NON-SPORTING JUDGES Q&A
“Any breed can be an outstanding show dog if it is correct to the standard and is presented correctly.”
RODNEY HERNER
to my first breed, Shih Tzu. But I also think it’s because I like Lhasas that have great temperaments and show well, which is not always the case. They can be hard-headed, just like any Oriental breed. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story that I can share about my experiences judging the Non-Sporting Group? I have many funny stories to share and tell… come find me at a show. I’m always happy to talk! CAROLYN HERBEL
I live in Long Neck, Delaware. I have been an AKC approved judge since 1995. I am currently approved to judge the Hound, Toy, Terrier, and Non- Sporting Groups and Best in Show. I have had the honor of judging at the National Dog Show in Philadelphia, the Morris and Essex Kennel Club in 2010 and 2015, Montgomery County Kennel Club twice, and the Woofstock show in California. My interna- tional assignments include three assignments in China. My original breed is the Toy Manchester Terrier. I bred my first champion in 1958. Since then I have finished over 50 champions under the kennel name Renreh. These included many Toy Group, Best in Show, and National Specialty Winners. Ch. Renreh Lorelei of Charmaron, bred by me and owned by Charles A.T O’Neill & Mari-Beth O’Neill, remains the only Toy Manchester to have won the Toy Group at Westminster. She was also a multiple Best in Show winner, a rare accomplishment for Toy Manchesters in the 1970s. Over the years, I have held membership in many dog clubs. I served the American Manchester Terrier Club as President and as the Judges Education Chairman for 25 years. I served as President and Show Chairman of the Delaware Valley Toy Dog Fanciers Association. I am also a member of Morris & Essex Kennel Club and Devon Dog Show Assoc., Inc., the American Dog Show Judges, Inc., and the Dog Judges Association of America. I now devote my time to judging and attending nationals and seminars of breeds that I already judge or plan to judge in the future. I live with my wife of 50 years and best friend, Marilyn. Although I have managed to stick to short-haired breeds at home, as a professional dog groomer of almost 60 years, I have a long back- ground of working with all types of dog coats. I have one son, Douglas, who resides in Manhattan and the Pocono Mountains area. I also have two grandchildren who, along with my wife, are the love of my life! Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or parent club titles? The most successful show dog I bred was Ch. Renreh Lorelei of Charmaron. Renreh, my kennel name, was my last name backwards, and the Charmaron was the kennel name used by Charles A.T. O’Neill of Doberman Pinscher fame who pur- chased “Lori” for his 11-year-old daughter, Mari-Beth. After a very successful run in Junior Showmanship, Mari-Beth started showing Lori in breed competition which resulted in not only breed wins from the classes, but also in numerous Group placings and wins. Lori went on to win numerous BIS wins under esteemed judges William Kendrick and Alva Rosenberg. Her most noted win was at the Westminster Kennel Club 1969 where she won Toy Group First under noted judge Anna Katherine Nicholas. She was also a BISS winner. My multiple Group winner, Ch. Renreh Diamond Jim, won the Toy Group at the prestigious Westchester KC under esteemed judge Ramona Van Court. I bred a total of five Group- winning Toy Manchesters, which was not an easy feat in the high quality Groups of the 1970s and ‘80s. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Non- Sporting Breeds? The Non-Sporting Group is, in my mind, the most eclectic Group. Since there is such a wide variance of correct breed type between the Bulldog and the Standard Poodle, and the Chow Chow and the Xoloitzcuintli. The judge is required to study
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I live on a ranch in rural Oklahoma. I have been in dogs since 1956, judging since 1983. What is my original breed? What is/ was my kennel name? My original breed is the German Shepherd; kennel name TABU & XP.
Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? I have bred 100- plus Lhasa Apso champions, 15-plus Smooth Fox Terrier champi- ons, and 10-plus Cairn Terrier champions. Any performance or parent club titles? These titles include five-plus Lhasa Apso Obedience titles, five-plus German Shepherd Herding titles, one Dual, and one BIS Am. & Can. champion, etc. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Non-Sport- ing Breeds? The qualities I admire are the diversity of the breeds, with individual origins. Have I judged any Non-Sporting Breed/Group Specialties? Yes, I have judged many. Can I speak to the overall quality of the more popular Non- Sporting Breeds/Varieties; Bulldog, French Bulldog, and Standard & Miniature Poodles? It is concerning that some of the breeds have lost some of their original type because of excessive grooming tech- niques or emphasis on cute variations of the original. What about the overall quality of the more “vulnerable” breeds; Coton de Tulear, Finnish Spitz, Löwchen? My opinion for these low-entry breeds is that they are often of better quality than the more established breeds, but they are not always recognized for their quality. Would I have any advice to impart to newer judges of the Non- Sporting Breeds who come from other Groups? Interpret the stan- dards by understanding the words that describe type, not just rely- ing on the generic canine structure. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Non- Sporting Dogs of the past? Too many have put glamor and presenta- tion before correct traits according to the standard. Why do I think Non-Sporting Dogs can become such outstand- ing Show Dogs? I’m not sure that I agree with this question. Any breed can be an outstanding show dog if it is correct to the standard and is presented correctly. Not all show dogs are expected to gait around the ring as fast as many are shown today. If I could share my life with only one Non-Sporting Breed, which would it be and why? It would be the Lhasa Apso because of the breed’s independent nature. They are very much like living with a domestic cat, which is a partnership not a trained slave. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story that I can share about my experiences judging the Non-Sporting Group? None that I can think of at this time.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2022 | 177
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