YORKY CLUB MAGAZINE #6 -- November 2006

“The Show Quality Puppy and what it takes”, by Hugo Ibanez Hornung

What a spectacle! One seeing those beautiful pups emerged from their nest, venturing out, perceiving the world! Gee, they look awesome! Pick one up: short back, good length of neck, great attitude, and yes, the color and the texture appear to be correct. Then, the expectations, the dreams begin to emerge. Not modest dreams, mind you, dreams of grandeur – perhaps – BIS. On the second thought, one reflects, better wait – it’s too soon – hold on the Chardonnay. But, there is a third thought, just as valid as the first. The litter seems better than the one before, after all, isn’t that what breeding is all about? – improvement – and that is good thing. It is a valid consolation, alternative to one’s BIS. But, really, honestly the improvement in the long run it will be as good, if not better than the expectations of the BIS. It’s a sign that one is heading in the right path.

There will be weeks, even months before one knows that one’s dreams are either shattered or be the occasion to uncork, not the Chardonnay but the Champagne.

Not two breeders look at a pup the same way. If one has the opportunity to have another breeder evaluate a litter, the better; actually, much better.
As an example, in the case of the writer, there was always a partner to help. At Estugo, Sergio’s forte is: conformation, movement, structure. The writer’s is: balance, silhouette, profile, chape. Sergio’s concentration is on the building, mine is on the decoration. But building and décor are not enough, intelligence and character are also necessary parts of a good show dog. As Richard Haynes stated (in another article) “gone are the dogs which are beautiful to look at but dumb to live with”.
In other words to be truly objective, partial, and discriminatory to select one’s show prospect one needs another knowledgeable and experienced opinion to evaluate them objectively, hopefully, someone who can complement your evaluation.

Secondly, read and reread the Standard.

Remember, the overall quality, soundness and showmanship must be there primarily.

It seems apropos at this time to quote the great Anne Rogers Clark “Great dogs are born, but many never see the inside of BIS ring, because they must also be raised to be great”. To our friends and colleagues in Europe and Lat. Am. who might know who is Annie: she was one of the most successful professional handlers ever. Equally successful as a breeder of Poodles and most respected judge. It was Annie who gave Ch. Cede Higgens BIS at Westminster in 1978, the only Yorkie ever to win at the most prestigious show in America.
And to echo Annie’s, is our American Yorkie treasure, Mrs. Gordon (Wildweir) “Champs can said to be made because you may have a dog with all the attributes for conformation and the desired points of the Yorkie Standard but it is the person who will be exhibiting the dog who must bring out the best of the dog and teach the dog to present itself as a great one.”

Let’s embark in another journey and find out the nuts and the bolts, the groundwork from the pros that will enable the pup to one-day achieve its full potential – be a star in the ring.
No one in the world knows how to pick a pup in our breed as well as the veterans, seasoned and most successful breeders of Yorkies in the planet. Let’s hear from them.

“I feel they should be fully weaned by 8 weeks of age, depending on litter size and health conditions of the dam”, tell us veteran Shirley Patterson (Timberwyck) and secretary of The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, and then, she adds “I like to keep puppies with their mother as long as possible, gives them a better start in life and a good mother teaches and reprimand her pups if she finds them to be naughty. The mother usually lets you know when she had enough.”

Georgette Franzoni (Caraneal) another veteran and successful breeder, echoes Shirley “I leave my pups with their mother for as long as the mother will tolerate them”, and then, she says further “I let nature dictates the out come for each litter.”

Ana Mesto, most successful breeder in Spain (de La Villa y Corte) has the same sentiment “we feel that the pups should be kept with the dam to the maximum. The mother will have more time to give confidence and trust to her litter.”
Betty Anne Durrer, the veteran and most successful breeder in Canada and USA (Durrer) “I like to have my pups completely weaned by 6 to 7 weeks of age, not for the pups but for the mother. I feel they take too much out of the dam.” And then she adds “especially if she has four or five pups”.

It seems quite clear that when it comes to weaning, there are two key words: enough and consideration.
But let’s take a step back. What about when the pups are born? Most breeders seem to agree that to get the infants accustom to human contact (essential to show or pet) one should start handling them from day one. “This imprints trust in people” says Sergio Amien (Estugo). “Turn them on their backs and gently caress their tummies right from the start”. Sergio continues, “When they are ten days old or so, pups begin to hear, talk to them gently and balmy. At this time soothing music could be played”. Sergio adds: “by four or five weeks the pups are able to see, hear and able to learn. Be careful, they are also most vulnerable.”

Mrs. Gordon, tells us that her sister Janet was in charge of whelping and nourishing pups. “She will have them as early as 4 weeks sucking raw hamburger or small curd cottage cheese from her fingers, even though the dam had plenty of milk” and then she adds “this emphasizes the bonding process with people”.

Barbara Scott, another veteran and successful breeder (Stratford) says: “I start them off with half and half at 4 weeks”. Let’s pause for a minute, to explain what is half and half. As the name implies is half cream and half milk. It is product available in any super market in USA. This explanation is intended for our friends in Europe and Lat. Am. It is magic because one could feed a pup from day one and never cause diarrhea.

Dogs that grow up to be show dogs are going to be handled by many people, so the sooner they develop total confidence in people, the better.
“I think the human in their life has most control over socialization and aggression later in life” says Shirley. Behavioural scientists implied that between 8 to 10 weeks old, the pups develop the fear imprinting period; therefore, the pups should not be exposed to traumatic experiences. Well, it seems on this subject breeders have different points of view, “they agree to disagree” to quote an old cliché.

“I have never proven this to be the case” says Betty Anne, and she goes on “some pups are just afraid of anything new and others have no fear. They can all be in one litter, raised the same.”

“I do believe pups do go through a fear period. But I have never kept them from experiencing different sounds or treatments.” Says Georgette, and “I believe over protecting them can be equally as harmful.”

“I have always been very careful with my pups during the 8 – 10 weeks period” says Shirley, and “I always hold them in my arms when getting their first vaccine, rather than having them give the injection on the table.” And then, Shirley makes a very important comment: “I do not want them to remember the table as place where pain was inflicted.”

“I do shelter my dogs for trauma during this period, but they have to travel in a car to get their shots from the Vet” says Barbara. She adds “they get used to a car ride.”

What Barbara says about the car ride, brings us to another important topic, when is the best time (age) to begin the desensitization process; in other words, introduce pups to the outdoors, cars, children, music, etc.?
This is a very important component for future show dogs. The pup should be exposed and train in such a matter that he will be imperturbable under the most trying conditions when he goes to shows.
“All of the above” (car, music, etc..) says Shirley. “Music and children are first, the outdoors and cars begins usually at 8 weeks after their first vaccine. From that day forth begins their journey into the real world.”
Barbara concurs, “I start at 8 weeks with outdoors exposure, weather permitting.” Other breeders who follow the same procedure are Nicoletta Pollini (Qoccles) and Sonia Pagani (Bonsai) both from Italy.
“Since I have a motor home, my puppies usually travel with me” says Georgette, “they do start experience all these things on a regular basis”, then she adds “when the pups have at least two vaccinations, I do start taking them into the show building in crates so they can get used to the noises one encounters in a show building.”

As Georgette indicates, it is very important to get your show puppy accustomed to their crates and helping them identify the crate as a safe haven and this will prevent them for getting car sickness as adults.
Many breeders seem to agree with this concept. Once your puppies are immunized (8-12 wks.) they should be exposed to the shows. Keep in mind that dog shows can be intimidating to a dog because of the commotion, other dogs, people, loud speakers and even applause. This is what the show quality pup will be exposed, eventually. The sooner the better.

The writer has heard that some breeders audiotape a show and then play it to the pups to desensitize them. What ever works for you, go for it!
The next step, perhaps, the most challenging, is the actual training of the puppy for the show ring. Breeding, training and showing are synonymous of patience, time and know how. But nothing will challenge your patience more than the training of a puppy.

“As early as 6 weeks of age, you can start having the puppy stand for short periods of time – just a few seconds” says Sergio, and then he adds “it doesn’t matter where the feet are placed. If I am sitting watching T.V., I like to stack then between my legs, stroking and gentle brushing them. This is a pleasant experience for them.”
“I begin picking each puppy up and holding them in mid air in a show pose when they are 4 weeks” says Shirley… then “I begin moving them back and forth in mid air in a show pose by 5 weeks. I begin stacking them on the floor in a show pose by 6 weeks, and then on different surfaces by 7 weeks, by 8 weeks they can pretty much stand in a show pose very easily.”
Betty Anne, Nicoletta, Sonia and Georgette also start stacking their puppies between 5 to 6 weeks.
Of course, “handstacked” is essential if not crucial in a show dog. When one stacks a dog on the table for the judge to examine him, one wants to position the dog’s feet and head accurately to accentuate his best attributes. The same it should be said when stacking him on the ground when the dog will be compared with one’s competitor.

There is an alternative to the kneeling exhibitor and that is to show one’s Yorkie like a terrier – just baited, standing tall, proud, gay tail up and posing like a living statue. This training is more difficult, indeed, but it is possible with much more work, perseverance and more importantly patience.
Next in conformation training is lead breaking. “By the time the puppies are 6 to 7 weeks, I make them follow me by baiting them with treats. I also place a soft rubber band around their neck so they begin to get the idea and the sense of touch around their neck” says Sergio. “I begin this off lead, having the puppy following along side, treating and playing with squeaky toy – just having a fun time” says, Shirley.

“For the confident ones I might try them as early as 8 weeks, but most of the time I just work on them following me around and stopping to self stack and bait” indicates, Barbara.
Sergio also tell us of another alternative “starting him on a thin lead while walking his mother on another lead. The puppy obviously will follow his mother. The leash becomes associated with nurturing.” Similar technique is also used by Mrs. Gordon. There you have different techniques for your puppy, from infancy to 12 weeks of age. These are the first steps which will hopefully prepare your puppy to become a Champion.

As much as I would like to continue; unfortunately, there is no more space, neither time. In the next issue we will deal with the presentation of our show puppy: all the tricks from stacking to his advantage, correct placement of the lead, gaiting him to move effortlessly in a trot and gliding around the ring.

Again one will hear from experts. If you want to contribute with your expertise, please pitch in. Your contribution will be most appreciated. Write: iestugo@aol.com

This article was edited by Hugo Ibanez Hornung for Yorky Club, and published on YC Magazine #6 - November 2006