I started showing Siberians in 1966 and I did not use a handler until we let Ken Rensink take Guthrie a few times in the early '90's, when we simply didn't have the time to go to the show. Linda Clark helped
us with Spirit and Megan when we were showing the brace and they were both specials and she took Spirit to a few shows as a special when we were unable to go. She put some group placings on him, but I put all the Group 1's on him.
You asked about funny stories, well here's one. When we were showing the brace, I showed Spirit and Linda would show Megan. We were at a show where she was not. Terry had to show Megan. She went breed, so we said he should show her in the group. He had never been in the Group…hardly ever showed. He was so busy “showing” that he didn't see the judge point to him for the Group 1. Phyllis Snell was shouting at him outside the ring. Lori Wilson was directing him from inside the ring…”stop showing”, “go over to #1”. It really was a “hoot”, even drew the attention of the AKC rep, Janice Lugensland. After that Terry became more of a regular in the ring. Buffy was the first Siberian that he showed exclusively and finished…and of course there is his pug, Gunner. Terry likes to remind me that he has Group 1's with more breeds than I do.
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Ch Kalea’s Boomchaser Of Jasminka- Kiana
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Ch Kalea’s High Spirit O’Karmett- Megan
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Ch Kalea’s Kaveeta O’Karmett- VD
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Ch Kalea’s Union Maid- Emma
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Ch Monadnock’s Midnight Mushya- Mushya
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Ch Satarin’s Bound For Glory- Guthrie
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BIS/BISS Ch Twister’s Sarafina- Buffy
Ch. Aramis Smokin' Gun - Gunner
Said that myself. When you sit with judges and listen to them, the vast majority take the task very seriously and try to do a good job. What people don't realize is that you process the dogs differently when you are inside the ring than you do when you are outside the ring. Inside you are constantly reviewing what you see, making comparisons and the like. Outside the ring, you tend to focus on the dogs you like best. Most everyone know their dogs' strong points, but it is not uncommon to
overlook the short-comings. Contrary to what is frequently said, most show dogs are not “crap”. One dog has one attribute and the next dog has another. Many, if not most classes, are what I call “this-and-that” classes. If you could take parts from each dog and put them together, you would have a better dog than any one of the exhibits in the ring. Again this is not to say they are bad dogs…those are also easy to judge…just that the dogs are of pretty much equal quality and the winner depends on the judge's priorities. Those priorities can change from show to show based on other things you see. Dogs change too from show to show which can change what a judge sees on a given day. There is just a subjective piece to the selection. People should not assume because they didn't win, that the judge hated their dog. I did a Malamute specialty and had a really nice class of Specials. I think I gave out 3 Merits in addition to Breed and Opposite. One lady, who was very disappointed, asked me why I didn't like her dog and I told her the truth. I did like her dog and if he came into the Group, I am sure I would consider him. However on THIS day, in THIS competition he was a bit long. To give you another example. I did a Group last year and gave a Doberman the Group 1. That evening I did a Doberman specialty and did not use my Group dog for Breed or Opposite, but Merit instead. I did not, and do not, apologize for it. She was the best dog in the Group that afternoon, but there were 2 I liked better at the Specialty that night..
Another thing that judges share amongst themselves, even the high-profile folks, some days we just do a better job than we do on other days. If you really believe someone is political however, you shouldn't continue to to show to them.
Buffy is the only dog we can say we “campaigned”. Our other dogs, including Gunner the Pug have been
shown on occasion by handlers, on a schedule of convenience. That's not really “campaigning” We haven't done the advertising and the weekend-after-weekend with any of the other dogs. They have been shown primarily by us and have gone out with handlers on a schedule of convenience.
In 2003, Twister Sarafina had a very good year? Best of Opposite 2003 SHCA National Specialty, Best of Breed at the Eukanuba National, #4 in the Breed Standings and #1 in All Breed Standings, with 7 Best in Shows and 16 Group 1. How long did you campaign her?
She had a BIS in September of '02…We had gone to the St. Louis Specialty and run into Marie with Rocky. Rather than stay for the weekend, Terry decided to leave and go to Indiana where she was also entered. It turned out to be a very smart move. Rocky had a great weekend in St. Louis…pretty sure he went breed everyday and got at least one BIS, but Buffy got a BIS in Indiana that weekend. A few weeks later she received an AOM at the National In Pennsylvania…bouncing around the ring, grabbing Terry's pant legs. She was about 18 months old and tired and through showing.
Bill had a Dane client that wanted Buffy's spot and were willing to commit for an extended period. I think in the end it worked out well all the way around. We compromised. Buffy stayed out through the Perry, Georgia shows in April, 2004 and finished her campaign with 3 more BIS's including her very last show. All total she had 11 Best in Shows and was campaigned for about 15 months(total time actually out showing).
She was really, really pretty. She had beautiful expression…a beautiful eye, small ear and wonderful frame for a bitch. She moved well enough, was balanced and showed to perfection, I am told. Now I know “pretty” isn't in the standard, but from judging the Group, I believe the top specials have to have some “wow” factor. It may be proportion, soundness, movement, beauty or attitude. They have to have something that draws a judge to them rather than the other good dogs in the ring. AND…they have no “glaring” faults.
No, I started judging in 1999 or 2000. I wanted to stay involved in dogs but felt it was probably better to
move into judging rather than continue to add dogs, which you have to do if you show. At the time we had 9 at our house. When they(the dogs) come to us, they stay with us…win, lose or retire. We also wanted to do some other things like travel, which were difficult with 9 dogs.
When Judging, what is the most challenging?
Finding too many dogs you really like or not finding any dogs you like at all.
I would be remiss if I didn't ask this question, What do you say to exhibitors that say that politics can get in the way of the best bitch or dog winning?
Most exciting moment in Siberians?
1st group placing, 1st Group 1…a Group 1 with Jake(Ch. Twister's Provocateur) 3 or 4 years ago…totally unexpected…Bob Moore didn't know me or the dog….got so excited as I hadn't showed in 4 or 5 years, pulled a groin muscle, but it was worth it.
Will you ever get another Siberian?
We said Buffy would be the last. We had many reasons not to get another dog. We were getting older. What if something happened to one of us? Without a dog, we could do more? Travel. Spend 3 months in another country. Then we got Jake. Then we got Gunner the Pug. We still have 4 Siberians. Sonny is 12. Buffy and Henny are going to be 10 and Jake is going to be 8. I don't need to add one now, but I'm not sure I won't get another one eventually even though that hasn't been the plan. Could I ever be without a Siberian?
What are your goals today?
Create more interest in purebred dogs at the local level….a real need for the sport of dogs. Continue studying different breeds….that's just the most fun. Always strive to be a better judge. Travel and relax after I retire. Figure out my “third act”.
Terry has just gotten his judge's license, so we'll see how that affects things.
Ch Twister’s Provocateur- Jake
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Rapid Fire Round
Best Siberian you ever bred, in type and structure…Ch. Kalea's Bold Spirit o'Karmett(Spirit)
Best Siberian you ever bought
…)Ch. Twister's Sarafina(Buffy)
Best Win...hard to answer. Most nerve-racking, Buffy's AOM at the 2002 National Specialty when you knew she was under consideration and you came with no expectations, but she would not behave. Some of the brace wins were really a thrill….showing 2 together was fun.
Best 4 legged friend...
a number through the years….currently Buffy
Best human friend...my husband Terry
Best moment Judging...any time you find a dog that really excites you.
Thank you both, for sharing your journey with us.