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SHOWDOGS: We're very pleased to meet you, Jackie Browning. Can you tell us more about you, the person?

Jackie: I am single, have never been married and have no children - I have nephews and nieces who are great, so I never missed out on kids. I am a 4th generation South African, born in Johannesburg and lived here almost all my life - I don't have any desire to live anywhere else in South Africa - Jo'burg has an energy and vibrancy unique to South Africa and it keeps me focussed. I work for the largest Media owner in South Africa and I enjoy the stressful world of advertising. Prior to that, I worked in the Stock Exchange, which is equally stressful! My hobbies are obviously Dogs but my other interests include history, politics (not dog politics!), poetry and reading. I cook really well and enjoy movies. I am quite a solitary person and love my close friends but big crowds and the party life has never attracted me. My biggest fault is that I don't tolerate stupidity very well. I need to work on being more understanding and less judgemental, but I will help any newcomer and it is a pleasure to see new exhibitors learning and becoming successful - which everyone can - if they would only accept advice and help.

SHOWDOGS: When did dogs and doggy matters begin to occupy a large portion of your life?

Jackie: My sister, Fran, and I are 2nd generation "dog-people", my parents started showing in 1947 and our kennel name "Braganza" has been registered since 1947- almost 60 years, which is quite an achievement. We started off in Cocker Spaniels and my mom later added Miniature and Toy Poodles. My sister and I added the Standard Poodles in 1970 and have been showing Poodles and Cockers since then. My mom and dad were both All Breeds judges and showing was our life since before we were born! I enjoy showing and breeding. Judging is very enjoyable but showing is exciting - especially winning with a dog that we have bred. I am the Secretary of the Poodle Club, we are both founder members of the Transvaal Utility Breeds Club. My dad, together with two close friends, founded the Gundog Club, which holds a special place in my heart. I attend Provincial Council meetings as an alternate representative of the Poodle Club, but I prefer doing the behind-the-scenes work for clubs rather than being amongst the main 'manne". Dogs have always taken up a lot of my time but I do try to have a division between my "dog life" and my private self- my life doesn't begin and end with showing and dogs (or so I would like to believe!).

SHOWDOGS: Can you share some of the highlights in your breeding/exhibiting career?

Jackie: Oh goodness, there have been so many beautiful and great dogs over the years - both in Cockers and in Poodles - those that we bred and those that we have owned. In Cockers my all time favourites were Ch Sorbrook Mulberry, a black dog we imported from the UK and the wonderful Ch Broken Promise to Braganza - "Stryker" - whose nature and love of showing was a joy, his sense of occasion was impeccable and his glorious movement was a lesson to us all. I do not believe we will ever see his like again in my lifetime. In Miniature Poodles we owned the immortal Ch & Int Youth Ch Madonna - we got her as a gift from her breeder and she revolutionised Miniature Poodles in this country. Until today just about every top winning Miniature descends from her, a really great lady and a great privilege to own. Her son, Ch & Am Ch Keep the Faith with Braganza is the ONLY South African Bred Poodle to win Best of Opp Sex at the Poodle Club of America National - in fact I cannot think of another dog of any breed to do so, but I may be wrong. In Standard Poodles there have been many, many superstars over the years that we bred, owned or handled. Our first Ch Jusbar Freetrader of Springett (BIS Goldfields) with whom I won my very first Best in Show under the late Henry Pretorious when I was 15 years old, Ch Torpaz Rooster, Ch Braganza Battlestar - "Henry" (always a favourite of mine), Ch Stonecourt Stowaway at Braganza (Res BIS Goldfields) was probably the most exciting Standard I ever saw in South Africa, Am Ch MacGillivray Big Spender, AM Ch Macgillivray Buck Dinero, and of course my beautiful "Oliver" Multi BIS Multi Ch Sarbraes Trelarken Odin, Dog of the Year 1999 - so special in every way and still being a hooligan at home. I would bore everyone to tears with the list but we think we have bred over 300 champions, we have had more than 30 individual All Breed Best in Show winners, we cannot count the groups and Best in Shows and we still find it thrilling to breed a special one - there is always something waiting just out of sight!

SHOWDOGS: What motivates you as a judge?

Jackie: I judge because I believe I have something to contribute in terms of the experience that I have been lucky enough to gain over a lifetime. I also live in the hope that I am going to find that 'special dog" - it is the most incredible feeling as a judge to have a wonderful dog come into the ring, who you may or may not have seen before and you find the dog is just perfect - it moves and shows to perfection and gives a seamless performance - it's like finding a nugget of gold! I never made a decision to judge - it was just a natural progression but I haven't got to the stage, thank goodness, where I simply have to judge - not like some people who go into some sort of decline if they haven't an appointment - I am still more interested in showing.

SHOWDOGS: In which other countries have you judged? Which was the most memorable?

Jackie: I have judged in England, awarded CC's to Min Poodles in Norway, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Austria and, this year, in Sweden. The quality of dogs in Australia is excellent, the handling in Argentina is first class, but the most fun I had was in Norway with a wonderful and funny panel of judges and great exhibitors. The coldest was during winter in Toronto, where I found the most wonderful dog for Best in Show - an Irish Setter who was simply glorious.

SHOWDOGS: What do you expect from exhibitors?

Jackie: I expect exhibitors to have their dogs in excellent condition and perfectly presented. I cannot stand dirty, smelly, badly-behaved dogs. I show one of the most time-consuming breeds to prepare for the ring and if I can get my dog looking a picture then, as far as I am concerned, I am not prepared to excuse exhibitors who do not care what their dogs look like. I absolutely hate people who over handle and those that gait their dogs at the speed of light and I very quickly tell them so.

SHOWDOGS: How do you handle bad sportsmanship?

Jackie: I ignore ringside comments- it goes with the territory, I have never had anyone throw me an impolite gesture and if the exhibitor is discourteous, e.g. not going to his place, I call him back and make him stand in his place, until I dismiss the class, and I have done this. I am very fortunate because I have never had anyone attempt to influence my decision - I never get phone calls, invitations to dinner or presents. I think that most people know that I take grim exception to this kind of practice and in all likelihood it would probably make me lean the other way - it would not be a good idea!

SHOWDOGS: Do you have any amusing judging anecdotes to share with us?

Jackie: Other than the lady who was so overcome with joy that she flung her arms around me and kissed me, no I can't think of any!

SHOWDOGS thanks you most sincerely, Jackie, for participating in this programme and wishes you lots of stunning dogs to go over.