TOY GROUP JUDGES Q&A
vous “cover handler” for a top Toy Dog approached me and asked if they could keep back in the Group line in hopes that the dog’s regular agent would be able to get to the ring in time. Naturally, I allowed this and, eventually, only the Pekingese and this dog with its cover handler were left for me to judge. It was agreed the Pekingese would go ahead. After the table exam, I jokingly told the Pekingese handler to go all the way out and back and to please take their time, which caused a big laugh and which the Pekingese han- dler graciously did, obliging the cover handler. Turning to the last dog standing, I said, “I’m sorry, the waiting is over. There’s no one left at all, not even the Pekingese.You’re up!” Happily, the dog moved perfectly for the cover handler and we all had a good laugh. In conclusion, you know it’s time to face the music if you’ve waited to go after the Pekingese! TERRI LYDDON get a dog specifically for me and would ask at shows which breed I liked most. This had my parents frustrated, I am sure, because I picked out a Yorkshire Terrier and a Ber- nese Mountain Dog. My mother quickly nixed the Berner because of size. She asked me again about a pet of my own and I told her it was between a Yorkie and a white bunny rabbit with a pink nose. I giggle about their sense of humor when what I got for Christmas was a cream Chihuahua with a pink nose. Our family showed in AKC conformation, and my broth- er and I also showed in Junior Showmanship. I trained and showed a Long Coat Chihuahua and a Smooth Fox Terrier to their AKC Companion Dog titles. I was also a member of 4-H for 10 years, participating in the Dog Care program. I became a full-time handler in 1988 and amember of the Professional Handlers Association. I finished a dog in most of the Toy Breeds and some of the Non-Sporting Breeds. I finished well over 100 championship titles on Chihuahuas and 70 Shih Tzu champions. I traveled with fellowhandlers who showed breeds other than I did. I believe that being ex- posed to many other breeds gave me a balanced education in dogs. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? Currently, I live in Rocheport, Mis- souri. It is a very small town west of Columbia, Missouri, by 12 miles. I have been involved with dogs for 55 years now. Granted, some of those were when I was a child. Our family began breeding and showing AKC registered Basenjis in 1967. In 1969, we joined the Co- lumbia Missouri Kennel Club. But our success turned out to be in Chi- huahuas, which we started showing in 1970. My first Chihuahua was a Long Coat, and she came to me via Santa Claus. My parents wanted to
Breeding, training, and showing the dogs was a family ac- tivity. Belonging to a 4-H club and FFA, I had my dogs as a club project for both. At the end of 1999, I applied to judge. I was approved by AKC to judge in the spring of 2000. During my 22 years of judging, I have traveled all over the United States and to four foreign countries. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? Currently, I breed Miniature Dachshunds (Long and Smooth). I have had Dachshunds since January 1, 2005, and my kennel name is Kurzbeinig Kennels (al- though they are all in my house). Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any perfor- mance or parent club titles? My highest honors were with two Smooth Coat Chihuahuas. One was winning the Na- tional with Ch. Dartan’s Pirate Blackbeard, and the other was winning the National the following year with his son, Ch. Jo-El’s Drummer Boy. I also won several all-breed Bests in Show with “Drummer.” 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 something 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 formost of them. They are always tabled for exams—also an advantage. Re- ally, there is so much to love in the Toy Group. Have I judged any Toy Breed Specialties? I have judged Nationals for Chihuahuas, Japanese Chins, Papillons, Pe- kingese, and Yorkshire Terriers. Can I offer any advice to exhibitors regarding the presen- tation of these “table” breeds? Preparation is key for pre- senting a Toy breed on the table. Judges do not enjoy chas- ing 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 ShihTzu 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 ex- hibitors downsize from larger breeds to a Toy Breed may bring a different perspective to a breeding program. For ex- ample, if the exhibitor comes from breeds for which move- ment 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 ad- vice 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.
42 • T op N otch T oys , M ay 2022
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