TOY GROUP JUDGES Q&A
TAMMY JACKSON
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I am originally from Philly, but I have been in New England for over 20 years and I currently live in Bris- tol, Connecticut. I have been in the dog show world for over 36 years. I started judging in 2002, so 20 years, roughly. What is my original breed? What
but that just wasn’t for me! However, many Poodles we’d sold went to performance homes. It’s always about any- thing a Poodle can do—and does—that makes it is a great representative of our breed. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Toy breeds? I admire their type and soundness... many breeds are head breeds. Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? Yes, several, and it’s always an honor to be invited. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presen- tation of these “table” breeds? Training! Get themout while young, and practice... and feed them outside the ring! Some longtime exhibitors have “downsized” to Toys. In my opinion, has this had an impact on quality?No, a quality Poodle of any variety is always type and soundness. Condi- tion and showmanship doesn’t change! Just takes less time to groom! Toy Breeds can require special care. Do I have any advice to offer breeders, exhibitors, and judges? Toy breeds are not for the weak at heart! We have smaller litters, broken legs, C-sections, mothers without milk for two days or more... one must know how to tube feed or bottle feed... and we have ONLYONE INCH to choose from, 9 to 10 inches; one or two pups and, if you are lucky, one might get three pups. Each color in Poodles needs six to eight bitches for breed- ing. Breed before two and they are over by five to six years of age. They live to be 14 to 17 years of age. So, lots to take care of in any Toy breed’s lifespan. I have bred, more or less, one hundred champions and finished many more for Ianthe Bloomquist of Baliwick Toy Poodles. I showed her first Toy Dog, Ch. Baliwick Mystic Warrior, in 1985. In 2019, I finished four champions for her that year. Our friendship has been a lifetime, since 1985 thru today. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Toy Dogs of the past? I think, today, we have more in type than in the 1970s. Why do I think Toy Dogs can become outstanding Show Dogs? They love to please... love the attention… and they love being special, away from home. If I could share my life with only one Toy Breed, which would it be and why? I am a Poodle breeder for nearing fifty years... Poodles make one laugh every day! They are great entertainers. But seriously, they can also be your best friend; great guard dogs... they bark!
is/was my kennel name? My original breed is the Shih Tzu. I predominantly handled, and only bred a few litters of Shih Tzu, (Delago), Pekingese, Chinese Crested, etc. I have lived and worked in Poodle, Min Pin, Chihuahua, Bichon, Lhasa, andMini Schnauzer kennels, to mention a few, lol. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any perfor- mance or parent club titles? I bred several Shih Tzu cham- pions, and showed at many National Specialties. What are some of the qualities I most admire in the Toy Breeds? For me, personally, I am in awe by the versatility of Toy Breeds! Regardless of the original function of each Toy Breed (some used as ratters, some as “ merry monarchs” or royal members of dynasties, even working functions, etc.), when it comes to the ultimate companion dog and the abil- ity to “read” human emotion, the Toy Breeds are uncon- tested! (Okay, I may be a little biased, lol.) For me, person- ally, I have been blessed to watch Shih Tzu work with me as part of therapy teams for children with autism, veterans, outpatient mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, etc. These animals have made unprecedented changes in so many people’s lives, and the convenience of size allows for therapy work with very physically fragile individuals who may be confined to hospital beds and adaptive equipment. Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? Yes, I have been honored to judge many Toy Breed Specialties, and in June, I am exceptionally honored to judge one of the ASTC (American Shih Tzu Club) Regional Specialties. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presen- tation of these “table” breeds? First and foremost, you don’t need to have, nor should you ever have, heavy hands on a Toy Breed—whether a judge or exhibitor. With the excep- tion of certain heavily coated breeds (Shih Tzu, Peke, Mal- tese, Yorkies, etc.), a judge can see structure on the move! But even with the above-mentioned coated breeds, exami- nations for structure and headpieces that may be “groomed
“FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I am in awe by the versatility of Toy Breeds!” T op N otch T oys , M ay 2022 • 33
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