MOE MIYAGAWA By Gay Glazbrook

2018 marks the 50th year Moe Miyagawa has been in Doberman Pinschers. He has handled five dogs to the coveted DPCA National Specialty Best in Show winners’ circle, a feat never achieved by any other handler. He and breeder Mary Rodgers had great success with the Marienburg dogs in the seventies. Their Ch. Marienburg Sun Hawk CD was a top producer, #1 Doberman in 1975, Top 20 Winner and Best of Breed winner at the 1976 and1978 National Specialties. Hawk’s daughter, Ch. Marienburg’s Mary Hartman held the breed’s record for the Top Winning Doberman of All time until 1989. “Bees,” as she was called, was Top Dog All Breeds in 1978, winner of two National Specialties, the Top 20 as well as Group First at the illustrious Westminster Kennel Club show. The working group was extremely competitive at that time as it included the herding breeds.

In the early nineties Moe and then wife, Cynthia Woodward, piloted Ch. Ravenswood Cario V Aquarius to a position as one of our breed’s leading sires. Cairo is the maternal grandsire to the Top Producer of all time, Ch. Cambria’s Cactus Cash. He was also the very first champion produced by the iconic Ch. Brunswig’s Cryptonite. Cairo produced a multitude of champions including Ch. Cynderwood Halston V Sunchase, who wrapped up her career as #1 Doberman.

In 2002, Moe won his fifth National Specialty with Ch. Marienburg’s Repo Man. Moe has judged our Futurity twice and has judged out of the county including the MexicanDoberman National, New Zealand and Uruguay. On this, his gold anniversary in Dobermans, it is fitting that we honor Moe as he has dedicated the majority of his life to the breed as a handler, breeder, owner and mentor.

• 1976: Best of Breed – Ch. Marienburg’s Sun Hawk, under breeder Judge Mr. Patrick Doniere, Jr.
• 1978: Best of Breed- Ch. Marienburg’s Sun Hawk, under Judge Ms. Tess Henseler
• 1979: Best of Breed- Ch. Marienburg’s Mary Hartman, under breeder Judge Mrs. Peggy Adamson
• 1983: Best of Breed – Ch. Marienburg’s Mary Hartman, under breeder Judge Mrs. Peggy Adamson
• 1999: Grand Prize Futurity – Marienburg’s Repo Man, under Judge Mr. Vic Monteleon
• 2002: Best of Breed – Ch. Marienburg’s Repo Man, under breeder Judge Mrs. Irene Bivin

What People Say About Moe

Moe!!!!! I’ve known you just about as long as I have been in dogs, and that’s been a while!You seem the same to me now as you did then – a perpetual teenager! I can’t wait to see you back at the shows. It’s not the same with out you. ~ Bill McFadden

Moe was a great influence on me while I was growing up. He was like an uncle to my brothers and I while RV traveling to dog shows, spending time in Idaho, fishing. He also taught me how to surf and of course, how to hit on women at a young age. He is truly part of the Boyes family and one of my father’s best friends. We can’t wait to see him. ~ Ed “C.R.” Boyes

Whenever I flew to West Coast shows, Moe was always friendly and welcoming. His smile and sense of humor was always evident. It didn’t matter that I was showing an Irish Setter, he was nice to everyone.~ Anne Marie Kubacz”It is the Friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey”How true that is of Moe Miyagawa! For all the years that we have known Moe he has always been that special man; handler extraordinaire, caring individual, trusted friend and just a hell of a nice guy. There is never a time when Moe says, “No” or “I can’t.” Rather it’s always, “When or how can I help?”When he handled our top 20 Moxie we always knew he would give it 150%. In the ring he is the perfect gentleman, never to say a bad word of another dog or another handler. He is the true gentleman. And who could forget the Great “Moe” stories told by Judy and Pat like the Osama Bin Laden National..LOL. He is such an amazing character, such a blessing to all dogs, such a cherished friend to have. “MOE” He is the man, our friend to be, Not so tall, and never free. At the end of the lead he’s tough to beat, But knowing him, is the greatest treat. We’re glad he’s here for time to come, He’ll make us laugh ‘til day is done. So think not bad he’ll be back to show, Because you see he’ll always be Moe! We Love you Moe! ~Holly & Steve Schorr

A few years ago, Moe judged the DPCA Futurity, and I was in charge of “babysitting” him. He couldn’t hang out with fellow handlers – like normal – in the RV area before judging, so we went to have a pedicure and Moe’s fave – SUSHI! ~ Michelle Santana

I always get a laugh when you are  around. You make it a light and enjoyable thing when showing our dogs. I especially enjoy listening to the teasing and jokes going around at the shows. Sometimes we all get wrapped up in the tension of showing but you are always there to lift our spirits. I’m so glad that you recovered from your scary episode and I know you’ll keep fighting. It will be fun seeing you back at shows soon, Moe. ~ Darlene Young

My cowboy hat…I was on my first Montana circuit working and learning from Marj Brooks. Montana is big sky country, and cowboy hats are the rage there. We went to a downtown area with Mary and Moe, and I saw this great cowboy hat, but it was quite expensive. Moe tried to be helpful and asked the clerk if he would allow me to flip for the hat. Double or nothing were the stakes. After much discussion and encouragement, I agreed. Unfortunately, the flips didn’t go too well. I lost, and it taught me a lesson – don’t always listen to Moe. We love you Moe. ~ Faye & Gary Strauss

While I do not know Moe well, I know enough to know he is one in a million! He always wears a smile and is up for a good practical joke. Did you know he can show a Maltese too? I’ll never forget the year in Montana when Moe was asked to show a Maltese. He told the client to just take the dog to the set up, and then had a realization the next day prior to ring time… Does a Maltese wear one bow or two? The vision of he and RP together whether in the ring or out of it always makes me giggle. From RP running off leash around the show site and visiting with Moe’s neighbors behind his back to the five pounds of chicken Moe would carry and fling about in the ring looking for animation from RP; the memories are fond of that duo. Sending you get well wishes, and waiting to see your little legs racing around the ring again soon! ~ Amy Tourond

Moe Miyagawa and the illustrious Ch. Marienburg’s Mary Hartman are the reason I became involved in Dobermans. The first time I saw this magical team was in 1978 in Austin, TX. In the BIS ring along with Mary Hartman was the top non sporting dog, white standard Poodle, Ch. Lou-Gin’s Kiss Me Kate. The Doberman prevailed. Their ring presence together was like nothing I’d ever seen before. I knew was that was the breed for me. I was mezmerized. In 1987, I moved in with Moe and his wife, Cynthia Woodward, in Bonita, CA where I started a grooming business at their boarding kennel. So many fun memories and endless laughs were shared, and it was a great introduction to my years spent in California. Thank you, Moe, from the bottom of my heart. You’ve been an inspiration to so many for so long. The time to honor you is long overdue. Love you to the moon & back. ~ Gay Glazbrook