BREEDING BETTER DOGS BEGINS IN THE WHELPING BOX NOT IN THE SHOW RING
by Sharon Masnick, Chris & John Heartz, Brenda Segelken, David & Carlene Gilstrap, Roxie Campbell, and Charlotte Creed
the decisions they make in the show ring promote the lameness problems in our breed.” I thought, “How many people agree with this statement and how many breeds do they think that about!?” So, I decided to elaborate on this sentence. As a judge, our main consideration is the dog’s conformation or overall ap- pearance, temperament, and struc- ture. We, as judges, are looking for characteristics that allow the dog to perform the function for which his or her breed was bred to accomplish. It is the responsibility of breeders to breed, train, and show sound dogs in all breeds—not just Pomeranians. All breeders should be able to screen for the difference between a show dog and a pet puppy. So, all breeders must study and know their standard and how to interpret it. Standards list doz- ens of required characteristics. The logic here is “pet quality” means that a dog is not a candidate for breeding or the show ring. So, limited registration can be used to prevent pet quality pup- pies from being bred or shown. Again, it is the responsibility of respon- sible breeders to focus on produc- ing healthy, sound dogs that meet the breed standard. It is the job of breeders to select only show dogs to go into the ring to be evaluated by judges. If you realize your dog has stifle problems, an incorrect bite, is long in body, has
incorrect angulation, incorrect shoul- der layback or other problems, then do not enter the dog in the show ring. Not every dog meets the requirements to be a show dog. It is not a judges’ re- sponsibility to breed and grade dogs to be shown to them. Breeders must step up and only allow sound dogs to be shown. If you want to breed bet- ter dogs, do not be afraid to seek help. Always strive with every litter to im- prove the quality. We all know there is not a perfect dog, but it is our goal to try; it takes years to establish a breeding program. Judges do need to be careful in their selections and, perhaps, withholding a ribbon when necessary or excuse any dog for lack of merit. Judges are on a schedule, but maybe they can ask the person to stay around for a while and perhaps a mentor could be suggest- ed. We want to encourage people to show dogs, not discourage them from showing dogs. In closing, breeders, be proud of what you breed and show. It starts with you and the whelping box. Judges can only evaluate what is entered and shown to them. I have asked several Pomeranian breeders and judges to comment on the article in hopes of improving the dogs being bred and shown. Their thoughts and ideas follow this article.
SHARON MASNICK My name is Sharon Masnick and I have owned a Pomeranian since I was 18. I began to be interested in the en- tire Toy Group when, for 17 years, I handled the advertising and editorial for Top Notch Toys . I resigned in 2011 to pursue judging. I am now happy to say that I can judge BIS, the Toy Group, Junior Showmanship, Aza- wakhs, Shetland Sheepdogs, and sev- eral Non-Sporting breeds. Recently, I read an article in the Janu- ary 2021 issue of Top Notch Toys en- titled, “Pomeranian Structure Equals Healthy Function.” Most of the article was educational, but one sentence just stood out to me: “It is apparent to me that we have let irresponsible judging lead to irresponsible breed- ing, and that judges are unaware that
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