Interview With Jack Newton


	The following is an attempt to improve communication between the judges of our breed, and the people who show under them. 1.) Are you an active breeder of German Shepherd Dogs? Do you have a kennel name ? Yes - Caraland 2.) How long have you been in the breed? When and how did you get started? Are you affiliated with any clubs? I bought my 1st purebred dog in 1957 from Margaret Pooley of Rocky Reach Kennels. I had an unregistered obedience dog before that. I belong to the GSDC of Los Angeles and the GSDCA where I am a Board Member. 3.) How long have you been judging the breed? Since 1974 4.) How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds? From one to six times a year 5.) Over the last 2 years has the number of shows? About the same 6.) Have you ever judged the National Specialty? If yes, when and what classes ? No 7.) Do you judge at both all-breeds and specialties, which do you prefer ? Specialties. I prefer to judge specialties because that is where the heart of the fancy is. All breeds want you to judge fast in a small ring. 8.) Do you have a color preference? No preference a) Would the color of a dog influence your judgment? Only if the dog was washed out or was white. b) Do you find it harder to judge solid blacks ? No 9.) What importance do you place on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain. Not important. I don't think of it as important. It is the structure of the dog that counts. Of course a dog in good coat makes a better impression on everyone. 10.) When judging the dog do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible. No 11.) What importance do you place on missing teeth? Very important. The Standard states that any missing teeth other than a first premolar (button tooth) is a serious fault. Therefore it has to be important. It is not everything and I would not put down a vastly superior specimen because of it, but it cannot be ignored. 12.) How do you see bites today? Poor. I am seeing a lot of level bites. That is not a fault but is called undesirable in the Standard. 13.) How do you see strength of ears? Poor. Our dog's ears have weakened over recent years. We also have dogs and bitches winning BOB/BOS at the National with weak ears. That is one thing the Germans have "strong ears". 14.) Do you feel the GSD's temperament has improved over the past 5 years? No. There are a good number of dogs with good temperament but there are too many with poor temperament. Sometimes I judge a show where weak temperament is very much in evidence. Some judges are placing dogs that shy away from them. In July I made the motion to write a loose lead examination into the contracts for National & Futurity Judges. It will go into effect in 1999. 15.) How do you consider temperament today to be? Please explain. Fair 16.) Do you prefer a dog to be shown on a loose lead? Yes 17.) How would you rate the following in sequence of importance? (On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest). Coming and going 7 Side Gait 9 Temperament 10 Teeth 8 Coat 5 Pasterns, hocks 9 Feet 7 Pigment 8 Structure 10 Shoulder and reach 9 Attitude 8 18.) Could you briefly describe your ring procedure, and any changes you may incorporate between a small Vs large class I use the same procedure for all dogs. I do a loose lead exam, send the dog coming & going, send it around the ring one time. When all dogs have had their individ ual I move them togethe r to sort them out. In classes of 8 or more I break them into groups . 19.) Do you think there should be an age limit in placing points on a dog (i.e.dogs and bitches under 12 months of age)? No. Why ? We operate under AKC Rules. I have only put up one puppy, and one year later he was 3rd Select. 20.) If a dog is not exactly to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller? Larger. The GSD should be substantial, but not overdone. 21.) Do you think on average German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme? No 22.) In your opinion should double handling be allowed? I think discreet double handling should be allowed at specialty shows. At all breed shows it may disturb other rings and if everyone did it there would be chaos. The Germans have no restrictions and everything goes. 23.) Should all select dogs, in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)? Yes & no. Both because I want them to be, but this is America and I don’t think people should be forced into it. I am on the Board of Directors of the OFA and I would rather lead by example and put more emphasis on the value of OFA hips and elbows than we do today. Select dogs that are OFA should have that pointed out as an honor. 24.) When making the final selection, does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class? No. I put great importance on movement but it is not everything. Often the dog with the best shoulder does win. I also try to breed good shoulders in my program. 25.) Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package, and less on movement? Yes. The Total Dog is what we should be judging for. Movement is one of the most important factors but it must not rule out everything else. 26.) Do you think the German Shepherd Dog standard should be changed? No 27.) Do you think there should be any changes in any of the existing rules concerning dog shows? If so, please elaborate I am not unhappy with the ruses as they are but change will come as we know. That’s progress, I think. 28.) Is there a dog, whether alive now or not, who to you typifies most closely the "ideal" German Shepherd Dog ? If yes, please explain and give details This is difficult to answer because I have seen and admired so many fine dogs. You don’t always know their true temperament. I can’t name one particular dog. 29.) Do you feel that in general the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please elaborate I think it is better from a conformation standpoint. They are much better movers today than when I first got in the breed. 30.) Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ? I don’t like overt double handling with owners calling names and running the ring with cow bells. 31.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ? Have their dog trained so that it performs to its best advantage. 32.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ? Instruct their double handler from inside the ring. (2nd) Act angry when they don’t get first place. 33.) Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding? Study the breed, ask questions and learn what a good dog is. Don’t worry about who owns it. 34.) Is there anything else you would like to say about judging or about the German Shepherd breed today ? If so, please feel free to say it here I think that the GSD is the finest breed that there is. It has many uses including pleasing people in the show ring. A really good moving dog is a beautiful thing to see. I enjoy judging and it gives me an opportunity to see dogs that I otherwise would not see. 35.) Have you ever judged one the of the greats? If so, can you give a rundown of this dog for the people who have not had the privilege to even see it. I have judged dogs and bitches that later went Grand Victor or Grand Victrix. I wouldn't say that they were the best dogs that I have ever judged. But they were very good. One dog from my youth who sticks in my mind was CH Bismarck von Graustein, ROM. He was a departure from the other dogs that I had seen. He was born in 1958, and finished about 3rd. at the 1960 National. We didn't have selects in those days. He was a magnificent, large dog with a high wither , and he could move. I never judged him because I was not a judge at the time. He was not fault free, but on a dog of that quality you have to give some leeway. Another dog with a major place in my memory, and again one that I did not judge, was 1970 GV CH Hollamor’s Judd, ROM. Another magnificent dog that could take your breath away standing and in motion.
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Copyright © 1997, SpiderWoman 11/17/97

The following is an attempt to improve communication between the judges of our breed, and the people who show under them.

1.) Are you an active breeder of German Shepherd Dogs? Do you have a kennel name ?

Yes - Caraland

2.) How long have you been in the breed? When and how did you get started? Are you affiliated with any clubs?

I bought my 1st purebred dog in 1957 from Margaret Pooley of Rocky Reach Kennels. I had an unregistered obedience dog before that. I belong to the GSDC of Los Angeles and the GSDCA where I am a Board Member. 3.) How long have you been judging the breed?
Since 1974
4.) How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds?
From one to six times a year
5.) Over the last 2 years has the number of shows?
About the same
6.) Have you ever judged the National Specialty? If yes, when and what classes ?
No
7.) Do you judge at both all-breeds and specialties, which do you prefer ?
Specialties. I prefer to judge specialties because that is where the heart of the fancy is. All breeds want you to judge fast in a small ring.
8.) Do you have a color preference?
No preference
a) Would the color of a dog influence your judgment?
Only if the dog was washed out or was white.
b) Do you find it harder to judge solid blacks ?
No
9.) What importance do you place on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain.
Not important. I don't think of it as important. It is the structure of the dog that counts. Of course a dog in good coat makes a better impression on everyone.
10.) When judging the dog do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible.
No
11.) What importance do you place on missing teeth?
Very important. The Standard states that any missing teeth other than a first premolar (button tooth) is a serious fault. Therefore it has to be important. It is not everything and I would not put down a vastly superior specimen because of it, but it cannot be ignored.
12.) How do you see bites today?
Poor. I am seeing a lot of level bites. That is not a fault but is called undesirable in the Standard.
13.) How do you see strength of ears?
Poor. Our dog's ears have weakened over recent years. We also have dogs and bitches winning BOB/BOS at the National with weak ears. That is one thing the Germans have "strong ears".
14.) Do you feel the GSD's temperament has improved over the past 5 years?
No. There are a good number of dogs with good temperament but there are too many with poor temperament. Sometimes I judge a show where weak temperament is very much in evidence. Some judges are placing dogs that shy away from them. In July I made the motion to write a loose lead examination into the contracts for National & Futurity Judges. It will go into effect in 1999.
15.) How do you consider temperament today to be? Please explain.
Fair
16.) Do you prefer a dog to be shown on a loose lead?
Yes
17.) How would you rate the following in sequence of importance? (On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest).
Coming and going 7
Side Gait 9
Temperament 10
Teeth 8
Coat 5
Pasterns, hocks 9
Feet 7
Pigment 8
Structure 10
Shoulder and reach 9
Attitude 8
18.) Could you briefly describe your ring procedure, and any changes you may incorporate between a small Vs large class
I use the same procedure for all dogs. I do a loose lead exam, send the dog coming & going, send it around the ring one time. When all dogs have had their individ ual I move them togethe r to sort them out. In classes of 8 or more I break them into groups .
19.) Do you think there should be an age limit in placing points on a dog (i.e.dogs and bitches under 12 months of age)?
No. Why ? We operate under AKC Rules. I have only put up one puppy, and one year later he was 3rd Select.
20.) If a dog is not exactly to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller?
Larger. The GSD should be substantial, but not overdone.
21.) Do you think on average German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme?
No
22.) In your opinion should double handling be allowed?
I think discreet double handling should be allowed at specialty shows. At all breed shows it may disturb other rings and if everyone did it there would be chaos. The Germans have no restrictions and everything goes.
23.) Should all select dogs, in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)?
Yes & no. Both because I want them to be, but this is America and I don’t think people should be forced into it. I am on the Board of Directors of the OFA and I would rather lead by example and put more emphasis on the value of OFA hips and elbows than we do today. Select dogs that are OFA should have that pointed out as an honor.
24.) When making the final selection, does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class?
No. I put great importance on movement but it is not everything. Often the dog with the best shoulder does win. I also try to breed good shoulders in my program.
25.) Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package, and less on movement?
Yes. The Total Dog is what we should be judging for. Movement is one of the most important factors but it must not rule out everything else.
26.) Do you think the German Shepherd Dog standard should be changed?
No
27.) Do you think there should be any changes in any of the existing rules concerning dog shows? If so, please elaborate
I am not unhappy with the ruses as they are but change will come as we know. That’s progress, I think.
28.) Is there a dog, whether alive now or not, who to you typifies most closely the "ideal" German Shepherd Dog ? If yes, please explain and give details
This is difficult to answer because I have seen and admired so many fine dogs. You don’t always know their true temperament. I can’t name one particular dog.
29.) Do you feel that in general the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please elaborate
I think it is better from a conformation standpoint. They are much better movers today than when I first got in the breed.
30.) Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ?
I don’t like overt double handling with owners calling names and running the ring with cow bells.
31.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ?
Have their dog trained so that it performs to its best advantage.
32.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ?
Instruct their double handler from inside the ring. (2nd) Act angry when they don’t get first place.
33.) Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding?
Study the breed, ask questions and learn what a good dog is. Don’t worry about who owns it.
34.) Is there anything else you would like to say about judging or about the German Shepherd breed today ? If so, please feel free to say it here
I think that the GSD is the finest breed that there is. It has many uses including pleasing people in the show ring. A really good moving dog is a beautiful thing to see. I enjoy judging and it gives me an opportunity to see dogs that I otherwise would not see.
35.) Have you ever judged one the of the greats? If so, can you give a rundown of this dog for the people who have not had the privilege to even see it.
I have judged dogs and bitches that later went Grand Victor or Grand Victrix. I wouldn't say that they were the best dogs that I have ever judged. But they were very good. One dog from my youth who sticks in my mind was CH Bismarck von Graustein, ROM. He was a departure from the other dogs that I had seen. He was born in 1958, and finished about 3rd. at the 1960 National.
We didn't have selects in those days. He was a magnificent, large dog with a high wither , and he could move. I never judged him because I was not a judge at the time. He was not fault free, but on a dog of that quality you have to give some leeway. Another dog with a major place in my memory, and again one that I did not judge, was 1970 GV CH Hollamor’s Judd, ROM. Another magnificent dog that could take your breath away standing and in motion.

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