The dog show magazine celebrating the Toy Group of dog breeds - featuring articles, tips, and information provided with help from breeders, owners, handlers, club members, and judges.
© HOLLOWAY
BIS BISS GCHG BK’S CONEMARA EL CID CIDNEY
MBIS RBIS BISS GCHG ANABELLE BEAUTIFUL
ACCOMPLISHMENTS • PCA SILVER BUTTERFLY (TOP WINNING OPPOSITE SEX) FOR 2020 AND 2021 AND SO FAR, IS THE TOP WINNING FEMALE FOR 2023. • FIRST AWARD OF MERIT IN 2022 PAPILLON NATIONAL. • SELECT BITCH FOR 2022 WESTMINSTER. • BOS AT ROYAL CANIN/ NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2022. OUR SINCEREST APPRECIATION AND THANK YOU TO ALL JUDGES WHO HAVE AWARDED ANABELLE.
OWNED BY JENNIFER ABLE-JONES & JOHNWESLEY JONES BRED BY OKSANA PETROVA HANDLED BY CLINT & KAREN LIVINGSTON
*AKC ALL BREED STATS AS OF 3/31/23
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PAP I LLON ALL BREED* A TEAM TO WATCH ANABELLE, CLINT & KAREN #3
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MULTIPLE GROUP PLACING GCHS EDELWEISS Sting Like A Bee
bred & owned by KATHY KNOLES exclusively handled by CHRISTA COOK assisted by MARINA ROSE All Breed * # 4
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*
*AKC stats as of 3/31/23
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Thank you to all the Judges who helped us get here, and Group judges who believed we were worthy. MARIE FORSELL & RICK BERNIER Forse of Nature
GCHG CH SUNRISE DRAGON
PRODUCER OF CHAMPIONS
& COUNTING
GCH Wu Me
GCH Jia
CH Jade
CH Shang
GCH Tia
GCH Lng Lng
“AS YOU THINK, SO SHALL YOU BECOME.” TAO PEKINGESE.COM | 651-417-8041 | MINNESOTA
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BRUCE LEE & Marie
NUMBER ONE BREED 2022 *
#10 ALL BREED * *AKC stats as of 12/31/22
GOING FOR GOLD! Achieved the last show of 2022!
Thank you judges Betty Nelson Pollock, Jean Nelson and Carolyn Taylor, (Not Pictured Caralyn A. Herbel, Claudia Seaberg, Gloria Kerr, Richard Miller, Linda Hurlebaus, Nancy D. Simmons, Elizabeth Muthard and Tempest Deptuch)
TAO PEKINGESE.COM | 651-417-8041 | MINNESOTA
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CONTENTS TABLE OF
TNT
AJ ARAPOVIC CEO & Publisher aj@aramediagroup.com Office 512-686-3466 ext. 102 Cell 512-541-8128 HANIFA ARAPOVIC Vice President hanifa@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 104 Cell 512-541-8687 MICHAEL R. VERAS Chief Operating Officer michael@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 101 ALEXANDRA GEBHARDT Chief Marketing Officer, Head Of Digital Brands alex@aramediagroup.com 1-908-288-7733 SAMANTHA ADKINS Production Co-Ordinator Advertiser Relations samantha@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 103 DANIEL CARTIER Director, Social Media & Web Site daniel@aramediagroup.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR MEEGAN PIEROTTI-TIETJE
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12 Westminster Kennel Club Dr. Donald G. Sturz 14 Ribbons & Rosettes Susan Thibodeaux 18 Living With Havanese Joan J. Ambrose 22 A Junior’s Journal Alessandra Wagner 26 The Bubble Stephanie Hunt-Crowley 30 Crufts: For the Very First Time Lynn Partridge 34 The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: One Judge’s Approach Dr. John V. Ioia, MD, PhD
49 The Papillon Arlene Czech 53 Living With the English Toy Spaniel Tom O’Neal 56 A Masquerading Maltese Started It All! Ingela Gram 58 The Silky Terrier: A Breeder’s Perspective Pam Laperruque 61 Rates 62 Index to Advertisers
Customer Relationship Manager meegan@showsightmagazine.com call/text 512.593.5517 SOCIAL MEDIA ELMA BEGIC Manager, Social Media & Creative Content elma@aramediagroup.com 1-512-686-3466
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TOP NOTCH TOYS is published twelve times per year by AraMedia Group, Inc. PO Box 18567, Tampa, FL 33679. Postage paid at Omaha, Nebraska. No part of this publica- tion may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the editor. The opinions expressed in this publication either editorially or in advertising copy are those of the authors and do not necessarily constitute en- dorsement by the publishers. The editor reserves the right to reasonably edit all copy submitted. All articles become the property of the publishers. Subscription price for third class service in the United States: $75.00. Canadian and U.S. First Class: $110.00. Overseas rates upon request. In- quiries to: Michael R. Veras, COO, AraMedia Group Inc., PO Box 18567, Tampa FL 33678512 686 3466 ext 105 or michael@aramediagroup.com.
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BIS BISS GCHG BK’S CONEMARA EL CID CIDNEY
# 1 BREED & ALL BREED * SMOOTH COAT CHIHUAHUA *AKC STAT AS OF 3/31/23
OUR SINCEREST APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO JUDGES FOR THESE SPECIAL WINS. GLEN LEJESKI, ZELL VON POHLMAN, KEIKO SHIMIZU (CIDNEY’S FIRST TIME IN THE RING AT 6 MONTHS AT THE SCCC SPECIALTY, A 5 POINT MAJOR), CAROLINE ALEXANDER, RICHARD MILLER, MR. TIMOTHY CATTERSON, RAY FILBURN, DR. IOIA, JOHN WADE, DENNY MOUNCE, MRS. VICKI L. ABBOTT, & MR. JOE C. WALTON
OWNERS & BREEDERS: BARBARA K. (KATHY) SMITH & CONNI M. ROBINSON
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WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB DR. DONALD G. STURZ PRESIDENT
3. How has your experience as an exhibitor, judge, analyst, and co-host of Westminster’s live tele- cast prepared you for your newest role? Having experienced Westminster through a variety of roles has provided me with a uniquely diverse and well-rounded first-hand perspec- tive. This will serve me well in supporting the club and the staff in the planning and prepara- tion for each event. Westminster has had to piv- ot several times over the years to accommodate a variety of factors necessitating changes in venues and dates. However, the club never fails to create the Westminster magic. 4. Do you have a personal Westminster memory that encapsulates what this show means to purebred dog breeders, owners, and exhibitors? We all have so many Westminster memories! The excitement of just showing a dog there is the most universal one. The flood of memories shared by breeders, owners, and exhibitors on social media is a testament to the significance the show holds within the sport. Over the years I, like many others, have memo- ries of the joy and exhilaration of wins and the disappointments of dreams unfulfilled. Per- sonally, I never forget the anticipatory anxiety I have experienced every year regardless of the way in which I participated. No other dog show generates the intensity of that feeling for me because of the importance Westminster holds for me. 5. How do you envision the future of Westminster and the sport of dogs? I am optimistic about the future of the sport of dogs. There are certainly challenges of which we need to remain mindful, but all are sur- mountable through commitment and vigilance. Adapting, remaining relevant, and engaging new participants will be key for sustaining the future of the sport. Westminster will always be a beacon within the sport of dogs. It will always steadfastly cham- pion excellence in purpose-bred dogs and cel- ebrate the essential, unbreakable bond of love between humans and dogs.
Dr. Donald G. Sturz, WKC President (left), and David A. Helming, WKC Co-Show Chairman
TNT congratulates Dr. Donald G. Sturz as he begins his new position as President of Westminster Kennel Club. 1. You are following in the footsteps of Westminster’s notable leading men, including Peter Van Brunt, Chester (Chet) Col- lier, and William Rockefeller. How does it feel? When put in those terms, it is incredibly humbling. I have tre- mendous respect for the many great leaders who have been in this seat. I am committed to carrying on the well-established traditions that are associated with Westminster Kennel Club. It will be important to pursue continued evolution while maintaining the essence that sets Westminster apart as the world’s premiere dog show event. 2. As a New Yorker, does the club’s iconic show hold special sig- nificance for you? I consider myself extremely fortunate to have grown up with the iconic Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as my “local” show. I haven’t missed a single show in the past 50 years. It’s an ingrained part of me and I am extremely grateful to have had the magic of Westminster set the standard of excellence for me throughout my life.
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RIBBONS & ROSETTES A HOARDING SITUATION?
I ’m a hoarder. I’ll admit it. But I don’t hoard everything. It’s ribbons. And ro- settes! Whether its Fourth Place or Group One, I am thrilled to get it. And I keep it. I keep all of them! With more than forty years of showing, I now have boxes and boxes of rib- bons and rosettes. I have my first ribbon from 1978. My Cocker Spaniel was third out of three at the Montgomery Kennel Club dog show. The ribbon, along with the judging program and arm band, is in a scrapbook. I started with photo albums and scrapbooks to hold the ribbons, but then I won some rosettes and they didn’t fit neatly in scrapbooks. So, I got memory boxes. Now some rosettes hang on my walls and on my wall unit in the living room. Some don’t have a clip in the back to hang them, so I have to find other ways to display them or they go in a box. I’ve been intending to get my Winners Bitch photo from the 1984 AKC Centennial Show, with my Vizsla “Lola” and judge Jane Forsyth, framed with the rosettes we won. Lola was my first AKC cham- pion. The rosettes and win photo are still waiting in my wall unit where my hopes that someone would have them framed for Christmas never happened. My Westminster BOB and BOS rosettes are there too, patiently waiting for me to frame them. My National Specialty BOB rosettes, thankfully, were al- ready framed or they’d be hanging next to the BOS rosettes on the wall unit— not everyone’s idea of décor if you watch HGTV. So, yes, in addition to being a ribbon and rosette hoarder, I’m a procrastinator. But I do love the ribbons and rosettes. Each one has a memory and an achieve- ment associated with it. Some are special because we won them in different countries when we lived overseas. Many of those dogs are no longer with me.
By Susan Thibodeaux
‘Ricky’ and Susan
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I also added to my ribbon collection when my dad passed away. When he was young, he raised Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, primarily to hunt with. He did occasionally take them to the ring though, and after he was gone we found ribbons from the 1950s. He had carefully wrapped them in wax paper. I cherish them even though I’ll never know the dogs he took into the ring. So, I was quite surprised at some shows this past year when I discov- ered that not everyone feels about rib- bons the way I do. I am always happy to help folks who need someone to take a dog in the ring when they have scheduling conflicts, or a dog takes a class or goes Winners, and an exhibi- tor needs an extra set of hands to take it in. So, after helping a variety of peo- ple and then handing them the ribbon and being told they didn’t want it, I was a bit surprised; especially by the handlers as I had assumed they would provide them to the dogs’ owners. Now, mind you, they weren’t refusing to take them or throwing them on the ground or in any way showing poor sportsmanship. Some ribbons that I tried to hand to them when I gave back their dog were for quite good placements. The handlers responded to me that they just don’t keep the rib-
bons anymore. Several shared with me that they don’t even keep the rib- bons to give to the owners. Years ago, when I was young and helped handlers, they stapled copies of the catalog pages and the ribbons to the invoice when they mailed them ev- ery month. Owners got every ribbon. So, I’ve been asking around and it seems quite a few people don’t want to keep up with the ribbons they’ve won. I did some reviewing of contracts on various professional handlers’ web- sites and the majority state that the
owners get all the ribbons and priz- es. However, a few stated that if the owner wishes to have ribbons kept and given to them, they must inform handlers prior to the dog’s first show. Then I asked on social media for ex- hibitors’ feelings about ribbons and rosettes. I am relieved to discover that I am not the only ribbon hoarder! Of the more than three hundred com- ments received, the majority stated that they keep them. Some stated they only keep the prestigious awards, and some, when ribbons won have become too many to keep, donate them to 4H and youth groups. My favorite was the donation to school librarians to give to children to use as bookmarks. There were some people who shared photos of beautiful quilts and wreaths they had made to display their dogs’ wins. I haven’t the talent to do those. I’m not “crafty.” (I’m happy to sew a button and have it stay.) But seeing those photos gives me ideas. As I’m a procrastinator, however, the ribbons will probably stay in boxes for the foreseeable future. But I do love ribbons and rosettes— the fancier the better. I dream of one of those really big Best in Show ro- settes… If I ever am lucky enough to get one, it won’t go in a box!
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Diamond Stars Maltese Huge thank you to honorable Judges: Mr. Larry C. Abbott, Mrs. Vicki Abbott, Mr. Edd Bivin, Mr. Lawrence C. Terricone, Mrs. Alice M. Watkins, Mrs. Toby B. Frisch, Diana L. Skibinski, Deirdre Petrie, Mr. Raymond V. Filburn, Dr. Valeria Rickard, Gloria Kerr, and Mrs. Christie Martinez for honoring our pups.
Facebook.com/diamondmaltese
GCH CH CHACA’S RICHIE LOVE AT DIAMOND STARS TKN
WKC BOS winner #3 NOHS Maltese * #1 Grand Champion in NYS NOHS Best In Show Multiple Group placements Multiple OH Group 1 Winner Owner Handler: Natalya Ignatyeva Breeder: Cathy Bailey
GCH CH DIAMOND STAR’S DUCHESS OLIVIA GRACE
BOS Specialty winner #3 Maltese Breed **
Finished her Championship with all 5 point majors, limited showing and during AKC Nationals week. Earned her Grand Championship in 2 show weekends.
Breeder-Owner: Natalya Ignatyeva Handlers: Luke Ehricht and Diane Kijowski Ehricht
*AKC NOHS stats 2022 **AKC breed stats as of 3/31/23
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LIVING WITH HAVANESE By Joan J. Ambrose
(A version of this article appeared in the August 2012 edition of SHOWSIGHT.)
T he first word most people would use to describe living with a Ha- vanese is: Fun. My dogs have also opened new worlds for me. When we got our first Havanese in 1999, we had no idea how much this little dynamo would change our lives. We were introduced to dog shows, breeding, Delta Therapy dogs, Obedi- ence, Agility, and hilarious antics. Her name was “Hanna,” CH K.B.’s Star of Havana. Another thing people say about Ha- vanese is that they are like potato chips; you can’t have just one. Hanna introduced us to the dog fancy and to dog shows. However, we were lonely when she was away at shows. So, our family was joined by our darling “Tig- ger,” CH Los Perritos Star of Varade- ro. He was the happiest and gentlest soul. Like Will Rogers, he never met a man he didn’t like. Although a Cham- pion at a young age, he found his niche as a Therapy Dog. I have tremendous respect for the work so many of these little dogs do as Therapy Dogs. Patients love their soft, silky hair and happy demeanor. They have the most uncanny aware- ness of the various situations, and seem to know just what to do. Living with Havanese brought us to our next great experience; breeding. We listened carefully to our breeder and studied every aspect. The re- sult was our GCH Shallowbrook Starlet O’Hanna. She grew up a bit and went into the ring like the super- star she always believed herself to be! She was a Specialty and Best in Show winner. Havanese are called Velcro dogs. They follow you everywhere; not to demand attention, just to be near you. They don’t like to be left behind. They can open zippers, jump most barriers, and figure out how to work
a swinging door. I even had one that could climb a fence. They adapt eas- ily to travelling in carriers, and on a plane they are good under the seat. Each has special qualities. One of mine did back flips to express joy. One “talk- ed,” and had a very extensive range. Some hide favorite toys, some hide fa- vorite treats. So, look behind the cush- ions on the sofa! Another thing people notice about living with Havanese is that they sleep in all sorts of positions. Mine often sleep upside down on their backs. They curl up in unusual places too, and like having a pillow under their heads. I think they watch us! They wear costumes without com- plaint. One owner said, “What is it about these dogs? They put on a cos- tume and go to a party like it is the most natural thing in the world!” They love to dance and to jump. You need to be careful when they are young as they can injure themselves. It is a wonder that any of them have in- tact patellas; they lead their lives like a flying squirrel! What are the problems? Well, house- breaking must be done consistently. After six months [they are] good as they are mature enough to “wait.” If puppies are allowed to roam around when they are small, and have acci- dents, it is more difficult to really fix it later. They do get bored. When teaching tricks or obedience, they will “get it” pretty fast, especially if it is fun. So, don’t do too many repetitions or yawning will commence. Paper is a favorite toy. If you have a low roll of paper towels, drop a Kleen- ex or have toilet paper within reach, you may find that they have made con- fetti. Fast too! Havanese are usually healthy. Good breeders try to keep it that way with frequent and extensive health testing.
Some Havanese have a strong attachment to babies and small children.
The Havanese Club of America has conducted a Health Survey to know of any issues. All in all, this is a happy, fun-loving, affectionate, and gentle breed. They are beautiful and they make us laugh with their antics. They have opened wonderful new worlds for me. What could be better? With their enthusiastic athletic ability, Ha- vanese are now making their mark in Agility.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joan Ambrose was born and raised in NYC.
She attended the Brearley School and Columbia University. Joan now resides in Key Biscayne, Florida. She has been the President of the Havanese Club of America, from 2010 through 2014, and a Board Member of the Progressive Dog Club (NYC).
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GCHG KALLMEE THE AERIALIST
2022 & 2021 #1 TOY FOX TERRIER*
152 BESTS OF BREED 30 GROUP PLACEMENTS—6 OF THEM GROUP 1S! 2021 NATIONAL SPECIALTY BEST OF BREED 2020 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BOB
2021 MORRIS AND ESSEX BOB 2022 NATIONAL SPECIALTY BOS 2021 WESTMINSTER BOS (TO HIS LITTER SISTER GEMMA) MULTIPLE SPECIALTY BESTS
INTRODUCING
KALLMEE A HEART OF GOLD N FIRE
TWO WEEKENDS – 12 POINTS WITH BIG MAJORS AND BOB OVER SEVEN SPECIALS. 7 MONTHS OLD – THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE! T R E A S U R E
SUSAN AND STEVE THIBODEAUX KALLMEE—HOME OF EXCEPTIONAL DOGS SINCE 1978, COCOA, FL
*AKC STATS AS OF 2021 & 2022
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A JUNIOR’S JOURNAL ALESSANDRA WAGNER
My name is Alessandra Wagner. I am 15 years old. I live in Ne- braska and have been showing dogs since I was four years old. 1. Where do you live? Where do you go to school? I live in Seward, Nebraska, and go to Seward High School. 2. Do you have any hobbies or interests apart from pure- bred dogs? Do you have a job? I am involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA). I used to show rabbits in 4-H and hope to show my dogs and sheep in 4-H this year. 3. Have you grown up in a doggy family? What is your breed(s)? I’m very lucky to have grown up in a dog family; my mom has been showing dogs since she was nine years old. Our breed is the Toy Fox Terrier (TFT), but I show Chihuahuas for my mentor, Sue Sunnenberg, who’s like a grandma to me! 4. How were you introduced to Junior Showmanship? When did you start competing? I was introduced to Juniors by my mom. I started showing in Casper, Wyoming, on my ninth birthday. 5. What do you remember about the first time you showed as a Junior? I remember being extremely nervous about it, and winning third out of a hard class with my dog, “Charlie.” 6. How do you prepare your dog and yourself for the ring? Any rituals? Any good luck charms? I get my dog out 10-15 minutes before we show to help us calm down our nerves because we both can get nervous. 7. Do you have a mentor in the sport? Have you assisted any Professional Handlers? Being raised in a dog family, I have my mom who’s like a mentor. Sue Sunnenberg, who’s helped me get better at showing and with my grooming skills, has become like a grandma to me! I’ve helped a few handlers at shows, and I’ve learned a lot from them. 8. What do you think about the Judges? Do they seem to enjoy the Juniors ring? I think the judges are very kind people. All the judges I’ve shown to have seemed to enjoy what they are doing. There would be no dog shows if it wasn’t for them and their hard work!
9. Are there any wins for which you are particu- larly proud? Any memorable losses? One win that’s been the most memorable is go- ing Best Junior Handler at my first Toy Fox Ter- rier National! Another memorable win was going Select Dog with my Juniors dog at the Toy Fox Terrier National in 2022! I can’t think of any memorable losses. 10.How is your breed shown? How do you accen- tuate your dog’s breed type in the ring? My breed’s movement is smooth and flowing, with good reach and strong drive. The topline should remain straight, and head and tail carriage erect while gaiting. I show my dog on a loose lead and let him go to the end of his lead. Most of the time I have him free-stack, but when he wants to be a “turd” I get on the ground and hand-stack him.
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11. Is your breed generally well-suited for a Junior Showmanship career? My breed is not a typical Juniors dog. Normally, I am the only Junior at a show with a TFT unless my brother is showing one. 12.Have you bred or co-bred a litter? If so, can you share what you’ve learned from the experience? I had my first two litters that I co-bred last year. That felt like a major accomplishment. I can’t wait to hopefully have a litter this year and get the chance to possibly show one in Bred-By! 13. With so many “low entry” breeds, what are your thoughts on breed preservation? I feel breed preservation is very important, especially be- cause I own and show a low entry breed. 14. Are there any breeds that you would love to show but haven’t shown yet? I would love to show a Doberman Pinscher. 15. If you could choose only one breed to live with forever, which breed would it be and why? I would choose a Boxer, even though they are complete “dorks.” We got one back in July and I’ve been in love with the breed since! 16. Can you share a word or two about your relationship with your current dog? What does s/he mean to you? My dog is my absolute best friend. He’s been there for me since the day he was born at my house! 17. What are your goals for the future? Do you see yourself continuing in the sport once you’ve aged-out? I hope to graduate college with a business degree, assist a pro- fessional handler for 3-5 years or until I feel comfortable to become one myself, and also open a grooming shop. 18. Is there a funny story that you can share about experi- ences as a Junior Handler? I cannot think of any.
“I HAD MY FIRST TWO LITTERS THAT I CO-BRED LAST YEAR. THAT FELT LIKE A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT. I CAN’T WAIT TO HOPEFULLY HAVE A LITTER THIS YEAR AND GET THE CHANCE TO POSSIBLY SHOW ONE IN BRED-BY!”
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Avalon GCHG Ch Avalon & Snopekes Happy Days TS37887702
Invited to Westminster!
*AKC breed stats as of 3/31/23
Bred & owned by Louise & Donald Putzback Handled by Ellen & Matt Perry, Team Perry Sire: Ch. Snopekes Ace of Spades Dam: Ch. Jenkar’s La Femme Nakita
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THE BUBBLE WE NEED FRESH EYES ON THE FUTURE
By Stephanie Hunt-Crowley
T he dog world is in a time of crisis, but how did we get to this point? I have been thinking about this for a long time and it has to do with generations, but not the ones people think about. It was not the generational divide created for market- ing purposes using birth years on a calendar, but the generations of dog show people of all ages according to their entry into the dog world. This has been the most influential factor as to how they think and feel and whether they stayed and succeeded or gave up and left. It affects how people see the dog world today, what they believe, how they behave, and what their goals are. I place dog show people into the following “generational” groups. First are those who became involved in the first 30 years after WWII; the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. This includes both those who did so of their own volition, and those who were born into a dog show family. Next came the people who joined the ranks in the 1980s and 1990s, then from the late 1990s until today. Each group was influenced and mentored by the generation prior. Some received positive advice—some, not so much! Even today, “old” ideas are being passed down way past their time, when mentors tell newcomers “that is what I was taught!” Up until the middle of the 20th century, people in the dog world were always positive and looking towards a brighter future. Dog shows were fun and included a great deal of socializing. Wars and economic issues were interruptions and obstacles, but they were always an outside influence while dog people kept their eyes on the future. I know from my own experience in the 1960s that many ser- vicemen and women were posted to the United Kingdom, bought puppies there, and became involved in the dog show world—which continued upon their return to the United States. One notable
EACH GROUP WAS INFLUENCED AND MENTORED BY THE GENERATION PRIOR. SOME RECEIVED POSITIVE ADVICE— SOME, NOT SO MUCH! EVEN TODAY, ‘OLD’ IDEAS ARE BEING PASSED DOWN WAY PAST THEIR TIME... 26 • T op N otch T oys , M ay 2023
FIRST THERE WERE BULLETIN BOARDS AND FORUMS, THEN E-MAIL LISTS AND CHAT GROUPS, AND KEYBOARD WARRIORS DOMINATED. BREEDERS BECAME INCREASINGLY CRITICAL OF OTHER BREEDERS, AND IN SOME BREEDS, NEWCOMERS WERE ACTIVELY DISCOURAGED.
person was the late Lt. Col. Wallace H. Pede who, upon his return to the US, became a successful breeder/exhibitor of Afghan Hounds and went on to become an internationally known all-breed judge. Clubs created breed newsletters, and shows like Westminster and Crufts were packed with for- eign visitors. Nobody had a clue that the biggest threat was on the horizon—the rise of the animal rights movement. In the 1980s, the animal rights activism increased and the animal rights activists became more vocal and stronger. In the US they made dog breeding a target, with a national campaign against commercial breeders described as “puppy mills.” That name was very effective and was embraced by the general public, and by the dog show world. Twenty years later, it has been used online by one breeder against another. We often hear about the large kennels of the past, but they have not existed for several decades. From the 1960s through the 1980s, the bedrock of the show dog world was the breeders with between 10 and 15 or 20 dogs. Through the ‘90s and into the 21st century, their numbers were dropping as many aged-out and retired, and others were faced with newly crafted zoning regulations. By the end of the ‘90s, the Internet had arrived and became a major influence. First there were bulletin boards and forums, then e-mail lists and chat groups, and keyboard warriors dominated. Breeders became increasingly critical of other breeders, and in some breeds, newcomers were actively discouraged. At the beginning of the 21st century, more people became aware of the animal rights threat. Lawsuits by various ani- mal rights organizations and foundations had attempted to have all breeders in the United States become subject to the Animal Welfare Act. You could call it the perfect storm. With the diminishing number of active breeders, and new- comers being turned away at the gate, the number of people able to fight back was also decreasing, and people coming into the dog world at that point were faced with a diver- gence of opinion. My hope at the time was that more of the new people would see what was happening and help the dog world as we had known it to survive. There were those who were aware of the goals of the animal rights movement, and others who were doing their best to protect their own interests. Those
who were in favor of all the increased controls demanded by the animal rights movement would say, “If you’re not doing anything wrong, it will not hurt you!” Anyone who opposed the legislation would be attacked. The question was—which side should the newcomer believe? Who would they believe? The 21st century has seen new people coming into the dog world who would receive a lot of push back from old, estab- lished breeders who simply wanted to protect their own in- terests. At the turn of the century, the newly popular e-mail groups saw breeders, who rose up through the ‘80s and ‘90s, tearing down those who had been active since the ‘60s and ‘70s. Bragging rights were granted to those who could claim that they had bred the least. This did vary from breed to breed, as it always depends on who is at the top. Where the people at the top wanted to see new people in the breed, newcomers were helped and supported—and so were their existing breeders. In other breeds, they were terrified of losing their place in the sun and did everything they could to discourage newcomers and warn them against existing breeders who were their competition. There has been much discussion about the future, and that Juniors and young people are our future. Encouraging them is a good thing, but will they still be involved 20 years from now? What we need “today” are the 40-somethings and 50-plus empty nesters who could be active for the next 20-plus years, married, single or divorced, and who have a home of their own. These are the people who could be show- ing dogs starting this year and for the next several years. Some could become breeders, but others will continue to buy their next show puppy from an existing breeder. They will join clubs—and they will be willing to work for them. Clubs should not continue to ignore pet owners. Their next dog or the one after that could be a show dog! In the mean- time, that new pet owner will happily handle the raffle tick- ets or refreshments at a show, as they will not be focused on watching what goes on in the ring. They can also monitor things like pending legislation that will affect all dogs, their owners, and their breeders. If we are to change the status quo, we need to use fresh eyes on the future.
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bred by KAREN MARIE & BRIELLE MARIE DUPRAT owned by BRIELLE MARIE DUPRAT & KAREN MARIE DUPRAT co owned with BILL & PAULA FRAZIER & JANE CHAVEZ exclusively breeder owner handled by: BRIELLE MARIE DUPRAT assisted by KAREN MARIE DUPRAT
Thank you to all of the Judges that have found and awarded this Team in their rings. We look forward to watching the year progress and all the things they accomplish.
WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB, 2020 & 2022 AWARD OF MERIT
MULTIPLE BEST OF BREED & GROUP PLACEMENTS
In 2 weekends on the field Fenway was awarded the following placements Rhode Island Kennel Club BOB, BOS, Best in Junior Showmanship Long Shore Southport Kennel Club BOS, BOBOH, NOHS Grp1, NOHSBIS Springfield Kennel Club BOS, BOBOH, NOHS Grp1, NOHSRBIS South Windsor Kennel Club BOS, BOBOH, NOHS Grp1, NOHSRBIS
MNOHSBIS, MNOHSRBIS, NOHS Silver, GCHB Meadowview N Angelheart’s Adorabull Field Of Dreams
Sire AKC MBISS, MNOHSBIS, MNOHSRBIS, GCHP2, ANGELHEART N ADORABULL’S MOOSE ON THE LOOSE “MOOSE” Dam AKC, MBPIS, GCHS, DEVITA’S BREAKING ALL THE RULES AT MEADOWVIEW “MONROE”
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(FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME) IG EXHIBITOR TRAVELS TO THE UK AND COMES HOME WITH A CC
By Lynn Partridge
T he butterflies in my stomach turned into GRASSHOPPERS as the days led up to my first trip to Crufts. Not only was it my first time flying with a dog (in cabin), but it was also my first time overseas. What dog competitor doesn’t dream of showing at Crufts, right? It’s only THE WORLD’S BIGGEST DOG SHOW. Holy Cow! I’m really going to do this... EEEP! QUALIFYING, PREPARING, BOOKING— AND PACKING To qualify to show a dog at Crufts, Americans have to win a BOB, BOS, SD, SB, AOM, WD, WB, Best BBE or Best Veteran at either a breed’s National Specialty or at the AKC National Championship Show in Orlando. Each country has different qualifying requirements. I was entered, prepared, flights booked, and packed. My Italian Greyhound, “Vibes,” was trained to be comfortable in her airline carrier (aka, the “Bye Bye Bag”) and had been examined by the vet for her USDA health papers for overseas travel. I overpacked, as usual. My suitcase weighed exactly 50 lbs. (too heavy); I’d need to leave space to bring home souvenirs! Do I really need 16 pairs of underwear for seven days? Only four pairs of shoes? The weather forecast for the UK is SNOW?!!! PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES—AND A BOAT Flying direct into England is complicated with a dog, so most American competitors fly into Paris, France, or our destination, Dublin, Ireland, then make their way to England. On Tuesday, Vibes and I departed from our nearby airport in Greenville, South Carolina, and flew to Toronto, Canada, to meet my best friend, Dini, and her dog, “Mojo.” Fortunately for me, Dini is a world traveler and attended Crufts last year, so I was in good hands. Vibes handled the first flight well, despite a BUTT CLENCHING 30 minutes of really rough turbulence from strong winds as our plane approached Toronto. We went to baggage claim and found my shiny new blue suitcase, then followed the herd through Canadian customs and decla- rations. Hard to hustle while pushing my suitcase, pulling the rolling dog carrier, negotiating escalators, and keeping track of
Crufts Judge Russell Hodges (left) , Dini Westman & ‘Mojo’ (center) , and Lynn Partridge & ‘Vibes’ (right)
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*
**
*AKC NOHS stats 2023 and as of 3/31/23 **AKC all breed stats 2022
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my passport, all while trying to find the In- ternational Departures checkpoint to meet Dini for our next flight. (We made the gate time by the skin of our teeth.) Our 8-hour red-eye flight departed over two hours late. It was packed and too uncomfortable for me to sleep. Next time, I’ll spend a bit more money on a roomier seat. Wednesday morning, 25 hours into the jour- ney, Vibes was perfectly content throughout just chilling in her carrier. We took a taxi to the ferry (which was actually a SHIP) and we sailed for four hours across the Irish Sea to Wales. We rented a car, then drove “on the wrong side of the road” to Ruthin Castle Hotel (yes, it’s a real castle) in Denbighshire, North Wales, where, after 36 hours of travel- ing, I could finally sleep in a bed. SNOW, SPAS, SHOPPING— AND A SIDENOTE On Thursday, we awoke to a 4-inch blanket of snow, which shut down all the roads in the UK (just like when Georgia gets snow). The hotel clerk said that it hadn’t snowed that much in 25 years! So, what do you do when you get snowed in? You have high tea and a castle spa day, of course! On Friday, the snow had melted from the roads and it was time to drive through the scenic mountains and sheep-covered coun- tryside to Birmingham, England, where Crufts is held. We stayed three nights there at the Bromwich Castle (because castles are cool and they allow dogs). A 15-minute taxi ride to and from the show site was cheaper than paying for parking and the long walk. On Saturday, nothing could have prepared me for the IMMENSITY of this place. To help give perspective, many of us have been to the AKC National Championship Show in Orlan- do, Florida, right? The AKCNC is America’s largest show, with 5,000 to 6,000 individual dogs and 30-plus rings. Crufts had 19,000- plus dogs entered, with the breeds spread out over four days—ALL BENCHED—with six to 12 huge rings in each of the five giant halls. And each hall was packed to the gills with SHOPPING HEAVEN! What torture it was to restrain myself by limiting my purchases to what I could somehow squish into my suit- cases without going over the weight limit! SIDENOTE: If you are a “foodie,” the UK’s cuisine will be mighty disappointing unless you want to eat fish and chips for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
FANS & FRIENDS, AND A FATHER-DAUGHTER SHOWDOWN It’s Show Time!
Sunday morning, we made our way to our assigned benching area where many people came by to greet us and talk. I would introduce myself and they’d say, “Oh, we know who you are. We know Vibes, too. Dezi is look- ing good. When is “V” having puppies again?” It was pretty “neato” to travel over the ocean and meet some fans. Meeting all kinds of nice peo- ple is the best part of dog showing for me. At 9 a.m., the show began. My friend’s dog, “Mojo,” won the Dog Chal- lenge Certificate (kind of like our Winners Dog)! Then my girl, Vibes, won the Bitch Challenge Certificate. WOO-HOOOO! In the UK’s show system, just the two CC winners compete for Best of Breed. So, our two North American Italian Greyhounds were center stage in a father- daughter showdown. SURREAL! I felt like a proud mom as I cheered and cried tears of joy watching my friend represent our beautiful breed in the Toy Group ring. We flew back home ON CLOUD NINE! I’m already hoping to compete next year with a different dog. Going to Crufts only once in a lifetime just isn’t enough for me.
‘Mojo’ (left) , Crufts BOB Winner, and ‘Vibes’ (right) , Crufts Bitch CC Winner
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THE CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL ONE JUDGE’S APPROACH
by Dr. John V. Ioia, MD, PhD
here are three words that should come to mind when de- scribing our breed: Friendly, Elegant, and Graceful. T The “must haves” for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are fairly simple. If not for its beautiful head and expression, coupled with a gay, active, and friendly demeanor, the Cavalier would be a generic spaniel. The Cavalier Breed Standard makes this clear in describing that the tail shall be “in constant motion when the dog is in action.” This illustrates the happy nature of our breed.
Coming at you, the front legs should also be straight and true; they should not be out at the elbows or exhibit paddling.
In profile, the balance of the dog should be obvious, making an elegant picture from nose to end of tail in one flowing movement, with proud head carriage and good arch of neck, good reach, and making good use of the hindquarters. When approaching a Cavalier, you want to be met by a sweet, melting expression. This comes from large, dark brown, lustrous eyes set well apart and with good cushioning under those eyes. While the skull is slightly rounded, the ears, when alert, should appear to flat- ten the skull as they fan forward to frame the face. This adds to the expression. The muzzle completes the picture and should be broad, slightly tapering, and the bite should be scis- sors. For me, a level bite is acceptable if it does not detract from the overall appearance. An undershot is a no-no!
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Stonebridge Wild Thing TIMBEAR CREEK RBIS GCHB CH
OF TOYS The King + Gait - Hackney like, reaching, drives strongly from rear + Well balanced + Compact + Sturdy + Short and strong loin + Square + Back level or slightly sloping + Eyes full, slightly oval dark + fearless animation + Spirited presence + 11 1/2"
OWNER/HANDLER Connie Timmerman timbesrcrk@gmail.com
OWNER Barb Erb bearbar4@gmsil.com
BREEDER Tom Alexander toma2home@yahoo.com
T op N otch T oys , M ay 2023 • 35
depth of chest, nice prosternum, and proper layback of front assem- bly with matching rear. This assembly will provide proper reach and drive with a level side gait and correct, level tail carriage to com- plete the picture. While Cavalier breeders strive for a nice layback of shoulders (40- 45 degrees), the reality is that many specimens are more upright. This will be apparent both on the table and as soon as you watch side gait. I love to see a front reach extending to the point of the nose. Similarly, the rear angulation should match to balance the dog, and once again, movement will expose correct or incorrect structure. There are many good to excellent specimens in the ring today and the breed continues to improve. I do, however, see some is- sues. With popularity comes large numbers. With large numbers comes some disparity. The Cavalier is a Toy Spaniel, and I am con- cerned when I see some very large or coarse specimens winning. The Cavalier is a “moderate” dog, and anything overdone should be avoided, whether it is size, coat, bone, heads, or eyes. An impor- tant issue to Cavalier breeders concerns the eyes. A tiny amount of white in the inner corner may be acceptable, but white around the eye is unacceptable. Similarly, light brown eyes ruin the warm Cavalier expression. The manner in which Cavaliers are being exhibited is also impor- tant. The Cavalier is a natural breed, with many accomplished own- er-handlers and professionals in the ring. I am concerned that ex- cessive grooming, sculpting, and trimming, plus an over-abundance of coat, are becoming all too common. The ACKCSC reminds judg- es in their education program: “Specimens where the coat has been altered by trimming, clipping, or by artificial means shall be so se- verely penalized as to be effectively eliminated from competition.” I need to remind judges that there are only four acceptable colors for the Cavalier: Blenheim, Black and Tan, Ruby, and Tricolor. All other colors are to be disqualified. This is made clear in the recent revision to our Standard. Like so many other breeds, colors outside our accepted four may be accompanied by health concerns attribut- able to the gene pool. Finally, an issue which is extremely important to our breed and to the sport relates to Junior Handlers. The Cavalier is to be shown naturally and free-stacked. The American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club is proud of our Junior Handlers, our program, and their accomplishments. A Juniors Judge should never ask a Junior Handler to hard-stack their exhibit. This is incorrect and our Ju- niors know better.
A judge must remember the roots of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and its history. This is not an English Toy Spaniel or “Charlie,” which is a de- lightful breed in its own right. Remember that it was Roswell Eldridge (an American) who, in 1926, sought to re-establish the breed as depicted in the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century paintings. Those dogs were depicted as having a “Long face, no stop, flat skull, not inclined to be domed and with the spot in the center of the skull.” A Cavalier must not appear to have a domed skull or deep stop. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel must have good A lovely young female head in repose (top); a young female (bottom), alert, and the Blenheim daughter of the Tricolor on the top.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. John Ioia has a 50-year history in AKC activi- ties. He began judging in 1982 and now judges all Toy, Terrier, and Non-Sporting Breeds, Best in Show, and Junior Showmanship. He is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder and has been active in Conformation, Rally, and Therapy Work. Dr. John V. Ioia, MD, PhD bonefixr@gmail.com American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club: https://www.ackcsc.org
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Vaiden SHIH TZU
Jennie
CH. VAIDEN’S LOOK AT ME
Ch. Winterholmes Luv is ALL You Need x Vaiden’s Just One Look
Breeder/Owner: Deborah Vaiden On Day 2 of the Shih Tzu National Regional Specialty, our girl, Ch. Vaiden’s Look at Me “Jennie”, won WB and BOS finishing her championship in style! (Pending AKC) Special thanks to judge Vicki L. Abbott for this honor. Many thanks to Diane Ehricht for showing her to perfection!
CH. VAIDEN'S DARK SECRET Ch. Wenrick's Believe in the Art of Illusion x Vaiden's Fancy That Expertly presented by Diane Ehricht Secret Breeder/Owner: Deborah Vaiden
CH. VAIDEN-SHORELAND’S A MILLION REASONS Ch. Vaiden’s Gaga Lover at Shoreland x Shoreland’s Beautiful Believer Expertly presented by Diane Ehricht Russell Breeder: Ed Schott Owner: Deborah Vaiden T op N otch T oys , M ay 2023 • 37
A Lifetime Devoted to Dogs
L. Sarah Lawrence
Sun Canyon 1959-1986 Chatterbox 1986-Present
Sarah’s career with Shih Tzu began in 1968 when she was one of the first to show them in the Miscellaneous classes and helped to get them officially recognized by the AKC the following year.
Many of the Shih Tzu exhibited by Sarah have the Wenshu kennel name. These dogs have been given the Wenshu name to both honor and recognize the contributions that Donna Gerl has made leading up to the breeding of these specific dogs. Her relationship with Donna began more professionally when she first started handling Donna’s dogs, first with class Shih Tzu and then with Mona Lisa (CH Wenshus Mona Lisa) who went on to win two American Shih Tzu Club National Specialties as well as multiple Best in Shows and multiple regional specialties. Over the course of this partnership, they began to collaborate more as they recognized that they shared the same keen eye for beautiful Shih Tzu. Through this partnership, Sarah came to discover and fall in love with Tyra (GCHG Pekings Midnight Vision at Wenshu) during a visit to Donna’s house. This, over time, led to many accomplishments for Tyra, most notably that she is the top winning black Shih Tzu in the history of the breed and still remains highly ranked in the all-time standings. Together, they bred and exhibited many top winning Shih Tzu, including GCHB Chatterbox Light My Fire, GCH Wenshu Leaving Me Breathless, GCHS Wenshus Shesa Dream, and GCHG Wenshu In The Midnight Hour, the first black Shih Tzu to win the American Shih Tzu Club National Specialty under renowned breeder/judge Luke Ehricht. What started as a professional working relationship blossomed into a lifelong friendship and breeding partnership that has lasted for over four decades.
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