Page 112 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023

An Interview with a judge

Since first meeting Temba, I started noticing this first Australian Shepherd of my own, and he was
type of dog more and more often. I found out wonderful, he did everything I asked him to, and
the original parent club of the breed, Australian he did it well and fast. He came to Latvia in the
Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) was summer of 1994, at the age of 6 months, and he
established in 1957. The American Kennel Club was the first Australian Shepherd in the Baltic
(AKC) recognised the Australian Shepherd in States. At that time, there were already some
1991. At the time I was interested in Rhodesian Australian Shepherds in Finland and Sweden. As
Ridgebacks, loving the looks but gradually starting a young dog, Rikki and I won our first-ever Best in
to realise that these dogs were independent, Show. He passed the obedience exam with flying
bred to do their own job without much input colours. He was my daughter’s best friend. He
from people, and ultimately not really what I was could do anything.
looking for. I wanted a different mindset. I wanted
a dog that would be intensely devoted and would It was ironic that now, like with Temba, I was in the
prefer to stay with me not because I was holding reverse position of having other people question
on to the leash, but because the dog wanted to whether my Rikki was a real breed. People would
stay close. I wanted a dog that would love to come stop me on the street and ask what kind of dog he
when called and love to play fetch. was and offer me their guesses as to what breeds
produced this “mix”. One man was adamant that
Meanwhile, my in-laws lost their beloved family Rikki was the cross between a Rottweiler and
companion. He was a medium sized mixed breed Chow Chow. He liked his own idea so much that
dog, the ideal farm dog, lived a long active life my objections did not seem to matter. I have
killing groundhogs and other vermin, and died of always loved dog shows, and there were of course
old age. My mother-in-law asked me to get her some misunderstandings at shows, too. One judge
a new puppy, raise him and train him for a few measured Rikki and disqualified him because he
months, and then bring him to the family farm. was 55 cm in the withers (the correct size for
But, she said, it must not be a fru-fru show dog. an Australian Shepherd male). I was clueless at
We need a farm dog, she said. The dog needs the time, quietly gathered my things and left the
to be tough and smart, she said. I remembered show. Only years later did I realise that I could
Temba and knew just what kind of dog to look for. have questioned the judge’s mistake. In any case,
A few weeks later I brought home a blue merle I was so in love with my dog and so sure of his
male, a puppy to raise for my mother-in-law. Very wonderful qualities in every possible way that the
soon I realised that this was it. I had found THE judge’s mistake did not sadden me. I knew I had
DOG for me. He wanted to come when called. a lovely dog, and I knew the judge’s decision was
He played fetch from Day One. But we already his mistake, his shortcoming, not my dog’s. There
had a Ridgeback at home, both my husband and was another time when I was proudly standing
I working full time, planning to enter Graduate in the Group ring with Rikki. The judge pointed
School. Another dog was out of the question. At at me and said, Sheltie, Third! I was glad to be
the agreed time, I gave the Aussie puppy to my Group 3, but I said – He is not a Sheltie. The judge
in-laws and thought that my heart would break. answered, Regardless, Third!
Some years later when returning from USA to
Latvia, I knew I was not leaving America without Those first few years showing Rikki were
an Australian Shepherd. It was time. interesting. He was usually the only one, and
therefore first. I did not have a real understanding
I found breeder Diane Peters in Ohio, Linerider of how he would measure up to other Aussies,
kennel. Diane took the time to listen to a newbie because there were never any. At Group level,
and let me choose a puppy male out of 2 litters. we sometimes won because we were unique and
After seeing Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies, the interesting, and sometimes we lost because we
Aussies at age 3-4 weeks seemed to me small were unique and interesting, and the judge just
and light like little birds. I chose a blue merle was not sure. After a while, it felt really lonely.
male, Lineriders Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Rikki was the The titles and Championships came easily – first

112 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 1/2023