Interview With Sally Hayden


	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 ? I am actively breeding German Shepherds. Usually 1-2 litters per year. My kennel name is Dan-Ann 2.) How long have you been in the breed? When and how did you get started? Are you affiliated with any clubs? I have been in the breed for 24 years. I started with one pet quality male in obedience and it snow balled from there. I am only affiliated with the parent club as there are not any specialty clubs close by 3.) How long have you been judging the breed? I have been judging for 10 years. 4.) How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds? I am judging 4 times this year. I find most judges cycle you will be very popular and everyone wants you and then you do very little for a couple of years and then everyone wants you again. 5.) Over the last 2 years has the number of shows? Over the last 2 years the number of shows I judge has increased. 6.) Have you ever judged the National Specialty? If yes, when and what classes ? No I have not judged the national and really have no desire to. 7.) Do you judge at both all-breeds and specialties, which do you prefer ? I only due specialties although I have occasionally helped a local allbreed out , I don’t enjoy doing allbreeds. 8.) Do you have a color preference? I don’t have a color preference. I myself have owned everything except a solid black. I guess I find there is nothing classier then a dark sable 9.) What importance do you place on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain. As the old saying goes you can hide a world of sin with hair. 10.) When judging the dog do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible. It is hard not to judge the handlers when judging as they can make or break animal with their ability. the trick is not to let who is on the end of the lead influence your decision 11.) What importance do you place on missing teeth? Missing teeth would break the tie between dogs if necessary .. Major missing teeth of course would carry some penalty, but the smalls are not real important to me. 12.) How do you see bites today? I see very few bite problems 13.) How do you see strength of ears? Our ears are in bad shape ..Too many hugh weak ones and some that look like they have been fixed. 14.) Do you feel the GSD's temperament has improved over the past 5 years? I think overall temperament has improved considerably from when I first started judging.. I also think people are working with their dogs more so even if they are not 100% sound they will stand for examination and not hit the deck. 15.) Do you consider temperament today to be? Please explain. I think overall I would rate temperament as good 16.) Do you prefer a dog to be shown on a loose lead? I like to see a dog on a loose lead at least once while I am judging but not necessarily all the time. 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 4-5 Side Gait 9 Temperament 9 Teeth 3-4 Coat 4-5 Pasterns, hocks, feet 5 Pigment 6-7 Structure 8 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 bring the dogs in checking arm bands as they come in, take the dogs around twice and then do individuals . I then work them to place them on side gait noting any thing I found objectionable on the individual Place them in order. In a large class I would break the class into groups after the individuals 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)? I do not have a problem with putting youngsters up for the points . I have judged quite a few shows where I would have had a hard time finding winners if it were not for a good puppy. I rather put up a good pup then a mediocre adult. 20.) If a dog is not exactly to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller? I guess if I am living with a dog not standard I would rather have them slightly bigger but I do not have a problem putting up slight smaller dog 21.) Do you think on average German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme? No I don’t think shepherds are too extreme. In fact I think we have lost too many angles. 22.) In your opinion should double handling be allowed? Yes I think double handling should be allowed. I think the dogs look better because it gives them a reason to run around in circles. I think our breed is too intelligent to run around for any length of time with out getting bored. 23.) Should all select dogs, in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)? I believe very much in good hips and elbows but do not think it has any place in judging. 24.) When making the final selection, does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class? Not necessarily. I look for the dog with angles at both ends 25.) Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package, and less on movement? I feel our breed is a movement breed 26.) Do you think the German Shepherd Dog standard should be changed? I feel the standard is just fine 27.) Do you think there should be any changes in any of the existing rules concerning dog shows? If so, please elaborate No changes 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 My favorite dogs were, GV Hollamors Judd\ GV Mannix of Fran Jo Scorpio. 29.) Do you feel that in general the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please elaborate I think health wise we have come a long way. I am having a hard time finding males I want to breed to. I feel we have lost a lot of angles and do not have many dominant sires. 30.) Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ? I am seeing a lot of dogs that are having their color touched up and that is very irritating to me. I made a breeding to a sire not realizing he threw light pigment because so many of his offspring that I had seen in the ring were touched up 31.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ? When showing under me have fun. In most cases I am giving up three days of my life and income and I plan on enjoying myself 32.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ? Don’t ever try to intimidate me it will just push me the other way if I see temper 33.) Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding? New people should be prepared to shed a lot of tears and give a lot of blood . never let showing become more important than loving your dog. 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 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 not judged one of the greats. I really can’t think of a GREAT DOG in the last -5- 10 years. (good ones but not great) I have had the privilege of seeing most of the greats Lance, Judd, Mannix, Paladin. I can’t describe greatness but can only say when yo see it you’ll know it he’ll take your breath away
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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 ?

I am actively breeding German Shepherds. Usually 1-2 litters per year. My kennel name is Dan-Ann

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

I have been in the breed for 24 years. I started with one pet quality male in obedience and it snow balled from there. I am only affiliated with the parent club as there are not any specialty clubs close by

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

I have been judging for 10 years.

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

I am judging 4 times this year. I find most judges cycle you will be very popular and everyone wants you and then you do very little for a couple of years and then everyone wants you again.

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

Over the last 2 years the number of shows I judge has increased.

6.) Have you ever judged the National Specialty? If yes, when and what classes ?

No I have not judged the national and really have no desire to.

7.) Do you judge at both all-breeds and specialties, which do you prefer ?

I only due specialties although I have occasionally helped a local allbreed out , I don’t enjoy doing allbreeds.

8.) Do you have a color preference?

I don’t have a color preference. I myself have owned everything except a solid black. I guess I find there is nothing classier then a dark sable

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

As the old saying goes you can hide a world of sin with hair.

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

It is hard not to judge the handlers when judging as they can make or break animal with their ability. the trick is not to let who is on the end of the lead influence your decision

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

Missing teeth would break the tie between dogs if necessary .. Major missing teeth of course would carry some penalty, but the smalls are not real important to me.

12.) How do you see bites today?

I see very few bite problems

13.) How do you see strength of ears?

Our ears are in bad shape ..Too many hugh weak ones and some that look like they have been fixed.

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

I think overall temperament has improved considerably from when I first started judging.. I also think people are working with their dogs more so even if they are not 100% sound they will stand for examination and not hit the deck.

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

I think overall I would rate temperament as good

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

I like to see a dog on a loose lead at least once while I am judging but not necessarily all the time.

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 4-5
Side Gait 9
Temperament 9
Teeth 3-4
Coat 4-5
Pasterns, hocks, feet 5
Pigment 6-7
Structure 8
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 bring the dogs in checking arm bands as they come in, take the dogs around twice and then do individuals . I then work them to place them on side gait noting any thing I found objectionable on the individual Place them in order. In a large class I would break the class into groups after the individuals

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)?

I do not have a problem with putting youngsters up for the points . I have judged quite a few shows where I would have had a hard time finding winners if it were not for a good puppy. I rather put up a good pup then a mediocre adult.

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

I guess if I am living with a dog not standard I would rather have them slightly bigger but I do not have a problem putting up slight smaller dog

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

No I don’t think shepherds are too extreme. In fact I think we have lost too many angles.

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

Yes I think double handling should be allowed. I think the dogs look better because it gives them a reason to run around in circles. I think our breed is too intelligent to run around for any length of time with out getting bored.

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

I believe very much in good hips and elbows but do not think it has any place in judging.

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

Not necessarily. I look for the dog with angles at both ends

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

I feel our breed is a movement breed

26.) Do you think the German Shepherd Dog standard should be changed?

I feel the standard is just fine

27.) Do you think there should be any changes in any of the existing rules concerning dog shows? If so, please elaborate

No changes

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

My favorite dogs were, GV Hollamors Judd\ GV Mannix of Fran Jo Scorpio.

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

I think health wise we have come a long way. I am having a hard time finding males I want to breed to. I feel we have lost a lot of angles and do not have many dominant sires.

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

I am seeing a lot of dogs that are having their color touched up and that is very irritating to me. I made a breeding to a sire not realizing he threw light pigment because so many of his offspring that I had seen in the ring were touched up

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

When showing under me have fun. In most cases I am giving up three days of my life and income and I plan on enjoying myself

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

Don’t ever try to intimidate me it will just push me the other way if I see temper

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

New people should be prepared to shed a lot of tears and give a lot of blood . never let showing become more important than loving your dog.

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

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 not judged one of the greats. I really can’t think of a GREAT DOG in the last -5- 10 years. (good ones but not great) I have had the privilege of seeing most of the greats Lance, Judd, Mannix, Paladin. I can’t describe greatness but can only say when yo see it you’ll know it he’ll take your breath away

Back to Judges