Jamie Moreno
1. I am a third-generation Japanese Chin breeder from Anderson, South Carolina. I have been in dogs my entire life and my kennel name is Carousel.
2. With litters normally consisting of two, occasionally three, puppies, I don’t have a need for a puppy ranking system. I do, however, carefully consider when and where to show each dog. Some are power puppies and ready to compete at six months, while others need a year to fill out. Being a breeder/owner-handler, I have the luxury of time. I am able to hit pause on a young dog’s show career, let it grow up, then hit play when the timing is right, without pushback from clients. Going to mostly Specialties, it’s important to showcase my best dogs, in their best coat and weight, to the judges I think will best appreciate their style.
3. The breed is absolutely trending upward in health, popularity, and quality. Breeders are taking advantage of genetic testing for preventable diseases and color. I am concerned that the trend of small, close-set, almond eyes will spread among those who do not know better. The Breed Standard calls for an Oriental expression and a look of astonishment. This comes from large, wide-set, round eyes with a small amount of white (white referring to the sclera tissue, which can vary in color) in the inner corner. It’s what makes a Chin a Chin. Words that could be used to describe correct expression include: soft, open, spacious, curious, pleasing, and lustrous. Words that should never come to mind when describing Chin expression are: keen, piercing, far-seeing, intense, tight, or pinched.
4. The number of shows is a detriment to the sport in many ways. The clubs have less active members, so the work is distributed among a small core of exhausted volunteers. Clubs receive fewer entries and must increase the cost of parking, grooming space, and entry fees. Inside the ring, this number of shows discourages improvement. Tough competition motivates exhibitors to improve their line, improve their presentation, change their strategy, and pay more attention to why another dog may have won. When it takes four dogs to make a major, you bring the entire entry, bathe just the one you want to win, and have the other three handled by novices, what are you really gaining?
5. Social media is definitely good for the sport. It’s where the people are! We have heard many stories of those who were introduced to purebred dogs via a televised Westminster. That origin story will repeat itself, but now with a Westminster TikTok.
6. The challenge I worry about is losing sight of the fact that the entire purpose of what we do is the evaluation of breeding stock. I fear that we have lost that in exchange for a St. John sparkle suit, bedazzled lead, free-baiting contest. To come back from this, judges need to be confident in their abilities and start each assignment with the goal of finding the absolute best example of that breed. That is a judge’s only mission and they must actively work against things like showmanship, handling ability, and cuteness factor subconsciously influencing their decision.
7. I am impressed with the dog community’s response to the pandemic shut downs. It was the final push some clubs needed to instate virtual meetings and online voting. AKC made education webinars available online. People who are considered to be the ultimate experts of their breeds made Facebook live videos discussing the dogs in their kennel. There is lots to be hopeful for in our sport.
