6 minute read
SHARRON TAYLOR
An Interview With A Judge
Greetings from Australia
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I started with my first Rhodesian Ridgeback in 1980 which I exhibited successfully and soon after another arrived. Prior to this I exhibited Labradors which my mother bred. I have also owned a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Border Terrier which I exhibited both successfully. I am an All Breeds judge (BIS) and previously a qualified obedience instructor. I also spent 20 years working a veterinary nurse. I have bred champions not only here in Australia but also New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Japan.
WHEN DID YOUR LOVE OF DOGS BEGIN? PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR PAST AND PRESENT DOGS.
I have always loved dogs. My parents tell me the first word I said was the then family dog’s name! I have had many successful dogs including Best In Show at both Breed Specialty, National Breed Specialty and All Breeds shows.
HOW DID YOU GET INTRODUCED TO THIS BREED?
I was introduced to the breed when a Veterinarian was attending to one of the horses I had at the time. This large, short coated, brown dog just wandered around the paddock with the horses and quietly laid down and watched proceedings. What a dog! The search then began to find one of these dogs. The next weekend the same dog was shown at a local show with the veterinarian’s wife – and so the hunt for one of these dogs began in earnest.
WHEN DID YOU START WITH YOUR JUDGING CAREER AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A JUDGE? PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR JUDGES CAREER AND YOUR HIGHLIGHTS.
I entered into the judges training scheme in 1992 and have had my All Breeds (BIS) Licence since 2010. I became a judge so I could learn more about other breeds of dogs and at the same time educate more judges about the Rhodesian Ridgeback. I have judged all over the world and every time I judge regardless of where, it is a highlight for me. I particularly love judging the baby puppies (3-6 months) and our veterans.
DID YOU EVER HAD A MENTOR? ARE YOU MENTORING NEW COMERS?
I did not have one mentor but had many and took from all what was important to me and I watched and watched and read and read and researched and researched – something I find today is not done by many new comers. I hand wrote out pedigrees and memorised them along with those dogs’ virtues and faults. I read lots of material on dog structure (not breed specific) and matched what I read to photos and drew lines to faults that I could see in some photos generation after generation.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE TYPE?
I define type as the sum of the entire breed standard. It encompasses the breed characteristic, structure, temperament, movement and physical condition. Over the years I have seen Rhodesian Ridgebacks with more type than others and sadly at the moment I believe the Rhodesian Ridgeback type has more variance now than it has ever had in the past.
IS THERE SOMETHING WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE IN THE BREED?
I love the breed the way it is. The breed standard certainly could do with more description (the extended breed standard would be a good start!) I think every person who intends to breed should be made to sit exams covering skeletal, topography, husbandary and the breed standard just like trainee judges need to do as ultimately they hold the key to producing show quality dogs for the ring.
EVERY BREED HAS SOME COMMON PROBLEMS. WHICH IS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM IN RR?
Besides our hereditary issues there are many structural issues with Rhodesian Ridgebacks ie lack of angulation front and rear, incorrect croups. I am seeing some introduction of “herring gutted” dogs – this is a serious fault as it restricts the heart and lung capacity, so affects form and function. Another issue is incorrect coats – coats that are too long and thick almost the same as a Labrador and these coats give the ridge a more prominent appearance which can fool judges so often into thinking these dogs have superior ridges where in fact their coat is incorrect and seems to me to be related to a lot of the skin issues we hear about in the breed.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT OF WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE A JUDGE OF THE BREED TO BE AWARE?
The correct type, stable temperament and correct colour – mahogany plays no part in this breed regardless of how “pretty” it may look.
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU ADMIRE MOST IN A JUDGE?
A judge I can follow when they are judging even if I do not agree with them so long as I can follow what they are doing I’m ok with that. A kind judge to the dogs as well. A judge that is kind to the exhibitors and gives everyone the same amount of judging time and looks interested in the job at hand.
WHAT CHARACTERISTICS MAKE A GOOD JUDGE IN YOUR OPINION?
Knowledge of our breed and breed standard and a pleasant demeanour with a kind and respectful attitude to the exhibitors and dogs. A judge that judges the virtues and does not judge only by a dogs faults.
WHAT DIFFERENCES DO YOU SEE IN THE JUDGES TODAY AS OPPOSED TO THOSE IN THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER?
I find the newer judges don’t seem to be educated in breed specifics (across all breeds). It would seem to me compared to 40 odd years ago we have moved towards the more generic show dog to be the winner not the dog that has the most correct breed characteristics and type and this is across the board in all breeds.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AS A JUDGE?
For me I have so many – so many great dogs have been shown to me and I am most grateful for this privilege. But one that does stand out to me is a dog I gave Best of Breed to at a 2000+ show in Europe who went through to win the group under another international judge and this dog then went on to Runner Up Best in Show under anoth- er international judge. This was so very satisfying to me.
HAVE BREED STANDARDS CHANGED VERY MUCH SINCE YOU BEGAN YOUR JUDGING CAREER? DO
YOU
See Any
IN RR OF TODAY COMPARED TO RR OF 10 YEARS AGO? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCES YOU SEE?
DIFFERENCE
The breed standard hasn’t really changed that much in the last 40 years. I see today a more elegant functional hound overall. The heavy coarse almost mastiff types are rarely seen these days. I think temperaments are better now for the show ring – our dogs are more animated than they were 40 years ago.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO RR TODAY?
The greatest threat I see is over breeding. The newer breeders who have no mentors, who do not educate themselves but are more about producing lots of puppies for the pet market. This will only do a disservice to the breed in the future.
There are less breeder enthusiasts at shows. There seems to be an increase in the “10 minute wonder” exhibitor and those that must win at all costs and have the big winning dog without doing the time to really learn about the breed and have the breeds interest at heart.
IT IS INEVITABLE THAT BREEDS WILL EVOLVE AND CHANGE SOMEWHAT AS NEW GENERATIONS OF BREEDERS TAKE CHARGE. HOW CAN THE ESSENCE - OR TRUE BREED TYPE - BE MAINTAINED?
EDUCATION! This can be done at a local level (breed clubs) with some success. Also breeders need to assess litters closely and really only have the very best enter the show ring and the litter box. Breeders need to be prepared to mentor and be honest in their opinions and new breeders need to take this on board and not be offended. After all we are all in this game for the same reason – the Rhodesian Ridgeback!
What Would Be The Most Important Single Piece
OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO ALL SERIOUS YOUNG BREEDERS?
Do your time. Don’t rush to breed. Learn about the breed, educate yourselves. Talk to breeders of other breeds to learn about structure and temperament. Watch the better breeders and how they go about breeding the better dogs. Talk to lots of different breeders not just one breeder. So many start with a male first then get a female and for some reason they seem to feel it is imperative they use that male for breeding. Sometimes this is just not the case and hard decisions should always be made. Research the dogs you are intending to breed from. Look at the parents and siblings and as many siblings behind them of grandparents etc. When you start to see the same fault then research the opposite sex and make sure the same fault does not appear in the other line. Sometimes this is hard which is where research is imperative and it is so much easier these days with the internet and Facebook. Beware the breeder that tells you a stud has not produced any issues!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING?
Thank you for allowing me to participate in this article. I wish you well in the future.
