TOY GROUP JUDGES Q&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 po- sition 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 downsizing to Toys from a Working, Sporting or Herding Breed can be quite helpful for understanding structure. All of my early Toy mentors said that if you hear a Toy judge going on and on about great movement, you know one thing for certain... they know nothing about Toy type. I agree with this wholeheartedly. Not so long ago, I had a woman approach me after judging some really nice Pekes. She’d beaten all the good ones that moved with the correct rolling gait and put up what she felt was the best mover. This dog had an exaggerated nose roll obstructing the nostrils, but it did move well, though with no roll at all, a breed character- istic. I am not saying to ignore movement, but if it is all you can see, perhaps stay with a breed that requires absolute soundness and ability to run all day. Toy Breeds can require special care. Do I have any advice to offer breeders, exhibitors, and judges? Aside from some of the heavily coated dogs, I do not find that Toys require special care outside of simple things that we should all know innately. Do not drop them, they may break. Do not allow them to overheat or freeze, their size comes into play with both extremes of weather. And, do not overfeed them as you will dramatically shorten their lives. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Toy Dogs of the past? I have been in and around Toy rings
for my whole adult life and they have always been tough. Breed win records still stand from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s in several Toy Breeds. Why do I think Toy Dogs can become outstanding Show Dogs? A Toy Dog with spirit can be the very best of Show Dogs, but Toys can be dramatic, and push their handlers to the limit. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? I have shared my life at home with wonderful Griffons, and hopefully this love for the breed will continue for years. I have been fortunate to have judgedmany of the very best Toys that this country and Eu- rope have exhibited for the last 30 years, and I have special memories of each of them; dogs that dripped with breed type and the details that make a Toy Dog a great one. ARLENE CZECH Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any perfor- mance or parent club titles? No performance titles, but five sequential Dams of Merit and two Dogs of Merit. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Toy Breeds? I admire the attitude of “I’m here… I’m the best.” Then, I look for the details. Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I’ve judged many Toy Breed Specialties. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presen- tation of these “table” breeds? Yes, practice at home first. Some longtime exhibitors have “downsized” to Toys. In my opinion, has this had an impact on quality? Quality does not depend on size. Toy Breeds can require special care. Do I have any ad- vice to offer breeders, exhibitors, and judges? I have only one suggestion: Judges, approach the table to examine with hands down, and chuck under the chin. Don’t spook them. This next comment isn’t “special care,” but become famil- iar with the Standard; refer to it if needed. Where do I live? Howmany years in dogs?Howmany years as a judge? I have 62 years in dogs, judging for more than 50 years. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? My origi- nal breed is the Papillon. My ken- nel name is Coquina, appropriately named after the butterfly sea shell. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Toy Dogs of the past? Overall, they have made vast im- provements in faults, with corrections in breeding. Why do I think Toy Dogs can become outstanding Show Dogs? Toys are, first of all, SHOW dogs and it’s natural for them to become outstanding. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? Papillons… and that’s obvious.
“TOYS ARE, FIRST OF ALL, SHOW DOGS and it’s natural for them to become outstanding”
T op N otch T oys , M ay 2022 • 29
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