Page 352 - ShowSight - December 2019
P. 352

                  Jackie Blackburn continued
professional handler’s dog is not quite as good as the breeder’s but still wins. I’ve been showing so long that it shows a pattern is return- ing to dog shows. When I first started showing, the handlers took most of the wins, then the breeders and owners got a fair amount of time winning and once again, the handlers are winning the most.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? Look at the grandparents of the two dogs you would like to breed. Sometimes genetics will skip a generation.
Do I show my own dogs? Yes, I’ve tried sending a Sammy off with a handler—he refused to show for her. It was a waste of money. The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? The Halloween costume contests are fun—both handler and dog are
in costumes!
We always had a family dog when I was a kid. I am at my best with a dog in our family. They bring balance and joy to my day— they are great companions, always happy to see me, they get me out for daily walks, and they keep me grounded. I bought my first show dog in 1992, a Great Pyrenees, to be a dual-purpose dog, a livestock guardian dog and a family companion. She was an excep- tional example of the breed, with beautiful balanced movement, and incredible instincts for protecting our livestock: mountain-side free-range poultry including geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, and chickens. I fell in love with the breed and never looked back. I have had at least two at any time ever since that first one.
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? Breed- ing seemed a natural extension of pursuing a show prospect pup- py. At the time, 30 years ago, we were also breeding and showing poultry, most of which were heritage breeds we specifically selected for the preservation of heritage breeds. The concept resonates even more so today, with all the marketing and sales of mixed breeds of dogs.
Who were my mentors? Mentors come in many forms, direct and indirect. All long-time breeders set an example for novice breeders, they are indirect mentors through their actions. Actions speak louder than words. I watch, listen, observe, and learn. The breeder from which I purchased my first show dog has set an exam- ple I aspire to and is my mentor. She has produced many champions dogs that are healthy, sound, with excellent temperaments. She is well-respected with her peers and the national breed club, including having served as a club officer and president multiple times dur- ing her tenure. She is a mentor in many ways—in actions, words, and accomplishments.
The best thing about being a breeder? Breeding and then rais- ing a litter of puppies is hard work. Yet, I just love puppies. I love watching their bond develop with their mother, I love watching the mother nurture her wee ones. I love watching the personalities emerge and then the pack order emerge within the litter. Delicate, pure, inspiring. I also find intriguing the art and science of breed- ing. Matching genetics and phenotype together and then see what type comes through, first generation and subsequent generations. The art in the science.
The toughest part about being a breeder? I don’t have expan- sive kennel facilities nor the time to consider multiple litters per year. As a result, I have fewer opportunities to make a difference for the breed. I strive for excellence in my breed pairings as well as purposeful preservation. In my honest opinion, we need both small breeders, like myself, as well as big name breeders/kennels to sustain genetic diversity in our breeding population. It’s harder for small responsible breeders with limited resources. More so with the current social and legislative climate that tends to be against breed- ers of purebred dogs. The general public seems infatuated with
mixed-breed “designer dogs”. They compromise the value and pres- ervation of pure-breed dogs.
Do I work outside of the home? Yes, I have a ‘real’ job. Our dogs are family; dog shows and breeding are secondary yet primary to the hobby. It is often a daily dilemma to excel as a reputable breeder and balance work and family priorities.
Is my family involved? My family loves the companionship of the dogs we own. They join me at shows occasionally, however, it is my hobby not theirs.
Am I involved with a breed club and all-breed club and held positions within the club(s)? I am a long-time member of the Great Pyrenees Club of America and an active participant on their health committee. I am also a member of a regional Great Pyrenees club. I also support local clubs as time permits. Due to my work schedule, I have been unable to commit the time for more and prefer to meet my commitments instead of disappointing my peers.
How did I come up with my kennel name and is it registered with AKC? My kennel name is Ashby. It is named after my home, built 200 years ago by Captain Ashby. It is a well-built post and beam home that has withstood the test of time, standing strong, elegant, and proud after numerous New England hurricanes. Using Ashby as my kennel name symbolizes home and from the heart.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? Yes, sometimes. Co- breed and co-own opens up opportunities to do more for the future of the breed.
Is my breed easy to place? I have been fortunate to be able to place puppies through a local network with primarily repeat customers.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” will give breeders the recogni- tion they deserve? That is an interesting idea. I am not optimistic it is an effective mechanism for reaching the general public, beyond what is available today thru the AKC marketplace.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? I would like to see more help from AKC with legislations that interfere with responsible breeders of pure-bred dogs. Also, increasing public edu- cation and awareness on what ‘designer’ mixed breed dogs are and are not.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? I recommend breeders should know your breed’s standard, understand genetics and inheritance models so you can make an educated selection for a breed pairing that will improve upon what you have. Health test the sire and dam, as is appropriate for your breed, so you will know more about from where you are starting. Research the health of not just the breeding pair and their pedigree, but also the littermates. Lastly, be candid to yourself on not just the good qualities of your dog, but also the faults, when selecting an appropriate mate for the breeding.
Do I show my own dogs? I show my own dogs only occasionally. I don’t have the time away from work to do it and do it well. I prefer a professional handler. It’s their job and they do it well! It allows me to better observe my dog’s movement and provides an opportunity to enjoy the moment.
MARGARET BOISTURE
I’ve had a lifelong affinity for animals because of growing up in a family of farmers and dog breeders of Portuguese heritage. When my husband and I owned a 100-goat dairy farm as part of our cheese business, we fell in love with the four Estrela Mountain Dogs we used as flock guards. One fine Portuguese breed led to another through a growing network of Portuguese friends and mentors, and soon I had added my first Portuguese Podengo Pequeno.
348 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019
SUE BLEVENS
Breeder Q & A
  








































































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