Page 350 - ShowSight - December 2019

Brianna Bischoff continued
My kennel/exercise areas described: I live on one acre and my dogs live in my home. I am a smaller operation, and like it that way for the mentality of the dogs and myself!
How did I come up with my kennel name and is it registered with AKC? I met a younger girl once named Emery, and I thought to myself, “What a beautiful name.” At that point I wasn’t sure if I could or would ever have kids, but I knew I would breed dogs. So I chose it as my kennel name.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? Yes. I have co bred litters in the past with Beth Johnson.
Is my breed easy to place? My breed is very easy to place into homes. America’s dog, right? I have a Facebook page for my breed- ing program. Most people in the Houston area come to me from personal referrals. I love having a local presence within my home- town. I am a proud preservation breeder, and we use the hashtag #emerygoldens for the owners to connect with one another. I really enjoy the companion home side of breeding as well as dogs bred for therapy and work. It’s amazing to see the difference these dogs make in people’s lives. Stud Service I have never heavily advertised, and have never really pushed my stud’s to be overly used. I will always oblige a bitch owner coming and make the process as seamless as possible, but again, I am a smaller operation. Quality, not quantity.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” will give breeders the recogni- tion they deserve? I think this is a wonderful idea and I have partici- pated in a few of these competitions. It is very fun and wonderful to recognize great breeders.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? I think AKC is doing a great job on many fronts, and I cannot think off- hand of what they could do to help us more. They are offering some wonderful programs.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? My personal advice is to always breed to the best dog. Don’t breed for conve- nience, or for friendships. If it’s the best match for your bitch, use that dog. Regardless if that dog is in your backyard, or if it’s in another country. I also think transparency is key. You are doing your breed a great disservice if you are not transparent with any information that would be helpful to another breeder. Lastly, it’s about the dog, not you. If someone had something to say about one of my own dogs, I would take the constructive criticism, and con- tinue the friendship. No dog is perfect, not even yours.
Do I show my own dogs? Yes I do, but in the past I have hired a few professional handlers if I was overbooked with my own client dogs, or if I was not able to get to the shows as often as I would like.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? Back when I was a junior handler, every year there would be a drag queen that came to the dog show in Monroe, Louisiana. He would walk around and watch the show, in full garb. Many of us over the years would take photos with him. He was awesome and it was a fun memory for all of us.
JACKIE BLACKBURN
How I got started in dogs? In 1973, I was working and the sec- retary came into the office crying. Betty said her Samoyed female had died and she showed me a picture of her. I fell in love with the Samoyed dogs. She still had a male and she told me she had imported the two from Australia—Kalina Kennels. She assisted me in obtaining my first show dog, Sparky, who was too small to win in California where his breeder lived. So, for $75 airline freight, I got my first show dog. Sparky taught me a lot about showing and we went through obedience and got his titles. It opened up a whole new world and family of show people that I consider close friends to this day. I imported two dogs from the same kennel in Australia. I showed and bred until I met my first American Eskimo, Chill, that
I showed for Carolyn Jester. Since I was getting older and less able to run with the larger breeds, I purchased my first Eskie from her, GRCHB Frostiwyt Lytning Jolt aka Julian. He is the foundation of the lines I have today and has produced many, many champion get.
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? I love working with the dogs. My grandfather loved working with horses and dogs so I think it was natural to gravitate to showing and train- ing and handling dogs.
Who were my mentors? Wally Reid and his wife, Betty and her husband, Dobson Kennels, Beth Lachnett, C. L. Eudy and many more.
The best thing about being a breeder? I think seeing your progeny growing up and surpassing the parent’s level is the best thing. I like to breed for all elements—temperament, conformation and brains.
The toughest part about being a breeder? Selling the puppies or having the older ones pass on is a really depressing issue. I know the puppies will be safe and healthy, but I do take care about who receives one.
Do I work outside of the home? I’ve worked with the Brazos River Authority for over 25 years as an administrative assistant. I have a fair amount of time off to use and a boss who is very willing to let me work around the show schedule. It’s been a challenge as my family and I have gotten older. My mother is 89 and I want to spend time with her so the shows do not take all of my leave time.
Is my family involved? My mother went with me when I first started showing in 1974. It was great, but we noticed she didn’t feel well after attending dog shows. Found out she was allergic to dogs. Next my sister went with me until recently when she went to live with Mother. Stacie Hamilton, my almost sister, would meet me at shows until she moved out of state. Right now I go alone, but have my dogs for company and my show friends.
Am I involved with a breed club or all-breed club and held positions within the club(s)? I am a member of the national breed club, I assist with some of the all-breed clubs, but have not held an official position.
My kennel/exercise areas described: I live on one acre out in the country in Texas. I have a large exercise area (1/2 acre) fenced in for running free and seven smaller yards for day time movement for the dogs.
How did I come up with your kennel name and is it registered with AKC? LaDell was my grandmother’s middle name. Gladys LaDell Starnes. She loved dogs and animals. She is the one who taught me at a very young age to respect the dogs, be gentle and patient. It is not registered with AKC.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? Yes, I co-breed with several breeders in Texas: Lori Boles, Barbara Beynon, Helen Dor- rance, Tina Willemon and Susan De La Paz. I do co-own some of the show puppies with excellent homes like Sherion Schroeder. I keep in touch with all my progeny.
Is my breed easy to place? It is easy to place my dogs, but I do have strict requirements for receiving one. Yards, veterinary access and previous knowledge of Eskies are some of them. I don’t adver- tise in any magazines—all word of mouth. The only advertising I do is when I’m campaigning one of my babies (I couldn’t have children—so I have dogs).
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” as a special event at an organi- zation’s site will give breeders the recognition they deserve? I think this will aid in recognition.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? AKC is already doing a lot to assist breeders. From the legal aspect to keeping up with which dogs you have in your name, to points pro- gression, and show information. I think the owner/handler idea is good for breeders who do handle their own dogs. Too many times a
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Breeder Q & A