[lisaly]

If you get a chance, you should PM YT member Gemy. She lives in Etobicoke and has been actively involved in showing both her Yorkie (who has his Canadian and American championships and his American Grand Championship) and her Black Russian Terriers. She worked extensively with judges to help them interpret the standard for Black Russian Terriers, which was a huge undertaking. Gail is a dear friend of mine who is very generous, genuine and kind. She is very committed to both breeds and is very knowledgeable. She usually goes to the Canadian Yorkie Specialty. I spent the day with her several years ago at the National Yorkie Specialty in Manhattan, and it was wonderful and fascinating.

My last three Yorkies had shorter muzzles, and I loved everything about them. I think they were beautiful, even though they had more of a baby doll face. Their sire was a champion, but his muzzle was also very short. Katie was bred to standard, and her muzzle is longer, but she also is beautiful to me. I understand much more now why it is so important to maintain a standard in order to preserve the breed we love so much. I have adored each one of my Yorkies. I ended up getting Katie from Gail’s breeder because I knew that her breeder bred for health, conformation, and temperament, and I was terrified knowing all of the health issues Yorkies have. Katie had been one of her dogs that she had championed and retired at the age of three, and that is when she came into my life. Health and temperament are most important, but I also envision what a Yorkie should look like in my mind, and I don’t want that to evolve too much. The minute I hold them, I fall in love, and I don’t think it would matter what they look like.

I really hope you enjoy your trip and the show. When I went to the National Specialty in Manhattan, it was about eight months after I lost my last Yorkie. Seeing all of those Yorkies was very therapeutic for me, and I also got to spend the day with a dear friend.