Interview with Mrs. Carolyn Mooney. 12/28/05
Katie Greer

 
How did you get started in Chihuahuas?

I've loved dogs all of my life.  As a child, I would get a new dog, only to have to give it away when Dad was transferred to a new base.  Then I married a military man, and it was the same old story.  The hardest to give up was our Sheltie Scout.  He was such a wonderful dog, and protected my daughter always.

When we returned to the states in 1968, after a time in the Philippines, I told John I was going to get a little dog that we could take with us when we moved.  I saw an ad in the paper for Chihuahua puppies, and advertising a long coat Champion at stud.  I had seen one long coat Chihuahua a few years ago. I told John that I would like to get a long coat, because it would be similar to a tiny Sheltie.

Answered the ad, and it was from another military wife, Muriel Jones.  Went to see the puppies, who were only a few weeks old.   Saw the Mother dog, Stober's Miss Bubbles, C.D., her daughter (Ch.) Jones' Baby Snooks,  and the male Ch.Stober's Gay Strutter, (C.D.).  I fell head over heels in love with the long coat adults.  The litter of puppies had only one female, a white pup, supposedly a long coat. (Sire was a smooth).  I put a deposit on the female, and went to visit her every couple of days. Meanwhile Muriel made a two pup offer telling me the little fawn male was show quality.  I bought them both.

The female grew up to be (smooth coat) Mooney's Little Bit, C.D.X, and gave me my first home-bred Ch. Mooney's Dinah Mite.  But I am getting ahead of myself, the "show quality" male turned out to have a heart defect.  Muriel later replaced him with a long coat male who grew up to be Ch. Jocar's Chico Abanderado.  But meanwhile I was without the promised showdog, and Muriel put me in touch with Anne Stober.

Ann sold me a lovely tri-color splash female, who grew up to be Ch. Stober's Andra Lita, and my first Champion.  I actually had her entered in the first dog show I ever saw, and thought I could win Best In Show with her.  She did take the Variety under Clara Alford, but then she was the only entry.

Were Chihuahuas your first breed?

Chihuahuas were my first show and breeding dogs.  I had owned a purebred, but unregistered Collie in 1950.  A purebred but unregistered Cocker Spaniel in 1952. All other dogs had been mixed breeds until 1955.  When we returned to the states from Japan after I graduated from high school, I won 64 silver dollars playing bingo.  I had told my Mom that if I won the cash jackpot I was going to buy a dog.  She laughed and said OK - believing she was safe.  When I said Bingo, my little brother jumped up and said "we get our dog!".  For 30 silver dollars I purchased a fawn and white, with black mask Boxer bitch who I named Corky's Golden Princess.  I had her papers and her pedigree, and had no idea what I had.  She was a Ch. Bang-a-way of Sirrah Crest granddaughter, and was truly a lovely girl. She loved my Dad best, and when I got married I sold her to Dad for $1.

 
What other breeds do you have now?

I own one Tibetan Spaniel, Ch. Eaglecrest Sik'is at Miclanjo, better known as Buddy.  He is my constant companion.  While I don't own them there are four Chinese Cresteds here, three are Michael's and one is Clayton's. Clayton also has a Papillon in residence.  We also have six Devon Rex cats.


Many of your family members are also involved in dog showing please tell us more about them.

Papajohn is currently approved to judge six toy breeds.  He has been President of the Chinese Crested Club of Potomac, since the club was formed.  And he was just humoring me with the dog show game.  He was not going to get involved!

My oldest son Michael is an obedience trainer and is approved to judge Novice, Open and all Levels of Rally.  He is still actively competing in obedience.  He had the first powder puff female C.D. when the Chinese Crested was first accepted.  He is, today, the only person to have a mother and daughter powder puff Chinese Crested obtain AKC U.D. titles.  His kennel name is Wagayo

Clayton (second oldest) is continuing to carry our banner in the conformation ring, as well as breeding and showing his own under the kennel name of Ranton.  He has one breeder/owner handled Tibetan Spaniel Champion, as well as his Chihuahuas.

Angela, my third child and only daughter, still loves dogs.  Right now only owns one, a Korean Jindoo, but hopes to get back into showing some day.

John, the youngest does not "do dogs".  He is very active in Siamese cat rescue.  When asked why he doesn't "do dogs" he replies "Shoot, I grew up thinking I was a dog".

Michael's daughter Marie is currently away at college.  But she has put a C.D. on one Chihuahua, and has legs on a second.  But her greatest accomplishment was putting a C.D. on her Grandfather's Afghan Hound, Silvertone Exotic Miclanjo.  Marie was 14, Zottie was 7, and the C.D. was earned in three consecutive shows (and the first three entered), with scores in the 180's.


What is your favorite moment in dog showing.

I think the day I handled my first Chihuahua to a group placement.  She was my homebred Ch. Mooney's Su Cie Miclanjo, and we got a 3rd.  Papajohn was announcing the groups and he said "First to the Toy Poodle, second to the MinPin, AND THIRD TO THE LONG COAT CHIHUAHUA!"  And yes he was shouting the last part.



What is your favorite memory of judging?

My judging career was short, but there are so many truly fond memories. Perhaps we can do a whole section on these.

The biggest thrill for me, as regards judging, was judging the Chihuahua Club of America in 1998.  But that was preceded by the honor of having my peers vote for me to do  that assignment.