UPDATE: We would like to congratulate Candace Jussen and her dog, Finnick on winning his breed class at Westminster on Tuesday. Tonight, he will be heading over to Madison Square Garden where he will be going for Best Of Show. We will be watching!
Candace Jussen of Fort Worth, Texas is an avid AQHA exhibitor. With numerous AQHA World and Reserve World Champion titles, she has been successful in the halter and performance classes for many years. While Jussen is best known for breeding and showing the legendary halter stallion, Mister GQ, our readers may not be aware that she is also involved with showing dogs.
Currently, Candace co-owns a show dog, Finnick, who is competing at the “Super Bowl” of dog shows, Westminster, on Tuesday. GoHorseShow had the opportunity to talk with Jussen about Finnick and showing dogs.
Q: Hi Candace. We all want to know; how did you get involved with dog showing?
A: Many, many years ago, I took on two little girls, and we went horse showing – they were Chelsea and Vanessa Knox. Chelsea eventually purchased Acadamosby Award and had a very successful show career. After his third Superhorse Award, she retired him with Jason Martin and Charlie Cole, and she decided to try the dog events. She did very well and focused on the breed known as the Dogue De Bordeaux. This year, I am co-owner of Finnick, her homebred Dogue, which is showing at Westminster on Tuesday. Chelsea is the total brains behind the dogs, and I’m just a co-owner, participant.
Q: What is it like for one of your dogs to be competing at Westminster?
A: Fortunately, Chelsea has not only been there before, but won it with her first Bordeaux, Rolex. So, I simply follow her lead, but, personally, it’s quite an honor, and, of course, it is very exciting to be part of the best of the best.
Q: Can you tell us about Finnick?
A: Finnick is a two-year-old Dogue De Bordeaux also known as a French Mastiff. They are the most powerful and have the largest head in the dog world. Originally built to pull carts, they are extraordinarily strong and somewhat cold-blooded. That may not be a gracious description, but from the horse world, I would compare them a little to the draft breed, or maybe a Friesian in temperament. They are hugely loyal, kind and known for being the “Guardian.”
Q: How is showing dogs similar to showing horses?
A: There are so many similarities in showing dog to horses. You have a trainer; the animal is kept mainly at trainers; you decide on what your goal is for the year, and then, you prepare and go out and test the waters. I’ve learned after 50 years of doing the horses that it always takes a good horse to compete. But to hit the top marks, it takes lots more; staying healthy and sound is a big part of it as well as having the right handler, doing your homework and deciding on a strategy according to what you can afford and knowing what the competition is and what you and your animal can do. Then, if all the stars are in alignment, you stand a chance.
Q: How do you think showing dogs is different from showing horses?
A: Well, one difference is we take Finnick on the plane with us. He has his own seat, and let me tell you that is an experience in itself. Seriously, I think the one most paramount difference is the numbers. If you are the top dog in your breed division, then you go back in and compete against the other top breed dogs. So, it would be as if the Grand Champion or World Champion in AQHA would go back in and compete against an Arabian and maybe a Morgan or even a Clydesdale. So, in my opinion, it’s much tougher.
Q: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you and Finnick the best of luck at Westminster.
A: You’re welcome and thank you.
