Interview With Lee Brown


	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 ? No longer breed. Kennel name LynLee's 2.) How long have you been in the breed? When and how did you get started? Are you affiliated with any clubs? Since l970. Purchased my first GSD for a pet, then took him to obedience training classes and showed in obedience competition. After putting a few obedience titles, I decided I wanted to show in breed ring. Member of GSDC of Louisiana, Inc., GSDC of America and Riverside, West Kennel Club of Greater New Orleans, Inc. 3.) How long have you been judging the breed? I have been judging since 1995 4.) How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds? 8 to l0 5.) Over the last 2 years has the number of shows? Increased 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 ? Both, but prefer specialties since they are outdoors on grass. However, I must say I have had very good quality at all my all breed shows that I have Judged. Actually I judge all breeds that are not necessarily supported entries by a speciality club and as stated earlier I have always felt quality at my all breed shows was very good. 8.) Do you have a color preference? No preference. 9.) What importance do you place on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain. Not Important 10.) When judging the dog do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible. Unfortunately No as I have put up dogs handled by individuals I really don't like. We are judging dogs, AREN'T WE? 11.) What importance do you place on missing teeth? Not important 12.) How do you see bites today? Very good 13.) How do you see strength of ears? Very good 14.) Do you feel the GSD's temperament has improved over the past 5 years? Yes 15.) Do you consider temperament today to be? Please explain. Very good 16.) Do you prefer a dog to be shown on a loose lead? Yes. I require that I see them on a loose lead at some point in my judging, but I also like to see them pull into the lead some; NOT SCRAMBLING. 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 10 Temperament 10 Teeth 2 Coat 5 Pasterns, hocks, feet 7 Pigment 2 Structure 10 Shoulder and reach 10 Attitude 8 18.) Could you briefly describe your ring procedure, and any changes you may incorporate between a small Vs large class I bring them into the ring and send them around once or twice depending on size of class. Handler then has to bring the dog out on loose lead. I will approach the dog for my temperament test (No DOUBLING HANDLING ALLOWED on temperament test). The handler will then stack dog and I do my examination. Next I check coming and going and individual side gait. I do all my class and then I will gait the class together. I may gait them one at a time again. Once I have made my decisions I will move the top 4 dogs in the order that I will award my placings. I never move dogs up or down the lineup. I don't believe in judging a class of 10 for placings l thru l0. I will only move the ones I am placing. The balance of the class will remain in the order they entered the ring. Large classes would be judged the same but in small groups with some dogs on hold on the outside of the ring. Again I would only move the 4 placing dogs. No one thru ?? 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)? Never, the best dog on that day wins. 20.) If a dog is not exactly to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller? Larger 21.) Do you think on average German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme? No 22.) In your opinion should double handling be allowed? Yes but not on loose lead temperament test. 23.) Should all select dogs, in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)? Yes 24.) When making the final selection, does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class? Yes 25.) Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package, and less on movement? No 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 Yes. Double handling should be allowed. Back to Back speciality should be allowed. 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 Probably Lynriks Krystal. Very typey, excellent side gait, good back and "SUSPENSION" which we don't see enough of today. 29.) Do you feel that in general the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please elaborate Better, I think rears are better today than they were a few years back. 30.) Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ? Double handling on temperament test. 31.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ? Be polite and a good sport. Make it fun. 32.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ? Do not JERK ribbon out of my hand. Do not try to Intimidate me, it will not work. 33.) Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding? Go to as many shows as possible, look, listen and ask alot of questions. 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 would like to see less dogs that drag the top of their rear feet on the ground when gaiting. 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. No
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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 ?

No longer breed. Kennel name LynLee's

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

Since l970. Purchased my first GSD for a pet, then took him to obedience training classes and showed in obedience competition. After putting a few obedience titles, I decided I wanted to show in breed ring. Member of GSDC of Louisiana, Inc., GSDC of America and Riverside, West Kennel Club of Greater New Orleans, Inc.

3.) How long have you been judging the breed?

I have been judging since 1995

4.) How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds?

8 to l0

5.) Over the last 2 years has the number of shows?

Increased

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 ?

Both, but prefer specialties since they are outdoors on grass. However, I must say I have had very good quality at all my all breed shows that I have Judged. Actually I judge all breeds that are not necessarily supported entries by a speciality club and as stated earlier I have always felt quality at my all breed shows was very good.

8.) Do you have a color preference?

No preference.

9.) What importance do you place on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain.

Not Important

10.) When judging the dog do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible.

Unfortunately No as I have put up dogs handled by individuals I really don't like. We are judging dogs, AREN'T WE?

11.) What importance do you place on missing teeth?

Not important

12.) How do you see bites today?

Very good

13.) How do you see strength of ears?

Very good

14.) Do you feel the GSD's temperament has improved over the past 5 years?

Yes

15.) Do you consider temperament today to be? Please explain.

Very good

16.) Do you prefer a dog to be shown on a loose lead?

Yes. I require that I see them on a loose lead at some point in my judging, but I also like to see them pull into the lead some; NOT SCRAMBLING.

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     10
Temperament      10
Teeth     2
Coat       5
Pasterns, hocks, feet     7
Pigment     2
Structure     10
Shoulder and reach     10
Attitude     8

18.) Could you briefly describe your ring procedure, and any changes you may incorporate between a small Vs large class

I bring them into the ring and send them around once or twice depending on size of class. Handler then has to bring the dog out on loose lead. I will approach the dog for my temperament test (No DOUBLING HANDLING ALLOWED on temperament test). The handler will then stack dog and I do my examination. Next I check coming and going and individual side gait. I do all my class and then I will gait the class together. I may gait them one at a time again. Once I have made my decisions I will move the top 4 dogs in the order that I will award my placings. I never move dogs up or down the lineup. I don't believe in judging a class of 10 for placings l thru l0. I will only move the ones I am placing. The balance of the class will remain in the order they entered the ring. Large classes would be judged the same but in small groups with some dogs on hold on the outside of the ring. Again I would only move the 4 placing dogs. No one thru ??

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)?

Never, the best dog on that day wins.

20.) If a dog is not exactly to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller?

Larger

21.) Do you think on average German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme?

No

22.) In your opinion should double handling be allowed?

Yes but not on loose lead temperament test.

23.) Should all select dogs, in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)?

Yes

24.) When making the final selection, does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class?

Yes

25.) Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package, and less on movement?

No

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

Yes. Double handling should be allowed. Back to Back speciality should be allowed.

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

Probably Lynriks Krystal. Very typey, excellent side gait, good back and "SUSPENSION" which we don't see enough of today.

29.) Do you feel that in general the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please elaborate

Better, I think rears are better today than they were a few years back.

30.) Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ?

Double handling on temperament test.

31.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ?

Be polite and a good sport. Make it fun.

32.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ?

Do not JERK ribbon out of my hand. Do not try to Intimidate me, it will not work.

33.) Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding?

Go to as many shows as possible, look, listen and ask alot of questions.

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 would like to see less dogs that drag the top of their rear feet on the ground when gaiting.

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.

No

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