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The Toy Fox Terrier
Interview
With Margo Carter
Phoenix Rising Toy Fox
Terriers, UKC Judge
INTERVIEWS
ONLINE ©
TheDogPlace.org
Format
based on ShowSight Seminars
developed by columnist Barbara J. Andrews. Top breed authorities
are asked the
same questions, in the same order providing a broad range of experience.
1.
WHAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOUR BREED?
That it is delicate and
a lap dog. Also, many people expect TFTs to be snappy, yappy and hyperactive but
they are not.
2.
WHAT IS THE MOST DEFINING PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC?
The head. Well-balanced
with a tapering stop and muzzle, and erect ears. The distinctive touch is the
mask of either black or tan (sometimes chocolate).
3.
WHICH BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTIC MOST TYPIFIES THE BREED?
They have all the
typical Terrier characteristics, but are especially fearless and have an
attitude which suggests that they think they are Irish Wolfhounds.
4.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON JUDGING MISTAKE IN YOUR BREED?
Judges not familiar
with the breed tend to look upon the TFT as another version of the MinPin rather
than as a small working Terrier. This is especially bad because the MinPin is
known for its hackneyed gait which is a serious fault in a TFT. The gait of a
working dog, which the TFT is, should have drive and purpose without wasted
motion.
5.
WOULD YOU PREFER THE BREED BE JUDGED STANDING OR MOVING?
Moving. Any dog can be
trained to hold a pose which would hide structural faults. It is extremely hard
to hide the faults when a dog is gaiting.
6.
IS THERE A BREED RELATED COSMETIC ALTERATION SHOULD JUDGES BE AWARE OF?
Nothing that is
specifically breed related, but some breeders have been known to enhance a dog's
color. Noses have been filled in with Magic Marker and tan trim made richer or
darker with dyes.
7.
WHICH FAULT IS OF GREATEST CONCERN TO BREEDERS TODAY?
There is no one fault common
to the breed as a whole. Certain lines/areas of the country will have a common
fault. Fortunately, today's ease of travel gives the breeder a chance to view
and import dogs, which, with careful breeding practices, will help erase a
particular fault from their
line.
8.
IS THERE ANY ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED IN THE STANDARD?
I would like to see the
height limits re-evaluated. There are two body types within the breed, with the
blending of the two ideal. The current height limits penalize the cobby or
compact dog. The cobby dog is small, square and heavy boned. This body type is
needed in the gene pool to offset the rangy dog which is tall and lanky. Without
the cobby dog, the breed will become larger and lose its substance. Most
breeders will breed what is winning in the ring and if the height limit throws
out the sturdy little cobby dog, the breed will be in trouble.
9.
NAME ONE WAY IN WHICH THE BREED MOST IMPROVED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.
The head has become
more balanced. It is now rare to see an apple head or snipy muzzle.
10.
WHAT ARE THE THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOUR BREED?
Feisty. Intelligent.
Loyal.
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