NON-SPORTING JUDGES Q&A
Dealers Choice; Cream, CH Piccadilly’s Musicbox Dancer from Ch Maneetas Del Zarzoso Fuago Fatuo; CH Piccadilly’s Aurora’s Maid of Honour who produced our cream boy, Superman, out of GCHS CH Tiburcio Da Maya; and GCHB CH Piccadilly’s Sun- shine Superman who finished as a pup and, two years in a row, went Best in Show Stud Dog at the Poodle Club of America National. We are planning on showing him next year in the Veterans Class at PCA. A real showman. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Non- Sporting Breeds? The qualities I admire in the Non-Sporting Breeds are the breeders who have gone above and beyond with their commitment to their breeds, to keep them to their standards as well as the testing required to breed healthy dogs. It’s not easy or instant. It takes commitment and passion. I admire and appreciate their dedication. Have I judged any Non-Sporting Breed/Group Specialties? I have judged a few in the US as well as other Groups’ breeds. My assignment in Canada got cancelled due to the SARS outbreak that they were having at that time. Can I speak to the overall quality of the more popular Non- Sporting Breeds/Varieties; Bulldog, French Bulldog, and Standard & Miniature Poodles? My opinion of quality in our more popular breeds is as follows: The Bulldog is the second breed I applied for to judge. I have found that over the years, breeders have really fine- tuned the breed. The overall quality is very good. Size and weight are getting under control, heads are becoming quite lovely with beautiful underjaw and eyes; the French Bulldog is a breed that seems to have a good understanding of their standard. Overall qual- ity is very good; the Standard & Miniature Poodles are my breed. The quality of this breed has come a long way in the 54 years of breeding and judging them. The quality that breeders have reached is exceptional. Breeders have been, and are, doing a great job. What about the overall quality of the more “vulnerable” breeds; Coton de Tulear, Finnish Spitz, Löwchen? In the three low-entry breeds, overall quality is a challenge for the breeders: The Coton De Tulear is a beautiful breed with few entries. The overall quality is very good; the Finnish Spitz is of good quality and mostly adheres to their standard; the Löwchen is a neat breed. Too bad they do not have more competitors in the ring. Quality seems to be good and true to their standard. Would I have any advice to impart to newer judges of the Non- Sporting Breeds who come from other Groups? My advice to new Non-Sporting Breed judges is to take a deep breath. Do not be intimidated by our breeds, as they are so different from the other Groups. We have extremes: Bulldog and Poodles that can and do “frighten” some judges. Go to a National if you can. Read the breed standard and “put it on the dog.” You may not be able to get it right the first time, but be consistent in what your eye sees. If you find that you are not getting it right, come to the breeders. Sit and pick their brains. We are here to help. Good luck! In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Non- Sporting Dogs of the past? In my humble opinion, our Non-Sport- ing Dogs have come a long way—quality, condition, handling. The Group is second to none; an exciting Group to watch. Why do I think Non-Sporting Dogs can become such outstand- ing Show Dogs? Non-Sporting Dogs are outstanding Show Dogs. The passion and work that breeders and handlers put into their dogs shows. If I could share my life with only one Non-Sporting Breed, which would it be and why? My Standard Poodles have been my life for 54 years. I love all breeds, but my Poodles have my heart. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story that I can share about my experiences judging the Non-Sporting Group? No real funny stories, as those in the Group are pretty serious. I am the lucky one having fun in the ring, judging the best in each breed. It’s an honor.
the breeders; they have seen it all and will set you straight in a heart- beat. Know your standards and breed nuances, and always be kind and understanding to the exhibitors who have paid to show to you. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Non- Sporting Dogs of the past? My past is limited to a short period of 23 years, and I have always seen improvement. Overall, breeders are more knowledgeable, nutrition conscious, health aware, and concerned with the improvement of their breed. The Internet has made the sharing of information and education easy to attain, and in that regard, we all continue to move upward. The American Kennel Club has taken large strides toward improving educational opportunities, not only to judges but to breeders and those who would like to own one of the breeds. This has all resulted in strong improvement in the quality of the breeds. Why do I think Non-Sporting Dogs can become such outstand- ing Show Dogs? Non-Sporting Dogs are some of the strongest com- petitors in the ring already. In most regards they are outstanding show dogs. I don’t think they will or can “become.” I believe they “are” at that point already. If I could share my life with only one Non-Sporting Breed, which would it be and why? I am very fond of the Non-Sporting breeds, and I am not saying which ones I appreciate more as each has its own merits and appeal. If I were to share my life with a Non- Sporting Dog, and I just might yet, my personal choice from the Group would be the one most capable of loving me back. Probably only he or she and I would know. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story that I can share about my experiences judging the Non-Sporting Group? I always have fun when judging the Non-Sporting Group. The exhibitors are fun and good-natured, and they work hard to present their dogs in the best light. I appreciate their accepting nature of the results of my opinion, which may be different than tomorrow’s judge. However, I always find myself laughing at the antics of some of the pups, particularly puppy Bulldogs which kind of look up my leg and are thinking, “Wow, that’s a big guy!” My most memorable story was hearing an owner settling a Bull- dog on the ramp behind me while using his name, which she said was “Mr. Grumpy.” I turned around and just lost it, because he looked like an angry Winston Churchill minus the cigar—but he was as sweet as could be. I don’t remember how he did, but he gave me a smile that lasts even now as I type this. Sometimes winning isn’t everything. LINDA TILKA
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I moved to beautiful Madeira Beach, Florida, in 1974 from Loves Park, Illi- nois. In 1969, I moved here from Eng- land to Illinois when I acquired my first Standard Poodle. This year has me at 54 years in the dog world. I applied for my judging approval in 1999, moving
quickly to the Non-Sporting Group, Miscellaneous, Great Danes, Juniors, and BIS. This year will be 23 years judging for AKC. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? My breed has always been the Standard Poodle. I did have a love- ly Miniature, but Standards are my breed. My kennel name is “Piccadilly Poodles.” Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or parent club titles? With limited breeding and showing only in the Bred-By Class, I have many lovely dogs that, to me, are notable: CH Mackintosh of Mayfield, a beautiful cream from Harriett Laws; a beautiful brown, CH Piccadilly’s Friar Tuck from Ch Nesrals
188 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2022
Powered by FlippingBook