Afterglow Poodles
Michael Gadsby
Interview with Breeder
BIS Magazine USA February 2021
Q: Please tell our readers how you got involved in the world of pedigreed dogs and dog shows. (please include the variety/varieties of Poodle you have bred and shown, your kennel name and an other breeds you are involved with.)
A: It was at the age of 13 that I had my first taste of the British dog scene through a weekend job at a local show kennel that bred Great Pyrenees. My kennel name Afterglow was registered over 40 years ago, and in the subsequent years we have bred and or owned nearly 150 UK champions in 21 different breeds. In the beginning the emphasis was on (American) Cocker Spaniels from which we have owned or bred two Top Dog All Breeds, a Crufts Reserve Best in Show and a Crufts BIS winner. The emphasis switched somewhat and whilst we still have Cockers it is the Poodles (mostly Standard and Toy) that have become my passion for over 20 years.
As an individual I cannot take credit for the successes we’ve achieved and whilst many people have played a significant part, without a doubt my business partner Jason Lynn and my husband Tom Isherwood have had a huge influence on the success of Afterglow.
Q: Where did you get your foundation Poodles and what breeders (if any) do you work with today?
A: Our foundation in Standards was from the controversial but brilliant breeder Pat Ashwell of Torpaz fame, whilst the invaluable help and generosity of Lesley Howard of the world famous Grayco Toys gave us a great start in Toys.
Q: How have your Poodles changed since you first started showing/breeding. This can be in quality and or presentation.
A: Obviously our presentation has improved. When the British Dog Scene dropped its rather superior outlook and embraced the wealth of talent that existed around the world, this naturally upped the game of anyone who wants to remain relevant. I think the first dramatic changes of presentation came from Scandinavia, later the brilliant talent of several US handlers, whilst Asia and in particular the Japanese excelled in Toys. More recently a group of gifted Russians have created an iconic “second puppy” look in all sizes. There’s no doubt however that at home our own level of presentation was improved when Tom joined the team.
As far as breeding I think it was an advantage to have successfully bred multiple breeds and therefore we placed conformation and movement equally as important as type and carriage .
(I think some Poodle breeders have sacrificed too much in their pursuit of extreme carriage)
Q: What is your proudest achievement in the world of Poodles?
A: There is not one defining moment but several situations that are totally unforgettable: Donny (The Big Tease) winning Best of Breed at PCA from the open class, Ricky (Maverick Sabre) and his BIS win at Crufts 2014. Our first BIS winning toy Aloysius finishing in the top ten of all breeds, Finally for a moment of pure joy it really doesn’t get more exciting than winning the breed at the world show in 2018 with our beautiful Elektra under one of Europes most successful breeder judges Mikael Nillson.
Q: Who Is your most successful dog (show ring, litter box or stud?)
A: It is difficult to separate Maverick Sabre (Ricky) and The Big Tease (Donny). Both Top Dog All Breeds in the UK. Ricky won the variety at PCA twice, whereas Donny won the Breed!
At Crufts Donny was Reserve BIS whilst it was Ricky who took the top spot!
In the litter box our Donny daughter Pitfour Popsicle produced several champions of which two finished in the All-Breed Top Ten, namely Ch. Tyrone Power, a BIS winner in the UK and also BIS from the classes in the US (also breed winner at Westminster) and Ch. Poppa Don’t Preach (Grace) also a BIS winner in the UK and in Europe including the prestigious Amsterdam winners show. Both Grace and Tyrone Power are co-owned by our dear friend Maud Nilsson who played such a huge roll in their success.
Ch. Sugardaddy has had the most long-lasting influence on the kennel despite only siring three litters before he became sterile. Interestingly his closely line bred pedigree consisted of his litter sister granddams, bred by the highly talented Margaret Kendal of Magin fame.
Q: What kind of selection do you prefer in your breeding program line breeding, inbreeding or outcross?
A: We prefer to line breed enhanced by a regular outcross.
Q: What is your most favorite show to attend, anywhere in the world and why.
A: I don’t really have one favorite show but I just love Crufts, PCA, Westminster and of course the World Show.
Q: When many people think Poodle they think HAIR. What are the qualities of a Poodle you wish judges paid closer attention to when judging the breed?
A: Well obviously the magnificent coat on a Poodle is one of its biggest attractions. The masses of crisp, glossy hair is a groomers dream to work on. As a judge we must be very careful not to be dazzled by the best presentation. Don’t get me wrong, a beautiful Poodle that is beautifully prepared and handled is a joy, but ultimately, we are not judging a grooming (or for that matter a handling) competition and for that reason it’s the dog under the coat that must have our upmost consideration. Good basic conformation, a square (not a bar stool), standing over a front is generally a good sign, width across the stifles and of course a shelf behind the tail. Attention to detail of the head is often lacking and I hate to see judges reward exhibits with Roman noses which are so often accompanied by a lack of chin.
Q: Trim talk! In the USA, when a Poodle reaches 12 months of age it changes trim to continue showing. Can you speak to our readers about some of the popular, not so popular and newer trims we see in the ring.
A: I love to see Poodles (particularly Standards) in a continental (trim) and whilst I understand the concept behind the one year rule in the US, I do think that it is very difficult, particularly in tiny (under 10 inch) toys, to look impressive in this trim.
It is always fun to see a well corded Poodle as it is to see one in a sporting continental, however it is also very difficult to win consistently in these trims.
We do not have the same restriction in Europe providing there is sufficient coat to assess texture. With the exception of standards where adults are most often shown in continental, the smaller varieties are presented in various ways but mostly based on a second puppy trim. The clever Russians have created a lovely stylized version which if not taken to an extreme is very pleasing to the eye. I love the Scandinavian T trim which is a tight but glamorous trim with shaved ears and tail, and very popular for retired show dogs, I would love to see this trim to become more popular in the ring.
Q: What is your favorite Poodle trim to personally see and create?
A: Continental.
Q: As we know, Poodles come in a variety of colors. Does each color have a different coat texture, and do you believe some colors win more than others?
A: Basic black is the easiest color to achieve great coats and excellent type with white/cream close behind. That is basically because from the beginning there has been a greater choice for breeders as black is the most popular color. There are fabulous Poodles of all colors to be found around the world that can win in any competition.
Q: How do you feel about the parti-colored Poodle?
A: What’s not to like? I’ve never bred them but I have seen several lovely specimens particularly in toys, Lesley Howard of Grayco fame, bred partis that could have been competitive had the color been recognized. Parti Poodles have been around from the early days of the breed (unlike many breeds this is not a newly created color.) When dog shows and competition commenced our breed standard was written only for whole colors and therefore, unless there is a change to our breed standard we must observe this in the show ring.
Q: Does each variety of Poodle come with their own traits/health problems and what do you like to test for before you incorporate a Poodle into your breeding program?
A: The advent of a genetic PRA test has been a game changer for toy and miniature breeders. Standards are more challenging with some health issues, whilst not common, still remain a challenge for breeders of this variety. DNA markers for the likes of Addisons Disease and Sebaceous Adenitis would be an invaluable tool for breeders.
Q: Where in the world do you believe Poodles are strongest currently?
A: There are pockets of great breeders in all varieties around the world. We are now a one-world Poodle community whereby excellence is achieved by incorporating the best on offer from around the world.
Possibly a controversial viewpoint but I think that the US toy breeders are at a disadvantage from the rest of us with the 10-inch rule. Attempting to breed consistently under 10 inches, is quite simply too small for vigor and vitality to be maintained, whilst producing an under 10-inch Poodle with an exquisite head, good bone and substance is not impossible but it is huge challenge and something of a rarity.
Q: Please name one Poodle you wished you owned/bred. This can be any dog in any point of history.
A: There have been so many wonderful Poodles. In recent times I would have said that my choice would have been the gorgeous American Ch. Stone Run Afternoon Tea, however in my younger days when I was considered to have some talent as a handler, I would have died for the opportunity to handle the magnificent white stallion Maneetas del Zarzoso Fuego Fatuo bred in the UK. He was the creation of one of the Poodle worlds most passionate breeders the late Carlos Renau. Gordon was statuesque and athletic with a charismatic command of the ring and therefore simply could not be ignored. He exploded onto the dog scene in Finland where the much talented young couple Tiina (now Talous) and Juha Palosaari piloted him to top dog all breeds. His debut in the states at PCA with handler Dennis McCoy caused a sensation!
Q: The Poodle Club of America show is synonymous with prestige, the creme de la creme of Poodles compete there.What makes the show so special and what is your favorite PCA memory?
A: The show is simply a feast for Poodle enthusiasts. The great dogs are there, mostly American, but with an international twist. It is the opportunity to witness new stars, consider and maybe reconsider breeding plans and of course to learn and interact with a multitude of Poodle talent new and old.
Our winning dogs obviously gave special memories but probably the jaw dropping moment I saw for the first time around 80 Standard specials enter the football-sized grass ring was a truly a sight to behold and literally made my hair stand on end.
Q: Your goals/dreams in the world of Poodles?
A: I would just love to judge Standards at PCA, but really I dream each time i think a planned breeding just might contain the next great one.
