Perhaps the most costly loss to our sport over those years has been the demise of the bench show . When exhibitors spent the entire day except when in the ring on their benches with fellow breeders , more outstanding mentoring took place and a greater camaraderie was fostered in the fancy than today . When you spent endless hours talking dogs , observing those dogs that defeated yours under expert judges you asked yourself why ? Soon you realized the virtues of those dogs of others that your own lacked , and you adjusted your breeding program accordingly .
Not only did the bench show augment learning on the part of fanciers , it also drew the public in and ended up recruiting more people to the sport . Nothing hooks an individual to a breed more than visiting with a dog in his element . Viewing a dog from a distance is just not the same as feeling its warmth and personality by touching it and being next to it .
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR OTHER OWNER / BREEDER / HANDLERS LOOKING TO HAVE AS MUCH LONGEVITY IN THE SPORT AS YOU ’ VE HAD ?
Never give up . Always continue your pursuit of perfection as well as the preservation of your breed . There will be “ down ” times in the long-term breeding program , and learning to tough it out will keep you going . Always remember that the harder you work , the luckier you will get . Be energized by the contribution your dogs give to your life . Care properly for your dogs and they will care for you .
... I loved the fact that families of dogs I had admired for years were represented in the Best In Show class with their breeders !
STEVE SURFMAN
– Patricia C . Trotter
WESTMINSTER There ’ s only one ® 57