Page 306 - ShowSight - October 2019

Schipperke Q & A
Beverly Henry continued
in both clubs holding office as Treasurer of LSSC and Recording Secretary of SCA. I am also Membership chair and Newsletter Edi- tor for SCA. And I am Vice President of The Schipperke Club of America Rescue and Health Foundation.
I live about 40 miles north of Dallas, Texas. Dogs are pretty much my life but I also read a lot, many times having two books going at the same time.
How is the breed around the house? Schipperkes are active, how- ever they make great house dogs but if you want a dog that lies in front of the fireplace or on the couch all the time, it might not be the dog for you. They are very alert to everything going on around them and also have to know where you are. When you own a Schip- perke, you will never go to the bathroom alone again!
Has the breed’s popularity fluctuated during my involvement? I have owned Schipperkes since 1975. Popularity has fluctuat- ed some over the years but this year I believe we made the “low entry” breed status. I attribute it to the animal rights movement to spay/neuter all dogs, the almost impossible licensing requirements placed on breeders is many areas and the aging of many of the long-time breeders.
The general public’s biggest misconception about the breed? I think the biggest problem is the breed is relatively unknown. And, then being a black dog, many people do not want an all-black dog.
What clothing color do I favor to complement the coat? I have always tried to wear light colored slacks or suit in the ring.
How do I place my pups? Almost 100% by word of mouth. All were sold with a health guarantee and promise to take back for any reason if buyer can no longer keep what I have sold them. I never sold on a co-ownership as I refuse to co-own with anyone other than my daughter or husband when he was alive.
At what age do I choose a show prospect? Well, when I was breeding Doberman Pinschers I had about a 99% accuracy record at eight to ten weeks. With Schips I was never even close to being that accurate if I went by the same rules. With Schips I would go with the puppy that caught my eye from birth to about four months. After that, my line went into the uglies until they were three to four years old and would go from ugly duckling to ready for the show ring almost overnight.
My favorite dog show memory? When my eight year old daugh- ter showed her Schipperke, CH Land’s Havoc of Harvalu, CD, to Best of Breed at the Lone Star Schipperke Club specialty show under Dorothy Nickles.
Schipperkes are a fun breed, however, they are not for everyone. Do your research and meet with breeders before buying one.
They are very in-tune with your mood and it is hard to be in a bad mood around one because they will do something to make you laugh. They do great in obedience, rally, barn hunt, agility, some even love herding. You must have a fenced yard and teach them not to bolt out the front door because if one gets loose, it is gone. They are so curious they take off exploring and go so far so fast they don’t know how to get home.
DIANE JOHNSON
My husband Terry and I obtained our first Schip- perke in 1987, and little did we know how involved we would become in the breed over the next 32 years. We have been very involved in showing in conformation, fin- ishing more than 40 champi- ons—always owner handled.
Some of our dogs sold to other people have excelled in Agility, Fast Cat and Rally.
We live on the Central Coast of California. I work full time as a legal assistant for a civil litigation law firm. However, the majority of my free time is spent with my Schipperkes.
How is the breed around the house? We have a number of Schip- perkes who actively engage in play in the yard and keep themselves exercised and amused. I don’t find them to need a large amount of exercise.
Has the breed’s popularity fluctuated during my involvement? I think Schipperkes are even more popular now than in recent years, however their availability is limited due to the limited number of breeders. This is unfortunate because I often receive requests from people who have lost their Schipperke and want to find another one but I usually don’t have any available myself and don’t know of any reputable breeders with puppies or adults available to refer them to. There are many Schipperke enthusiasts posting on Facebook about their long, frustrating search for a new Schipperke—often having searched unsuccessfully for more than a year to find one.
The general public’s biggest misconception about the breed? Often people don’t realize the intelligence of the Schipperke and the need for socialization and training to make them a well-rounded member of the family. Just because Schipperkes are small in size, they need just as much training as a large breed dog.
What clothing color do I favor to complement the breed’s coat? If you are showing a Schipperke in conformation, it is best to wear light colored clothing. Red also compliments their shiny black coats.
How do I place my pups? Having been in the breed since 1987, I get a lot of referrals from other breeders and people who have owned our dogs. I also maintain a website that people locate when search- ing for a Schipperke, and are included on the Schipperke Club of America’s breeder listing.
At what age do I choose a show prospect? I usually make my decision on my show prospects at about three or four months of age. My favorite dog show memory? Specialty shows always stand out in my memory for the fun times with fellow exhibitors and larger than normal entries. Our regional specialty Best in Specialty wins
are especially memorable.
Schipperkes are a devoted companion and love to go everywhere
with their owners. They do not usually do well left at home outside for long days or they tend to get bored and bark. They are excel- lent watchdogs and are protective of anything of “theirs.” They are not always accepting of strangers and can take time to warm up to strangers. They typically are not good off leash.
VIRGINIA LARIOZA
Virginia has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for 50 years. Her father brought home a Shetland Sheepdog from the top breeder and she began in obedience competition. Later 4H junior showmanship and obedience with her uncle’s OES. In addition to Schip- perke’s she has bred Siberian Huskies, and been owned by a Bichon and Akita. Schip- perke’s captures her heart
and have been her primary breed for 35 years. She has served the parent club in numerous positions including AKC Gazette colum- nist, BOD, judges education, show chairman, and bulletin editor. She has been the recipient of the AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship
304 • ShowSight Magazine, october 2019