Page 384 - ShowSight - December 2019

Vicki Edwards continued
dog shows. While a Breeders Showcase will indeed show off ones breeding, I’m not sure it will give credit where credit is due. Altho for sure it’s a nice competition.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? As I said ear- lier, not having the benefit of a mentor when I started out, trial and error can sometimes make or break you. Never let yourself get too discouraged. Mother Nature will often raise her head and remind you that she is still in charge and your breeders dream dog might not happen when you think it should. Keep moving forward with a responsible breeding program. Continue with pedigree research. Talk with fellow breeders and get ideas about how to accomplish what you want to do. Don’t get bogged down from mistakes or misfortunes. As I said before If you breed long enough you will see a little bit of everything.
Do I show my own dogs? Yes. I always show my own dogs. Being a competitive person I enjoy the competition and it gives me the opportunity to observe other dogs and try to continue to do better in my breeding as well as handling.
COLLENE ESTERLY-HAMM
How I got started in dogs? I grew up on a farm and my father was a big hunter. I would crawl into the dog boxes with the litter of puppies, German Shorthaired Pointers and Weimaraners. That’s when I learned the love for dogs.
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? When I looked to get my first Keeshond. It took me a year to get the first one and two years to find the next one. I thought this is crazy. The breed is amazing and people should be able to find them for their family.
Who were my mentors? An older lady named Emma Jean Craley and Phyllis Noonan.
The best thing about being a breeder? Handing that puppy to a family and watching the joy on their face! That’s the best thing in the world.
The toughest part about being a breeder? Bringing newborns into the world and then losing one. Also the lack of sleep.
Do I work outside of the home? I own a flower and gift shop. Owning 27 Keeshonds and a flower shop is two full time jobs and fitting dog shows in there also.
Is my family involved? My husband Mark loves the dogs as much as I do and has learned how to birth litters when I’m at the flower shop.
Am I involved with a breed club or all-breed club and held posi- tions within the club(s)? Yes Berks County Kennel Club. It’s very nice to sit and talk with people who have the same love for dogs as you do.
My kennel/exercise areas described: every dog at my home has doggie doors where they come and go as they please. No one is ever crated.
How did I come up with my kennel name and is it registered with AKC? Yes, it’s registered with AKC. My puppy families named my kennel. They would come in and sit on the floor with eight Keeshonds greeting them and say, “This is Keeshond Heaven.”
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? I have a few times.
Is my breed easy to place? My waiting list is a year long always. My website Keeshond Heaven finds homes for new people wanting a new puppy. Many have their fourth Keeshond from me. I have been breeding since 1984.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” as a special event at an organi- zation’s site will give breeders the recognition they deserve? It could new things are always welcome.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? They help very much with their Breeder of Merit program.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? I have secu- rity cameras everywhere. When I’m at work or at a dog show and it’s soon time for a litter to be born. I watch my dogs on my ipad or phone. They cost a little but knowing your dogs are okay is oh so worth it.
Do I show my own dogs? Yes, we travel to at least eight dog shows a month.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? Well just last month while leaving the dog show ring, my slip fell down around my ankles and a few people saw this happen and we all laughed so much I was crying. Off came the slip and into the trash can! I have seen a few of the people at the dog shows since this hap- pened and we just start laughing when we see each other!
LORI FROST
My family was involved in purebred dogs before I was born. My Grandmother showed Pekingese, and her nephew was a breeder and AKC/FCI judge of Great Danes. I was given my first dog, an ASCOB Cocker Spaniel, for my second birthday present.
My dream was to breed a Best In Show winning dog and a Ken- tucky Derby winning Thoroughbred. I managed to attain one of those. Anytime I bred a horse or a dog, I dreamed big. What’s the saying, “Go big or go home?”
I started working with dogs about 46 years ago in Alaska with a great 4H program. We studied dogs; conformation, movement, breed type, standards and care. We did conformation and obedi- ence and I got to work with a lot of different breeds and learned the standards of all the dogs in our classes. That background has done me well when I judge sweepstakes, matches or bred by and puppy groups.
Best thing about being a breeder is when all the hours of plan- ning culminates in a litter that is healthy and correct to the stan- dard. Seeing those puppies thrive and those dreams for their future start. Toughest part being a breeder is losing puppies or their dam.
I operate and maintain water districts and do specialized plumb- ing. Fortunately, I can have some flex in my schedule to be able to be there for young puppies. Am an active member and current Vice President of Ventura County Dog Fanciers Association and a mem- ber of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of Southern California.
My kennel name isn’t AKC registered, but I have had it since 1995. I picked Glasshouse for the Glasshouse Mountains in Queensland, Australia, the glass ceiling I seem to crash through and a reminder that those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. It was fitting for the Australian Cattle Dogs I had owned since 1982 and just carried on with the Cardigans when I got my first in 1999.
Cardigans are becoming more popular and I have always had a waiting list for puppies. I do have a very outdated webpage which I am currently having someone revamp. I am a proponent for a versa- tile dog and love seeing the dogs excel in so many venues. I usually show my own dogs, although I sent out one to be specialed and he has done very well. Glasshouse just had their 38th Cardigan Cham- pion in August. I try to bring in people and instill a joy to be out there showing their own dogs.
One thing I think anyone who breeds needs to realize is that they need to believe in their dog, believe in what they are doing, not just do what another tells them or because someone else did it. They need to be honest with themselves; what they have and what needs improvement.
380 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019
Breeder Q & A