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| BIO ARLENE CZECH Arlene A. Czech of Naples, Florida, has been breeding ands showing Papillons for almost fifty five years. She owned the first Mexican champion Papillon and the top obedience dog of 1964. In 1967, Miss Czech was approved to judge Papillons and now judges all toy, non-sporting and herding breeds. She has judged at Westminster and at AKC/Eukanuba in Tampa in 2005. She judged at Eukanuba the Toy Best Bred By Group in 2010. Her assignments have taken her to six continents. Miss Czech as a 20 year AKC Delegate from the Papillon Club of America, of which she is an honorary member. She has been a board member of the Greater Naples Dog Club for 20 years. Miss Czech teaches basic obedience classes, visits nursing homes with her dogs, and is a long time columnist for Show Sight magazine. Now retired, Miss Czech taught ninth-grade science to mentally and emotionally handicapped children. She was honored by the National Science Teachers Association for designing a “Practical Science” course. |
November 24, 2011
First of all, I want to thank you for giving me time out of your busy schedule for this interview. I know
that many dog fanciers will be very interested in what you have to say about judging and about the
sport of showing dogs today.
1. My first question for you is how did you first become interested in being a dog fancier and what fascinated you about it?
We always had a dog but after I graduated from Northwestern University we moved to Detroit. We were at a loss as to what to do
socially. My father was given some free tickets to the Detroit Kennel Club Show and we decided to go and spend the entire day.
I was fascinated by the Obedience and said “I can do that!”. I picked up a card from a breeder of Papillons in Michigan and
thought they looked cute. We had a very old Irish Setter from the Aragon Kennels (Dick Cooper) we brought with us from
Chicago. Shortly after he passed away and we drove down to buy a puppy. I took her to Obedience classes and the rest is history!
2. When and why did you decide to become a judge?
After showing for 10 years, a local club asked me to judge a puppy match. I was hooked!
3. What do you think is the most important single characteristic of the Papillon breed?
Of course Papillon means butterfly and the correct placement of the ears make a butterfly image.
4. What 3 words best describe a superb Papillon?
Elegant, dainty and friendly.
5. What behavioral characteristics do you look for in the ring for a Papillon?
Behavior must be exemplary. No tail dropping when moving, fear on the table and aggression in the ring must be controlled.
6. If you had to choose between a sound dog or a typey dog, which one would you give Best Of Breed that day?
Soundness is most important to me. A pretty head is not enough.
7. When you first see the dogs come into the ring and you look down the line, what do you look for immediately, that catches
your eye?
Everything catches my eye as the dog enters the ring. I am looking at appearance, grooming and movement.
8. What do you rely on more, your physical examination or visually looking at the dog?
Both are necessary.
9. How important is movement and what do you look for specifically in how a Papillon moves?
Paps are not just lap dogs, they need to move elegantly. No lifting of front legs as a Min Pin. They should have good reach and
drive and move smoothly.
10. What state would you say the Papillon breed is today, what is correct about the dogs today and what needs improvement?
Paps are fairly good today but still need a little length of leg. I do not like to see too much emphasis on ear fringes as the red
and sable dogs do not usually carry them. No judge should penalize the lack of fringing. It is the icing on the cake. I know I have
some with and some without and they are equal in other ways.
11. When it comes down to it, what makes you decide which dog you select in the ring that day?
A multitude of things.
12. What do you think makes a great show dog?
When the dog is asking for it plus good handling.
13. Could you comment about the old age discussion about a “Group Dog” vs. a “Breed Dog”?
Group dogs have the built-in desire to show and win, Breed dogs are fun to show and then retire them when finished.
14. What are the qualities of the best handlers in the ring, what impresses you?
Honesty, integrity, a pleasant expression and be invisible when I am judging their dog.
15. What advice can you give a novice coming into your show ring?
Have a good time enjoy the experience. Remember we were all beginners once.
16. What advice can you give a so called expert coming into your show ring?
None – if they think they are “experts” then anything I could say would be brushed aside.
17. What do you enjoy most about judging?
I still have fun judging and learning more about the breeds. I adore puppies and tend to talk to them as well as to their owners.
It is an ongoing education and entertainment.
18. What is your most memorable moment(s) in the dog show world?
Every dog I finished with some title is memorable to me. We have over 30 conformation CH's and almost as many in obedience.
19. What is your most disappointing moment(s) in the dog show world?
Many, but I shrug them off.
20. I want to thank you again for this interview, do you have any closing remarks or maybe something you would like to say
about showing dogs today that I haven’t asked about?
It will continue to grow and improve. My 50 years of experience in dog showing has proved it!
First of all, I want to thank you for giving me time out of your busy schedule for this interview. I know
that many dog fanciers will be very interested in what you have to say about judging and about the
sport of showing dogs today.
1. My first question for you is how did you first become interested in being a dog fancier and what fascinated you about it?
We always had a dog but after I graduated from Northwestern University we moved to Detroit. We were at a loss as to what to do
socially. My father was given some free tickets to the Detroit Kennel Club Show and we decided to go and spend the entire day.
I was fascinated by the Obedience and said “I can do that!”. I picked up a card from a breeder of Papillons in Michigan and
thought they looked cute. We had a very old Irish Setter from the Aragon Kennels (Dick Cooper) we brought with us from
Chicago. Shortly after he passed away and we drove down to buy a puppy. I took her to Obedience classes and the rest is history!
2. When and why did you decide to become a judge?
After showing for 10 years, a local club asked me to judge a puppy match. I was hooked!
3. What do you think is the most important single characteristic of the Papillon breed?
Of course Papillon means butterfly and the correct placement of the ears make a butterfly image.
4. What 3 words best describe a superb Papillon?
Elegant, dainty and friendly.
5. What behavioral characteristics do you look for in the ring for a Papillon?
Behavior must be exemplary. No tail dropping when moving, fear on the table and aggression in the ring must be controlled.
6. If you had to choose between a sound dog or a typey dog, which one would you give Best Of Breed that day?
Soundness is most important to me. A pretty head is not enough.
7. When you first see the dogs come into the ring and you look down the line, what do you look for immediately, that catches
your eye?
Everything catches my eye as the dog enters the ring. I am looking at appearance, grooming and movement.
8. What do you rely on more, your physical examination or visually looking at the dog?
Both are necessary.
9. How important is movement and what do you look for specifically in how a Papillon moves?
Paps are not just lap dogs, they need to move elegantly. No lifting of front legs as a Min Pin. They should have good reach and
drive and move smoothly.
10. What state would you say the Papillon breed is today, what is correct about the dogs today and what needs improvement?
Paps are fairly good today but still need a little length of leg. I do not like to see too much emphasis on ear fringes as the red
and sable dogs do not usually carry them. No judge should penalize the lack of fringing. It is the icing on the cake. I know I have
some with and some without and they are equal in other ways.
11. When it comes down to it, what makes you decide which dog you select in the ring that day?
A multitude of things.
12. What do you think makes a great show dog?
When the dog is asking for it plus good handling.
13. Could you comment about the old age discussion about a “Group Dog” vs. a “Breed Dog”?
Group dogs have the built-in desire to show and win, Breed dogs are fun to show and then retire them when finished.
14. What are the qualities of the best handlers in the ring, what impresses you?
Honesty, integrity, a pleasant expression and be invisible when I am judging their dog.
15. What advice can you give a novice coming into your show ring?
Have a good time enjoy the experience. Remember we were all beginners once.
16. What advice can you give a so called expert coming into your show ring?
None – if they think they are “experts” then anything I could say would be brushed aside.
17. What do you enjoy most about judging?
I still have fun judging and learning more about the breeds. I adore puppies and tend to talk to them as well as to their owners.
It is an ongoing education and entertainment.
18. What is your most memorable moment(s) in the dog show world?
Every dog I finished with some title is memorable to me. We have over 30 conformation CH's and almost as many in obedience.
19. What is your most disappointing moment(s) in the dog show world?
Many, but I shrug them off.
20. I want to thank you again for this interview, do you have any closing remarks or maybe something you would like to say
about showing dogs today that I haven’t asked about?
It will continue to grow and improve. My 50 years of experience in dog showing has proved it!
