Galina Taylor
1. My name is Galina Taylor. I was born in Tver, Russia, in Soviet times. I now live in Missouri with my husband and daughter.
As long as I can remember, I was always crazy about dogs. I got my first dog in 1988 and that was a German Shepherd Dog. I trained him to be working dog. He was my constant companion and I would not go anywhere without him. In 1992, the first Bullmastiff got imported to Tver from Hungary, which was bred to an English male. Out of that litter I got my first Bullmastiff bitch and had my first Bullmastiff litter in 1996.
I owned several different breeds in between, but the Bullmastiff was always my breed. My kennel name is Marconian Bullmastiffs. I breed in a partnership with Olga Contant (Ridgetop Bullmastiffs). We’ve known each other from childhood. We were neighbors and went to the same high school. I had a girl for my first Bullmastiff; Olga took a boy from the same litter. When we moved to the US, we stayed friends and finally started to breed together. When I have a litter in my house, my kennel name is first. When in her house, her kennel name is first on a puppy’s name.
2. There is a lot involved in the process of selecting a show puppy, and for me it starts with the pedigree. Selecting the right studs for girls is one of the most important things in breeding. Even though you carefully plan a litter, some luck is still always involved.
After our carefully planned litter is born, we are looking at all attributes of the puppy. Temperament will be the first thing to notice. A show puppy needs to be proud… they need to ask for wins. You can see that baby in the whelping box. The most “painful” puppy that doesn’t take a bottle or tries to climb out of the box usually poses that temperament.
We do not make our selection till puppies turn eight weeks (three days before; three days after), and then we are looking for the overall best-constructed puppy; short back, beautiful head, and only after all things are considered do we choose the puppies that we keep.
3. Every breed always changes. Some years, one type of dog wins, then another type wins. Lots of breeders claim their dogs to be closer to Breed Standard than any others. The reality is, whoever can breed for the longest time and has the most sound dogs can win in generations under not only breeder-judges but under all judges.
I believe our breed is in good condition. Lots of people from different countries state that the US possesses the most Bullmastiffs that combine type and soundness than in other countries.
4. There will ALWAYS be good and bad judges. Exhibitors must learn which judges will choose a better dog. There are a lot of judges who will have integrity to choose the best dog of the day.
I believe there are a good amount of shows around country. Not a lot of Bullmastiff entries, but that’s in every breed. As inflation is getting higher, fewer people choose to show their dogs and only true breed enthusiasts keep the game up.
5. Is social media harmful or good? Hard question: yes and no. A smart judge should see a dog and be able to pass on any social media advertising. But, it definitely helps to be known.
6. The economy is the biggest problem that the show community faces now, in my opinion.
7. Judges education has become more strict and more difficult to get a judging license. It takes time to “open” new breeds. Hopefully, good comes out of this. Digital technology definitely is getting absolutely amazing! Reproduction and vet services have also changed a lot.
Life moves on. We all are changing. Lots of good things are coming with that. You just have to stay positive and work hard for your dream.
