Page 20 - Great Pyreneese

THE
GREAT PYRENEES
WITH JUDITH DANIELS
I grew up in Topeka, Kansas. I went to Kansas State Uni- versity—Bachelor Degree in Mathematics University of Phoe- nix—MBA Degree. Member of the AKC Delegate body for 25 years, Past Exec. VP of the AKC, Past President of the AK, licensed AKC Judge for the Working Group, Terrier Group and Non-Sporting Group. My husband and I retired to Belize, Central America a little over two years ago. However, I have a USA address in the Houston, Texas area on my AKC Judges page. Now, when I’m not traveling to the States to visit family and friends, or to judge, I read, relax and cook much more than I used to when we ran our own business and 10-12 hours a day.
I got my first Staffordshire Bull Terrier in 1968, have been showing since 1970 and judging since 1984. From my very first experience in the AKC show ring, I made it a priority
“HIS POTENTIAL FOR MAGESTIC PRESENCE IS WHAT MAKES ALL THE WORK WORTHWHILE.”
to stay through Best In Show Competition. This helped me to begin recognizing various breeds, and setting my eye on what was normally expected in a worthy exhibit.
1. Describe the breed in three words.
Beautiful, regal and elegant. I must add, ‘The most gentle of the Large Working breeds’.
2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed?
After beauty, elegance and regal presence: level topline, effortless movement and correctly shaped head.
3. This is a big dog that requires some work. What is it about him that makes it all worthwhile?
His potential for magestic presence is what makes all the work worthwhile.
4. What’s the most important attribute to stress when instructing new breeders?
For me, the first attribute is within the Breeder (not the dog), and that is the in depth and continuous study of the Breed Standard (without personal prejudice) for the knowledge necessary to recognize what is correct (and what is not so correct) in ones breeding stock.
5. What’s the most common fault you see when travel- ing around the country?
Poor top lines.
6. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated?
More trimming than is allowed in the Standard, which is “to tidy up the feet and face”.
7. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are bet- ter now than they were when you first started judg- ing? Why or why not?
While they may now appear “better” to me than when I first began judging, that could be because I have become more aware—with respect to what the Standard calls for—and the priorities fall easily into place.
378 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2018