10. What are 2 breed hallmarks that you believe are the most important in poodles? Carriage and elegance. So many lack these and some breeder/owner/handlers just aren’t seeing this. It’s why filming yourself or looking at professional photos that are taken in the ring can help eliminate some kennel blindness. Look and compare to other dogs. 11. What are some of the health issues in poodles that the general public may not be aware of? In toy poodles some of the health issues can be slipping patella’s. 12. Are you a member of a Poodle Club? If so, which ones? I am a proud member of Poodle Club of Victoria and the Toy Poodle Society Of Victoria. I have been for many years. 13. What role do you feel that breed clubs, like Poodle Clubs, should play in today’s society? Do you feel they provide enough education to the general public? The two clubs that I am a member of in Victoria do a brilliant job in educating the public and I feel still have a very current role to play. It is our role as members and breeders to also educate the public and direct them to our poodle clubs. Facebook groups like Poodles Australia also assist in promoting our breed in a healthy, current and modern way. 14. What is your most memorable win in the show ring? I have a few that are very memorable for me: ---California, at the Beverly Hills Kennel Club 1967, winning Best Junior Handler. Hawaii, winning the 3rd leg on my standard poodle, “Kaleo “, for his CD (Obedience Companion Dog) in the morning. We then raced to the other side of the Island of Oahu and won Best in Show for the second year in a row at the Poodle Specialty. Victoria, Australia, winning Best in Show at the Toy Poodle Ruby Specialty with my 9 ½ year old veteran “Stellar”. 15. What is some advice that you would like to give to up and coming breeders and handlers of poodles? Talk to the OLD BREEDERS. Sit by the ring with a catalogue and the breed standard, watch, learn and take notes. Anyone can find faults in a dog, instead learn what the dog’s attributes are as well. It is so important for up-and-coming breeders to learn about pedigrees. Investigate the dogs that are in your pedigree. Don’t just pick the top winning dog as a sire to use because you believe it will make your puppies winners as well. Ask the Poodle Clubs if they can host evenings with highly experienced breeders talking about their breeding programs with some question and answers after. Come with open minds and leave with great knowledge. 16. How important is it for breeders and handlers to have a mentor? Who was yours? It’s very important to have a mentor, without mentors you will never learn and improve. You need to be receptive to their feedback and trust their experience and knowledge. I was so lucky to grow up around the very best. My Dad for one, and Frank Sabella (for those that don’t know is one of the greats in the poodle world), Mike Shea, Barbra Humphries, the list goes on. I was fortunate to not only learn from great poodle people, but I learned from great Terrier, Toy, Gun Dog breeders and handlers. An absolute standout for me will always be, my hero, Alva Rosenberg. Alva was one of the top all breeds judges in America and judged Westminster (huge show in America) many times . 78 January-March 2025 • POODLE VARIETY
Poodle Variety Magazine January-March 2025 January – March 2025: Page 78
