desired gait, i.e., hackney-like. High stepping with bend at the wrist, with reach and drive, forelegs and hind legs move parallel soundly.
“IF A PROVEN STUD DOG, ANALYZE HIS GET. DON’T LET THE PEDIGREE OR WIN RECORD WAG THE DOG’S TAIL.”
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A PRIL 2015 • 241
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