By Marylen V. Chan

Respected Dobermann enthusiast whose journey began in 1986 with his first show dog, Abe's Ace Inca. He and his wife, Ms. NingNing Kintanar Chua, merged their kennels to produce champions, including PH HOF Kintanar's Proof of Life.

Eugene has also bred and shown MinPins, Chihuahuas, and French Bulldogs, achieving success across breeds. As an all-breed judge, he has judged competitions internationally in Asia and Australia.

He currently serves as a PCCI Board member, Chairman of the Registration Committee, and Corporate Treasurer, upholding integrity and dedication in all his roles.

Len: What inspired you to become a Dobermann enthusiast? Was this your first breed, and how long have you been involved?

Eugene: My first breed was Dobermanns, and it’s been more than twenty years now.

Len: So you were in your teens at the time?

Eugene: Yes, I was.

Len: Really? What age was that?

Eugene: That was around 1986. I remember it clearly—my brother brought home a Dobermann, and that’s when it all started.

Len: So that was it? 1986—you fell in love with the breed?

Eugene: Exactly. I fell in love.

Len: Could you share some characteristics of Dobermanns that you admire the most?

Eugene: Dobermanns are incredibly gentle and affectionate.

Len: Affectionate! That’s lovely. Are there any common misconceptions about Dobermanns you’d like to address?

Eugene: Absolutely. Some people believe they’re naturally aggressive and prone to biting, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Len: In your experience, what are the key qualities to look for when evaluating a Dobermann?

Eugene: First and foremost, the breed type—that’s critical. Everything else follows: structure is vital, and movement is crucial. With an incorrect structure, you can’t achieve the proper movement. And since Dobermanns are a working breed, good movement is essential.

Len: As a Filipino Dobermann enthusiast, what’s your perspective on the FCI regulations regarding tail docking and ear cropping?

Eugene: Personally, I believe that if a country’s government has implemented a ban, it needs to be respected. Organizations within that jurisdiction must comply accordingly.

Len: What motivated you to become an all-breed judge?

Eugene: When I first started judging—maybe ten, twelve, or even thirty years ago—I only intended to judge Dobermanns. However, as I gained experience, I became interested in learning about other breeds and comparing their structures with Dobermanns. I began with Group 2 breeds, which include working breeds. After completing Group 2, I thought, “Why not study Group 9?” after that, I decided to go all the way and study all breeds.

Len: That’s admirable. Judging so many breeds must be an ongoing learning experience.

Eugene: Absolutely. Just because you’re a judge doesn’t mean you know everything. There are so many breeds out there—I haven’t even judged half of them yet!

Len: What, in your opinion, is the most important quality a judge should have?

Eugene: Integrity. Without it, you shouldn’t even be judging.

Len: Do you have any memorable experiences you’ve had while judging at a dog show? Can you share them with us?

Eugene: A memorable experience would be in Indonesia, around 2020. That was the first time I judged outside of the country. I saw different dogs and breeds that I wasn’t familiar with, and I judged alongside some well-known international judges. Of course, sometimes you overthink—you might wonder if you’ve chosen the wrong dog or question what other judges put up.

Len: What advice would you give to aspiring dog handlers and breeders looking to succeed in competitions?

Eugene: Keep on learning. Keep on studying. Don’t stop, even if you’re a good handler. Attend handling seminars. If you’re a breeder, don’t stay in your gene pool—don’t only breed your own dogs. There are other dogs out there that you can use. Of course, it depends on your breeding program, but don’t be kennel-blind.

Len: How do you stay updated on the latest standards and trends in dog breeding and showing?

Eugene: Always refer to the breed standard. PCCI judges are regularly updated by PCCI or FCI if there are changes to the standards or new breeds.

Len: What are your primary responsibilities as the Corporate Treasurer of PCCI?

Eugene: One is to make sure that all funds are accounted for. That’s number one. All funds must go through proper channels and committees before I sign the checks, and these must be approved by the appropriate authorities. That’s basically my main function.

Len: How do you manage the financial health of the organization?

Eugene: Well, I suggest measures to some of the committees, like belt-tightening strategies. Especially now, I think all clubs or countries are in this situation—registration numbers for dog registries are going down. Fewer registrations mean less membership. We have to cut costs, so we hold off on unnecessary expenses.

Len: How do you balance your financial duties with your passion for dog breeding and judging?

Eugene: In addition to dog breeding and judging, I have my own business to manage. We schedule meetings and committee discussions all on one day as much as possible. For judging, I take leave from work. Assignments are usually planned months in advance so we can schedule them properly.

Len: What financial trends have you observed in the dog breeding community?

Eugene: For PCCI, fewer people are breeding now. Many breeders give their dogs away instead of selling them. Some don’t register their dogs unless there’s a buyer for a particular puppy. It’s an ongoing trend, I think, worldwide.

Len: Moving on, as a businessman, how long have you been in business?

Eugene: I was trained at a very young age. I’ve been working in our family business since I was maybe nine or ten years old. As Filipino-Chinese, we were trained very early.

Len: What skills from your business experience do you find applicable to dog judging or breeding?

Eugene: In dog judging, integrity is number one. Just like in business, you should be honest.

Len: What is integrity in breeding, then?

Eugene: You have to be honest even when no one is looking. When someone gets a dog from you, you must tell them the truth—tell them what’s wrong and be transparent.

Len: What personal qualities do you believe are essential for success in both the business and dog show worlds?

Eugene: Integrity is very, very important. It doesn’t matter which dog you choose, as long as you base your choice on the quality of the dog—not whose dog it is.

Len: What are your hopes for the future of Dobermann breeding and showing in the Philippines?

Eugene: The number of Dobermanns, both here and worldwide, is declining—especially with the banning of ear cropping and tail docking by FCI. This has significant negative impacts on show entries and registrations. I breed less now—usually one or two litters a year. Last year, I didn’t breed at all.

Len: If you have a litter this year, will you still breed properly?

Eugene: I’m not even sure if I’ll breed this year. Whether I crop or show a cropped dog or an uncropped one—it’s challenging for me. Cropped ears are forgivable, but Dobermanns with tails are difficult for me.

Len: Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your journey with Dobermanns as an all-breed judge and as a PCCI officer?

Eugene: As an all-breed judge, I uphold integrity and honesty. As a PCCI officer, we strive to be transparent and involve exhibitors and members as much as possible in decisions. Of course, we can’t please everyone, but we do our best to make sound decisions.

Len: Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mr. Chua