Page 241 - ShowSight - August 2019

THE
FOUNDATION STOCK SERVICE
1. Where do you live? What do you do “outside of dogs”?
2. How is your breed faring in its quest for full recognition?
3. Do you expect a surge in popularity once you’re in the regular show ring? Will this help or hurt your cause?
4. Getting a breed recognized is hard work! Are there enough workers to go around?
5. Would you breed more litters if you were fully recognized by AKC?
6. What activities do you do with your dogs?
7. Do you show in other registries?
8. And for a bit of humor, what’s the funniest thing that you ever experienced at a dog show?
THERESA WEBER
I live in Sherwood Forest, California which is basically a small
suburb nestled within a city. About 25 miles north of LA. My life is really dedicated to the dogs. I manage my clients Kuvasz and their breeding program as well as my own love of the Pumi breed. I am dedicated to breeding Pumi’s of soundness, structure and temperament.
I will be founding an annual charity mud run for dogs and their people. It is really just a fun day for animals of all shapes and sizes to just have fun with their owners for a great cause. I am starting a program to assist people to plan for their beloved pet’s care if they are no longer able to. This I think is much needed and as hard as it is to address it will help guide persons through the planning. I also am a flight nanny (escorting animals on their flights to their destination so they are never alone) Along with that I am an international pet transportation facilitator. So my life is really all about the animals.
AKC Full Recognition: Thoughts now that the Pumi is fully recognized by the AKC. The breed was official July 1, 2016. It was through much hard work and tireless hours, through many people’s dedication, to get this wonderful breed recognized. And we all need to work purposefully to preserve that hard work.
Some challenges that arise from full status: I feel that there is the temptation for many to breed their beloved Pumi because, in their eyes and heart, he/she is perfect. However, we have to be extremely careful to breed for purpose—soundness, structure, temperament and be very mindful of what ultimately the effects of each breeding decision will have for many years to come. Because we have such a small gene pool breeding decisions are profoundly important for the future of this breed.
Another challenge is the number of imports coming into the US and we need to be very selective in doing that. We need to be cognizant of which dogs can compliment those here in the US and are best for the preservation of the breed and the herding work it was originally bred for. A Pumi cannot be too small (slight) or too big or it would break down or get injured in the field and unable to sustain a long days work or agile enough to move out of harms way or stamina to drive/gather the flock/herd.
Educating the public is crucial. The Pumi is cute and whimsical in looks and those ears, how can you not smile! However, behind that cute expression is a very serious working dog with extremely high intelligence. They must have a job or they and their owner will be unhappy . Because of their intelligence they need a job.
That job can be herding, conformation, agility, obedience, jogging, dock diving, lure coursing, dock diving, fly ball etc... so many activ- ities (jobs) to do but they need that physical and mental stimulation.
To live with a Pumi is much like a potato chip. If you have one you will usually end up having more I say with a grin. I literally laugh every day! They are silly, smart, serious, loving, boisterous, snuggly, demanding, sweet dogs all wrapped up in a whimsical package. To be owned by a Pumi or two is a ride of a lifetime!
DENYSE ADAMS
I live in Maine, near Bangor—so it takes a four hour drive to get to Boston! Outside of dogs, I enjoy photography, long walks, observing natures wonders and reading if I can find an hour in my busy day.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? Cur- rently a small group of us are in the very early stages of getting a parent club up and running. Our breed has only been in the FSS since May of 2018. The principle importer/breeder, Grace Harper passed in November 2018 and left a number of dogs that need to be registered in the FSS before we can begin breeding again. And we people to help preserving this wonderful breed.
Do I expect a surge in popularity once we’re in the regular show ring? I do not foresee a surge in popularity, as the ASTCD is a work- ing dog that would rather be on a ranch tending livestock. However, they can accommodate themselves on your couch just as easily!
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around to get my breed recognized? Workers are needed in every club and every club has that issue of not enough hands to lighten the load.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? Breeding more litters whether fully recognized or not, is not an issue. There is a small demand for working pups in the western states as opposed to the east coast.
The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? A bit of humor, oh my, I several. However, back in the 90s, I was showing a Rottweiler, tripped and fell flat on my chest, the dog kept on going and did a perfect stack in front of the Judge! I was too embarrassed to get up and people were calling for the EMTs thinking I was out cold!
CYNTHIA ALBY
I live in Central Georgia, and I am a college professor, poet, artist,and breeder of a critically endangered breed of sheep. Our Pyrenean Mastiffs serve as professional guardians for our sheep. Nothing gets by them.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? It has been slow going but we are making headway!
Do I expect a surge in popularity once we’re in the regular show ring? I wouldn’t be surprised by a surge in popularity, but I think if we are cautious it will help our cause rather than hurting it. The leaders at Pyrenean Mastiffs USA have done an extraordinary job putting measures in place to ensure that a possible surge in popular- ity would be positive for the breed.
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around? Could there ever be enough? We may never have enough, but the ones we have are curiously hard working. I don’t know how they do it all!
ShowSight Magazine, auguSt 2019 • 239