TOY GROUP JUDGES Q&A
“Not advice for breeders or exhibitors, but there is no need to be heavy-handed as a judge.”
Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I have judged a lot of Chihuahua Specialties as well as being selected to judge their National Specialty. I have judged the Japanese Chin National Spe- cialty, Regional Manchester Terrier Specialty, and Specialties for Poms, Paps, Affens, Brussels Griffons, Cavalier KC Spaniels, Chi- nese Cresteds, Havanese, Maltese, Poodles, Shih Tzu, and Yorkies. I am about to judge the Regional for Min Pins and Russian Toys! Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presentation of these “table” breeds? I suggest that you hold on to the lead, or the dog, when you have them on the table, and please don’t stuff food in their mouths when the judge is trying to look at the mouth or head. Some longtime exhibitors have “downsized” to Toys. In my opinion, has this had an impact on quality? Yes, it has had an impact in a good way. They bring to the table different ideas and they don’t seem to “baby” their dogs as much as Toy people do. The quality has very much improved, though I can’t say that this is what has done it. I just think people have finally gotten very picky. However, Toy people are very good with their hands, and it takes people from other Groups some time to figure out how to do this. Toy Breeds can require special care. Do I have any advice to offer breeders, exhibitors, and judges? Not advice for breeders or exhibi- tors, but there is no need to be heavy-handed as a judge. I would suggest getting a person to let them be touched on the arm, like you judge, so that they can tell you if you may be too heavy-handed. This is the number one complaint I hear all the time from friends. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Toy Dogs of the past? Quality has really improved. Foods are better than in the past and conditioning is better. Bites are better overall. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? A Peke! They are slower, like me. They are indepen- dent, sweet, and easy to live with. I had some years ago. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story that I can share about my experiences judging the Toy Group? In Columbia, Missouri, years ago, I was judging Chinese Cresteds and in comes a young girl, tall and pretty, with the biggest feet I had ever seen. I could not look at the dog for looking at her gigantic feet! She was wearing men’s basketball sneakers. Dumb me said to her as she is putting her dog on the table, “Are those your shoes?” to which she answered, “Yes.” I said, “I thought they might be your boyfriend’s shoes, ‘cause they make your feet look huge.” She said, “My feet are huge!” I wanted to crawl under a rock. I just said a flat, “Oh.” ADAM STAFFORD KING I started in dogs twenty-two years ago when I was given a Havanese puppy for Christmas from his breeder, Rita Stern. I handled him to his championship quickly as a novice owner-handler, and was imme- diately smitten with the breed. A second Havanese from Rita was added not long after, and she would become the founda- tion for Askin Havanese. Since that time, I have bred over 30 champions in a rela- tively limited breeding program, with several more currently well on their way toward their titles. I have been a member of the Havanese Club of America (HCA) for over twenty years and currently serve on the Judges’ Educa- tion, Illustrated Standard, and Health committees. One of my
proudest accomplishments is being instrumental in revamping and revitalizing the Judges’ Education presentation, which is available as a webinar on AKC’s website. In addition to the HCA, I am a member of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA), Miniature Bull Terrier Club of America, and the Kennel Club of Yorkville, Illinois. Professionally, I am a veterinary ophthalmologist and practice in Chicago. I currently judge the Toy Group as well as six Sporting Breeds, fourteen Terrier Breeds, three Non-Sporting Breeds, and Junior Showmanship. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? After growing up in southwestern Indiana and bounc- ing around the country for my education, I settled in the far west- ern suburbs of Chicago, in Elburn, Illinois. Being a former junior handler myself, I started judging in 2006 when I became a Junior Showmanship judge. I began judging Havanese in 2017, and have since been approved for the entire Toy Group as well as a smattering of Sporting, Terrier, and Non-Sporting Breeds. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? My original breed is Havanese, which remains my passion, and I con- tinue to breed under the Askin prefix. In addition to Havanese, I have also been involved in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers for the past 18 years and, more recently, English Toy Spaniels and Miniature Bull Terriers. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or parent club titles? The biggest winning dog that I’ve bred is GCHG Askin Steppin’ To The Bad Side, owned by Dr. Ernest and Lynn Curtis and handled by Andy Linton throughout his career. “Thunder” excelled in head type, outline, and movement, and was a multiple Group and Specialty winner. An up-and-coming dog that I’m very excited about is GCHB Askin Backstage Romance. In limited showing, “Christian” is already a Specialty winner with multiple Group placements in competitive Groups. In the whelping box, without a doubt, the most notable dog I’ve bred is CH Askin Breakfast at Tiffany’s ROM. “Holly” is the single puppy produced by the bitch I owner-handled to BOB at West- minster (CH Los Perritos When Sparks Fly). Holly produced eight champions, five of which are Group placing (including two Group winners), and is behind every current Askin Havanese. The two bitches I kept from her have also proven to be important produc- ers, each producing a BOW/BBE at a Havanese Club of America Regional Specialty. While I don’t participate in any companion events, several Askin Havanese have excelled at Rally, Obedience, Agility, Trick Dog, and Fast CAT. Havanese are generally excited to do anything with their owners, and so can make excellent competitors in a vari- ety of canine sports. I have owned or produced two HCA ROMX sires and owned or produced three HCA ROM bitches. I have also earned the title of HCA Breeder of Distinction. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Toy Breeds? While not every Toy Breed is a “head” breed per se, a really beau- tiful head and expression in any breed is the cherry on top of the sundae for me. Maybe it’s because, as a veterinary ophthalmologist, I spend all day looking at dogs’ faces? Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I’ve been fortunate to have been invited to judge several Havanese Specialties in addi- tion to Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Papillon, Poodle, and Pug Specialties. I’m extremely excited to have been elected to judge the 2022 Havanese Club of America National Specialty.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2022 | 151
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