AN INTERVIEW WITH JUDGE BRADLEY JENKINS
by SCOTT TONEY
B radley Jenkins grew up during the 1960s in Hud- son, Massachusetts. His father was interested in all animals, and was an avid hunter, accompanied by his Brittany Spaniels. While his siblings and childhood friends were active in all types of activities and sports, Brad (not much of a sportsman), gravitated towards dogs, the animals that would form the cornerstone of his life- long hobby and vocation. After graduating from High School, Brad moved to Arkan- sas to attend college. He first became involved with Cocker Spaniels, finishing three champions during the breed’s hey- day. He “accidently” got into Chihuahuas and Affenpinschers finishing a handful of Affens, and breeding and finishing approximately 75 Chihuahuas (he still has three Chi girls). He obtained his first Japanese Chin in the 1980s and just lost his last one this year. He bred close to 75 Chin champs, as well. For the last 10 years, Brad has been breeding and show- ing Manchester Terriers and has had much success with this breed as well. In addition to Robert “Lynn” Bearden, his husband of 43 years, Brad also lives with his Manchesters, a new champion Cocker, a champion Brittany and a champion Mastiff. He has a fondness for Yorkies as they were the first breed he ever put a point on (currently has two and will always own one, especially a male.) Finally, a Bulldog shares his home. As you can see he likes all dogs! Brad started judging in 1998 and has judged throughout the United States and overseas. He judges the Toy Group, Non Sporting Group, almost the entire Sporting Group, and some of the Terrier and Hound breeds. 1. WHAT ONE PERSON HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST EITHER IN OR OUT OF THE DOG WORLD? I would say my father had the most influence on my life. He was a hard task master and wanted us to do our best and to try something new or how would we ever know what may happen. 2. WHAT HOBBIES DO YOU AND LYNN HAVE OUTSIDE OF THE DOG FANCY? Lynn and I raise chickens of all varieties for eggs. We are now trying to raise Seramas. These are extra tiny Bantams with a soldier-like posture. 3. DO YOU HAVE AN EXCITING MANCHESTER LITTER PLANNED, OR A SPECIAL DOG WAITING IN THE WINGS? I have what is probably my best litter ever in Manchesters. It is an “oops” mating, but a repeat with the most wonderful
pups growing out of it. “Oops” litters, while not planned, can often turn out fantastic. 4. WHAT WAS THE BEST DECISION YOU MADE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR DOGS? The best decision that contributed to my success is that I go with my gut feeling and I buy good boys with emphasis on their dam’s background. 5. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST REGRET? Biggest regret was letting some of the dogs go to other homes away as I miss them and wish I had not done that, but at the time I thought it was best. 6. WHAT DOG THAT YOU BRED WAS THE MOST SPECIAL TO YOU, AND WHY? A Japanese Chin, “Bunny”. She was a special needs child of a litter of two. She had all kinds of congenital defects, and I loved her like crazy and she loved me like I was the only thing in the world. We had a special bond. I lost her this year at nine. She was my last chin. 7. MANY JUDGES ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR SUCCESS IN ONE BREED, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN MULTIPLE BREEDS. LOOKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN CHIHUAHUAS AND JAPANESE CHIN PLEASE TELL US WHAT WERE YOU ABLE TO LEARN FROM EACH OF THOSE BREEDS THAT HELPED YOU BE SUCCESSFUL WITH OTHER BREEDS? I tried to breed to the standard and what I liked. Fads changed and I stayed true, and it would come back to my style. 8. WHAT WAS THE EASIEST TOY BREED YOU’VE BRED AND SHOWN, AND THE MOST DIFFICULT, AND WHY? The easiest Toy I showed was Ch. Touche’s High Falu- ton, a Japanese Chin. He loved life! And, probably my own Ch. Heartland’s One Eyed Jack. They were both naturals and loved to show. The most difficult was just about any
“I TRIED TO BREED TO THE STANDARD AND WHAT I LIKED.”
68 • T op N otch T oys , O ctober 2016
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