THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER
WITH SHARON GRIFFON
5. What’s the most common fault you see when travel- ing around the country? The most common fault I see is fronts. 6. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? I think the breed is getting too tall and the breeders are losing the balance. 7. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are bet- ter now than they were when you first started judg- ing? Why or why not? Yes the dogs are better now. Coat texture and color have improved structure and health are also considered. 8. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? New judges look at coats, which is a Hallmark of the breed, but I think they miss a lot of structural faults because the coat hides them. The dogs should not bounce. Movement should be smooth and the topline should remain level. The coat should not move outward because the front feet are kicking it ( due to paddling). The long coat will hide a bad rear also. Toy dogs should be as structurally sound as any other breed .
I live in Michigan ,Lake Orion. A small town north of Detroit. I do a lot of sewing, reading and camping, whenever I have a free moment from the dogs. I’ve been married for fifty two years. I have four sons and fourteen grandchildren. In my other life before dogs, I worked as a registered nurse. I’ve had dogs my whole adult life, I got hooked on showing when I went to a dog show in the early 80s. I started judging in 2000 for AKC and now judge for several different registries and specialty clubs. I’ve been raising and showing Yorkshire Terriers since the 80s. I’ve also finished two Brussels Grif- fons and a Chihuahua. Over the years I’ve owned many other breeds including a Borzoi, German Shepherd, Poodle and Cocker Spaniel. I love to judge and educate the public about my breed.
1. Describe the breed in three words. Feisty, beautiful and balanced.
2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? The traits I look for first of all is type, topline and movement. 3. This tough little dog surprises people with his spir- it in and out of the ring. Do you ever see shyness in the Yorkie ring? Sometimes a dog is shy,do to how it was exposed,or lack there of, to different experiences as a puppy. 4. Color is so important in judging the Yorkie. Are you happy with the shadings and coloration you see around the country? Overall ,I think the color has improved.There is not so many really light dogs or cottony black coats.
9. And, for a bit of humor: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show?
Funniest thing that ever happened at a dog show was I was judging a single in the class. As the exhibitor was walking around the ring her slacks rolled down to her knees. It shocked me so much I stopped judging and tried to find her a safety pin.
418 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , S EPTEMBER 2018
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