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Toy Fox Terrier InformationJudging The Toy Fox TerrierTheDogPlace.org Judges Interviews Online©
Richard BeauchampAKC, UKC, Int'l Judge, Kennel Review publisher and dog magazine columnist
Mr. Beauchamp, you have been largely instrumental in helping several breeds through Miscellaneous Class and into full AKC Recognition. One of them, the Bichon, is a very popular and prestigious breed today. Based on your knowledge of the Toy Fox Terrier and of the AKC show world, where do you think the Toy Fox Terrier will be in say, five years?
"Given the concentrated educational effort of the ATFTC, the Toy Fox Terrier could easily become one of the Toy Group's most imposing competitors. However, this assumes the parent club will be able to provide the dog world with an ideal to aim for. If not provided with same, judges and new fanciers will interpret the breed to their own liking and the first dog "out of the starting gate" with the biggest win record, whether of correct type or not, will set the style."
Do you think AKC Judges will have enough educational opportunities to learn about the Toy Fox Terrier before those who have the Toy Group are called upon to judge them?
"New parent clubs need to seek the advice of those who have had long-time and overall experience in the dog game. Breeders have intimate knowledge of what constitutes breed type but those with overall experience know what the judges and new people need to know and they know how to present that information. People in new breeds are inclined to believe their breed is entirely unique and that basic canine principles don't really apply to their breed. The principles of anatomy and movement that govern all canines are constant, it is only the manner in which each breed has adapted to them that differs."
How can the American Toy Fox Terrier Club help judges fine tune their understanding of breed type?
You had in your Toy Fox Terrier specialty ring some very sound, showy dogs that were elegant and racy and some equally outstanding dogs that were more muscular and heavier boned. Did this present a problem for you in assessing the classes?
That's interesting because ringside felt your judging was very consistent and your critiques to the observer-judges right "on-the-mark." Could you tell us what you therefore consider to be the three most important characteristics judges (and breeders) should look for in the Toy Fox Terrier?
"I have 5 things I apply in judging and they are the same 5 things that every dog fancier must know about every breed he or she is breeding or judging. The seminar I give ("Unveiling the Mysteries of Breed Type") to both breeders and judges instructs both groups to apply the 5 Basic Elements of Breed Type in making their selections. They are: 1) Breed Character, 2) Silhouette, 3)Head, 4) Movement, and 5) Coat. Understanding what excellence is in respect to a breed is what leads us to understanding breed type."
"Well, I think it's important we keep both aspects of the breed in mind. The way I view the breed is that the temperament must be all Terrier while respecting the integrity of its Toy status."
Based on the first National, do you think breeders are on the right track?
"Oh, definitely! Don't forget, the TFT wasn't invented last week. There are some people involved in the breed who have been registering their dogs with the United Kennel Club for decades and they have established lines that consistently produce top notch quality. My Best of Breed and Best Opposite winners both come from long established bloodlines and it shows. The quality of those two are on a par with the finest being shown in AKC Toy Group competition today."
You appeared to genuinely enjoy judging the Toy Fox Terrier. What attracted you to this breed?
"Probably the same thing that has attracted me to all the other breeds I've been involved with -- I can't get by a good one!"
Having been at this point in history with other breeds, what words of advice can you offer to Toy Fox Terrier Breeders?
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. We are also grateful to you and the current board for helping this great breed over the recognition hurdle. Thank you! Rick Beauchamp
See: A Tribute To Richard Beauchamp, Toy Fox Terrier National Specialty 2001, Show Coverage; 2012 TFT Nationals Critique by Richard Beauchamp, Judge for 2012 National Specialty Copyright © 1998 TheDogPlace.org 2001-2021 011012101610 https://www.thedogplace.org/Breeds/Toy-Fox-Terrier/Beauchamp-Richard.asp SSI Brought to you by the NetPlaces Network
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