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May 28, 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, you have a reputation of being
one of the great judges of today and you are tremendously respected in the dog show community. I
am very fortunate to have this opportunity to speak with you.
1. My first question for you is how did you first become interested in being a dog fancier and what fascinated you
about it?
I was the kid that “All the dogs followed home.” I was always crazy about dogs and horses.
2. When and why did you decide to become a judge?
It just seemed a natural progression.
3. 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?
The silhouette. PERIOD. Just the silhouette!!! Alva Rosenberg said, “You should know what it is at midnight, in the dark of the moon, on top of
the picket fence, BY IT’S SILHOUETTE!!!”
4. What do you rely on more, your physical examination or visually looking at the dog?
Both, but mostly visually.
5. When it comes down to it, what makes you decide which dog you select in the ring that day?
We are there to judge breeding stock and I select the one that I would take home to breed.
6. What do you think makes a great show dog?
Lang Skarda said, “first they have to be owned right.” That means a lot of things. Someone smart enough to recognize a good one, smart
about training and conditioning, clever enough to plan a good career for the dog. My ideal dog would be close to the breed standard, stand
and move on a loose lead, and stand over his own ground. No hands constantly on the dog. A dog that wants to be there and has a love of life.
7. Could you comment about the old age discussion about a “Group Dog” vs. a “Breed Dog”?
I find that most of the time it is the same dog. It would be very unusual to pick a dog because it would do “better” in the group. Maybe you
would send the second best dog on to the group because the first best dog was poorly presented and would embarrass everyone in the group
but the one you would send on would not be competitive either, just would walk on the lead.
8. What are the qualities of the best handlers in the ring, what impresses you?
Handlers that show the dog and not themselves. Handlers that stay out of the way of the dog and let him do it himself. Handlers that show dogs
specific to their breed and don’t race around the ring. I judge few breeds that should be shown at the speed of light.
9. What advice can you give a novice coming into your show ring?
Listen, don’t talk for a few years. Find a mentor.
10. What advice can you give a so called expert coming into your show ring?
Have a conversation with me after the judging and teach me something about your breed.
11. Do you have any advice to breeders regarding improving the quality of their breeding programs today?
Talk to each other and parse your standard with others. Often, one word, carries huge meaning in a breed standard.
12. What do you enjoy most about judging?
Learning
13. What is your most memorable moment(s) in the dog show world?
Watching the Wirefox Terrier “Ch. Registrys Lonesome Dove" win the Garden. She never put a foot wrong. She was like a great gymnast that
night.
14. What is your most disappointing moment(s) in the dog show world?
Watching wretched judging. We have a man in German Shepherds that describes watching bad judging as “a religious man watching his
church burn.”
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, you have a reputation of being
one of the great judges of today and you are tremendously respected in the dog show community. I
am very fortunate to have this opportunity to speak with you.
1. My first question for you is how did you first become interested in being a dog fancier and what fascinated you
about it?
I was the kid that “All the dogs followed home.” I was always crazy about dogs and horses.
2. When and why did you decide to become a judge?
It just seemed a natural progression.
3. 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?
The silhouette. PERIOD. Just the silhouette!!! Alva Rosenberg said, “You should know what it is at midnight, in the dark of the moon, on top of
the picket fence, BY IT’S SILHOUETTE!!!”
4. What do you rely on more, your physical examination or visually looking at the dog?
Both, but mostly visually.
5. When it comes down to it, what makes you decide which dog you select in the ring that day?
We are there to judge breeding stock and I select the one that I would take home to breed.
6. What do you think makes a great show dog?
Lang Skarda said, “first they have to be owned right.” That means a lot of things. Someone smart enough to recognize a good one, smart
about training and conditioning, clever enough to plan a good career for the dog. My ideal dog would be close to the breed standard, stand
and move on a loose lead, and stand over his own ground. No hands constantly on the dog. A dog that wants to be there and has a love of life.
7. Could you comment about the old age discussion about a “Group Dog” vs. a “Breed Dog”?
I find that most of the time it is the same dog. It would be very unusual to pick a dog because it would do “better” in the group. Maybe you
would send the second best dog on to the group because the first best dog was poorly presented and would embarrass everyone in the group
but the one you would send on would not be competitive either, just would walk on the lead.
8. What are the qualities of the best handlers in the ring, what impresses you?
Handlers that show the dog and not themselves. Handlers that stay out of the way of the dog and let him do it himself. Handlers that show dogs
specific to their breed and don’t race around the ring. I judge few breeds that should be shown at the speed of light.
9. What advice can you give a novice coming into your show ring?
Listen, don’t talk for a few years. Find a mentor.
10. What advice can you give a so called expert coming into your show ring?
Have a conversation with me after the judging and teach me something about your breed.
11. Do you have any advice to breeders regarding improving the quality of their breeding programs today?
Talk to each other and parse your standard with others. Often, one word, carries huge meaning in a breed standard.
12. What do you enjoy most about judging?
Learning
13. What is your most memorable moment(s) in the dog show world?
Watching the Wirefox Terrier “Ch. Registrys Lonesome Dove" win the Garden. She never put a foot wrong. She was like a great gymnast that
night.
14. What is your most disappointing moment(s) in the dog show world?
Watching wretched judging. We have a man in German Shepherds that describes watching bad judging as “a religious man watching his
church burn.”
| Judge Sharon Newcomb |