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IN THE JUDGE'S SEAT:
Personal Journeys and Insights

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Maxine Schvaneveldt

2025 Sonoran Shuffle Judge

Lives In: Idaho

Grew up In:  Montana

Involved with Stockdogs Since 1970's

How did you become involved with Australian Shepherds?

My very first dog when I was on my own was an Aussie I got in Oregon off a ranch.

What inspired you to become a ASCA stockdog judge?

Once I started trialing, I did love the sport and people encouraged me to apply as I had completed the requirements.

Do You Have a Favorite Dog Run from Your Own Competition Days?

I would have to say, my first dog Choate. He was a natural and way smarter than I was about the whole job. I had never “trained” a dog for working stock. On the ranch they just mainly had a comeback and a get behind, which was stay behind with the horse. He started out as a bring back dog for my roping steers, he would bring them up the alleyway into the chute. Then I got turned on to the “herding world” in Idaho. And the rest is history.

What's the Most Memorable or Unexpected Moment You've Experienced While Judging?

Oh, I must say the runs when the dogs were bad dogs, and I had to call time. I still get ribbed about my famous clipboard incident in Vegas.  LOL.

If You Weren't Involved in Stockdogs, What Other Passion Would Your Pursue?

Passion at this time in my life???LOL.  Sitting on my porch watching the sunset and petting my dogs.

Do You Have Any Pre-Competition or Judging Rituals That Help You Focus?

On the newer courses I always refresh my memory by looking at the courses in the rule book.

What Skill or Talent Do You Admire Most in a Working Dog?

I like to see a dog think on its own, takes control of the stock, works on the edge of the flight zone when need be but then will come into the pressure, when need be,  takes commands and doesn’t pout when corrected.

First Time Competitor Advice...

Be consistent with your commands, be fair, it should be black and white, no gray area, try and be quiet with your commands.  Don’t be afraid to help your dog when you need to.  Don’t give up when things go wrong. There are lots of trials out there. It’s about the journey and not just winning every time you walk in the trial arena.  Go to clinics when you can. You can always find something from any clinician, even if it is something you don’t want to do.

Share One Thing About Judging that Competitors Might Not Know or Understand...

I can only speak for my judging.  I think a lot of the contestants don’t understand my judging because I am taking into consideration the workability of the livestock. If they are easy and so broke the go around the courses, follow the handler, my pencil is a bit sharper. I always say, you could have a Pekingese out there and the stock will complete a course. Those are the hardest runs for me to judge.  I also take into consideration when an Open handler is working from the open handler’s line, I take that into consideration due to the handler has a huge influence on the dog and the stock.  It doesn’t make sense to me that Open handler’s working on the Open line are judged the same as an advanced dog handling from the Advanced line. Not apples to apples to me. Same with started. I am judging the dog’s ability to control the livestock and not the handler’s ability.

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