WITH KIM AND TIM DELANEY AND ANNETTE DIDIER
AD: Educating breeders and judges alike on what is correct as pertaining to structure, movement and type I find as one of our greatest challenges as breeders since many breed standards, Beagle’s included, is too subjective leaving room for personal interpretation. The guidance of a good mentor who is well respected in the breed can assist you in the clarification of any unclear specifics. 4. Advice to a new breeder? Advice to a new judge of your breed? K&TD: We would say to anyone new to the breed: figure out what type of Beagle you like; strike up a friendship with someone who has years of knowledge and experi- ence in the breed; and listen to what they have to say. Have a mentor—it will be invaluable to you. Listening is key. So often newbies come along and it’s as if dog shows started when they arrived. There is much to learn if you are willing—and not from only Beagle breeders but, breeders of other breeds can be a wealth of knowledge: from whelping and breeding advice, to training and handling. If we were to give a new judge advice about judging Bea- gles, we would say learn to measure properly. Our breed has a height disqualification and if you are unsure that the dog in your ring is within the allowed height, then measure. Don’t say to the exhibitor, “I loved your dog, but couldn’t put him up because he looks too big,” and not measure him. We will not be offended if you measure our dogs. Breeders would much rather have their dogs measured than dismissed because you “thought” they “WATCH OTHER BREEDS WHILE BEING JUDGED WHICH, IN TURN, HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND OUR OWN BREED ON A MULTITUDE OF LEVELS.”
were not correct size—and please learn how to measure correctly, placing the stick on the shoulder. AD: Advise to a new breeder is to understand basic confor- mation/structure/type as it applies to the breed standard. Always keep an open mind and never stop learning. Seek advice from the reputable/seasoned breeders. Watch other breeds while being judged which, in turn, helps us to understand our own breed on a multitude of levels. Attend field trials as often as possible to observe the Beagle in action. Never stop learning! Be appreciative of all those breeders, past and present, who have provided us with the breeding stock from which we’ve derived our current day breeding programs, as we owe them a debt of gratitude for all their dedica- tion to the breed. It has taken me the course of nearly 40 years to tweak my breeding program to achieve what I have today. Therefore patience is key! A multitude of thanks goes to those who have contributed in varied capacities along the way. Obviously, we don’t do this breeding “thing” alone! Advise to a new judge of Beagles is, again, know basic conformation/structure/type as it applies to the breed standard. Please, please, please do not judge Beagles as Terriers, Beagles are not a straight-fronted breed! Evalu- ate the entire Beagle beyond the color/markings as any true hound color is acceptable including the open marks, various pieds (compounded of white and the color of the hare or badger), blues, tans, reds, lemons, etc. Be fair and choose wisely, in doing so you will garner insurmount- able respect in the long run. Please do not judge a breed you are unfamiliar with, all too often these judges have a
An adorable tri-color Beagle puppy!
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , O CTOBER 2017 • 221
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