Page 292 - ShowSight - November 2019

Breeder Owner Handler Q & A
Kimberly Brown continued
dogs, friends, and family is not an easy task and there is always one area that pulls you harder than the other. I used to show every weekend and that there my life off balance. It is very important to me to step back, assess what I need, and create the space to take care of everything to keep myself happy.
How has the NOHS program affected me? The NOHS program has done wonders for my dog and I. As a new team in 2016, my dog Bazinga and I were able to compete in the NOHS program. We BOTH gained a lot of confidence and we could each “settle down” before going into the regular Hound group. It has been amazing and we have finished #1 NOHS Basenji for the last three years.
What advice would I give a newcomer to breeding? Be patient, listen to many different breeders opinions, go to as many National Specialties you can, watch the National videos and read every- thing your parent breed club publishes on your breed. Learn, learn, learn...take it all in and truly understand your breed standard.
The funniest thing I have experienced at a dog show was in York, Pennsylvania 2016. My dog and I were in a very large group ring. After we made the cut we did an individual around for the judge. However, my dog, being the comedian and social butterfly he is, saw my mentor Pam Geoffroy. Bazinga saw his Auntie Pam and as we went into the corner he jumped over the ring gate into Pam’s arms for a cuddle. I had the literally pull him out of her lap and then continue our last go around. Totally embarrassing but hysterical at the same time. You see to Bazinga dog shows are about friends and not that going around in circles stuff.
SHAWNY CIRINCIONE
I have been showing dogs for 33 years. I started show- ing in Junior Showmanship with six month old Scottish Deerhound puppy. As a JR, I finished my first dog. I went to work for Joy Brewster on the road getting experience. I worked for Joy for five years before heading out to show my own dogs. My husband and I have built our kennel under the prefix Hounds of Hobarra we breed Standard Wirehaired
and Scottish Deerhound. We have produced three BIS winners, ten BISS winning and many multiple group winners. The dog that we have campaign BISS, MBIS, MRBIS, MBISOH, MRBISOH GCHG. Hobarra’s I Dreamed A Dream AKA Violet is the #1 OH All Breed Lifetime in the NOHS! The Winner of 60 BISOH. She was the first to win BOBOH at SDCA National Specialty Under Judy Webb. She was the #1 Scottish Deerhound All Breed for 2017 and 2018 and is currently #2 Scottish Deerhound All Breed. We have our next generation coming up with Violet’s Son. We have a lot to look forward to in the years to come.
I live in Danbury, Connecticut and I have been showing dogs for 33 years. My original breeds where Dachshunds and Scottish Deerhounds.
The toughest part of being a breeder is making sure your pup- pies end up in the right homes. With caring and loving people that will love them until the leave the earth. The best part is breeding that special dog that makes dreams come true.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? I think the advantage a breeder owner han- dler has is the bond they have with their dogs plus they watched that puppy grow and can see its special gifts that special dog has.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? For us the most important thing was winning a specialty but
my most memorable is winning my first BIS on a dog I bred owned and handled.
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? It gives me such pride to tell a judge that not only and I the owner and handler of the winning dog but I am also the breeder. I appreciate judges that recognize my breeder owner handled dogs in the ring.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant bal- ancing act? It is beyond a balancing act with a full time job, a house and a very very supportive husband. It is a challenge sometimes. My husband and I work as a team to get everything done for the dogs plus some dates nights in there. We both give 100% when we our campaigning a dog and we give 100% to each other. Without his support we would not have the top winning dogs we have. We are a TEAM.
How has the NOHS program affected me? It has introduced judges to our breeds. It has also give people chance to grow in their handling skills and also give them a chance to win in breeds that are totally pro handler dominated.
The advice I would give to newcomers to breeding dogs is learn about your breed, get yourself great mentor. And realize this is not a money making game and it a hard road and it came be heartbreak- ing. But learn everything you can.
The funniest thing that I’ve witnessed at a dog show? The fun- nest thing I have seen is my Deerhound trying to jump on a ring side Toy grooming table and she did it and stood there on this itty bitty table super proud!
TERRIE CRAWFORD
My husband and I live in Columbia, Tennessee about 45 minutes south of Nashville. I retired with 41 years of ser- vice with AT&T as a Director managing call centers around the US. Not too much time for passion outside the dogs, but we love country music and go to concerts often. Live in the right area for that!
I have been in the sport since 1982. My original breed was Miniature Pinschers.
The toughest part of being a breeder is dealing with tragedies, breeding is not for the faint of heart. Unexpected things happen and losing a puppy is very emotional. On the other hand, the best part is raising happy, healthy puppies and whether it is getting them trained for show or placing them with the perfect pet home, it is a heartwarming experience.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? I think any individual can have a bond with a dog, including professional handlers. Owner Handlers should auto- matically have that bond if the dog is raised in a positive environ- ment, professionals have to work a little harder at it.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? Specialty!
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? I think so, knowing I bred and raised the dog to win is very satisfying. All wins are special, but the NOHS has a special place in all owner handlers hearts.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant balancing act? I am fortunate my husband and I are both retired, but even with that there is a “schedule” on what gets done when. We plan ahead and make sure there is time for “us” in addition to
290 • ShowSight Magazine, noveMber 2019