TOY GROUP JUDGES Q&A
Toy Breeds can require special care. Do I have any advice to offer breeders, exhibitors, and judges? Because care dif- fers frombreed to breed (coats significantly differ inmany), my answer about getting a good mentor and learning what is proper is the same here. Inmyopinion,howdotoday’sexhibitscomparewiththeToy Dogs of thepast? I think they comparewell, especially inmy breed, Cavaliers. Why do I think Toy Dogs can become outstanding Show Dogs? Because most Toys bond strongly to their people, they tend to have a good time in the ring and enjoy the time with their person. This is so important to success in the show ring. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? No question, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story that I can share about my experiences judging the Toy Group? Better leave my stories out of print! CATHY GISH Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I live in Henderson, Kentucky. I got my first show dog in 1969. He was an Afghan Hound. I started judging in 2005. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? My original breed is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, under the affix of Flying Colors. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any perfor- mance or parent club titles? Ch. Flying Colors Maxima is a notable dog, but really there are so many special notable dogs over all the years. I am the first person to finish all four colors in AKC and the first and only person to breed cham- pions in all four colors, in the original parent club. No per- formance titles, but many Best in Showwins at the old club. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Toy Breeds? The qualities that I most admire are size and cuteness. Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I have judged specialties in Cavaliers, Poms, and Chihuahuas. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presen- tation of these “table” breeds? Train your dogs to free-stack so that you don’t have to get on your knees. Some longtime exhibitors have “downsized” to Toys. In my opinion, has this had an impact on quality? I’m not sure about large dog breeders in Toys now, but I do see a lot of changes in the Cavaliers—and it is not for the better. They are not supposed to have a huge, heavy coat. And the heads are so extreme now, with domed heads and low set ears. Ear-set is supposed to be high to make the slightly domed head appear flat. Ears are to fan forward and frame the face. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Toy Dogs of the past? I think breeders have worked on
structure and movement, and these have improved, but it can be different from coast to coast. Why do I think Toy Dogs can become outstanding Show Dogs? With proper breed type, structure, movement, and attitude, any dog can be an outstanding show dog. It’s hard to get it all right. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? I love the Cavalier. They are so laid- back and are not yappy. I have also shown and bred Chinese Cresteds and they are very affectionate and funny dogs. They have the ability to make their handler look absolutely stupid by not doing what they should do. Sometimes, they absolutely have a mind of their own and are very stubborn. NANCY SMITH HAFNER Chief Engineer of Heat Pumps to design. I applied to judge my one breed, Poodles, in 1997 and I judgedmy first assign- ment in January 1998. What ismy original breed?What is/wasmy kennel name? My original breed is the Miniature Poodle in brown, black, and apricot colors. My kennel name is Apogee, in a partner- ship with Monroe McIntyre of Daktari Miniature Poodles. So, our kennel names were Daktari Apogee Poodles. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any per- formance or parent club titles? In Miniature Poodles: Ch. Daktari Apogee Halston, Ch. Daktari Apogee Jarvas, Ch. Daktari Apogee Capezio, Ch. Daktari Apogee Macho, Ch. Daktari Apogee Sabrina, Ch. Apogee Daktari Lyca Corn- flake, Ch. Apogee Daktari Arina, Ch. Apogee Daktari Arinna, Ch. Daktari Apogee Dakota, Ch. Daktari Apogee Allura, and Ch. Daktari Apogee Arabica. For me, in this time period, I was credited with 77 Min- iature champions. In those 20 years, we always had one or two among the Top Ten winning Miniature Poodles, with Top Producing Sires and Dams yearly. Where do I live? Howmany years in dogs?Howmany years as a judge? My late husband and I moved to the small town of Tuscumbia, Alabama, inMay 1987. I sold my boarding and grooming kennel in Nashville, Ten- nessee, as my husband took a job as In Toy Poodles: My first All-Breed and SpecialtyWinner was Ch. Apogee Daktari Conspiracy, a black bitch, along with her litter sister, Ch. Apogee Daktari Coppatina. These were from an accidental breeding to a black Baliwick dog that climbed a six foot chain-link fence and bred a small brown Miniature bitch of all Miniature breeding! These were my true beginning foundation bitches in Toy Poodles. (AsMaxineBearn once toldme, theBESTToys she showed came down fromMiniature breeding!) No performance titles for me. I went to my first training classes in Obedience in 1970... we graduated in the class,
32 • T op N otch T oys , M ay 2022
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