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Michael J. (Mickey) Feigelson shares his experience judging top Toy breeds at the 2025 Progressive Dog Club shows and his outlook for 2025.
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Michael J. (Mickey) Feigelson: I started showing dogs in 1981 with my owner-handled Yorkshire Terrier. My most noteworthy accomplishment in showing dogs has been with my owner-handled Multiple Best in Show and Specialty Best in Show Ch. Rothby’s Rambo Of Yorktowne. Rambo was the No. 1 top-winning Yorkie in the nation for two years (YTCA Point System). Rambo amassed an enviable record and was the sire of many champions, several of whom were top winners in the US and in Europe. Our own Rambo son, owner-handled Ch. Yorkboro Great Balls Of Fire, was a multiple Group winner and was one of the nation’s top-winning Yorkshire Terriers for two consecutive years. I breeder/owner-handled many Champion Yorkies through the years and I also showed Yorkies for other people. I bred and owner-handled not only Champion Yorkshire Terriers but also Papillons and Shih Tzu.
About 10 years ago, I decided to put away all my show leads and get involved with judging. I am currently approved to judge the Toy Group, Poodles, Standard Manchester Terriers, and Limited Junior Showmanship.
Michael J. (Mickey) Feigelson: It was indeed a tremendous honor and thrill to judge at the Progressive Dog Club’s 99th and 100th shows in New York City. I attended this show for many, many years in the past, as an exhibitor, and in recent years I have judged at this exclusive “Toy Breed” show numerous times. It is one of the premier shows where the best Toy dogs in the world come to compete. It is obvious that the event chairman, show committee, club members, and ring stewards all work so hard to make Progressive a spectacular event.
Michael J. (Mickey) Feigelson: I judged both days at Progressive. On Friday, I judged the Havanese, Maltese, Pug, Russian Toy, and Yorkshire Terrier as well as the NOHS Group. On Saturday, I judged the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chinese Crested, Toy Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pincher, Pekingese, Pomeranian, and Toy Poodle. I had entries from all over the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Mexico. Quite a few of the breeds I judged had very large entries, with dogs of exceptional quality. My Yorkie entry of 52 dogs was extraordinary. Breeders have made great strides in improving coat color and texture. Toplines have vastly improved as well. Maltese had 18 dogs entered of outstanding quality. Entries in Maltese have diminished all over the country, so it was wonderful to see so many beautiful dogs here at Progressive.
The Toy Manchester Terrier is another breed that usually has a rather low entry. With an entry of 13, of which 10 were Specials, there were quite a few lovely representatives. Other breeds to note with large entries that were deep in quality: the Pom, Cavalier, Crested, and Peke. When judging the NOHS Group, I truly wish that I had more ribbons to award. There was so much exceptional quality of dogs in that Group.
I have very positive thoughts, a bright outlook, and great expectations for the year ahead in the dog show world. I can truly sense feelings of both cheerfulness and enthusiasm among breeders, exhibitors, and judges. From the depth of quality that I judged at Progressive, not only from the US but also from around the world, the Toy Group will be quite competitive and will have standouts in various breeds.
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