From the Owner Handler leash
Rosario
Q: Please tell our readers how you became involved in the world of pedigree dogs and who were the most influential people in your early days.
A: I grew up with Great Danes. My mother, Maria Adela Barbadori, began showing and breeding Danes in 1995 when we moved to Brazil. A friend, Anna Maria Dona, who breeds Dobermans and Pugs, introduced us to the world of dog shows. After attending our first dog show, our entire family became involved in showing dogs as a hobby. This included my siblings, my brother Nicolas and my sister Angeles.
A: I started showing some of my mother’s Danes when I was 8 years old and also competed in junior showmanship for a couple of years. However, I always enjoyed more showing in the regular ring against professionals. I learned a lot from my mother about studying pedigrees, selecting breedings, and combining different lines. She is my greatest mentor.
A: Eventually, I wanted to have my own breed, so I started with Pugs. I bred a couple of champions and did very well with them. I also had some Afghan Hounds for a few years. But then, I met a lovely Smooth Fox Terrier, shown by Marcelo Chagas and Marcelo Veras, who also showed some of my mother’s Danes. His name was Sportingfields Gatsby, and I fell in love with the breed.
A: I decided that I definitely wanted a Smooth Fox Terrier in my life, but it had to be a good one that I could start a breeding program with. I bought my first SFT, Arg.Ch.Br.Ch.Int.Ch. Cosmo De Clavo Y Canela, in 2007. He was my foundation dog and a grand-grandson of Sportingfields Gatsby. “Cosmo” was a very special dog and a great producer. My first litter, under the name Blaue King, was born in 2009. After that year, I changed my kennel name to Cheltenham.
Q: What breeds of dogs have you shown over the years, and which are your favorites to work with?
A: I’ve shown Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, Cane Corsos, Rottweilers, Standard Schnauzers, Bullmastiffs, Boxers, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, English Pointers, English Springer Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels, American Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Afghan Hounds, Whippets, Salukis, Basenjis, Beagles, Greyhounds, Smooth Fox Terriers, Wire Fox Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Cairn Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers, Scottish Terriers, and Standard Smooth & Wire Haired Dachshunds.
A: My favorites are the Terriers; they have the best personality and learn very quickly. I love working with them. I also like Afghan Hounds because they pose a challenge, and I enjoy that. The ones I showed were tough, and they wouldn’t perform for just anyone.
Q: Where did you acquire your foundation dogs for your main breeds, and which breeders in the sport do you collaborate with today?
A: My foundation dog in Smooth Fox Terriers (SFT) came from Clavo Y Canela, bred by Ricardo Goya and Daniel Levinson in Argentina. My foundation female was from Torquay SFT, bred by Marco Flavio Botello in Brazil. I also bred some of my females with a Quissex dog from Winifred Stout, a Lil’Itch dog from Suzann Hoesman and Madeline A Peterson, and a Centary from Marcial Mike Rafanan. I imported a dog from France from Wry N’Wise, bred by Sophie Venard, and more recently, a female from Denmark’s Kajsenborg, bred by Tenna S Grenaae. I’m very grateful to all these breeders for allowing me to incorporate their lines into my breeding program.
Q: Could you mention some of your most successful dogs, whether owned or bred by you? They don’t have to be shown by you.
A: My most successful dog is Multi BIS, RBIS, GCHS Cheltenham A Star Is Born (Daisy). She was the Top Best In Show winner SFT in 2021, also ranking as Number 1 SFT All Breed that year until November and Top 20 Terrier. I also have to mention two of my other successful females, Multi BIS, BISS, RBIS GCHG Cheltenham Love In Paris (Lina), who was Number 2 SFT Breed in 2019, winning Best Of Opposite at Montgomery that year and at Westminster in 2020.
A: Another is Multi BIS, BISS, RBIS GCHS Cheltenham Harewood Tainted Apple (Wicked), who was Number 2 SFT All Breed in 2019, earning 2xSelect at Westminster and AWOM at Montgomery that year. These three females are closely related. Another dog that makes me proud is Ch. Cheltenham The Leader Of Justice (Dasher), who has so far produced fantastic litters as a stud.
Q: Please share some of your highlights in the show ring so far.
A: Some of my highlights include winning 15 Best in Shows All Breed, a couple of Best In Specialty wins with three different dogs, and securing Winners Dog and Best Of Winners at our National in Kentucky last year with our home-bred SFT. Additionally, I’ve achieved great group winnings and placements with some client’s dogs.
Q: What excites you more – winning an All Breed Best in Show or a Specialty Best in Show?
A: I’d say both! Winning an All Breed Best In Show is amazing. I will never forget my first BIS, which was in a beautiful lineup of top dogs in the country. Each win was very special, and I cried with happiness with each one because they were with our homebred dogs, and there’s always a lot of emotions involved.
Q: Overall, do you think there are too many all-rounder judges judging your breed and not enough breed or group specialists?
A: Yes, there are too many all-rounder judges for my breed. I would prefer to see more breed or group specialists in judging roles.
Q: Westminster or Orlando? Also, how do you feel about Westminster not being held at the Garden anymore?
A: Westminster is definitely my favorite show.
Q: Where in the world do you think your breed has the best quality?
A: I believe the United States has the best quality for my breed.
Q: Many shows in Europe feature a breeds class/stakes where breeders compete with a team of dogs they’ve bred. Would you like to see this class introduced at general championship shows in the USA?
A: It would be very nice to have this class at shows here in the USA. I would love to participate in it.
Q: What are your thoughts on the number of dog shows held weekly across the country?
A: There are too many shows, which can make it difficult to achieve majors due to lower entries in some events.
Q: Do you judge, and if not, would you like to judge someday?
A: I don’t judge currently, but I would definitely like to in the future.
Q: What is your favorite way to unwind on your days off? Do you have hobbies outside of the dog world?
A: I love spending time at home with my family. Gardening and cooking are my favorite hobbies outside of the dog world.
Q: If you had the power to change dog showing for the better, what would you change?
A: I would like to see breeders, owners, exhibitors, and handlers come together to discuss breed standards and pedigrees, to improve the quality of dogs in the ring.
Q: Has anything recently moved you?
A: Watching my daughter and other kids showing dogs has been very moving. It’s heartening to know they are the future of the sport.
