Page 52 - Aussie Magazine - 2023 Issue 2
P. 52
Interview
a moderate breed. Having judged them in many
different countries, I feel that a number of exhibits
are getting quite extreme (either they are
too moderate and losing their angulation –
Probably our proudest in particular their front angulation – or
achievement to date is having they are becoming far too heavy/coarse
and could not possibly perform the
bred Australia’s youngest job that they were bred for). The
Australian Shepherd Supreme Australian Shepherd should also
never appear to be “long and low”.
Champion. Whilst exhibits with these body
proportions often have a large
side gait, this is not the correct
general appearance for the
breed and Judges should be
Ochaye No Easy Way Out” who are currently mindful of this when entering the ring.
relaxing out of the show ring and are about to
commence their most important role, as part of Do you think are Aussies different on the
our breeding program. continents? What is the biggest difference, is it
coat for example because of different weather?
In August 2015 you passed your final Judging I have now judged Australian Shepherds at 2
exam attaining ANKC All Breeds status and in World Dog Shows and Specialty Shows for
2018 you were officially recognised as an FCI Australian Shepherds in Australia, Canada and
International All Breeds Judge. And quiet soon Russia. Belinda and I are also judging a Specialty
after that you judged Aussies at World dog Show in America in December of this year. As
Show Russia 2016 and the World dog show a general observation, I have found the “type/
Netherlands 2018. Do you remember some style” to be fairly consistent Worldwide. At
dogs from that shows? Can you tell us what do any Show with decent breed numbers, there
you like on your winners? will always be a range of dogs that I find to be
Russia and Amsterdam both provided me with untypical of the breed, a number of reasonable
an amazing judging experience. At each Show, dogs and then a smaller number of exceptional
over 100 Australian Shepherds were exhibited dogs. In a few countries in Europe, I have found
to me. In Amsterdam, this just included the Male the overall type to be a little heavier than I would
variety. On both occasions my BOB winner was a prefer, especially the first time I judged in Russia
black tri male. I awarded BOB at the World Dog at the WDS in Moscow. Thankfully, since then, I
Show in Moscow to Multi Ch Rising Star Royal judged a Specialty Show in Vladivostok and was
Flash DCD Energie’s and BOB at the World Dog pleased to see that many of the younger exhibits
Show in Amsterdam to: WW18 Sentikki Rix were a little more refined than they had been
Absolute Value whom we have subsequently previously.
imported semen from and whose attributes are
now prevalent in many of our offspring. Both dogs Is there anything you would like to add?
showed exceptional quality, were not overdone I would like to thank you and your readers for the
and were very economical in movement. opportunity to be a part of this interview. I am
very honored to have been asked.
As a judge we know you have been judging in
over 30 countries around the World. When you On behalf of the Australian Shepherd Magazine
are judging Aussies what do you think is the and our readers, we would like to thank you for
biggest fault in our breed? this wonderful interview and also for everything
Essentially, the Australian Shepherd should be you do for our amazing breed.
52 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 2/2023
