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In the dog-eat-dog world of canine competition, judge James Reynolds is on top.
A retired local school board superintendent who showed his own champion Scottish terriers, the Ottawan got the nod to pick the best in show winner at the recent 15th annual National Dog Show in Philadelphia.
It was aired on U.S. Thanksgiving but ahead of a reprise broadcast Saturday night on NBC, we chatted with Reynolds about his favourite breed, what he can’t help himself from doing at Ottawa dog parks and – spoiler alert – his pick in Philadelphia.
Q. What’s it like to judge this huge show with almost 2,000 entries?
A. It’s fantastic. In the dog game, the very best is the Westminster Kennel Club (Dog) Show and I was the first Canadian to do best in show there back in 2006. The National Dog Show is relatively new … It’s certainly a huge honour … The National Dog Show has 25 million (viewers), it follows the Macy’s parade … I certainly enjoyed every moment of it.
Q. How do you get to be an international dog judge?
A. You start off as a breeder and exhibitor of dogs. Usually there’s a number of years you must be in the sport — I think it’s about 10 years — before you’re eligible to apply to judge. You write the examinations and the test. You’re then given a few breeds you’re allowed to judge with people observing. You add breeds until finally you’re approved as an all-breed judge … The clubs must want you … I’ve judged in Europe, South America, Australia, Mexico. Next May will be my 50th year judging championship shows.
James G. Reynolds, third from left, third from left, says he likes all breeds, but the Irish wolfhound has always had a special spot for him.
Q. For non dog people, what is best in show?
A. Dog shows are like a knockout tournament. It starts at a breed level, then to a group level, then to best in show. We have seven recognized groups (terrier, toy, working, sporting, hound, non-sporting and herding). The seven finalists for those groups compete for best in show.
Q. What makes a dog like Gia the greyhound — the top dog in Philadelphia — the best of the best?
A. Every one of our breeds, and we have over 200 recognized breeds, has a written standard. When you are judging, you are judging the dogs against their standard. But there also comes those moments that make the stars … (Gia) is beautiful in type, which is our word for fitting a breed standard, but she has a personality and she uses her personality in the ring. What is really interesting about that this is not necessarily one of the things you normally find in a greyhound. When you see a golden retriever, they’re all wagging their tail and all happy. They grab you right away. Greyhounds are more aloof, more exotic, they’re a sight hound, and yet Gia has that personality along with those breed attributes … We have a phrase with greyhounds: A “head like a snake, a neck like a drake.”
Q. Do you have a favourite breed?
A. The Irish wolfhound has always had a special spot for me. I like all the breeds, I judge all breeds … They’re called gentle giants and you have to understand that I’m 6-5. They’re just devoted to you, they get crushed if you don’t recognize how sweet they are. Most people are petrified. They see this huge dog, they think it’s a real danger but they’re not, they have a very sweet temperament.
Q. Do you ever find yourself judging the dogs in the dog park?
A. That is almost impossible for me not to do. Whenever I see dogs, yes, I must admit I will take a look and I will see something and wonder what combination produced it, if it’s not a purebred, or that’s a great shoulder … It’s not possible for me not to do that when I see a dog.
Q. People can watch on TV, but what’s the atmosphere like behind the scenes at shows?
A. Sometimes I refer to us as gypsies. Dog people are on the road a lot, and when they get to shows it’s a social group, there’s the social interaction. On the other hand, it’s competition; they may be friends but when they’re in the ring they offer no quarter. They’re out to make sure that their dog is presented to the very best of their ability and that it is out to win.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
查看原文...
A retired local school board superintendent who showed his own champion Scottish terriers, the Ottawan got the nod to pick the best in show winner at the recent 15th annual National Dog Show in Philadelphia.
It was aired on U.S. Thanksgiving but ahead of a reprise broadcast Saturday night on NBC, we chatted with Reynolds about his favourite breed, what he can’t help himself from doing at Ottawa dog parks and – spoiler alert – his pick in Philadelphia.
Q. What’s it like to judge this huge show with almost 2,000 entries?
A. It’s fantastic. In the dog game, the very best is the Westminster Kennel Club (Dog) Show and I was the first Canadian to do best in show there back in 2006. The National Dog Show is relatively new … It’s certainly a huge honour … The National Dog Show has 25 million (viewers), it follows the Macy’s parade … I certainly enjoyed every moment of it.
Q. How do you get to be an international dog judge?
A. You start off as a breeder and exhibitor of dogs. Usually there’s a number of years you must be in the sport — I think it’s about 10 years — before you’re eligible to apply to judge. You write the examinations and the test. You’re then given a few breeds you’re allowed to judge with people observing. You add breeds until finally you’re approved as an all-breed judge … The clubs must want you … I’ve judged in Europe, South America, Australia, Mexico. Next May will be my 50th year judging championship shows.
James G. Reynolds, third from left, third from left, says he likes all breeds, but the Irish wolfhound has always had a special spot for him.
Q. For non dog people, what is best in show?
A. Dog shows are like a knockout tournament. It starts at a breed level, then to a group level, then to best in show. We have seven recognized groups (terrier, toy, working, sporting, hound, non-sporting and herding). The seven finalists for those groups compete for best in show.
Q. What makes a dog like Gia the greyhound — the top dog in Philadelphia — the best of the best?
A. Every one of our breeds, and we have over 200 recognized breeds, has a written standard. When you are judging, you are judging the dogs against their standard. But there also comes those moments that make the stars … (Gia) is beautiful in type, which is our word for fitting a breed standard, but she has a personality and she uses her personality in the ring. What is really interesting about that this is not necessarily one of the things you normally find in a greyhound. When you see a golden retriever, they’re all wagging their tail and all happy. They grab you right away. Greyhounds are more aloof, more exotic, they’re a sight hound, and yet Gia has that personality along with those breed attributes … We have a phrase with greyhounds: A “head like a snake, a neck like a drake.”
Q. Do you have a favourite breed?
A. The Irish wolfhound has always had a special spot for me. I like all the breeds, I judge all breeds … They’re called gentle giants and you have to understand that I’m 6-5. They’re just devoted to you, they get crushed if you don’t recognize how sweet they are. Most people are petrified. They see this huge dog, they think it’s a real danger but they’re not, they have a very sweet temperament.
Q. Do you ever find yourself judging the dogs in the dog park?
A. That is almost impossible for me not to do. Whenever I see dogs, yes, I must admit I will take a look and I will see something and wonder what combination produced it, if it’s not a purebred, or that’s a great shoulder … It’s not possible for me not to do that when I see a dog.
Q. People can watch on TV, but what’s the atmosphere like behind the scenes at shows?
A. Sometimes I refer to us as gypsies. Dog people are on the road a lot, and when they get to shows it’s a social group, there’s the social interaction. On the other hand, it’s competition; they may be friends but when they’re in the ring they offer no quarter. They’re out to make sure that their dog is presented to the very best of their ability and that it is out to win.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
查看原文...
