Page 304 - ShowSight - November 2019
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                Breeder Owner Handler Q & A
“Don’t rush into breeding, study the breed, pedigrees and the actual animals themselves.”
 Kimberle Schiff continued
adults and oftentimes a weekday career that helps us fund our dog breeding and showing hobby.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? A specialty win. Especially in a low entry breed. It’s easy to win in competition against a few but to win when you have a large national entry is a far better assessment of the quality of your dog.
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? Yes. When you win it yourself with your own home bred and trained dog, the win is far sweeter.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant balancing act? I am lucky to have a very flexible job where I can fit my work life in around my life with dogs.
How has the NOHS program affected me? It gives me another group to compete in which is always good practice and experience for me and my dog. I do look for, and tend to be more likely to attend a show if they offer NOHS or other breeder specific competi- tion like a breeders stakes or a BBE group competition.
What advice would I give a newcomer to breeding? Attend your first national without a dog. Meet everyone, talk to everyone. Attend every dog related seminar you can find. Find a good men- tor and learn everything you can. Listen. Understand population genetics. Learn to chart pedigrees for health and temperament as well as looking at conformation. Don’t go for the popular sire or fol- low the crowd. Do your best and be prepared to pet them all if you don’t like what you get from a combination. Set your expectations high and don’t accept average.
The funniest thing that I’ve witnessed, experienced, or heard about at a dog show? I attended the world dog show in Sweden in 2008. The Pinscher-Schnauzer specialty the day before was out- doors and it was hot. There was a woman competing in shorts, a tank top and high heeled sandals. About half way through the class her shirt came off and she had only just her jogging shorts and sports bra. When it was her turn to take her dog down and back she realized she could not run in heels so she kicked them off and into the crowd and kept on running in bare feet.
JACQUELINE SIOTTO
I am a multi-generation dog show breeder/exhibitor and retired from the Medical field. I have shown many breeds, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Basset Hound, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, French Bulldog, Maltese, Chihuahua, York- shire Terrier, Pomeranian, just to name a few. I have shown and bred Miniature Pinschers since 1980. I took a medical leave of absence from regularly
showing/breeding from 1999 to 2008, and I just finished my 23rd bred by, Champion since 2010.
I am the Miniature Pinscher Club of America/AKC Breeder Referral, Vice President of The Miniature Pinscher Club of North- ern California, member of the Pacific Northwest Miniature Pin- scher Club, Board of Director of Del Valle Dog Club, and a Sec- retary of Nor-Cal Toy Dog Fanciers. I also am active in Miniature Pinscher Rescue, Senior Dog Rescue as well as various other rescues.
I am working towards obtaining my Judges License in a few breeds.
I live in Northern California and I’m retired. My passion outside of dogs is helping homeless military vets and football.
I was born into the sport, multi generation, so over 45 years. My family had Great Danes and I was given my first Min Pin in October 1979, to show in Jr’s.
The toughest part of being a breeder? Is losing a dog/puppy, it’s heartbreaking. The best part is seeing a well-bred, well-socialized puppy/dog of mine being a cherished family member and provid- ing a service to their family, be it seizure alert, a companion to an autistic child, etc.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? That’s a possibility, however, I feel that a well socialized dog/puppy and a great Professional Handler can have that deep bond/connection.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? Both are an amazing honor. I have an all breed BIS awarded by a breeder judge and Specialty wins.
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? Personally I feel that they are—especially when you are up against legendary dogs and people of the sport.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant balancing act? Yes, it was hard to set the date for my wedding due to dog shows while I was campaigning a dog. I have a very patient and supportive husband. I sit out a few shows a year to attend the Hot Wheels National Convention’s since he is as passionate and deeply entrenched in Hot Wheels collecting, as I am in breeding/ showing dogs.
How has the NOHS program affected me? It has given me the opportunity to refine in ring technique for both myself and the dog and provided yet another set of goals to achieve.
What advice would I give a newcomer to breeding? Don’t rush into breeding, study the breed, pedigrees and the actual animals themselves. Remember the sport is about breeding stock, not wins, not how many pups you can produce. Quality not quantity.
The funniest thing that I’ve witnessed at a dog show? I witnessed Sylvia Rodwell put a live lobster on a lead and attempt to walk it in a ring during lunch at a Specialty decades ago.
The fundamentals of showing dogs is universal; I am happy to answer questions, offer suggestions,bounce things off of and encourage new exhibitors, so don’t hesitate to contact me or find me at a show.
MARK STEMPEL
I live in Bohemia, New York which is in the middle of Long Island. I am a retired High School music teacher (39 years). Other than dogs, my passions include my family and Classical music.
I have been showing dogs for 26 years since I met my wife and partner, Jacqueline. My original breed was English Toy Spaniels, owning the 1996 Westminster Breed winner and Group pull. My true love is my Shih Tzu.
The toughest part of breeding is the occasional problematic puppy. Spending the hours/days helping a puppy get over the hur- dles is very tiring—but so worth it when everything turns out well.
Of course the best part is producing healthy happy puppies with more of our puppies in a litter being show quality. This
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