Pure Dog Talk

Jason Hoke: "Just Judge the Dogs & Be Nice to People" Second generation dog breeder Jason Hoke grew up with German Shepherd Dogs. His family acquired Great Danes in the mid ‘80s and he now owns Whippets. “I think when I judge dogs, I’m very much a purist,” Hoke said. “I think handlers revert back to being even harder and more like a breeder judge. Because we were handlers, we know the value of showmanship, but also realize flash and dash doesn’t make a good dog. Jason Hoke judging at Westminster Kennel Club “Just judge the dogs,” Hoke said. “That’s the best thing we can do.” Breeder judges and handler judges "As handlers, we have the opportunity to put our hands on so many more breeds," Hoke said. "To be a successful handler, you have to learn what a good dog is in every breed you show. But at the core, we’re still breeders. We care about the breeds. “I don’t care if it moves on the table, stands like a statue, comes back and does the pose heard round the world, if it’s not a good dog, just being a good sho