TOY GROUP JUDGES Q&A
“All breeds kind of go through peaks and valleys in their overall quality.”
SHARONMASNICK
What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Toy Breeds? I love the Toys because of the diversity of the breeds. There is some- thing for everyone within the Toy Group. There are smooth-coated breeds for those who don’t want all the grooming. There are very long-coated breeds for those who enjoy the cathartic brushing activity, and there are breeds in between. There are active breeds and some not so active. And the Toys can be scooped up to take along anywhere you want. Toys don’t take a lot of space, unless you have many, and when you show them you do not have to get on your hands and knees for most of them. They are always tabled for exams—also an advantage. Really, there is so much to love in the Toy Group. Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I have judged Nation- als for Chihuahuas, Japanese Chins, Papillons, Pekingese, and Yorkshire Terriers. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presentation of these “table” breeds? Preparation is key for presenting a Toy breed on the table. Judges do not enjoy chasing the dog around while going over them on the table. And while some breeds do not require a lot of hands-on for the table examination, such as the Min Pin, others need to be examined thoroughly. The Pekingese and the Shih Tzu first come to mind for a thorough examination. Some longtime exhibitors have “downsized” to Toys. In my opinion, has this had an impact on quality? Having exhibitors downsize from larger breeds to a Toy Breed may bring a different perspective to a breeding program. For example, if the exhibitor comes from breeds for which movement is important, they may expect that of their Toy Breed as well. I like this because soundness and movement are important to quality of life. Toy Breeds can require special care. Do I have any advice to offer breeders, exhibitors, and judges? I feel that some Toy Breeds are pushing to be too large. Cavaliers and Cresteds are two that I think are getting too large. Cavaliers are just getting too large. Crested are getting too coarse. The very first line of the Crested standard reads, “General Appearance: A toy dog, fine-boned, ele- gant and graceful.” Food for thought. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Toy Dogs of the past? I have seen some very nice Chihuahuas in the past few years. All breeds kind of go through peaks and valleys in their overall quality. Chihuahuas are currently on a peak, while Papillons and Havanese are somewhere in the middle. I can find something in each breed that reflects proper breed type. The big ears, and where they are set, are important for breed type in the Papillon. The cor- rect topline for Havanese is hard to find. I am using this directly from the standard: “The straight topline rises slightly from the withers to the croup.” I see a lot of level toplines and a lot of drop- off just before the tail. Again, quoting from the standard: “The tail is high-set and arches forward up over the back.” These are just a few of my observations in the Toy Breeds. Why do I think Toy Dogs can become outstanding Show Dogs? Toy Breeds can and do become outstanding Show Dogs. You can train them almost anywhere. You can take them with you almost anywhere. And many of the breeds take hours of grooming each week, which allows for a lot of human interaction daily. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? If I had to choose only one Toy breed, that would be difficult. It would be a Chihuahua or a Shih Tzu—but it would have to be a pretty one!
I grew up on a cattle and horse farm in Missouri. My family was never without a dog. I have bred several champions in Pomera- nians, Pekingese, Shiba Inu, Japa- nese Chin, Chihuahuas, and Toy Fox Terriers. I pursued judging 11 years ago and can now judge BIS, the Toy Group, several Non- Sporting Breeds, Azawakhs, and
Shetland Sheepdogs. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I live in South Carolina near Myrtle Beach. I have been a judge for 11 years. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? My original breed was the Pomeranian. My kennel name is Golden Aires. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or parent club titles? Notable dogs include Ch. Golden Aires Moon- walker ROMX, Ch. Golden Aires True Reward, Ch. Golden Aires Show Me Show Me, Golden Aires Wallace Jr. ROMX, Grand Ch. Ben Aires Moonchipper, and a Pekingese, BIS BISS Grand Cham- pion Ben Aires Razzmataz. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Toy Breeds? I admire their Big Dog attitudes in small bodies, their loyalty, and their beautiful, cute antics. They are easy keepers, requiring small equipment and a small area to house, Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I have judged Spe- cialty Shows for Chinese Cresteds, Pomeranians, Cavaliers, Pugs, Havanese, Pekingese, Toy Fox Terriers, and several Toy Dog Clubs. In October, I have the honor to judge the Chihuahua National. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presentation of these “table” breed? Be sure to train your dog at an early age and be sure to socialize. To prepare them for a table exam, it is helpful to have several people go over your dog while on the table. Some longtime exhibitors have “downsized” to Toys. In my opinion, has this had an impact on quality? No, but their experi- ence and knowledge has been helpful and healthy for the breeds. Toy Breeds can require special care. Do I have any advice to offer breeders, exhibitors, and judges? Do not select a heavy-coated breed unless you are willing to do the work to maintain a healthy coat. Also, realize that they may not work in a home with small chil- dren. Judges need to know how to properly examine the Toy Dogs, especially the correct way to pick up a Pekingese and the proper way to check bites on the different breeds. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Toy Dogs of the past? I feel there is a lot more grooming and trimming being done. Why do I think Toy Dogs can become outstanding Show Dogs? They are small, have great attitudes, love people and attention, and travel easily. They also have the desire to please. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? Since I have had a Pomeranian since I was 18, my one breed would be the Pomeranian. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story that I can share about my experiences judging the Toy Group? As I was going down the line for a last look before making my placements, I had a dog move out from the line, self-stack, and look at me as if to say, “I am the one!”
162 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2022
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