AKC Gazette

May 1994

Richard R. Maze

1993 BCA SPECIALTY

“Meet me in St Louie,” cried Henry VIII. In his absence Sir Edward Miskelly, show coordinator superb and chief greeter for our national specialty participants, scored high marks. He and his Division VI gang created a welcome atmosphere that made Thanksgiving memorable for eager exhibitors of 357 Bulldogs and enthusiastic fanciers from as far and wide as Mexico (led by Lourdes and Gonzalo Alcazar), Australia (led by Carmen Kingston and Sourmug correspondent Howard Randall), Canada (Mrs. George Kamminman) and South America (Sourmug correspondent Jorge Saavedra).

The California Cluster was in bull force at the ring: Cal Riggs, the Bookers and the Thomases were ring stewards. Past president (1989-93) Dan Powers and his wife Toni helped make the event a success and incoming president Bob Rodenski was there to receive the torch passed to him for his 1994-95 duties, which will be conducted from his new address (9431 Chapel Green Road, King George, VA 2248; 703-775-3015, evenings; 703-899-4777, days).

The 151 Sweepstakes entries on the first of three days gave a vivid insight into the beautiful youngsters that are our future. The next morning 14 eager, obedient Bulldogs thrilled and inspired a large, appreciative audience with his diligent trainers’ accomplishments, The remaining time and space in the beautiful roomy, old Henry VIII Hotel was devoted to 161 Bulldog bitches judged by Nancy Paul (who also judged Junior Showmanship) and 122 Dogs and 77 specials judged by Dr. Saul Schor, who writes about the record-setting national event.

Schor on Judging the National

After years of writing and teaching, I finally had my opportunity to judge dogs and intersex at the national. I was determined to do the best judging possible.

My wife Edythe and I had gone over diagrams of the ring and decided on the best ring procedure. Doing a show of this stature requires special consideration. I must be able to reduce the confusion created by the extra-large classes.

Not only must I simplify everything for myself, but I have a responsibility to the spectators, They must be able to see each dog clearly for their own evaluation and should be able to follow my thoughts, I fully intended to make cuts in most classes so exhibitors would know where I categorize them,

The class dogs were examined and gaited in half of the 50-by-100-foot ring. The other dogs stayed in line until examined in the remaining 50-by-50-ring.

The final placements for each class were set on the diagonal. Each dog was stacked only for presentation. I started in the front, on the feet, working my way up the chest to the head, going over the jaw alignment, the layback of the head, the nose, eyes, ears and on the neck and shoulders, the total body and finally the rear.

The dogs were moved in a triangle on a loose lead. When the handlers came to a halt in front of me, they all seemed to string up their dogs. I asked that the leads be slackened so I could appraise the dogs in a more natural state. As each dog went to the end of the line, I marked a card with my appraisal of type, balance and soundness. Using the cuts and the cards, I had no difficulty comparing each dog to the standard and then to the other dogs.

This year, class dogs seemed better than in prior years. I was proud of my Winners class; they were all similar of type and balance. My WD from the Open class, that later went Best of Winners, was Easy Ed’s Millcoat Bass, owned by Duwayne and Caroline Miller and E. and P. Lenning. My RWD, from the 6-to-9 Month class, Hetherbull Arrogant Nigel, is owned by Jean and Robert Hetherington. The Veteran Dog, previous national BB Ch. Kerrs’ Winston Pride O’Tugboat, owned by R. and L. Kerr, was still in excellent condition and made me shed a tear.

Paul’s bitch selections were Winners Bitch (from the 12-to-18 Month class) Millcoats Flo, owned by the Millers; RWB (from the same class) Elliots Beau’s Belle, owned by M. and M. Bortz; and Veteran Bitch Ch. Mardel Fidelis Bianca, owned by R. and S. Rodenski.

After the bitch judging, I did Intersex. It was high drama. I wore the formal clothing as suggested, Western style, befitting my part of the country. I checked off the entries and sent the bitches out of the ring.

The 40 males were individually examined and gaited, with remarks entered on my cards. Talk about a labor of love; this was it. I made three cuts, to 14 plus my WD. Their arm bands were recorded and they were sent to the holding area in exchange for the bitches, which I judged similarly. These 42 were also reduced to 14 plus WB.

The males were recalled and I judged the combined group. I made a next-to-final cut. I placed the WB and WD next to each other in a front view. Four male specials were selected and set on a diagonal from the WB, creating an inverted V. I crossed the wide ring and carefully observed the entire group.

I had the ring announcer tell spectators that five Awards of Merit would now be presented, to Ch. Vincents Real McCoy (Robert and Glenda Vincent), Ch. Millcoats Titus (Duwayne and Carolyn Miller), Ch. Prestwick Gawain (Cody and June Sickle and Bob Church), Ch. Royal Cinnamon Scimitor (Robert and Bonnie Stansell) and Ch. Londonderry Truck Stop Annie (Anne Marie and Ernest Hubbard). Each was qualified to win the coveted top award, but today was not for them.

Our standard states, “Everything else being equal, due consideration should be given to the bitch.” That is why I selected Madeline Shae and Diane Wallwork’s Ch. Warmvalley Gillie’s Sophia as Best of Breed. BOS was Robert and Brenda Newcomb’s Ch. Newcomb’s Desert Victory. From the screams, it was a popular decision.

Best Puppy was my RWD. Stud Dog to Ch. Millcoats Titus, Brook Bitch to Ch. Stonehenge Xtra Peppermint, owned by the Newcombs and C. and P. Booker.

Best Junior Handler was Rebecca Bish of Pemberville, Ohio.

In Sweepstakes, Thomas Castello judged dogs and Linda Sigle did bitches. Mists Gideon In Repose (Stephanie Deakin) was Best in Sweepstakes. BOS was Juggernaut Jubilee (John and Frances Little). William Oxandale’s Highest Scoring Dog was Kathryn Jacobsen’s Rely-A-Bull Bilbo Baggins.

The smooth ring procedure was the result of the fantastic help I received. Dottie Thomas inconspicuously and efficiently got out arm bands, collected absentees, prepared my cards, got ribbons and medals ready and marked the catalog. Cal Riggs was at my beck and call. We worked like a well-rehearsed team. Most spectators do not appreciate the planning that is the secret of a well-run show, along with excellent stewards who know in advance what the judge wants,

The record entry of 536 allowed for other possible results. This was my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to practice what I have preached. I am pleased with the results. – SS

We thank Schor for judging our national and sharing his critique.

Richard R. Maze, 45 Carolane Trail, Houston, TX 77024-5120.