Page 298 - ShowSight - October 2019

Samoyed Q & A
“While a Samoyed is a dog of exceptional beauty, it’s extraordinary many-faceted working ability must never be overlooked.”
Cheri Hollenback continued
any purebred dogs and subsequent breeder-unfriendly ordinances and legislation.
How do I place my pups? I pre-screen potential owners by way of a standardized questionnaire, followed by phone and/or in-person interviews. For potential homes in close geographic proximity, I encourage them to visit before the pups are born and then again after the pups are three weeks of age and beyond. For those at a dis- tance, I use Nest cameras to stream the puppies so the new family can watch the puppies grow and develop.
At what age do I choose a show prospect? The process of choos- ing a show prospect starts before the breeding takes place. I evaluate the pedigree, health clearances and phenotype of the sire and dam to try to assure the offspring will have the foundation to exhibit the breed standard. From the emergence of the pups from the womb, I start assessing each pup for its individual qualities. I conduct a for- mal evaluation at eight weeks where I, often in collaboration with other Samoyed breeders, determine which pups are promising con- formation and performance prospects.
What clothing color do I favor to complement the breed’s coat? I personally choose colors that strongly contrast the coat color of the Samoyed. Simple black can help the dog stand out and jewel tones also provide a nice contrast. The dog is lost if the exhibitor wears shades of beige, cream or white.
My favorite dog show memory? There are lots of favorite memo- ries over the years, but I think the one that stands out the most is the opening of Best of Breed judging for the first Samoyed Club of America National Specialty I attended in Plymouth, Michigan. All of the hundreds of best of breed entries were assembled in the ring and there was a virtual sea of white.
The Samoyed breed was developed by arctic nomadic people, living a subsistence existence, who required a hardy working breed to survive in extreme environments. Samoyeds have a strong and proud history of performing in the harshest conditions on polar explorations. It is critical, as guardians of the breed, that breeders, judges and fanciers ensure to protect this aspect of the breed and not allow this heritage to be reduced to a “pretty” or “flashy” dog. While a Samoyed is a dog of exceptional beauty, it’s extraordinary many-faceted working ability must never be overlooked.
JEANNE NONHOF
Breeder, owner and handler for over 50 years. Judge of working breeds for 30 years. SCA President for five years. Producing BIS, BISS winning and top producing Samoyeds.
I call Wisconsin Home, where the dogs can play “Wild Dog in the Bliz- zard” in the winter. It is wonderful to watch them tearing around in the drifts and then suddenly become still, facing into the storm,
tasting the wind. In summer, I am a heavy duty gardener, mostly perennials but rather specializing in fancy daylilies. I have spread them all over the county to gardening friends.
How does the breed fit into a contemporary household as an extremely active dog? Well, I don’t know if I would call them extremely active. Some are and some aren’t. The standard does say “full of action” and they are, but tend to sleep during the day when their people are at work. When their people arrive home from work, well then it is time to play and hike and go to classes or whatever their people want to do.
Does the breed’s eye catching color and flashy gait give them an edge in Group competition? Ewww! Flashy gait? The Samoyed’s gait is not flashy. It is smooth and efficient. A flashy gait would be inefficient. Remember this is a working dog that had to keep up with the migrating reindeer all day long and then curl up with the people at night, keeping all warm. (A three dog night is a very cold one.) They need efficient, well timed reach and drive with no exaggeration.
As to his stunning color, yes, it does draw the eye and I like nothing better than to be between two black dogs in the group ring. Then, there is the sliver sheen to his coat which seems to draw the light. Up close, that smiling face is pretty irresistible.
Has the breed’s popularity fluctuated during my involvement? Well, as I recall at one point during in my 59 year involvement with this and other breeds, the Samoyed climbed a high as #30. With more and more people residing in city apartments, a smaller, short coated dog is frequently preferred. Most Samoyeds reside in the sub- urbs and rural areas. Some people don’t make time to groom that fabulous coat. Actually, I find grooming that coat to be therapeutic. I put a sheet down on the carpet, the dogs come running, seeming to think they are going to get a massage. Turn on a movie and get to work. Actually save all of the hair you brush out as talented people can spin it into yarn and make the most stunning things.
How do I place my puppies? Very carefully. Nobody gets one of my puppies unless I have looked then in the eye and know that they will be a good home. Actually I have people pounding down my doors for puppies. I send them on to other breeders who I know do their health checks. We need more good breeders. It is difficult for people to find an available puppy. In despair, they may have to settle for another breed.
At what age do I choose a show prospect? Eight weeks exactly. After that, they start to get high in the rear, movement chang- es, everything changes. You have to be patient and have faith in yourpedigree.
What color do I favor to complement his coat? Interesting ques- tion. The judge is supposed to be looking at the dog, not you. How- ever, even subconsciously, s/he can be influenced by color, I like to see the blues as a backdrop, black is good if you can keep it white hair free, shocking pink is eye catching, red is good if you can get past the “wearing-red-is-asking-for-second-place” thing. You just need to be neat with nothing flopping around. Just as the dog does, you need to have good running gear, shoes with good grip that you can run in.
My favorite dog show memory? A couple of Best in Shows come to mind but the one that can’t be topped was at a local specialty, big, big specialty with 37 specials entered, not to mention five points
296 • ShowSight Magazine, october 2019