Victoria Corse
1. I’m Victoria Corse, now living in Delaware after spending most of my life living in New England. I began in dogs with Ancram’s Kate CD, in 1971, from Joyce Scott-Paine’s famous English Cocker kennels. I bred two litters from Katie, the first sired by the brilliant Ch. Ancram’s Simon, which produced Ch. Ancram’s Scout. In 1986, as a young mother, I finally got my first show-quality Bull Terrier, Ch. Iffinest Tourbillone, and had my first litter, a singleton bitch called Corsaire Iffinest Cheribomb. She was my first of three foundation bitches, from different lines that all converged back to the Ormandy Kennels. I’ve been breeding Bull Terriers under the Corsaire affix for (gulp) 36 years.
2. When I first came into Bull Terriers, I was told that the life expectancy was ten to eleven years. I have recently lost my old man, Foster, at 15 years and 9 months. I have every expectation that my line that makes it through the Bull Terrier “drive to self-terminate” (“You ate WHAT?” “You climbed a TREE?”) will live well into their teens. So, health-wise, we are doing brilliantly. Echocardiogram and kidney screening are an absolute blessing. I am still concerned about construction faults, especially the tendency we are seeing towards upright, short shoulder angles. These angulation faults don’t age well, in addition to being hard on the eyes and on the animal’s movement.
3. Some things will never change, especially if they involve competition. I became a judge for Bull Terriers and Miniatures in 2001, largely as I felt it was putting my money where my mouth is. Judging is subjective, and yesterday’s big winner may walk with nothing today. I don’t believe that most judges are dishonest, and there are disagreements about the relative importance of characteristics of breed type and construction. I try to explain to exhibitors that their dog’s “kind” eye may be of little concern to multi-breed Judge A, while his choppy gate may indicate what they feel to be a more concerning construction fault. Judge B, the breed specialist, might be disappointed in the rear movement, but absolutely can’t stomach the rounded eye for its lack of proper breed type. I’m all for as many shows as the various clubs want to hold; if you don’t want to enter, you don’t have to. If you want a dog that’s high up in the numbers, it’s going to cost you time and money. As a preservation breeder, that’s not really my goal. My dogs are already number one in my life.
4. The Montgomery County KC is absolutely brilliant. If you’ve never been, you are missing out on one of the most amazing displays of beautiful dogs, proud breeders, and glorious trophy tables you’ll ever see. There are sometimes three generations of the same kennels represented, from 6-9-month pups to veterans that have the crowds (and their handlers) in tears. As a Preservation Breeder, there is nothing more meaningful than the continuity and continual improvement of your breed, and Montgomery County KC is a visual representation of that. There is nothing like walking into the ring with a dog that represents nine generations of your blood, sweat, and tears.
5. Social media is a tool. It can only be what you allow it to be. If someone is spreading lies, there are laws in the US and most other countries to stop it. The AKC has published guidelines to deter the worst offenses, and most breed clubs have followed suit. People are going to *people* whether it’s with whispering campaigns, telephone chains, or Instagram. You can control how you react, and social media can be extremely valuable in the rapid dissemination of information, both good and bad. It’s been extremely useful in cases like last-minute show cancellations.
6. Like many people, I’m extremely concerned about the falling entry numbers at shows. There aren’t as many people breeding long-term, so not as many pups being born to thoughtful breeders. The radical animal rights people come after breeders and exhibitors, and are a problem that will probably be with us always. My answer to almost every problem that faces our community is EDUCATION. The general public and the newbies to our sport have to be welcomed and mentored. The BTCA is offering mentoring for our Juniors at our National this year. Meet the Breeds is an absolutely brilliant success, and making sure that all the parent clubs have Breeder Education, as well as Judges Education, is a critical component. No matter how busy we are at a show, it’s important to be kind to the curious. Most people won’t stay where they feel unwelcome, and they absolutely will tell their friends about the snobby, rude people at the dog show. It costs nothing to be civil, and it may promote a new breed supporter.
7. As mentioned above, Breeder Education, beginning at the parent club level, is a big boon to the sport, as is more open discussion regarding health issues. I strongly support the OFA and its open registry, as I think the sharing of information is important progress. The Introduction to Dog Shows tours at some of the clusters are a great way to get the public involved. The public discussion of the ways that newcomers can be discouraged and the discussion about how to counter this are also a big help. We have to continue to be proactive with our efforts to educate legislators, the public, and those who are tentatively dipping into the sport.
