Page 252 - ShowSight - August 2019

Foundation Stock Service Q & A
this country that were placed and returned because of how difficult they can be.
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around to get my breed recognized? Not yet. Nor are we in much of a hurry. The statement “this isn’t a breed for everyone” is quite true and we need to be careful in promoting them as a new breed.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? No. There might be more of a market but considering we have yet to breed our first litter we still have much to learn.
The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? We haven’t shown yet. We are looking forward to our first Open Show experience but any time we take one to a show people are attracted to them like bees to honey. They are very pretty to look at, impres- sive in size, sweet to meet, and can be a lot to live with.
AUDREY LYKE
I live in Delaware, in a suburban neighborhood that backs up to a county park where we get out with the dogs on a daily basis. Outside of my dog hobbies, I am a full time analyst with the power company. My husband is a retired engineer and is able to be home during the day.
AKC admitted the Appenzeller Sennenhunde to Compan- ion Events and Performance Events starting in 2008. Happily, there are an increasing number of all-breed shows where the host clubs provide for Foundation Stock Service entries. That trend is much appreciated by fanciers, even though we do not have many Appenzellers competing.
As more people become familiar with this breed, there are bound to be many who will be attracted by these dogs’ beauty, medium size and short double coat. They need to assess whether the energy level, socialization needs and working dog intensity are a good fit. At the same time, I would love to see more owners competing in the ring as well as in obedience, agility and other events. All these venues are fantastic for showcasing the breed, developing the own- er-dog working relationship, and learning from judges and more experienced handlers.
The Appenzeller is still rare in North America, and to date we have not had the critical mass to develop regional clubs. We have a lot of work to do prior to AKC recognition.
I used to show my Appenzellers at American Rare Breed Associ- ation events, when there were not opportunities to show them with AKC. I also showed my first male in UKC. I did not show Brandy, now 11 years old, in conformation but she competed in agility. Our funniest experience was probably when a kind judge set up a fast straight-away series of jumps to finish out a course sequence. As it happened the vendor hot dog and grilled burgers spot was just past the ring exit. Brandy sailed over the jumps, out the ring gate, and started making for the lunch stand. Clearly she felt that was the place to be. That’s the Appenzeller, always thinking strategy. Thank you for your interest in this amazing breed!
JACQUELYN MICHALIK
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I own and operate JEM Industries, a WBENC certified commercial asphalt maintenance company and Asgard Raw Dog & Cat Food. We are one of only a select few USDA certified raw dog food manufacturers and distributors on the east coast.
As President of Caucasian Shepherd Club of America, Inc., I am finding progress is slow, but steady. We see this as a benefit. This allows for proper organization, education and participation for a proper breed club and to follow a single breed standard. We are experiencing an unfortunate misunderstanding and misrepresenta- tion within our breed and we are relying on the AKC to keep new
and future owners and breeders on the same path under the FCI #328 standard.
Although our breed is growing rapidly in popularity, we are not finding the direction we would like in the show ring and registered dogs. We are seeing a surge in unregistered dogs being sold and mentored as breeding stock. This is detrimental to any breed and recognition with the AKC will provide our club with a checks and measures guideline to eliminate future occurrences. We are confi- dent that our breed club will unify more like-minded owners and educate them on the proper breed standard and excite interest in AKC events, especially the show ring. I look forward to recognition to confirm there is only one breed standard under FCI #328.
Getting a breed recognized is hard work! Are there enough workers to go around? Yes! Our club is comprised of foundation owners that were landmark and instrumental in the growth of the breed. Our members have achieved all the “firsts” in many events and titles for our breed. This commitment still carries strong today and we are able to educate new owners of the importance on titling and health testing future breeding stock.
I would not breed more, however I would be proud to offer AKC registration to new owners to reinforce proper breed standard under FCI #328. There is a commitment all future breeders of any breed must follow—health testing, temperament testing, titling and most importantly—upholding the breed standard and producing quality dogs.
MANDY MIDDLETON
I live in Georgetown, Ohio. I am a groomer and when not show- ing or grooming I try to hunt and fish.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? Not sure they will get there. I can’t get any of the breed clubs involved.
I don’t see a huge surge in popularity as with other breeds. There are many dogs in the breed, however the breeders are not interested in AKC.
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around to get my breed recognized? I have not been able to get a formal club together. I have created the site of www.mountaincurclubusa.webs.com and Facebook group Mountain Cur club of America.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? No, I am a small breeder and already have a waiting list for my pups. The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? My older Mountain Cur looking at himself in a mirror with his dumbbell at
an obedience trial.
CANDACE MOGAVERO
I live in Delaware, other than working as Director of Loss Pre- vention for a supermarket chain (I am now retired) and my family I “do dogs”. I have trained, bred and shown dogs for the last 50 years.
Do I expect a surge in popularity once we’re in the regular show ring? Yes, I do expect a surge on popularity when we finally achieve full AKC recognition.
Hopefully we will be able to have educated our breeders enough to not have some of the problems other breeds have experienced. There is always a certain amount of problems with an explosion of a breed after it becomes fully recognized by the AKC.
Are there enough workers to go around? There are never enough workers to go around. Hard as you may try there are many people who feel someone else should do the work.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? No as I do not breed much and usually if I do breed it is because I have a waiting list for puppies.
The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? A whole ring of exhibitors including myself slipping and falling on a ring of wet grass.
250 • ShowSight Magazine, auguSt 2019