MEET THE JUDGE: STEVE HASLETT

Why did you become a judge?
My first true mentors were Florence Cummings (Arrowhill) and Steve Field (Parader). I felt that the influence these individuals had on me, plus the influence of the many successful breeders I met and became close to when I moved to the East Coast gave me a firm foundation for the breed and helped sharpen my eye for the "correct Collie." I suppose I had my own aspirations of influencing the breed and felt somehow judging was the next logical step, since I was having modest success at breeding and showing.

What is the measure of a successful judge?
I have always felt a successful judge can pick out the Collie which most closely fits the standard regardless of what color the dog is, which variety it is, or from which bloodline it is derived.

What dog have you seen that comes/came closest to embodying your vision of the Standard?
I have been blessed by seeing many great Collies! The one that most closely resembled my "ideal" is a virtual unknown to most. He was Parader's Sir Tommy. This dog came along virtually at the end of Steve Field's active breeding, and died quite young. To me, this dog had "it all." I tried, unsuccessfully, for many years to breed one of my own!