Interview With Bob Moore


	The following is an attempt to improve communication between the judges of our breed, and the people who show under them. 1.) Are you an active breeder of German Shepherd Dogs? Do you have a kennel name ? Yes I have been a breeder since about 1971. Our kennel name is SCHARO. 2.) How long have you been in the breed? When and how did you get started? Are you affiliated with any clubs? We got our first GSD in 1968; went to our first show in 1971; member of the parent club and the German Shepherd Dog Club of San Antonio since 1973. 3.) How long have you been judging the breed? For about ten years more or less. 4.) How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds? From two to five times a year 5.) Over the last 2 years has the number of shows? About the same 6.) Have you ever judged the National Specialty? If yes, when and what classes ? No 7.) Do you judge at both all-breeds and specialties, which do you prefer ? Specialties - The depth of quality tends to be better. I have judged at approximately eight all breed shows over the years and the depth of quality has tended to be less than at the average specialty show. 8.) Do you have a color preference? This, if you will forgive me for saying so is really a poor question; Assuming that a judge is in fact judging in accordance with the Standard , the only proper answer is no preference but richer is preferred. Some years ago I had the coincidence to have some dark animals win under me at consecutive shows and I happened to be showing a dark dog at the same time. Before I knew it everyone was saying that I liked dark dogs and wouldn't you know it, pretty soon that was what a lot of people started to bring to me. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike dark, but it certainly doesn't have to be dark to win. Re: Judging Solid Blacks - solid black tends to appear smaller so requires a close look. 9.) What importance do you place on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain. Not very important as long as it is adequate. 10.) When judging the dog do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible. This sounds like a trick question! Seriously; the perfect handler would present the animal in such a fashion that the judge is barely aware of the handler. As long as the animal is presented in a manner that allows the evaluation of the animal, the handler is not relevant. 11.) What importance do you place on missing teeth? It depends on which tooth is missing or how many. 12.) How do you see bites today? Good 13.) How do you see strength of ears? Good and Poor 14.) Do you feel the GSD's temperament has improved over the past 5 years? Yes. 15.) Do you consider temperament today to be? Please explain. Fair 16.) Do you prefer a dog to be shown on a loose lead? YES! 17.) How would you rate the following in sequence of importance? (On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest). If you will forgive my saying so, another poor question; without proper structure how can you have good movement? Also, which would then possibly be preferred an average structured animal with great attitude or a great structured animal who had a rather laid back attitude. Personally, I would go with the great structure since that dog might be having a bad attitude day while the average structure will always be average 18.) Could you briefly describe your ring procedure, and any changes you may incorporate between a small Vs large class I like to have the class go around together before individual examination. On the individual exam I demand that the animal go on a loose lead and I tell the handler that I want the dog gaited at a moderate speed. If the class is large I break the class down into groups so that I can evaluate side-gait properly. 19.) Do you think there should be an age limit in placing points on a dog (i.e. dogs and bitches under 12 months of age)? No, some puppies are deserving of points when less than 12 months old. 20.) If a dog is not exactly to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller? No preference 21.) Do you think on average German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme? No; that is not to say however that there are no dogs that are too extreme because there certainly are. There are also dogs out there that have locked hocks which is a different problem. 22.) In your opinion should double handling be allowed? Yes and No 23.) Should all select dogs, in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)? Yes ; a worthwhile goal to work toward 24.) When making the final selection, does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class? Yes; the operative word here is usually; a front reach is not a dog! The best structure overall is the one to find. 25.) Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package, and less on movement? Yes; to a degree, a wonderful side-gait on a dog that looks like a coyote is certainly not desirable. Likewise, a beautiful statue that can't move properly isn't so good either. 26.) Do you think the German Shepherd Dog standard should be changed? No 27.) Do you think there should be any changes in any of the existing rules concerning dog shows? If so, please elaborate NO 28.) Is there a dog, whether alive now or not, who to you typifies most closely the "ideal" German Shepherd Dog ? If yes, please explain and give details There have been so many great ones I feel it would be an insult to say that one of today's style is greater than one of the past. 29.) Do you feel that in general the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please elaborate I think it is getting better. I think that we are seeing better males; it wasn't that many years ago that I considered it to be a good show if I found one male that I would like to take home; at today's shows I tend to find several nice ones. 30.) Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ? I think double handling tends to be overdone to the point that it sometimes becomes difficult to see the dogs move. 31.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ? Give me a loose lead when I ask for it, slow down when I say to, and don't double handle when I am checking temperament 32.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ? See Above Question 33.) Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding? Try to understand that the majority of the people there at the show think that they have the best animal (At least at the start) and regardless of who wins we all love our dogs . this is supposed to be a sport i.e.. Fun! Winning is great but it should never be the sole reason for being involved with our great breed.
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Copyright © 1998 - 2006, SpiderWoman Last Updated - 03/14/98

The following is an attempt to improve communication between the judges of our breed, and the people who show under them.

1.) Are you an active breeder of German Shepherd Dogs? Do you have a kennel name ?

Yes I have been a breeder since about 1971. Our kennel name is SCHARO.

2.) How long have you been in the breed? When and how did you get started? Are you affiliated with any clubs?

We got our first GSD in 1968; went to our first show in 1971; member of the parent club and the German Shepherd Dog Club of San Antonio since 1973.

3.) How long have you been judging the breed?

For about ten years more or less.

4.) How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds?

From two to five times a year

5.) Over the last 2 years has the number of shows?

About the same

6.) Have you ever judged the National Specialty? If yes, when and what classes ?

No

7.) Do you judge at both all-breeds and specialties, which do you prefer ?

Specialties - The depth of quality tends to be better. I have judged at approximately eight all breed shows over the years and the depth of quality has tended to be less than at the average specialty show.

8.) Do you have a color preference?

This, if you will forgive me for saying so is really a poor question; Assuming that a judge is in fact judging in accordance with the Standard , the only proper answer is no preference but richer is preferred. Some years ago I had the coincidence to have some dark animals win under me at consecutive shows and I happened to be showing a dark dog at the same time. Before I knew it everyone was saying that I liked dark dogs and wouldn't you know it, pretty soon that was what a lot of people started to bring to me. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike dark, but it certainly doesn't have to be dark to win.
Re: Judging Solid Blacks - solid black tends to appear smaller so requires a close look.

9.) What importance do you place on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain.

Not very important as long as it is adequate.

10.) When judging the dog do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible.

This sounds like a trick question! Seriously; the perfect handler would present the animal in such a fashion that the judge is barely aware of the handler. As long as the animal is presented in a manner that allows the evaluation of the animal, the handler is not relevant.

11.) What importance do you place on missing teeth?

It depends on which tooth is missing or how many.

12.) How do you see bites today?

Good

13.) How do you see strength of ears?

Good and Poor

14.) Do you feel the GSD's temperament has improved over the past 5 years?

Yes.

15.) Do you consider temperament today to be? Please explain.

Fair

16.) Do you prefer a dog to be shown on a loose lead?

YES!

17.) How would you rate the following in sequence of importance? (On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest).

If you will forgive my saying so, another poor question; without proper structure how can you have good movement? Also, which would then possibly be preferred an average structured animal with great attitude or a great structured animal who had a rather laid back attitude. Personally, I would go with the great structure since that dog might be having a bad attitude day while the average structure will always be average

18.) Could you briefly describe your ring procedure, and any changes you may incorporate between a small Vs large class

I like to have the class go around together before individual examination. On the individual exam I demand that the animal go on a loose lead and I tell the handler that I want the dog gaited at a moderate speed. If the class is large I break the class down into groups so that I can evaluate side-gait properly.

19.) Do you think there should be an age limit in placing points on a dog (i.e. dogs and bitches under 12 months of age)?

No, some puppies are deserving of points when less than 12 months old.

20.) If a dog is not exactly to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller?

No preference

21.) Do you think on average German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme?

No; that is not to say however that there are no dogs that are too extreme because there certainly are. There are also dogs out there that have locked hocks which is a different problem.

22.) In your opinion should double handling be allowed?

Yes and No

23.) Should all select dogs, in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)?

Yes ; a worthwhile goal to work toward

24.) When making the final selection, does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class?

Yes; the operative word here is usually; a front reach is not a dog! The best structure overall is the one to find.

25.) Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package, and less on movement?

Yes; to a degree, a wonderful side-gait on a dog that looks like a coyote is certainly not desirable. Likewise, a beautiful statue that can't move properly isn't so good either.

26.) Do you think the German Shepherd Dog standard should be changed?

No

27.) Do you think there should be any changes in any of the existing rules concerning dog shows? If so, please elaborate

NO

28.) Is there a dog, whether alive now or not, who to you typifies most closely the "ideal" German Shepherd Dog ? If yes, please explain and give details

There have been so many great ones I feel it would be an insult to say that one of today's style is greater than one of the past.

29.) Do you feel that in general the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please elaborate

I think it is getting better. I think that we are seeing better males; it wasn't that many years ago that I considered it to be a good show if I found one male that I would like to take home; at today's shows I tend to find several nice ones.

30.) Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ?

I think double handling tends to be overdone to the point that it sometimes becomes difficult to see the dogs move.

31.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ?

Give me a loose lead when I ask for it, slow down when I say to, and don't double handle when I am checking temperament

32.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ?

See Above Question

33.) Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding?

Try to understand that the majority of the people there at the show think that they have the best animal (At least at the start) and regardless of who wins we all love our dogs . this is supposed to be a sport i.e.. Fun! Winning is great but it should never be the sole reason for being involved with our great breed.

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