17. Did you ever take part in the judges training scheme? What would be your advice to judges when they assess a poodle? Yes, I currently hold an ANKC judging license for the Toy group and a license to judge poodles in the Non-Sporting Group. It is so important for judges to learn how to go over them properly. Slow down when you are going over them, it’s not a race. Look for the natural poodle carriage, without the carriage it’s not a poodle. They shouldn’t poke their heads/necks out and they should always have their tails up and proud. Don’t fault judge, look for the quality dog with ELEGANCE!!!! The poodle is all about elegance. 18. Have you ever imported dogs and how important were these new lines to your breeding program? I cannot thank the wonderful breeders from overseas enough for allowing me to share in their breeding by sending me dogs over the years. I have also exported breeding lines overseas. I’m a silver toy breeder, I have imported from many countries and can’t stress how valuable this was for my breeding programs. We are not as lucky as a country in Europe where it is a little easier to use others’ stud dogs. In Australia we are far away from everyone so we must rely on imports that do come in. It’s very expensive and stressful for all concerned when importing, therefore the price of the dogs’ stud services are high along with contracts to respect the breeder’s breeding. The importation rules in Australia are some of the strictest in the world and the quarantine requirements add another layer of difficulty on top. My imports have been at stud to serious breeders with great success. I have also used others’ imports and have been thrilled with the outcomes. New blood for new lines. 19. Have you ever competed in a competitive grooming competition? I won Best Groomer in Show at the very first grooming comp ever held here in Australia. It was called ‘Groom-a-long’, held in Sydney. I competed with a lovely white miniature poodle that I borrowed from Troy Tanner and Lex Henery (Kennel -Troymere). Twelve years later my daughter talked me into entering a competition that was held here in Melbourne where I won Best in Show again. I won grooming a lovely toy poodle owned by Chris Bains. We won a fabulous dryer, which I still use today. 20. Are you a traditionalist in that you would prefer to see more historic trims in the ring like continental, lion/English saddle? Yes, I am very much a traditionalist. I feel it is our responsibility to learn these trims, have them seen in the ring and to execute them to a high standard. I love English Saddle and when done well, it is stunning. I love the Scandinavian trim as well but so many don’t do it correctly and use it as an ‘easy trim’ just to get by rather than learning the traditional trims. I would hate to see the traditional trims die out; however, there are only a few talented groomers that could teach these trims. The ‘older’ and more experienced generation that did these trims week in week out are becoming few and far between. My hope is that with this new grooming sport under the Dogs Australia banner it will keep these traditional historic trims going. Most of the older and experienced generation are willing to share their skills -people need only ask. 21. Do you think that there is enough variety in education available to up and coming competitive groomers and show exhibitors? I’m not sure about the education for competitive grooming, but in the show ring there needs to be more education. Exhibitors need to seek it out and be willing to learn and take on board a critique. Grooming and presenting your poodle to a high standard is important and the icing on top of our breed. 22. What do you believe makes a breed specialist judge? Someone who has bred champions of that breed for 20+ years. They will know the breed standard inside out. January-March 2025 • POODLE VARIETY 79
Poodle Variety Magazine January-March 2025 January – March 2025: Page 79
