Posted: 7/18/06
Itís hard not to like those corgis of Tammy Johnston.
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Itís hard not to like those corgis of Tammy Johnston.
The dogs are long and furry and just plain cute. Thatís the simple impression of a visiting newspaper reporter.
But Johnston, 45, has a little better trained eye than that. Sheís an official judge of two corgi breeds, Pembroke Welch and Cardigan.
That skill has earned her a trip to New Zealand July 17-25 to judge at the Hamilton Kennel Association championship.
She talked about her hobby ñ thatís what it still is to her ñ on July 11 in the kitchen of her rural Houston home. Her real job is helping her husband, David, run their beef and dairy farm.
ìItís quite an honor,î she said of the New Zealand job. She has been working with the breed for 25 years, both raising them and judging them at shows. The New Zealand club is particular about its judges, she said, adding quickly that she wasnít bragging. But the world of dog judging is a serious one. Getting a judging job half way around the world takes a lot of knowledge and being respected in the field.
Johnston likes corgis. For one thing, they are a working dog. ìAnd they can still be your companion.î She has six adult corgis now and a couple puppies. She raises about one litter a year; they can sell from $400 to $3,000, depending on the pedigree.
But Johnston repeated that this is a hobby. Sheís not making much money at it. For example, a Caesarean section for a pregnant corgi when necessary will cost $1,000. ìBreeding fees alone are $800 and up in our breed,î she said.
Her goal is to create the best dog in the breed standard, the ìultimate corgi.î Itís a thrill to see a dog she bred win a specialty show. ìThat means more to me than any money can be,î she said.
One litter of five she had produced three champions. Another litter of four had two champions. If her puppies arenít good enough, they get sold as pets.
What is a champion?
How can you tell a champion? Thatís where all that knowledge, experience, and reading comes in. Things like head shape, eyes, shape of feet, length of coat, all have to meet the standards. When breeding, you keep the animals with the right traits. ìYou want to pick as close to that standard as you can,î she said.
Champions are determined using a point system given at American Kennel Club (AKC) shows. Johnston has raised 12 AKC champions.
Johnstonís philosophy as a judge is to look at the virtues of that animal and not be a ìfault judge.î ìI tend to look at the good qualities,î she said.
Itís not an easy thing to do. She judged a show in Atlanta, Georgia once that had 68 animals. You have to have the perfect dog in mind when you judge, she said.
Becoming a judge takes 10 years of experience, two years of paperwork, and interviews just to be put on a provisional status. Then you are reviewed while judging in three of five contests before you are approved to registered status.
Johnston is a registered judge for two Corgi breeds. She is on provisional status for Australian shepherd and border collie. She plans to apply for four more breeds.
ìThis is how I like to spend my free time,î she said.
Johnston will have two days of judging in New Zealand, then sheíll visit kennel clubs there with a host family. Sheíll see the beautiful countryside too. Sheís not quite sure how to dress for the trip though ñ itís winter in New Zealand now.
Once she gets back, Johnston will have about 10 days off, then go to Albany new York for the Adirondack circuit of dog shows.
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