Interview With Doris Farrell

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 ?

I am an active breeder of German Shepherds for the last 25 years under the kennel name of Farmil.

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

25 years. Bought a Zent of Frolich daughter for a family pet, did some obedience and fell in love with the breed. German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater New Haven GSDCA

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

Since 1998

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

Whenever asked if possible. 3-4 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 ?
I like both

8.) Do you have a color preference?

No

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

Both should be in good condition.

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

ABSOULTELY NOT ! ONLY THE DOG

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

Slightly important

12.) How do you see bites today?

Very good

13.) How do you see strength of ears?

Very good

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.

Good

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).

Coming and going 7
Side Gait 8
Temperament 10
Teeth 3
Coat 2
Pasterns, hocks, feet 5
Pigment 1
Structure 9
Shoulder and reach 6
Attitude 4

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

Set dogs up and I walk down the line talking to them and the handlers Gait them twice. Do the individuals. Gait one more time and place them then one more time again to make sure that is where I want everyone.

If the class is large I will split it into groups and then blend the groups.

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 we are there to pick out the one that most closely resembles the standard

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

Prefer masculine dog and feminine bitch. Preferably to the standard.

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

They used to be but not as much anymore. However we do need to clean up the problems in the rears. Lack of follow thru and dragging toes.

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

If the dog needs it but too many people over do it and ruin their dogs performance. I usually ask them to stop if they are ruining the dog.

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

That is a personal preference of the owner. We don't have to breed to non ofa dogs if we don't want to, although I ofa my dogs.

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

I like the total package. Front, correct hindquarter, sidegait, good temperament, clean coming and going etc.

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

CORRECT MOVEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE TOTAL PACKAGE.

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 are many

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

Better

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

Showing a dirty dog

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

Follow my instructions about not racing the dogs.

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

No response to other questions

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

No response to other questions

34.) Is there anything else you would like to say about judging or about the German Shepherd breed today ? If so, please feel free to say it here

35.) Have you ever judged one the of the greats? If so, can you give a rundown of this dog for the people who have not had the privilege to even see it.

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Copyright © 1997 - 2021, SpiderWoman


	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 ? I am an active breeder of German Shepherds for the last 25 years under the kennel name of Farmil. 2.) How long have you been in the breed? When and how did you get started? Are you affiliated with any clubs? 25 years. Bought a Zent of Frolich daughter for a family pet, did some obedience and fell in love with the breed. German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater New Haven GSDCA 3.) How long have you been judging the breed? Since 1998 4.) How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds? Whenever asked if possible. 3-4 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 ? I like both 8.) Do you have a color preference? No 9.) What importance do you place on condition of plush versus smooth coat? Please explain. Both should be in good condition. 10.) When judging the dog do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible. ABSOULTELY NOT ! ONLY THE DOG 11.) What importance do you place on missing teeth? Slightly important 12.) How do you see bites today? Very good 13.) How do you see strength of ears? Very good 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. Good 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). Coming and going 7 Side Gait 8 Temperament 10 Teeth 3 Coat 2 Pasterns, hocks, feet 5 Pigment 1 Structure 9 Shoulder and reach 6 Attitude 4 18.) Could you briefly describe your ring procedure, and any changes you may incorporate between a small Vs large class Set dogs up and I walk down the line talking to them and the handlers Gait them twice. Do the individuals. Gait one more time and place them then one more time again to make sure that is where I want everyone. If the class is large I will split it into groups and then blend the groups. 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 we are there to pick out the one that most closely resembles the standard 20.) If a dog is not exactly to the standard in size, would you prefer slightly larger or smaller? Prefer masculine dog and feminine bitch. Preferably to the standard. 21.) Do you think on average German Shepherd Dogs are too extreme? They used to be but not as much anymore. However we do need to clean up the problems in the rears. Lack of follow thru and dragging toes. 22.) In your opinion should double handling be allowed? If the dog needs it but too many people over do it and ruin their dogs performance. I usually ask them to stop if they are ruining the dog. 23.) Should all select dogs, in your opinion, be OFA (H&E)? That is a personal preference of the owner. We don't have to breed to non ofa dogs if we don't want to, although I ofa my dogs. 24.) When making the final selection, does the dog with the most front reach usually win the class? I like the total package. Front, correct hindquarter, sidegait, good temperament, clean coming and going etc. 25.) Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package, and less on movement? CORRECT MOVEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE TOTAL PACKAGE. 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 are many 29.) Do you feel that in general the quality of the breed in this country is getting better or worse ? Please elaborate Better 30.) Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs ? Showing a dirty dog 31.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ? Follow my instructions about not racing the dogs. 32.) Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ? No response to other questions 33.) Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding? No response to other questions 34.) Is there anything else you would like to say about judging or about the German Shepherd breed today ? If so, please feel free to say it here 35.) Have you ever judged one the of the greats? If so, can you give a rundown of this dog for the people who have not had the privilege to even see it.
	Back to Judges
Copyright © 1997 - 2021, SpiderWoman