Sandra Stemmler & Judi Hartell | Barnstable Norwich & Norfolk Terriers

Interview with Sandra Stemmler & Judi Hartell, Breeders of Barnstable Norwich & Norfolk Terriers

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. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. 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?
4. What does “Montgomery” represent to you as a Preservation Breeder? As an Exhibitor?
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?

Sandra Stemmler & Judi Hartell

1. I have been breeding and showing Norwich and Norfolk Terriers since the early 1970s when both breeds were under one umbrella. My first Norwich came from Glenn Wills (Todwil) many years ago. It was then I adopted the kennel name “Barnstable,” purloined from my Grandfather’s estate in Mt. Kisco, New York. Thanks to the gift of a bitch from Annie Clark, I eventually included Norfolk in my breeding program.

2. As to the condition of the two breeds today, the Norwich outnumber the Norfolk by far. Size in Norwich has become an issue with me, but size in breeds tends to be cyclical and hopefully they will swing back to what the Breed Standard dictates.

3. Conformation shows today are not the fun “stay all day” shows they used to be when we all gathered ringside to support each other, and judges used to come sit on a table in your set-up and we all “talked dogs.” AKC has made it fairly easy to get a CH in front of a dog’s name, but that being said, it is still a fight to obtain those majors and wonder who will enter what show!

4. Montgomery County KC is still the pinnacle of the terrier world where we go to search out stud dogs, learn about upcoming litters, and see those wonderful once-a-year friends! Nothing is more exciting than a ribbon or award at MCKC to prove to yourself that your breeding program is on the right track. Although I am no longer able to attend, I rely heavily upon the “eye” of my long-time professional handler and co-breeder, Judi Hartell, to find our next stud dog. Judi maintains a database with thousands of Norfolk Terriers, with traits on most of them. When we decide upon a certain breeding, she has researched the pedigrees and traits of potential stud dogs. We look for dominant traits and risk of health problems, and her database runs a formula to predict what you might produce by mating these two dogs.

5. I have no particular opinion on social media other than it’s a necessary tool for those who choose to use it—including myself! Breeders often use social media to publicize a new litter or to freely advertise a win. Collecting data from that information and accompanying photos is an integral part of many breeding programs.

6. The biggest challenge today is to educate future judges on the Breed Standard of any breed they are applying for; judges education and hands-on mentoring are essential to the future of purebred conformation. The Norfolk is an endangered breed and will need knowledgeable educators going forward. If we miss any opportunity to offer judges education, or even Meet the Breeds, it is a disservice to our breed.

7. I no longer attend many shows, so am not sure what would help a sport that receives a lot of negativity from “outside the ring,” e.g., AR groups. However, I do feel that “the Norfolk Nation,” as a whole, has come together to promote a breed low in numbers but big in heart. More and more owners and breeders are enjoying the benefits of performance as well as Conformation.