Page 240 - ShowSight - August 2019
P. 240

                Miscellanous Q & A
working towards full recognition and are confident that we will also see this happen in record time.
Do I expect a surge in popularity once you’re in the regular show ring? Absolutely! We are already seeing a surge and a high amount of interest amongst show people, handlers and breeders.
I believe that this will help our cause as the more people that are interested in our breed and showing the more likely it will be that AKC will move to full recognition of the Biewer Terrier. I also believe that it will help to have the breed recognized by the FCI.
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around to get my breed recognized? At this time, we have had enough but as we grow, we will be needing to rely more on our members. We have been very lucky as we are now having many members joining that want to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? Probably, but I am a very careful breeder and do not want to breed just to put out dogs.
The funniest thing that I have seen at a dog show is; a puppy going in the ring for the first time, the puppy got away from the person showing the puppy and seeing the handler running around the ring trying to catch the puppy was hilarious. I kept the video as it put a light hearted side to a sometimes-tense situation.
JOKE TUCKER VAN DEN BERG
I live in Carr, Colorado. I don’t do much outside the dogs, I have another breed Irish Wolfhounds, 46 years, and the Podengos and Irish Wolfhounds are my passion.
I do a lot of research, am a Pedigree Junkie and most of my friends are dog people. I do have land, for the dogs to run and chase rabbits, that I need to take care of, some fencing, mowing and have veggie garden, mostly grow for the dogs. I also still work two times a week and do some church activities.
Do I show in other registries? Yes, I show UKC and IABCA.
Would I breed more litters if we were AKC recognized? Yes, I definitely would breed more litters, that is part of the passion to see what I can produce better than what I did before, that is the fun part, love it.
The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? I can’t recall anything really funny at a dog show, maybe a chuckle here and there.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? I think that this breed has done everything AKC requested and more. The President of the club has done so much out of love for this breed, her last adventure was going to Portugal to attend a breed seminar with Portuguese, mainly, hunters. It was done for the first time and was successful. She has done so many Open Shows, I believe 26, she may correct me on that. She has helped other clubs with holding Open Shows. She travels and shows.
The other activities I do with the dogs are Lure Coursing, Fast Cat, Rally, Conformation and I am working with my eight year old male to become a Therapy dog, he is awesome with people and very gentle. Some of my friends call him the “Gentleman” of my pack.
In the 13 years that I have had these dogs I learned a lot, made mistakes, thinking the Irish Wolfhound way but now I am totally committed to this breed.
They are funny, loveable, loyal, they are diverse, who would have thought a Podengo in Fly Ball, Dock diving, one of my puppy buy- ers does it all, she is new to the breed and loving it.
There is so much more I could tell you but here are my answers to your questions. Thank you so much for the interest in the Misc and FSS, it is a well deserved mission with hard working people loving their breed.
SAMANTHA VAN BUREN
I’m a Mudi owner as well as have a litter planned for the spring. I have been involved in AKC dog shows since 2011 with Chihuahuas and Australian Terriers as well. I compete in conformation, agility, and trick training, and did junior handling for many years.
I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Outside of dogs I am a stu- dent at the University of Minnesota. I also am doing research in the Canine Genetics Lab at the UMN veterinary hospital and teach as a dog agility instructor.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? In just the past couple years we have seen quite in influx of interest in the breed as not only are they are a very unique dog that is a nice size, they also excel in agility and other events.
Do I expect a surge in popularity once we’re in the regular show ring? I do think we will have a surge in popularity once we are in the regular show ring as this is quite a unique and beautiful breed. I am personally worried about the increase in popularity as Mudi’s have a very quirky temperament, are very barky, and are not suitable for everyone. Many people are drawn to the Merle, which is why education on the breed is very important so the general public who is interested will know what they are like temperament wise. They are wonderful and fun dogs, yet very quirky.
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around to get my breed recognized? I believe so. The Mudi Club of America has a lot of dedicated owners and breeders who are working very hard.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? No. I only have a litter every couple years and very thoughtfully plan out my breedings. My worry is for the breeds numbers to expo- nentially rise too quickly upon full recognition.
The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? I once got hit in the forehead by a hot dog when a German Shepherd han- dler was baiting his dog in the ring and tossed it out to get the dogs ears up!
MARILYN VINSON
I live in Glendale, Arizona, My husband and I are retired. Out- side of dogs, dog clubs and activities I spend time trying to sort out stuff, so my kids will stop calling me a “hoarder stage 1”.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? Its been quite a journey but we just entered miscellaneous this July. The parent club is more cohesive in our goals and looking forward to completing the requirements for full recognition.
Do I expect a surge in popularity once we’re in the regular show ring? There may be an initial surge but I don’t think it will last long. These are big dogs and they have big litters. Two things many people do not want to deal with. Plus, our breeders are still very discriminating where their pups go. Trying very hard to keep this a dual breed.
Getting a breed recognized is hard work! Are there enough workers to go around? Yes, it is hard work! Like most clubs there is a core group of workers and more behind the scenes. Because we are a dual breed we have some more interested in hunting and others in conformation. Most will do some of both and try to support others in their chosen activities.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? Depends on how fast we get there as I am old! I hope to see that!
The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? Many years ago while watching a brace of a toy breed doing a down and back. On the way back to the judge one was “pushing” the other. The judge and the crowds reactions were wonderful.
  238 • ShowSight Magazine, auguSt 2019

































































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