Meet the Judge

Editor's note: This is the first in a series that will be featured here monthly. We have contacted several judges with the below

questionnaire. Their answers will be printed here in full, unedited. An archive system will also be implemented beginning 
in February 2008.

Mr. Lee Brown

How long have you been judging the breed? How many times a year do you judge German Shepherds?

I have been judging for 12 years. Varies, but approximately 12 shows per year. I do other breeds so do some AB Shows as well. On average I judge about 3 to 4 specialties per year.

Are you an active breeder of German Shepherd Dogs? Do you have a kennel name?
I no longer breed or exhibit. Have not since I started judging. In my opinion, it is a conflict of interest. I do attend futurities, the National and most recently have attended the last three Canadian Nationals. My kennel name was LynLee's.

How long have you been in the breed? When and how did you get started?

Got my first GSD in 1970. When our house was burglarized in 1970, we bought our first GSD. Took that dog to Obedience classes and enjoyed obedience. I decided to compete in Obedience. After a few years of obedience, and after watching the conformation judging, we decided we wanted to do conformation. At that time, a lot of all-breed shows had Obedience competition, so I was watching a lot of conformation judging <G>. We bought three puppies at different times from breeders as show dogs. None were show dogs, so we decided it was not going to happen that way. We leased a bitch (Caralon Hein daughter) and bred her to Haydelhaus's Augie (MV and Select dog). This was a total outcross. She was all German pedigree and he was all American. She missed on the first two breedings. We kept her for a third season and that one she conceived. This produced my first Champion and ROM dog. He is the sire of 18 Champions. He was Champion LynLee's Haydel of Sharisan ROM.

Do you judge both all-breeds and specialties. If so, which do you prefer?
I judge both AB and Specialties. I do all herding, herding group, 8 working breeds and BIS. I prefer judging specialties outdoors on grass in a very large ring.

Do you have a color preference?
I have no color preference. If it is in the standard and acceptable it should not be a consideration. The dog with the best structure wins no matter the color.

Do you find it harder to judge solid blacks ? If so, why?
I have no problem judging solid blacks and have rewarded many of them in my 12 years of judging.

When judging the dog, do you also judge the handler? Please elaborate if possible.
It is always about judging the dog and not the handler. In saying that, there are handlers who are better that others at presenting a dog. In that case, they may win because they out-handled others and made their dog look better. I usually work the dogs, especially in Specialties, so even a not-so-seasoned handler gets the opportunity to hopefully get a good pass and have their dog look its best. I don't feel the dogs have to show the whole time they are in my ring. If I get to see what I am looking for then that is all that matters to me.

What importance do you place on missing teeth?
I have never been very hard on missing teeth, but of late, we are seeing so many that I do penalize it and try not to reward those animals. In saying that, you have to judge the whole animal and I will not put a pet over a good animal with missing teeth. I might mention that I have rewarded animals with missing teeth because even with the missing teeth, they were that much better that their competitors. Again, one must judge the whole animal and not just parts. Should not fault judging either.

Please discuss temperament in the ring today. Has it improved? Declined? Please explain.
Temperament had improved from when I first started judging 12 years ago, but I do see it declining again lately. Breeders need to makes sure they know the temperament of the stud dog they are using in their breeding programs.

Do you prefer a dog to be shown on a loose lead?
ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

How would you rate the following in sequence of importance? (On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best.)

Coming/Going: 4
Sidegait: 7
Temperament: 8
Teeth: 3
Coat: 1
Pasterns, hocks, feet: 2
Pigment: 2
Structure: 10
Shoulder/Reach: 6
Attitude: 5

I like to judge breed type (must look like a GSD). If not, the rest does not matter much, temperament and then motion.

In your opinion, should double-handling be allowed? Please explain.

I have no problems with double-handling most of the time (AKC does <G>). The only time I may say something, and it would be to the handler, is if I am having a hard time seeing the animals the way I want to see it.

Do you feel more emphasis should be put on the total package and less on movement?

I think you need to look for both the package and movement. It is possible to have both. It is very important for the dog to cover as much ground with the least amount of steps. This is a working/herding dog and very important.

Do you have a pet peeve about anything owners or handlers do concerning the showing of dogs? (Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should NEVER do when showing under you ?)

Only pet peeve is when handlers to do not follow instructions, especially in AB, when you are on more of a time schedule and you have to repeat. I want no double-handling on the temperament test and to see them on a loose lead.

Do you have any suggestions for owners or handlers regarding anything they should ALWAYS do when showing under you ?
Show your dog on a loose lead as much as possible. Keep owners from doubling on the temperament test because if I cannot exam the dog without it being doubled, I will assume it has a problem. In saying that, I always give them a second chance. If the handler brings the dog out and I can tell it is being doubled, I will send them back in the line up and check them later. The second time, I will tell the handler to keep the owners away. If it does not happen, then I assume that there is a problem. At that point, I feel that I have done my job and they did not cooperate.

Do you have any advice for people who are relatively new to showing and/or breeding?
My advice to newbies is go to as many shows (AB & Specialty) as possible. Ask a lot of questions from breeders. There are no stupid questions. I always make time at shows if new people want to sit with me and ask questions. It is one of the best ways to learn.

Any final comments?
Thank you for the interview.

Wishing all a Happy & Healthy New Year with a lot of wins.

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Brown

The German Shepherd by Design thanks you, Mr. Brown.

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