Page 28 - ShowSight Presents The Miniature Schnauzer
P. 28
MF: I think quality is about the same; maybe a little better. Proper size is more consistent, both height and sub- stance; but as said above, furnishings are, in my opinion, a bit out of line.
MK: I think Miniature Schnauzers have forsaken good movement for that almighty side movement! Our fronts are getting worse with the straight shoulders
and no layback.
LM: In many parts of the country the average quality is quite good and consistent, so perhaps the average is better—a tribute to the breeders—though outstanding individuals may be just as rare as ever.
FS: As in any breed, once in a while a dog will come along that tends to stick in my memory forever. I have found this to be true to this day. There were some outstanding dogs in years past, just as there are today. Are they bet- ter today? For those worth keeping for the ring I would almost call it even.
EW: Yes. As I see it all three Schnauzer Breeds have improved over the last three decades. I think there are pockets of good breeders who have done their home- work and learn from each other. Many Schnauzers thirty years ago lacked type and you would see a ring full of different looking dogs. Also the breed presentation has greatly improved.
5. While judging, do you see any trends you’d like to see continued or stopped?
JC: In recent years, I have seen more attention to the need for Miniature Schnauzers to have adequate forechest, with this it improves the overall front assembly seems to be giving us better movement. This is a very good thing and should continue. I am seeing tendency towards being low on leg. I think we need to be very aware of this.
BD: There are more rolled coats, which is good. Sometimes there are dogs that are too fancy and extreme, not
sure that is a trend though! It can be pretty, but it is
not correct.
WITH JOHN CONSTANTINE,
BETSY DALE, MARCIA FELD, MARGO KLINGLER, LINDA MORE, FRED STEPHENS & ELLIOTT B. WEISS
“I THINK THE BREED IS FAIRLY CONSISTENT.”
MF: I think the breed is fairly consistent. The world has gotten smaller and gene pools are no longer as isolated as they used to be.
MK: The exhibitors of this breed can be notoriously
bad sports! I get it—we are all fighting to finish these dogs due to the narrow window of the coat. I hear judges say to me, “Your breed has some of the rudest exhibitors I have ever seen.” I would hope we could change that. I guess you could say, “What does not kill you makes you stronger.”
EW: This breed has some very good breeders—people
who have done their due diligence and have a picture
in their mind that they aim fore in their breeding program. My hat is off to them. They are true dog people. However, there are those that put mechanics before type. They breed for what I term, “The great American show dog.” Their dogs are racy, fancy and
fly around the ring in a wide-open gait. Racy is not
a term that should be connected to the Schnauzer Breed.
6. What, if any, are the traits breeders should focus on preserving?
JC: In this breed and all breeds, we see many terrible fronts, such as upright shoulders, shortened upper arms, rotated assemblies. In this breed specifically, we need to focus on size. We do have a disqualification, but breeders and handlers need to respect this and not show dogs that
are oversized.
BD: Perhaps concern about the correct type—that does
apply to many breeds.
“I THINK THERE ARE POCKETS OF GOOD BREEDERS WHO HAVE DONE THEIR HOMEWORK
AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.”
a sa Q&A
