| AS YOUR LHASA GOES UNDER A JUDGE WHAT COMMENTS BY THE JUDGE WOULD LEAD YOU TO REALIZE THAT HE KNOWS HIS BREED?
Dr. Brown: Often the judges who know the most don't say anything. Usually those who say the most don't know anything! Some judges when in doubt, don't really go over the dogs but judge from adverts. We might also consider breeding better judges! |
| DO YOU HAVE OPINIONS AS A BREEDER/OWNER OF THE MODERN LHASA APSOS WE NOW SEE? Dr. Brown: They are too big and too often they are being pushed so hard that it disturbs the gait. The dog should go at its own normal pace to show its soundness. The coat to the floor might fool some judges but it is all show. As a breeder of Lhasa Apsos, you need good stock with the dogs being as close as possible to the standard. Some people who want to make changes in the standard favour a certain type but if going fast means better and as a result the dog no longer fits the rest of the standard, it is wrong. |
| OVER THE YEARS HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY POSITIVE BREED CHANGES?
Dr. Brown: Yes, the Lhasas temperament has changed they are not as chary with strangers or with kids. The dogs seem happier in the ring and a competitive Lhasa needs that outgoing personality. Grooming has changed and the coats are beautifully presented. |
| DO YOU THINK THAT LHASAS SHOULD MOVE FASTER THAN AN EASY TROT?
Dr. Brown: No, the Lhasa should be shown at the speed that looks proper for the size of the dog, no forcing it to move faster. It now seems that all the bottom of the pad has to be seen and that faster is better. The exhibitors want them bigger. The dogs always seem to be rushed, being pulled or dragged and having hind ends like a train. The Lhasa is often pushed to outrun its own ability. The dog has to be able to put its own four feet on the floor and not be pulled or chased to run faster. WHAT ADVISE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE PURCHASER OF A SHOW PROSPECT LHASA APSO? Dr. Brown: The Lhasa puppy should have a good coat of any colour, be happy and confident, no tail dropping or backing away from strangers. It should have a correct head, level topline, not be too big, and able to move soundly. It should be typey and have an outgoing personality. DID YOUR VETERINARY KNOWLEDGE INFLUENCE YOUR CHOICE OF A SHOW PUPPY? Dr. Brown: I was able to evaluate the soundness of the puppy but it was attending all breed seminars and dog shows which most influenced me on the type of Lhasa that I would keep. |
| I recall other special dogs, my Great Pyrenees, Can Am Ch. Le Dauphin of Limberlost, Mike, finishing as Top Dog All Breed in Canada in 1980 and the fun that I had with Tracy the Yorkie, and Finn the Irish Terrier
I certainly could never forget the people who were exhibitors at these shows. Many of whom in later years, are still my friends. THANK YOU, DR. BROWN, FOR YOUR TIME. November 2000 It was an enjoyable experience reliving with Doc, memories of dogs and people. I would like to especially thank her for agreeing to the interview and for sharing her many photographs. Permission has been granted for LHASA APSO CANADA to post these pages on its site. If you intend to copy these pages, please give credit to the interviewer and LHASA APSO CANADA. Ann-Marie Adderley, July 2001 |
| BREED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
All photos on this page are of Augie. |
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| WHERE YOU EVER INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR YOUR JUDGE'S LICENSE.?
Dr. Brown: No, never! I judged a Lhasa Apso Specialty Sweepstakes in the US and although it was interesting, I would rather have been one of the exhibitors. As long as there were dogs to show, I wanted to show them. |
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| WHAT ARE YOUR BEST MEMORIES OF THE TIME THAT YOU SPENT IN THE SHOW RING?
Dr. Brown: Beginning with the Lhasa Apsos, my favourite breed, how can I forget Augie, Can Am Ch. Balrene Chia Pao's first Best in Show; his winning the ALAC Specialty in the US under Jay Shaeffer; his finishing as Second Top Dog All Breed in Canada in 1970, not forgetting Freddy (Ch. Caiaphas Fire and Ice) and all the other Lhasas which have been an important part of my life. |
| DO YOU FEEL THAT THE INCREASE IN SIZE HAS RUINED THE BREED?
Dr. Brown: A twelve inch dog is a different breed. It is ruining a breed which should be ten to eleven inches. WHAT WERE YOUR OPINIONS OF THE LHASA APSOS AT CRUFTS IN 1973 AND 1975? Dr. Brown: You saw all of the colours that are possible in the breed. The grooming was not up to its current standard. The dogs were moved quite slowly and there seemed little pressure to win. Everyone was there to have a nice time and renew friendships. Showmanship and handling seemed to take second place as the quality dogs seemed to win on their own ability. The Lhasas were small and sound. Overall coat texture was excellent but there was a wavy tendency in some colours. Heads were very good especially the shape of the eyes and muzzle proportion. With its large entries of Lhasas and other breeds, it is a show which I would highly recommend. |