TOY GROUP JUDGES Q&A
JEFF BAZELL
Register of Merit sires and dams. Also, I produced multiple Group and BISA winning Chow Chows, notably Ch. Tai Yangs Beefeater. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Toy Breeds? As form follows function, the function of Toys is to be decorative and amusing (plus some that exterminate rodents); these are quali- ties that I admire in Toys. I think, “Would this dog look good/be happy on my couch?” Does this dog “make me smile?” Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I have judged many Toy (and other breed) Specialties and Group Shows in the United States and worldwide. Pekingese assignments have included Peking- ese Club of America, multiple Pekingese Regional Club Specialties, and Specialties in Australia, New Zealand, England, and Canada. I am pleased to be sought-out as a “Toy Specialist,” known for having gentle hands, a friendly approach, and an appreciation of breed type. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presentation of these “table” breeds? I believe that Toys (any breed) should be of sound body and mind, with presentation combining this with breed-specific type and appropriate grooming. There is no reason why Toys should not be outgoing and self-assured; well-socialized and trained. They need to be happy in their surroundings. They should not be expected to be “stuffed animals.” Rather, they should be inquisitive, animated, and engaging—calm but fun! Some longtime exhibitors have “downsized” to Toys. In my opinion, has this had an impact on quality? The impact on qual- ity by judges/breeders/exhibitors from “larger breeds” can be posi- tive in that some bring to Toys a better understanding and value of structure and soundness. Look at the influence in the past decades of the Stacys and Beth Sweigert on the Affenpinscher breed, the Langseths (and more recently, Maripi Wooldridge) on Japanese Chins, and Karen Pricket Miller, Doug Johnson, and Jamie Hub- bard on English Toy Spaniels. Toys should be treated not as delicate and sheltered, but as “real dogs.” Toy Breeds can require special care. Do I have any advice to offer breeders, exhibitors, and judges? Toys, and really any dog, should be treated with respect and gentleness; they should be understood, but not coddled. With Toys, one needs to be aware of size/spacial differ- ences, and this needs to be considered in one’s approach. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Toy Dogs of the past? Today’s exhibits compared to the past… I think that most Toy breeds are well-represented in the show ring with (mostly) depth of quality and adherence to the Breed Stan- dards. Pekingese have been consistent since the 1950s when Ch. Chik T’Sun of Caversham made his mark in the show ring; some grooming trends, but basically the same make and shape. Japa- nese Chins are much improved over the past decades; sounder, for sure. Pugs have morphed into what I see as being “cleaner,” with less exaggeration. Why do I think Toy Dogs can become outstanding Show Dogs? Toys can be outstanding Show Dogs, as their major purpose is as companions. As such, they need to engage with people. They are works of art with charisma. Toys are often very good at “asking for it” with a soft, beguiling expression. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? Pekingese will always be part of my life. You live on shared terms with them; they are independent and not demanding. (You give one a toy and they say thank you, and then go off and play with it.) They are loyal and friendly to those they know; but can be a bit aloof (but tolerant) with strangers. They are very clean in their habits and (typically) are not destructive They do not bark without a purpose. Contrary to popular belief, their coat is very easy to maintain and they have few major health problems. Their mesmerizing eyes say it all—easy to share love. I’m smitten.
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I bred my first AKC registered litter while still a teenager living at home. I have been judging for over 30 years now and find it rewarding and relaxing, though the travel can be like falling down a rabbit hole. My husband, Jeff Kestner, and I live in southeastern Ohio in what is known as
the Hocking Hills region. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? St Johns has been a registered kennel name since my maternal grand- father was breeding Coonhounds and Foxhounds in the mid 1930s along St John’s Creek in southern Ohio. My paternal grandmother was a well-known Chow breeder, dating back to the breed’s height of popularity in the late ‘40s. As a family, we have bred over 300 champions in six different breeds through the years. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or parent club titles? To separate the Brussels Griffon out of the mix, we currently have close to 150 AKC champions, with another 240 titles around the world. We also have proudly bred about 30 per- formance titlists in the US and another 10 worldwide. Some of our best have included Ch. St Johns the Dog Faced Boy, Ch. St Johns Your Name in Lights, Ch. St Johns Maximus, Ch. St Johns Isn’t She Precious, and Ch. Winterfell’s Almost An Angel at St John, in Griffons. A lovely pair of Landseer litter brothers named Ch. Michael’s Boat of St John and Ch. Admiral Jack of St John made an impact on the Newfoundland breed before we sold our remaining Newfoundlands in Europe. I’ve also had a long history with many sighthound breeds, but most especially Greyhounds through a long relationship with Judie Donaldson of Kingsmark fame. Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I have judged many Toy Specialties around the world and enjoyed each of the experi- ences, and I look forward to doing even more. I have judged Special- ties for Shih Tzu, Italian Greyhounds, Pugs, Pomeranians, Poodles, Papillons, Maltese, Havanese, Cavaliers, Chinese Cresteds, Chi- huahuas, Japanese Chin, and Griffons, of course, and I judged the first Russian Toy Specialty before they became AKC recognized. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presentation of these “table” breeds? My best advice to anyone entering a Toy ring is to be aware of what you have on your lead. DO NOT RUN WITH TOYS! Every Toy must be shown at a breed-specific pace that does not over-work or over-move the dog. Chinese Crested are, indeed, to move a bit faster, but not so fast that the legs fly all over the place and make an otherwise beautiful dog look awful. Allow your Toys to walk into and out of the ring. Never clutch them over your heart, as this will make them as anxious as you are. Introduce them to loud noises and large dogs before making your show entry. Toys should drip confidence almost to the extent of being obnox- ious, if you really want a show dog. Do not over-correct a Toy or you will pay a price that will stay with them for years. When tabling a Toy, I much prefer picking them up and “dropping” them into posi- tion on the table in one smooth step. Many people try to re-position legs, and this usually makes things much worse than a simple one stroke maneuver of placing them from a floor stack to a table stack. Some longtime exhibitors have “downsized” to Toys. In my opinion, has this had an impact on quality? I feel that downsiz- ing to Toys from a Working, Sporting or Herding Breed can be quite helpful for understanding structure. All of my early Toy men- tors said that if you hear a Toy judge going on and on about great movement, you know one thing for certain... they know nothing
142 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2022
Powered by FlippingBook