Toni Teasdale (TONSARNE)

The only dog I remember as part of our family when I was a child was a Scottish Terrier but, as it was wartime, when she died she was not replaced. I did not have another dog until after I had been married for a couple of years and was at home with a small child. This was a Bearded Collie who was in fact litter sister to the first Beardie to go to America. Sadly she succumbed to Distemper and Hardpad in the 1960s, just before her second birthday, never having produced any offspring.

In 1975 I was persuaded by my good friend Wendy Boorer to import an Affenpinscher into the UK. We found two other friends who were interested and with the help of Sharon Strempski, then Secretary of the ACA, imported Balu’s Schwarz Furstin from Lucille Meystedt later to be followed by another Balu’s import and several Flo-Stars Affenpinschers. We have always considered ourselves so fortunate to have had the benefit of advice from Sharon Strempski, Lucille Meystedt and Flo Strohmaier in those early days. Without these ladies, sadly no longer with us, the Affenpinscher in the UK would not be in such a good position as it is today.

Although there had been Affenpinscher imports in the 1950s, our group of four Affenpinscher enthusiasts are proud that we have been responsible for the establishment of the breed in the UK.

When The Affenpinscher Club was formed originally I was Treasurer but accepted the position of Secretary when our Secretary unexpectedly died in 1986 and have held the post from that time.

I have been judging at Open Show level since 1970 and my first Championship appointment was in 1989 awarding Challenge Certificates in Bearded Collies. Affenpinschers were granted Championship status in 1992 and my first CC appointment in Affenpinschers was at Crufts in 1994. I have awarded CCs in both breeds several times subsequently. I have judged Bearded Collies extensively in Europe as well as judging Affenpinschers at Pinscher Schnauzer Club shows in Scandinavia.

Currently I own two Bearded Collies and thirteen Affenpinschers including Ch. Tonsarne I Claudius JW who is a breed record holder. We have also owned Great Danes and Newfoundlands.

I look forward to my first judging appointment in America.

Mari-Beth O'Neill

Mari-Beth was born and raised in Philadelphia. Her family had Dobermans, later joined by Manchester Terriers and Whippets. Mari-Beth competed in Junior Showmanship as well as breeding and exhibiting her Manchester Terriers under the Charmaron prefix. She was approved to judge, Doberman Pinschers, Irish Wolfhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, Whippets, and Manchester Terriers.

Mari-Beth joined the AKC staff in October of 1990 as the Associate Director of Judging Research and Development. The activities she has been involved with include the development and planning of the Judges’ Institutes, working with the parent clubs on the development of Judges’ Education programs and coordination of the Judges’ Workshop Groups. Additionally she has coordinated the Judges Guides for new breeds.

March 1993, Mari-Beth was named Director of Judging Applications. In 1995, Mari-Beth was named Dog Woman of the Year. In October 1996, she was named Director of Judges Education. In August of 2002, Mari-Beth was promoted to the position of AVP of Corporate Training and Development.

Additional involvement has been as the Delegate for the American Manchester Terrier Club,  member of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America as well as member of the Bryn Mawr Kennel Club, Westbury Kennel Association, Moore County Kennel Club and Morris and Essex Kennel Club.

Before joining the AKC staff, Mari-Beth taught elementary school for 12 years and coached at the Junior High level.

She currently resides in Cary, NC, with her English Cocker Spaniel.