Before I tell you about our great judging experiences in Chile, I want to comment about judges who write in the dog press about dogs being presently campaigned. Specifically in the old days, if you wrote about anything for the press—dog or otherwise—you had your choice—judge or write about dogs. This was particularly put to the late Deborah Lawson and the late Anna Katharine Nicholas. I know this as a fact because both ladies wrote for me, and I was the bearer of the news to Anna. Mr. Brumby, on the other hand, told Deborah the story. I can't say either lady was too happy about the situation, but both basically acceded to the demands of AKC. Through the years, and probably properly so, the policy was mitigated in the sense that judges, while not writing about dogs being actively campaigned, would and still do give results, usually at Group or Best levels. The concept seemed to expand further of late when it became almost de rigeur for judges who judged major Groups or Bests at all-breed or specialties to comment in writing about their selections. These comments were always basically positive and favorable comments, and it sort of opened the door to a new type of freedom of speech for the judging community. Rarely, if ever, were negative comments made, and if they were, they were written constructively rather than destructively. Attempts at destroying dogs in writing never truly played a part in the picture (until today).
Now comes the Internet and chat rooms and the like, and peoples' priorities changed even more. There is an openness which is good or bad, depending on your viewpoint, which never extended to judges’ writings, to my knowledge. Indeed, it was always both an unwritten, if not written, rule that negative criticism of your fellow judge was taboo. Occasionally the classless or mean-spirited judge-writer decided to write negatively about dogs and handlers. The latest contretemps—and perhaps the nastiest and least understanding—involves a judge ripping to shreds the top-campaigned and top-winning exhibit in America and his handler. Why he would choose to do this in a contemporary publication and why the publisher would permit it astounds me. This is not a matter of freedom of speech but a cave-in to one of the most unnecessary personal and dog attacks I have ever read. Really, part of what he wrote was strictly his own opinion, and who in their right mind cares about that! Criticizing the practice of flying around the country was a total joke, since the other two terrier competitors do the exact same thing (as did he as a handler), while questioning the condition of the dog was farcical. But the most serious accusation he made was against the other judges who liked the dog. His questioning their decisions is a breach of AKC's newly-established Sportsmanship Code, presuming he's even heard of it. It he's not brought up on charges, let me tell you something is rotten somewhere. Plus the fact his personal attack on the handler was totally uncalled for, if not actually baseless in fact.
On to nicer subjects. Our trip to Chile was just great. Vina del Mar is the beach town next to Valparaiso, where the show was held. It is an oceanfront community, which is both charming and modern and a pleasure to attend. The President of the Club, who was a most gracious host, is Dr. Eugene Gonzalez Aguilas. We were treated royally, and I know I speak for both Gene and Thora Brown from Canada (The Canadian) when I say a return trip would be eagerly anticipated. The venue, on the grounds of the old estate, now a park, was spectacularly beautiful. The atmosphere was reminiscent of our finest-held shows. The Beagles were well above par—all bred in Chile. The condition of most Toys comparable, if not better, than what we see in the States. Maltese and Shih Tzu put beautifully down. The handlers were as polite as could be, accepting decisions they were unhappy with with the same graciousness had they won. This was a round-robin-type affair wherein we each judged all the dogs and groups and Best individually and came up with our own choices. At the very end, the three different Best in Show winners—yes, Thora, Gene and I ended up with different choices—were an Old English (Thora), a Shih Tzu (Gene), while I selected a Scottie. For Best of the Best and the right to represent Chile at the next World Show, to be held in Mexico in 2007, by consensus opinion, the three of us selected the Shih Tzu as the victor. All in all, it was truly a terrific experience.
On a personal note, I must say I met two ladies who I had never seen before, who I hope to at the very least become fast acquaintances with. First, there was Thora Brown from Canada, whom I must say was a total pleasure to be with on the panel. Her sense of humor and warmth was very similar to our good friend Cathy Brey. And then there was Margarita Faust de Wenz. This 92-year-old grand dame of dogs in Chile was a thorough delight who entertained us all royally. As elegant a person as you want to meet, both in dress and manner, she sort of made the entire trip for everyone. And not only that, she makes the deadliest Pisco Sours ever, and guess what — she even shared her recipe with us! Did we have a great time? You betcha we did! •