Judith Webb | Soundview Cockers Cocker Spaniels

Interview with Judith Webb, Breeder of Soundview Cockers Cocker Spaniels

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. My name is Judith Webb and I live in the quiet corner of Connecticut. I have been in the sport of dogs for 20 years, starting with Agility and then, 15 years ago, breeding my first Cocker Spaniel Parti-Color litter. My kennel name is Soundview Cockers.

2. My husband and I like to narrow down our choices in a litter by observing the pups at play, watching their natural movement and stance. At eight weeks, I like to have my mentor, other co-breeders, and stud dog owners look at the litter and give their opinions.

3. Overall structure and balance have improved, as well as temperament. The health of the breed has greatly improved because of more health testing and care. As far as trends that warrant concern, generally, more could be done by breeders to work together and breed closer to the Breed Standard as opposed to breeding what’s acceptable or popular at the time.

4. Generally speaking, I feel that judges need more hands-on mentoring by breeders. Try to judge the dog as a whole and not only its faults, and judge the dog “on the day,” not what is considered popular.

5. Social media can be a wonderful place to acknowledge people’s achievements, and an opportunity to brag, but it can also be a platform for jealous, mean-spirited, and unsportsmanlike behavior. This can result in many new people shying away from what can be a wonderful community.

6. I feel that many of our breeders are slowing down or leaving the sport altogether, resulting in fewer litters, and thus, less puppies in the ring. In this economy, it is also very challenging for people to justify the entries, hotels, and gas, especially for the owner-handlers.

7. I feel the NOHS has been a wonderful addition to the sport and has encouraged many new people.

Social media can be a wonderful place to acknowledge people’s achievements, and an opportunity to brag, but it can also be a platform for jealous, mean-spirited, and unsportsmanlike behavior. This can result in many new people shying away from what can be a wonderful community.