| 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. TOKAYE, since 1976.
2.) How long have you been in
the breed? When and how did you get started? Are you affiliated with any
clubs?
Since 1975. My husband, Tom had always
wanted a GSD to show. We began a search. He ran me to every kennel in our
general area. Being a business person, I began to question why every breeder
would want to sell us the "pick of the litter". We bought our
first show quality bitch from Ellie and Rick Goede in 1975, who only promised
to sell us a show quality animal,not their pick of the litter.. Yes. German
Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Kansas City, GSDCA.
3.) How long have you been judging
the breed?
Since 1994.
4.) How many times a year do
you judge German Shepherds?
5-7 times.
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. Not yet eligible.
7.) Do you judge at both all-breeds
and specialties, which do you prefer ?
I prefer Specilties because I feel
that the conditions are more conducive to the proper evaluation of German
Shepherd Dogs. In particular, outdoor rings, large rings.
8.) Do you have a color preference?
No.
a) Would the color of a dog
influence your judgment? If yes, how and why?
I have put up B & T, Sable, Black,
in short , the best dogs, in my opinion. I do, however, prefer rich pigment,
and have tried to retain that in my breeding program.
b) Do you find it harder to
judge solid blacks ? If yes, why?
Yes. They appear to be finer in bone,
and quicker in step. I believe that you must be cautious not to evaluate
them too swiftly, but to concentrate. Their faults are much more obvious.
9.) What importance do you place
on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain.
Both. All things being equal, I would
of course prefer plush. However, condition is more important. If the lack
of coat is due to seasonal shedding, then I know that will change when
the animal returns to full coat. I will never ignore a good or great dog
because he is not in full coat.
10.) When judging the dog do
you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible.
No. HOWEVER, it is very important to
me for my style of judging to see a dog going easy on a loose lead part
of the time. The handler is integral to the completion of this requirement.
11.) What importance do you
place on missing teeth?
Important and Not Important. The total
dog is what I like to judge. In terms of missing teeth, our standard is
specific. Any teeth missing other than first premolar is a serious fault.
Other serious faults are: dogs with short tails or ankylosis. Very serious
faults are: deficiencies in character which indicate shyness, faults of
gait, either from the side or coming and going. And then there are the
disqualifying faults. All the very serious faults and disqualifying faults
must be measured more strongly than serious faults. The total dog is most
important.
12.) How do you see bites today?
Good, but....I've seen more level,
close bites in the last year to year and 1/2
13.) How do you see strength
of ears?
Need improvement!
14.) Do you feel the GSD's temperament
has improved over the past 5 years?
Yes. I have always done a loose lead
temperament test. In addition, my procedure allows me to judge the dogs
temperament during the entire judging of the class, and on into winners.
From an exhibitor's and judge's point of view, temperament is much better
now than in 1992.
15.) Do you consider temperament
today to be? Please explain.
Good. See above #14.
16.) Do you prefer a dog to
be shown on a loose lead?
I must see a dog on a loose lead. I
prefer to judge them at an easy pace, but I will allow them to go hard
if I have at least part of the time seen them loose.
17.) How would you rate the
following in sequence of importance? (On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the
highest).
Coming & Going: 7
Side Gait: 8
Temperament: 10
Teeth 3
Coat 1
Pasterns, hocks,feet: 5
Pigment: 2
Structure: 9
Shoulder & Reach: 6
Attitude: 4
18.) Could you briefly describe
your ring procedure, and any changes you may incorporate between a small
Vs large class
If it is a large class, I will break
it up into groups of 4-5. . I move the dogs (by group) twice around the
ring. I then bring each dog out for individual examination, having the
handler stop the dog approximately 6-8 feet from me, while dropping the
lead. I make eye contact with the dog, and then approach him. He is set
up, where I then approach him from the front, making eye contact once again.
I check bites, teeth, testicles (if males), tails, croups and general musculature
and fitness at this time. I judge him coming and going, as well as individual
loose lead gaiting during this time. . I then place each group, and after
further evaluation, mix the groups, coming up with my final placings.
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. The animal closest to the standard
on THAT day should win. If there were a limitation on age, then what would
be the sense of entering younger dogs.
20.) If a dog is not exactly
to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller?
Smaller. It appears to me from many
of my assignments that our dogs and bitches are getting too large. I have
judged some bitches who were probably at the top of the standard in size
for males.
21.) Do you think on average
German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme?
No
22.) In your opinion should
double handling be allowed?
Yes. as long as it is done in a manner
not detrimental to ringside or the dog. Our intelligent dogs need some
motivation to perform, and double handling in my opinion is better than
starving the dog so that he will stand or run for bait.
23.) Should all select dogs,
in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)?
No
24.) When making the final selection,
does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class?
Usually.
25.) Do you feel more emphasis
should be put on the total package, and less on movement?
Yes, but really the "total package"
includes movement. The structure contributes to the movement, both from
the side and coming & going. I do feel that sidegait should not be
"the deciding factor", but one of them.
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
No.
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
Some of the many greats who come to
mind are Reno, DeCloudt's Heidi, Bear, Hawkeye, Mystique. But, there are
many more.
29.) Do you feel that in general
the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please
elaborate
I feel that it definitely is better.
In the late 70's and early to mid 80's dogs were very extreme, loosely
ligamented, mostly rear and topline. Of course, there were and are exceptions,
but you rarely see that type today.
30.) Do you have a pet peeve
about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ?
No.
31.) Do you have any suggestions
for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing
under you ?
Show well cared for, bathed dogs to
me.
32.) Do you have any suggestions
for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing
under you ?
Handlers: Don't run fast, or let your
dog run too fast. Owners: Don't over double your dogs.
33.) Do you have any advice
for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding?
Enjoy it! Learn from each experience
as well as from those around you. I have made some great friends, both
human and canine while avidly pursuing this all-encompassing love of ours.
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
Judging is something I truly enjoy.
In my manner of judging I try to allow ringside and exhibitors to understand
what I do. I try to give each dog a relaxed, comfortable environment, so
that he can perform to his utmost.
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.
Ch. Altana'S Mystique Mystique
was shown to me at one of my first provisional assignments. Her individual
standing examination was done offlead. The entire time she was in my ring,
I had huge tears in my eyes. Her handler informed me later that he wanted
me to have had the privilege of judging her.
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