WITH MARLEEN BURFORD, KEKE KAHN, WAYNE KOMPARE, MELINDA LYON, DAWN MARTIN, GERRY MEISELS, JAY RICHARDSON, JACQUELINE STACY, MARJORIE UNDERWOOD, RANDY WECKMAN & LINDA WELLS
MU: Perhaps new judges need to develop a better under- standing of the characteristics as well as the form and function of the West Highland White Terrier. RW: Sometimes new judges believe Westies should be built like Scotties, which isn’t correct. 7. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate. KK: One thing missing is the condition of the dog on the day. Not just this breed but many breeds this is true. ML: I do like to spar Westies but there is a big difference in how it is done properly. The primary reason is to display the dog to its best advantage. Westies are supposed to work together as pack animals so they should not be argumentative but by the same token, they should be alert, vigilant and ready to take on a challenge. I only want the dogs to look at each other, come up on their toes and arch their neck. It’s a beautiful sight. GM: Westies have sweet personalities making wonderful family pets. JR: This is a Terrier, nowhere in the standard does it call out for cute. That is not an acceptable reason for a Westie to win! MU: Let’s remember that the Westie is tough, determined, sturdy, compact and a wonderful companion. It is a big, big dog in a small package. I encourage the breeders to study, understand, breed to the standard and groom to further enhance this big little dog. This is not an easy task but let’s give it all we have. Correct sparring in the ring will showcase the “no small amount of self-esteem.” RW: Look for a balanced animal; be careful of an exhibit that has one amazing virtue, but is less than adequate in other aspects of the standard. 8. How important is sparring? MB: If done properly, it really showcases a personality and attitude. It is not fighting. Young dogs do not spar! WK: Sparring is moderately important, as long as it’s done properly (don’t get the dogs too close together and don’t mix the sexes; we don’t want to have a bitch in season and a couple of dogs sparring). Much more important is the Westie temperament: alert, gay, courageous and friendly, with no small amount of self-esteem. ML: Sparring is a useful tool when evaluating Westies, when done properly. It is important to note that Westies are pack animals and worked together so they shouldn’t want to kill each other when in the ring. I will bring out two or no more than three, and have the exhibitors go to opposite corners and then walk back toward the center of the ring with clear instructions not to let them get to close. I just want them to look at each other, which will make them stand at attention, up on their toes, alert and ready for whatever. This attitude of curious intensity— without initiating a confrontation, but ready to take it on and finish it if the other dog starts it—is what I’m
looking for. That confident Westie attitude and outline is a beautiful sight to behold. DM: A properly done spar is a beautiful site to behold. MU: When sparring is guided properly it is awesome to observe these Westies pull themselves together, exhibit- ing their attitude, just daring their competitor to make the first move. This is not the time for growls, grinding of teeth and leaping at each other. Again, when done correctly it becomes another very useful tool for the final evaluation and decision. LW: In order to show true temperament, sparring is a must! 9. And, for a bit of humor: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? MB: This is more an endearing story than a funny one. At a small show in Ohio, we were waiting for our turn in the ring, and began talking to a 10-year-old boy sitting in the bleachers. He described his beloved dog with great detail and told up that bringing him to a dog show would be so unfair for all the others because he would always win. His dog was unique and the best of his kind. His breed: “Brown Beagle.” Overtime whenever I think of the reason for breeding dogs—the joy in his eyes is the reason! KK: The funniest thing I ever saw in my ring was four Mal- tese in purple running around. WK: Many, many moons ago (back in the 1980s) when I was still showing the Westies we had bred, I was in the ring at our national specialty at Montgomery with “Tag”, Ch BIS Kilkerran D’Artagnan. After gaiting Tag, I was on the side watching some of the other Westies being gaited, not focusing entirely on Tag. While watching some of the other Westies moving, I happened to notice several people sitting across the way at ringside, laughing and pointing in my direction. I wondered what was so inter- esting and amusing in my general area, until I happened to look down and saw Tag using my leg as a fire hydrant to relieve himself. Just goes to prove the point— focus, focus, focus on the dog you are showing. JS: I find it amusing to watch the wardrobes of the exhibi- tors. Knowing the price of St. John’s ladies clothes, it tickles me to see on occasion when two girls show up wearing the exact same outfit after spending all that money, too funny! MU: I was on my way to the Westie ring at a Chicago show. My walking route to the ring took me past an obedience ring. There in the corner of the obedience ring was a Scottie and a Westie side by side in a very long down exercise. Their owners were out of sight. One could almost hear the nonverbal communication between these two Terriers, each daring the other to start a ruckus. Neither could tolerate this boring exercise any longer. Yep, both dogs broke rank and the fun began. There was a lot of excitement. No harm was done and yes, I was late arriving to the Westie ring.
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