Vicki L. Abbott: I was extremely honored to be asked to judge at Progressive Dog Club’s historic return to New York! This was the 99th and 100th shows for this club, so a great way to celebrate this accomplishment! It is so wonderful for this Toy show to come back to the weekend before Westminster. This club worked extremely hard to make this show spectacular for the Toy breeds, which is not any easy task in the city. It was beautifully organized and held in an elegant ballroom—Toy breeders and exhibitors could not have asked for a more wonderful weekend before The Garden. Everyone there was excited to be back with their beautiful Toy dogs and to see it be such a success. We exhibited at this show for years when it was at the Hotel Pennsylvania and always looked forward to bringing our best to this show. But on this, the year of their return, they really outdid themselves. Congratulations to Tim Lehman, Event Chair, and the Progressive Dog Club for a magnificent return to Manhattan!
Vicki L. Abbott: I have judged at Progressive in the past, but this is the first time I have had the honor of judging the Group. Walking down the line in that beautiful Toy Group on Friday took my breath away. You could not have asked for better choices from the wonderful Toy judges who selected those dogs to come to the Group—so many thanks to them for making this the best Toy Group I have ever judged. For those of you who had dogs in that Group, please know that if you did not make the cut or place, it is not because I did not like your dog! I had to leave out many dogs that I have given Groups and even Best in Shows to. That is how deep that Toy Group was. Congratulations on winning your Breeds under some of the best Toy judges in the country, and thank you for bringing your dogs in such wonderful condition. I hope to see many of them again in the near future!
The Shih Tzu Dog, Ch. Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World
He was the epitome of the arrogant carriage so greatly desired in the breed. Viewing his silhouette with no exaggerated features, he was well balanced, with a lovely neck flowing smoothly into his well laid-back shoulders. Framing his proudly carried head, and checking through the topknot, the fact that it was round and broad was very evident. That, together with the big, round, dark eyes, correctly placed nose, and short, square muzzle, his warm, sweet expression was just beautiful. He was compact, with a nice level topline, and very solid to go over. The icing on the cake was his luxurious double coat, very wonderfully presented to perfection.
The Miniature Pinscher Bitch, GCH Rexroth Kimro Valentina
This little Min Pin bitch is everything that the Breed Standard calls for. She is perfectly square, with striking carriage, and totally full of herself. Her side movement is what impressed me the most. The Standard describes Min Pin movement as “high-stepping, reaching, free and easy gait… [with a] bend at the wrist.” This little bitch is a beautiful example of reach, lift, and proper bend in front, and good angulation and drive in the rear. What a joy to watch! Top that all off with a lovely headpiece, good depth of chest and spring of rib, good feet, and a fabulous tailset and you have the total package. A win well deserved.
The Papillon Dog, GCHB Riesa N Passionpaps Locked And Loaded
Silhouette, ears, expression, and coat. These are just a few of the important things that give breed type to the Papillon that cannot be overlooked in judging this elegant breed. In addition to that, if you have a well-structured dog with good reach and drive, and one that takes himself around gracefully and with pride, you will have a winner in your ring! This little dog had it all, including his dark, round eyes with black rims that always showed alertness and inquisitiveness—a joy to judge and watch go around the ring!
The Chinese Crested Bitch, GCHS The Lion Lady’s Autumn Blaze
This little bitch will just turn your head to look again as she is a total package for a Powderpuff Crested. She is an ideal example of a fine-boned and elegant, exotic Oriental Toy breed. Her sleek, elegant appearance, correct rectangular proportion, large ears, finely chiseled head, and proper topline and tailset all contribute to her correct outline. The combination of her wedge-shaped head with the chiseling, dark almond eye, tapered muzzle, and large, erect ears all go together to make that unique exotic expression. She has a beautifully correct double, soft, and silky coat—one of the best I’ve ever seen on a Powderpuff Crested. She put a smile on my face when going over her and while watching her on the go with her agile and smooth movement. A standout in this Group of extremely quality dogs.
Shih Tzu – The breed had only three entries on Friday, all in the BOB class, but that did not matter, as I had two beautiful dogs and a beautiful bitch which were a pleasure to judge. My BOB dog went on to win the Toy Group and Best in Show that I judged on Friday. Interestingly enough, my Select Dog (I had previously awarded him as a puppy Best of Winners at the Regional before the National Shih Tzu Specialty in 2023) actually went on to win the Toy Group and Best in Show on Saturday! Congratulations to both of them!
Maltese – The American Maltese Association held a Designated Specialty with these shows on Saturday this year. While I would like to take a little credit for the bigger Maltese entry (seeing that I have been in the breed for over 45 years), I have to give all of the credit for bringing this entry to New York to the amazing group of Maltese breeders and exhibitors who put on this very well-organized Specialty. The trophies and prizes were phenomenal and the entry was of very good quality. I had some hard choices to make in the end, as there were some very nice entries in the BOB class.
I think, like any breed, Maltese have gone through some good and rough times, as it is not an easy breed to keep as far as for the show ring with the beautiful, long, white silky coat. These dogs were in wonderful condition. The attributes I had in mind when going over the dogs were what makes up that beautiful Maltese type: correct Breed Character, Head, Silhouette, Movement, and Coat. My choice of the best dog on the day was a puppy with beautiful balance resulting in the correct silhouette, a lovely head with beautiful black points, smooth, flowing gait with reach and drive, and lovely silky coat. His lively, playful, and happy attitude just exuded Maltese breed character.
I was also honored to judge a Pekingese Specialty on Friday, as well as Italian Greyhounds, Toy Manchester Terriers, Papillons, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Pomeranians. In addition to Maltese on Saturday, I judged Toy Fox Terriers, Silky Terriers, English Toy Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Brussels Griffons, and Biewer Terriers. All of these breeds were very competitive—and I had some extremely nice comparisons and choices.
Junior Showmanship is something I have continued to enjoy judging over the years. The Juniors are usually so talented and it is quite competitive. These young people who came to handle Toys were no exception. They all did an excellent job. My choice for Best Junior was Taylor Stone with her King Charles and Ruby English Toy Spaniel. Reserve Best Junior was Leela Werner with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Vicki L. Abbott: I am excited to see the Toy dogs that could be in my ring this year! The competition, as it has always been in the Toy Group, will be tough across America and around the world if this show is any indication of the quality out there. I had dogs in the ring that were heavily campaigned in 2024, new dogs early in their show careers that I was seeing for the first time, dogs from other countries, and dogs brought out of retirement. The combination provided me with a unique opportunity to compare great dogs in each breed I judged. That is what is so special about the Progressive Dog Club. It brings in Toy dogs from all parts of the world, and will continue to do so in the future. It is the place to be for Toy dogs in February—that’s for sure!
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