father-daughter breedings over the last few years and they have been very rewarding. This is a close breeding and we have been lucky to have no issues come up as a result, but I think it will serve us well as breeders. We have high- ly concentrated genetics now and hope- fully it will help to set type of us. I have found this breed just can’t breed true, so we are breeding to dogs with simi- lar traits instead of family members. It is different than in the Clumbers where we know what to expect from the off- spring—not so with the Charlies! As for which dog is in the wings, we have a Black and Tan dog coming out next year that is super. I have great hopes for him. What is your pet peeve as a judge? My biggest pet peeve is the learning curve. It is sad how most people come to shows to win and not learn. We are all learning and this is an exchange of knowledge. I offer a unique opinion as a successful breeder of top-winning dogs in the sport. If I am judging your breed, I am offering an opinion on your dog that comes with years of dog knowl- edge. Trust me, I can tell you what I am looking for from your breed and can make breeding decisions on your breed with you. I have a vision and perspec- tive. I judge as if I am planning to do a mating, or searching for a stud dog or brood bitch. People need to come to get an opinion, win or lose, and learn from the process. Walking away before your breed is completed makes me the crazi- est. Also, Toys not in condition, under weight and coats in poor condition is not acceptable to me. entries have been up and doWn in recent years. What do you think Would increase Sadly, this is the new normal. I think Toy entries are solid and this is a direct correlation to their size. It is easier to get them to shows and house them— plus, less dog means less food. Owning Toys has its advantages for sure. I think we will see a resurgence of dog shows when the AKC redesigns the competition structure. It has never been easier to have a top winner. The pool is entries, or have dog shoWs seen their heyday?
“trust me, hAvIng A HAPPY, HEALTHY FAMILY OF GOOD DOGS to compete wIth Is fAr better thAn one wInner.”
over professionals. It is all about the quality of the exhibit and the condition on the day. Most Toy entries are filled with quality owner handled dogs. I don’t buy into the politics of the sport and believe that judges are looking to put up handlers. For the most part a quality dog will be rewarded. do you find some breeds of the toy group easier to judge than others? Certainly, Havanese are difficult to judge because of the variety of type, styles and shapes. It can be difficult to find the correct type when judging. That said, any entry of poor quality is difficult to judge. It is hard to make compromises on dogs who are filled with faults and lack basic virtues. you’ve had a remark- able career What’s next for doug johnson? Well, I have to stay at it and con- tinue to produce a healthy family of dogs to exhibit. I want to continue to engage people to learn about the sport of purebred dogs and how our work as breeders is preserving the breeds we are involved with. We must continue to breed and register dogs to keep the numbers up, continue to encourage new people into our sport and mentor them to become responsible breeders for the next generation. We all must actively seek out people to continue our path so our efforts do not end when we retire. I will continue in my quest to breed a third Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show winner! That would be a wonder- ful finale for me.
smaller and there are fewer swimmers. We need a revamping of the system and focus of our shows. Winning is fun, but producing better dogs is far more rewarding. TRUST ME, having a happy, healthy family of good dogs to compete with is far better than one winner. tell us about your favorite day as a judge. I have had many, but nothing com- pares to the feeling of judging Westmin- ster. My time judging the Hound Group was a thrill. The lights, the carpet, the crowd and the dogs made for such joy. It was a rewarding experience without question. But there are others, I did a rewarding Ridgeback entry. The judg- ing was such great fun with excellent dogs and at the end of the day the breed winner was the sire all of the winners you selected, and finally any and all of my assignments at American Spaniel Club were fantastic days. If you get to judge your favorite breeds at your favor- ite show, that makes for the best days of judging. What about your toughest day? The toughest was probably weath- er related, more than anything else. I judged a very cold day outside in west- ern PA that was tough. We were frozen to the core, but the show must go on! What does an oWner- handler have to do to beat the “big names”? Play smart. Show like a professional, keep your dogs in condition and pres- ent them correctly for their breed. I think the best judges prefer using own- er handlers or breeder owner handlers
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