What is your attitude toward professional handling?
If that is the way to get the best out of your dog at a show then go for it. However, for myself nothing gives me greater pleasure than to handle my dog even if I make a mess of it.

How long have you been an expert on OES?
I never consider myself an expert. I always try to have an open mind and I am still learning lots of things about the breed and dogs in general. That is what makes it so fascinating.

Do you remember the first time you showed an OES?
Yes - I do. I got a 5th place in a very large class and I was so delighted I phoned home to tell everyone the news.

When judging, what do you look at first of all?
Firstly - I hope I understand the question. Before I examine the dog the outline, stance and expression are the most important things. Then when I examine the dog I would look for a dog that most closely meets the breed standard and, of course moves well.

What is your opinion on tails?
I prefer an OES to be docked as it is traditional. When I judge I completely ignore the tail and try to concentrate on the dog itself. I have no opposition to tails as such and I own a dog with a tail (who is not an OES). However, my greatest fear for OES with tails is that eventually we will start breeding dogs to fit the tail set rather than the breed standard. The favoured tail set appears to be the low to the ground, unobtrusive tail. However, as I don't have enough knowledge of breeding OES with tails I cannot say that those who carry the low set tail also have a good topline. The topline is one of the distinctive features that separates the OES from most other breeds and must be preserved no matter what tail set we eventually adopt. Many years ago I used to handle Bearded Collies for a friend and, of course, the tail set is considered crucial and it is taboo to have a dog who lets us know that he is enjoying showing and puts his tail up. I would hate to see the same happen in OES and we get to the stage of discounting dogs for the showring because of the tail carriage alone.

Do you think an expert is influenced by the renown of the dog's owner or handler?
I certainly would not be influenced by anything other than the dog I have in front of me to handle and see move but I cannot comment on anyone else.

Is there anything in the breed standard for OES that you would like to change or to make by more clear?
I think any breed standard is open to interpretation and different judges place greater emphasis on some points over others. I, personally, would be quite happy to see flashed OES in the ring as in America. Our own standard discourages white markings in the body coat but it could be that the best OES to fit the standard is excluded from the showring because of this. After all it is only a differently pigmented piece of hair.

What should an ideal OES be?
True to breed type and move correctly for our breed

Do you consider that judges, making their choices in the ring, have a big influence on the breed as a whole? Why?
If a Judge I respect placed a dog well that I did not like myself then it might make me take a hard look at my own standpoint to see if I'd missed something and I might ask them about the reason for their decision but then I would still make up my own mind whilst incorporating any new thoughts I'd learned. It is always best to be open to new ideas but not to allow someone else to influence your own judgement. It is quite wrong to play 'follow my leader' as there may be a hidden agenda or ulterior motive.

Would you like to say something to OES-lovers?
Enjoy your dogs while you can they are with us for far too short a time. Remember that envy is the mud that failure throws at success - and try not to be guilty of it.

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