4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? BJ: Yes, the type is stronger than in the past. They are sounder, teeth problems are fewer, and the size of the teeth have got- ten bigger and stronger. We still have too many undershot and overshot mouths. RM: Overall, dogs are better today than in the 1990s. Many breeders ignore the phrase in our standard, “forelegs that set well under” the dog. Breeders need to concentrate onmore than a typical head. 5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? BJ: You want a good picture of the whole dog; temperament, head, body, and soundness, not just the head. RM: New judges too often feel the need to get right in the face of a Chihuahua and talk simple baby talk to the dog. Chihuahuas have personal space and when a judge gets into this space, it is very of- fensive. Toomany times the judge brings on a reaction that causes this breed to be considered a nasty little character. 6. Have you ever weighed a Chihuahua in the ring? Have you had a question about a Chihuahua’s size, but decided not to weigh? BJ: Yes, I’ve weighed a Chihuahua. No, I’ve never decided against weighing. RM: Yes, I have weighed a Chihuahua in the show ring. I never simply guess if an entry is too big. 7. Have you had the opportunity to attend a Parent Club spon- sored Judge’s Ed Seminar? BJ: Yes, I have been to several seminars sponsored by the parent club. RM: For several years I was judges education chair. I have given the seminar for my breed multiple times. 8. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate. BJ: It is a wonderful breed. I am retired from breeding this breed. They are long-lived, sweet, and love their people. I love Long Coats to live with. I have two longs and one smooth girl that are middle-aged, so they should be around a while. They make won- derful pets, but can be a pain to show. They are not as easy to get them to show as it looks! RM: The Chihuahua is a big dog in a small package. A correctly as- sembled Chihuahua is capable of leading the Toy group. Chihua- huas do not need to be at the end of the line if they are capable of reach and drive. There should be nothing flashy about a good Chihuahua as he/she moves around the ring. Our standard calls for swift movement. For me, this means getting around the ring swiftly, not a front that is swift like a sewing machine. Fronts that are just up and down movements are disgusting. Reach for a Chi- huahua should bemuch like aWorking dog or a Sporting dog. This reach should be matched with a driving rear that propels the dog swiftly around the show ring. When I was actively showing dogs, I often got in line first. I have been asked by other exhibitors if I shouldn’t consider a place further back in the lineup. I have had judges suggest that I move out of the front position. My reply was always, “I’ll move if my dog holds up the line.”
“The Chihuahua is a big dog in a small package. A CORRECTLY ASSEMBLED CHIHUAHUA IS
CAPABLE OF LEADING THE TOY GROUP. CHIHUAHUAS DO NOT NEED TO BE AT THE END OF THE LINE IF THEY are capable of reach and drive.”
60 • T op N otch T oys , N ovember /D ecember 2020
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