European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 20, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday March 20, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 9over Here Sas Amy i is it f Jones Mary Deats Lefta music teacher at Little Tissington elementary in England judges a Schipperke at the Premier British dog show. Crufts held last month in  teacher raises clan of 4-legged champs by Amy Geiszler Jones . Bureau London a ask Mary Deats to show you a Wallet photo of her children and Shell quickly produce shots of All five four Schipperke and a German Spitz. Those Are dogs of course. But Deats a 41 year old music teacher with the overseas military school system might argue about the distinction. Her babies after All have done her proud. Particularly the eldest a Schipperke named Raffles who has twice captured the coveted Best of Breed title at Britain a Premier dog show. Crufts. Raffles whose registered name is Champion Baradet Cannon Ball express has also been successful in producing champions. Five of his offspring have gone on to be champs in Australia England Ireland and Norway. A the made my name in the Breed a Deats said. Deats who teaches at Little Tissington elementary has become a familiar name among Schipperke breeders in a relatively Short time. The supreme recognition came when she was asked to judge Schipperke at last months crufts. More than 14,500 dogs in 160 Breeds took part in the annual four Day dog show of All dog shows to get there a dog must win against the Cream of British dogs at the very highest Levels during the year. Among the dogs this year were 42 Schipps As they Are called by dog fanciers. The name is pronounced skips. In one of the Many rings set up in London a Earls exhibition Center Deats scrutinized each of c animals trying to determine the dog that Best represented the Breed. Poised on a table in front of her. Each dog stood patiently while she ran her hands Over their Small bodies checking for body Structure and peered into their Mouths to examine Teeth. Schipperke Are Small dogs distinguished by their foxy Heads pointed cars and thicker longer hair around their necks. Most arc Black. When the dogs walked around the ring. Deals Bent Down getting almost on Eye level with the animals to Check the symmetry Grace and movement of the dogs in motion. One owner sitting at ringside gave a nervous laugh As he watched his dog jump up and Down instead of walking in a guided line. A a he a Only 2 years  the Man explained. A a he a showing some of his  later the owner smiled broadly As Deats determined the dog won third place. A few hours before the judging. Deats talked about her love of dogs a love that began in her childhood when she acted As Kennel maid for her parents dogs. A my earliest memories Are getting into the whelping Box with the  the new York native said. Her first Contact with Schipperke was More than 30 years ago. But she did t decide to gel one of her own until 1977. After she decided she liked her Dodds assignment Well enough to make England her Home. She a been teaching with the system for the past 16 years. Quot for a person with not a lot of property they re the right size a she said of Schipperke. A they think they Are a Tough dog in a Little package. You feel absolutely Safe with one  her first Puppy which later became Champion Trishina lady Owen was from the litter of a dog that had been a Champion at crufts. The Puppy who became r a files Mother was the beginning of a string of champions for deals. In All. Deats has hied 10 champions either Schipperke or French bulldogs. Deals who lives in Chipping Norton about 25 Miles Northwest of Raf Fairford. Believes it s More difficult to produce champions in England than in the United Stales. In British dog shows Young novices and older champions with established names go head to head for the top title of Best of Breed. In the United states Only established champions Are allowed to compete for the distinction. Deats. Who began show ing dogs at various competitions in 1978. Started judging in 1982. She was certified by Britain s Kennel club in 1980 to judge at the championship level. Much to her Surprise she was offered an invitation to judge at the 1990 crufts show a year liter. For most judges the Green envelope with the invitation does t arrive until after Many years of experience. For Deats. Dogs Are More than just showpieces. They Are family and companions. �?�1 could t live without  she said. They also endear her to the children she leaches Quot they show a human facet of  she said. Quot we teachers Don t go into closets at the end of the Day. Like 1 thought teachers did when i was  she s also used Raffles As a leaching tool on occasion bringing the canine Champion to class and allowing the children to play with him. She then had the children develop stories and poems about the dog. Quot he was a hero in some  she said Quot catching Bank