Robert D. Sharp is a naval
veteran of World War II, a
graduate entomologist (Purdue University)
and former President, Director and Vice President for several major
national chemical companies.
 Despite his impressive
pedigree and old-school background, he’s a rather informal gentleman
who answers to "Bob." He was born in Brooklyn and now resides in
Albany NY with Jeanette, his wife of 42 years.
Bob exhibited his first
dog, a Smooth Fox Terrier, in 1935. He took to the ring as naturally
as the dogs and people took to him.
Along with Ken
McDermott, he studied under Seth Campbell, a Terrier Handler and
over the next twenty years, became a successful all-breed handler.
Dedication to the sport
led him to become President of the New York Boxer Club and also the
American Lhasa Apso Club. He became Delegate to the American Kennel
Club and is currently show chairman for the Adirondack Dog show
circuit.
Developing interest and
expertise over the next sixty years, Bob bred or owned
Affenpinschers, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Lhasa Apsos, Whippets,
Brussels Griffons, English Toy Spaniels, Maltese, Miniature
Schnauzers, Norfolk, Norwich, Pugs, Toy Manchesters, Old English
Sheepdogs, Wire and Smooth Fox Terriers, Poodles, Doberman Pinschers
and Labrador Retrievers. "Bear", his Affenpinscher, was the very
first in the world of his breed to
achieve a Best in Show.
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Robert Sharp is approved for (and
considered an authority in) all Working, Terrier, Toy, and
Non-Sporting breeds. He still does Junior Showmanship.
It’s a
good thing he enjoys travel because he’s adjudicated in Argentina,
Chile, China, Canada, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Ireland, Italy,
Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Venezuela,
Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Japan, Columbia, Uruguay, South
Africa, and Australia. He was invited to do the World Show in
Portugal in 2001 and honored again by judging the World Show again
in 2005 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
 Closer to
home, Mr. Sharp has judged Westminster Kennel Club and has
adjudicated in nearly all of the 50 United States, including Puerto
Rico. As evidence of his standing, he received the Ken-L-Ration Non
Sporting Group Handlers award in 1972 and in 1994 was honored with
the Ken-L-Ration Medal for Good Sportsmanship.
One of
the greatest honors paid to judges is exhibitor support at Specialty
breed shows and that is a long list for Bob Sharp. He’s judged
Boxers, Bull Mastiffs, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers,
American Staffordshire Terriers, Australian Terriers, Kerry Blue
Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Chinese Cresteds, Italian
Greyhounds, Maltese, Manchester Terriers, Miniature Pinchers,
Pomeranians, Pugs, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terriers, Bulldogs, Boston
Terriers, Chinese Shar Pei, Dalmatians, Lhasa Apsos, and Poodles.
So what does this man
look for in his lineup? Other than a true demand for and knowledge
of breed type, what is the
one quality that is sure to catch his eye? |
He didn’t mince words. "I
judge strongly on movement."
Having
been an All-Breed handler, he has great respect for the profession
but we asked what "handler tricks" he could do without? Again, he
was succinct and to the point. "I do not like over grooming."
Bob is
involved with so many breeds, it might not have been fair to ask
which one is his favorite breed but we did anyway. He told us "I
have no favorite breed, I like them all but if I had to choose one
it would be my wife’s Seeing Eye dog, a lab-golden mixture, which is
the breed of choice these days." His favorite movie? "I think the
movie BIS is a riot!"
On a
roll, we asked about his favorite color and food. Laughing, he
replied "I used to wear a lot of green and had the nick name, Jolly
Green Giant but I’m thinner now and like Purple. Oh, and I love
Crispy French Fries!"
And one
last point. There was a rumor that he had been asked to retire from
judging. (see interview with AKC’s Judging
Department) It was patently untrue.
 He just adjudicated in
Thailand this past May, also in Michigan and New York. His health is
good and he plans to judge for many more years to come. In fact, his
birthday is July 4th and he will be judging the Summer-Fest in
California at that time.
We thank Bob Sharp for
sharing these personal insights with our readers. Be sure to wish
him a Happy Birthday on Independence Day. He’s an independent
intellectual with a great sense of humor and a lifetime of devotion
and service to our sport!
Interview August
2008 |
MEET THE
JUDGES
