Page 224 - ShowSight - August 2019

Miscellaneous &
Foundation Service Stock Breeds
SHOWSIGHT PRESENTS
THE
MISCELLANEOUS GROUP
1. Where do you live?
2. What do you do outside of dogs?
3. How is your breed faring in its quest for full recognition?
4. Do you expect a surge in popularity once you’re in the regular show ring? Will this help or hurt your cause?
5. Getting a breed recognized is hard work! Are there enough workers to go around?
6. What activities do you do with your dogs?
7. Do you show in other registries?
8. Would you breed more litters if you were fully recognized by AKC?
9. What is the funniest thing that ever experienced at a dog show?
STACY ABLE
I live in Indianapolis, Indiana. Outside of dogs, I’m a profes-
sional wedding photographer.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? Great! The Barbet moves into sporting in January 2020! Hard to believe we are almost there! It has been a journey.
Do I expect a surge in popularity once we’re in the regular show ring? A slight uptick as I imagine several people who have been on
the fence of showing will come out and show. I don’t think it will hurt our cause as long as the standard is followed and the dog is not over groomed.
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around to get my breed recognized? More would always be helpful, but I think we have had a really great group of people for the past decade working together for the breed here in the states. It would be helpful to have more showing on the west coast, but we will get there.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? No, we will not change our breeding plan. For us it is a beloved hob- by and our families are happy to wait a year or so for a pup from us.
The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? The first dog show I ever attended was in France in french. My male Barbet, that I was importing to the states, peed on my leg outside of the ring. He went on to win best male puppy at that show, but it was quite the experience. He also earned the first Certificate of Merit in the Barbet breed and is a cherished therapy dog who visits hospital patients.
DEBARAH BILLINGS
I live in Bristol, Tennessee.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? Very well, we are now in the Miscellaneous Group and will be applying for full AKC acceptance within a year.
222 • ShowSight Magazine, auguSt 2019