Page 260 - ShowSight - August 2019

Foundation Stock Service Q & A
in the breed ring, but it is often not the primary purpose for getting into the breed. Yet many competitors understand that the need for correct structure and type, which is judged in the breed ring, is essential for performance needs.
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around to get my breed recognized? We have several people working very hard, but we can always utilize the help of additional breed enthusiasts.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? The demand for DSFs is often greater than the supply already. With full recognition and greater exposure, I would anticipate demand continuing to go up. However we are more concerned with the quality of our breeding program as opposed to the quantity that we put out.
The funniest thing that I’ve experienced at a dog show? Senior Showmanship (as opposed to Junior Showmanship) done as a fun- draiser for a Junior’s program. Highly renowned exhibitors were more than willing to participate and it quickly turned into quite the show, including costumes and roll playing.
ROBBIE & MARK STERNLICHT
We live in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Robbie is retired and outside of dogs, loves to garden, especially tending to her large rose garden. Mark is an attorney, and his main hobby, outside of dogs, is teaching aikido, a Japanese martial art in which he has earned a fourth degree black belt.
Although the first Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka came to the coun- try over 20 years ago, the breed was admitted to the FSS program in 2015. As a result of many rumors and myths, the breed is often misunderstood and, as with many breeds new to the FSS program, the road to full recognition is a bit bumpy, with some wanting to rush to full recognition. We see our time in the FSS program as a time to build a strong foundation of quality dogs, get them out where they can be seen by judges and the public, and build a strong club. Doing this right takes time.
Most breeds that gain full recognition have a surge in popular- ity. The hope is the public and the fancy will continue to be inter- ested in the breed.
Getting a breed recognized is hard work and takes commitment to responsible breeding, showing and participating in companion sports. As with any breed moving along the road to full recognition, it would be great to have as many owners as possible making com- mitments like these.
Part of breeding responsibly is finding show-quality dogs to breed. Full recognition of the breed could mean more choices of good quality dogs.
The funniest thing we have experienced at a show happened when our bitch Alenka was in heat, and our young Russian-born dog Slava, who had not developed much impulse control, kept look- ing back at her as they went around the ring. The judge suggested having Slava follow Alenka to see if he would gait better. Big fail! Slava stood up on his hind legs, waved his front paws, and screamed. We all had a good laugh.
CHERYL STOFFAN
I own two CzechoslovakianVlcaks and I am registered Ken- nel under the CzechoslovakianVlcak Chuck Club of America as Bleuhills.
I live in Shelton Connecticut. What do I do outside dogs? Noth- ing. I do work but I love to hike with my dogs, go for car rides and just have fun and forget about things. One of my dogs has appeared in Glamour magazine in Central Park.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? It is a slow process but I believe we are moving in the right direction.
I do expect a surge in popularity. I also expect this will help and hurt our breed. I say this because we like to have the increase num- bers but with this also comes with scrupulous breeders and back- yard breeders. At least within our club we all are recognized and we abide by the AKC breeding standards.
Do I believe there are enough workers to go around to get my breed recognized? We are getting there but it is a lot of work. I would like to see more done in the Northeast personally.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? I would probably do one more litter and that is it. Because I am very particular to what home my puppies would go to.
KATHLEEN THOMASSON
I live in Durant, Oklahoma and I have had Caucasian Shepherd Dogs since 1999. I am a monitor for Special Needs on a school bus and also do Janitorial work for the Durant School Dist.
I think this breed is doing okay in its venture into becoming recognized by AKC.
I socialize my dogs a lot, as it is a Flock Guardian Breed and so they need it. We go to different stores, visit downtown and are in parades. Along with anything else I can think of. In the past have gotten TT’s on my dogs, CGC, Basic Obedience and Intermedi- ate, have been in parades, gone to hospitals to visit with children who have cancer, visited nursing homes and have been in a program when in Idaho, where Big Dogs Visit young men in Jail.
Do I show in other registries? Yes, I do show with other orga- nizations. Throughout the years have shown with AKC, by special invitation, UKC, had the number one of this breed in 2009 with them, IACBA, ARBA, and ICKC.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? No, I would not breed more litters if this breed was fully recog- nized, as I do not breed very often. Though it would make it easier to register and sell them.
The funniest thing to happen to me at a dog show is: I had one person ask me why I was showing a bear at a dog show?
BRIAN TURNER
I live in northern Nevada in the foothills of the Carson Moun- tain Range, about 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe. Outside of dogs, I’m a career project manager and executive. I have a number of out- door hobbies.
How is my breed faring in its quest for full recognition? I see the process as a long road, but with our breed’s ancient roots and phenomenal appeal to the right owners, we aren’t going anywhere.
I definitely expect a surge in popularity with more exposure. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a stunner. Even with other giants in the ring, our dogs stand out. At exhibitions and shows we are inundated with questions and made the subject of countless photos. I see this is a big help towards recognition. The US has some very well-bred, magnificent dogs to show. Getting judges, spectators, and potential new breeders familiar with the dogs will no doubt build enthusiasm, support, and participation—all of these creating momentum towards recognition.
Getting a breed recognized is hard work! Are there enough workers to go around? I think we’ll get there.
Would I breed more litters if we were fully recognized by AKC? I’d expect so. Along with the far greater exposure of being in the
258 • ShowSight Magazine, auguSt 2019