Sharon Dok: Best of Breed
I was born in Burbank, California where I lived with my parents until going off to college. My parents were dog lovers and bought our family a Basset Hound in 1956. She was a well-bred Basset of Santana Mandeville lines, but was not a show dog. What she did show..….was that she could steal my heart! She impacted me in many positive ways and sold me on her breed. From that point on, I knew I would always have a Basset Hound in my life….but little did I know it would lead to the life I have today.
After graduating college with a teaching degree, I married Jim Dok. With my encouragement we purchased our first Basset Hound about three months after we were married. When “Brutus” passed away, I felt only a “show dog” could ever fill the void left by losing him. We sought out a show prospect and purchased our first bitch from John and Jo NewMyer of Rebelglen Basset Hounds. CH Rebelglen’s A Minor Calamity ROM, introduced us into the world of showing dogs, what breeding entailed, and the wonderful friendships that could be gained from involvement in this sport.
Since our first introduction to this sport in 1978, Jim and I have bred and finished, as breeders and owner handlers, many champions with the Castlehill’s prefix. Many of these dogs were Specialty winners, some winning and placing in the Groups, and even a few with all breed Best In Shows. I have not kept count of how many wins nor the number of champions because the statistics have never been that important. The quantities have always has been about the dogs we love and the friendships attached to the people that come along with them. I truly enjoy showing my own dogs and hope to do so for as long as I can make it around the ring!
Jim and I became members of BHCA in 1980. In addition we have been members of many Basset Hound Specialty clubs as well as founding members of the Greater San Diego Basset Hound Club. We currently are active in two all-breed clubs, as well as members of Specialty clubs in other breeds. We both have successfully owned and showed both English Setters and Beagles.
I have many outside interests other than those involving our dogs. Some of these interests include arts and crafts, working in my garden and just being outdoors in general. I love old cars, wood boats and hot rods. I enjoy living on the waterfront where nature is out my front door. The water and the seasons provide me with inspiration and beautiful pallet which I enjoy every day.
I began judging in 1991 with full status given for all my applied breeds in 1993. I currently am approved to judge 7 breeds plus Junior Showmanship. This assignment is a great honor and I thank the membership for giving me the opportunity to judge Junior Showmanship and Intersex at this 2014 BHCA National Show.