Futurity/Maturity
Details
Futurity/Maturity Judge:
Ed Smizer
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I got my first Basset Hound in 1970 from a pet shop on Long Island NY. I began taking him to conformation and obedience classes and after it dawned on me that he was not show quality I focused on obedience and put a CDX on him and trained several other bassets to obedience titles. I was the president and show chairman of Morris Hills Dog Training Club back in the 1970s.
When I went looking for a conformation Basset, I was fortunate to obtain a Red and White puppy with a lace ear from Ann Jerman of Tal-E-Ho Bassets. This was Ch Tal-E-Ho’s Red Pepper ROM who went on to be WB at the 1975 Nationals and BOS the following year.
In search of a special, Gwen McCullagh and I purchased a lanky seven month old male from Doc and Vicki Steedle. Am/Can Ch Halcyon Crackerjack ROM was the purchase of a lifetime as he went on to win Forty Eight specialties, including both the BHCA and Canadian Nationals in 1983.
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My wife, Mary, and I bred and showed our Bassets under the Maredge prefix and at the same time, I did a little professional handling of Bassets and a couple of other breeds. The dog of our own breeding that we are most proud of was Ch Maredge Good to Go ROM who was BOB at Westminster in 2007 under breeder/judge Peter Martin and the sire/grandsire of some prominent Bassets when combined with the Topsfield Basset Hound stock.
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I served on your board of directors in 1992/1993 and as your president from 1993 to 1996.
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I previously judged the BHCA sweepstakes in 1994.
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In 2007 I was honored to become a life member of BHCA and just this past year I got my Fifty-year membership pin. I am also a Life Member of Berkshire Valley BHC and Lehigh Valley Kennel Club.
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In 2020, I hung up my leads and went to work as a Superintendent for Jim Rau Dog Shows LTD where I continue to the present. Although I no longer breed, I try to stop by the Basset ring at shows “to see what’s out there”.
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It is humbling to be selected by my fellow BHCA members and breeders as your Futurity/Maturity judge for 2023. I am excited to see what you will bring me. Thank you for this honor.
