Man’s best friend has been around aiding humans in numerous ways for centuries. They are companions, hunters, guides, and special in many capacities. Some of these K-9’s even have jobs to do. We’ve seen the police officers stroll with the fluffy German Shepherds or sleek Malinois’, but some vast breeds compete and train their whole lives in a different kind of task for a different kind of reward. Some dogs are built for show life.
Doug Johnson, AKC (American Kennel Club) Breeder and Judge, has been a part of the enthralling show dog world since a very young age and has had an exciting career since. Winning best in show at Westminster Dog Show twice with two separate breeds is a highly impressive accomplishment to have under one’s belt, but where did it all start?
He got a Clumber Spaniel, his first dog, at the age of 15. The dog breed in itself can be seen as almost magical with the way that there are very few breeders in America that provide these white, shiny, fluffy coated dogs.
“They’re unique, they’re different, they are not mainstream. You know they are just sort of unusual. Some have a sort of cult following. It is a lot of dog in a small package- which is appealing. It is not like having a mastiff around, but it is a big heavy breed which I kind of like,” said Johnson.
Clumber Spaniels were coined to be his favorite project, but not necessarily his favorite to show. They may be a staple, but other dog breeds have been a big part of his life. Johnson co-owns his own Kennel called, Clussexx. His co-owner is also his full time life partner, Jamie Hubbard. The pair breed, sell, and train dogs who can either become family pets, or the next winner of best in show.
Even though Johnson and Hubbard have had a wonderful 40 year career, the dog breeding world is full of many ups and downs. It is commonly seen by some dog lovers to be cruel for in-breeding. That is when a dog is bred through the same generational line to keep gaining back positive traits. This may be something like a tiny snout, bigger eyes, or even just a color pattern.
According to experts at the University of Melbourne, some genes that are healthily combined from mother and father are lost when too much DNA is in relation to one another. So even though it presents a better show dog, it could have some psychological pitfalls.
At Clussexx Kennels, these two make sure all outcomes are for the betterment of the dogs health, style, and showing future.
Johnson says, “It’s always a challenge, I do a seminar on what it is like to be a dog breeder and the negative onus on breeding. The positive of a doodle breed versus a pure breed.The negative press about breeding. The diversity of genetics. All of that is basically a myth, because we know that a more responsibly, purposely bred animal is better than something that is randomly bred.”
Regardless of the push back by any press or news, these two have had each other as support for a long time. Many contestants in dog shows are companions. They work together in passions and seek fortune to the next bigger level. Jamie Hubbard, AKC Breeder and Judge, has always been Johnson’s rock during his largest competitions and even has some of his own big name wins.
It all started when Hubbard was nine years old and received a Basset Hound where he grew up in Australia. He would watch in astonishment as his parents would drag him and his siblings to the show where this droopy-eyed wonder would compete. Instant inspiration flourished for what he wanted to do in his life and goals soon followed.
Hubbards career took off with a small breed, but has led to many other wins with other kinds. Short hairs, long hairs, tall, long, thin, chunky. There is a category for every breed and every need. He has advanced in not only the world of being an exhibitor, the official term where one shows dogs, but also as a judge. Once someone has won a certain level of show, they are invited back to give reward to those who are next in line for such a feat. Overall, once someone has won a show they are simply hooked- but there are so many different kennel shows an individual can compete in.
In the end, both Johnson and Hubbard have expressed their gratitude to the dog world as much as possible. Whether it be through the careful process of breeding puppies, having the world’s best dog decor in the house, or even just cuddling up to their own prize winners of past and future at night in bed, the dogs at Clussexx Kennels are treated as they should be: like champions.
To be a part of this world, Johnson says, “it takes a determination to succeed. A determination that anyone could have in this walk of life. It takes a certain personality, but once they have it- they are golden.”
Hubbard canters a reply as well.
“I think it is just a love for dogs.”