Page 398 - ShowSight - December 2019

CAROL A. HARRIS
I live in Reddick Florida. I believe I was born started in both horses and dogs. My family never encouraged me at all. In fact, they tried to discourage me, which only seemed to intensify my love for both animals. I knew this was what I wanted to do because the more I was discouraged by my family the more I seemed to realize I had already planned my future.
Who were my mentors? I tried to make friends with most every- one who impressed me with their generous opinions. I really can’t remember who to blame or thank. I generally listened to them all, noted their advice and definitely respected those with knowledge and ethics.
The best thing about being a breeder? Breeding along with train- ing gives us an opportunity to learn by creating results that either satisfy or show us a need to adjust our program. This is why honest competitions are so important and wise, non-political judges are an absolute necessity to give breeders the correct information. The toughest part about being a breeder is maintaining your intelligence and recognizing the critical difference between right and wrong.
Do I work outside the home? I made my hobby into a working business in my home that I enjoyed and was proud of and never got tired of.
Is my family involved? I’ve had it both ways. I’m sure some of them have been proud but not really involved because only a few of them actually understood my mission.
Am I involved with a breed club or all-breed club and held posi- tions within the club(s)? I have held many positions in horse associa- tions only to discover that my time was more valuable when I was actually working on my horses. I learned that it was better for me to devote my time and energy to my animals rather than politics.
My kennel/exercise areas described: my home has always been on a farm, which gave me an opportunity to have buildings and acreage available for care and essential exercise for our dogs and horses.
How did I come up with my kennel name and is it registered with AKC? I have had two kennel names: Fulluvit Farm in New Jersey and Bo-Bett in Florida. The farm I bought when I moved to Florida in 1963 was already named Bo-Bett. I had so much luck with that name, especially when our home bred Francie’s Hat came in second in the 1968 Kentucky Derby, I decided we should keep the name Bo-Bett. My horses and dogs certainly proved that this was a wise decision.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? I tried not to, but finally succumbed to attempting it about 15 years ago. For me it became a bad idea because I didn’t know AKC rules only permitted one co- owner to be in control and I found that ethics had little to do with my co-ownership.
Is my breed easy to place? I have found it very easy to place my dogs and horses. I have advertised some but mostly I worked hard to develop a solid reputation that encouraged many repeat customers and friends.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” as a special event at an orga- nization’s site will give breeders the recognition they deserve? I feel that anything you do could help or hinder you in receiving exactly what you hope to achieve. So if you’re needing help, why not try it?
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? They should make sure that AKC develops a strong leadership that appro- priately stays aware of everything that exists in their huge responsi- bility. Rules should be followed and evenly enforced. And politics should never be allowed to run the show.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? I don’t know any tricks or hints. Just encourage honesty and bravery, and the use of good old common sense.
Do I show my own dogs? I used to show my own with a profes- sional to help me exhibit the many dogs I raised. Today I am happy to be able to sit, watch and clap.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show?
I will never forget an occasion around 50 years ago. I was show- ing one of my Whippets that had become eligible for Best of Breed. It was a large competitive class with many specials and lots of spec- tators. The judge asked the entire class to move around the ring two times together. We were all flying and I ran out of one of my shoes but kept on going. The judge stopped the class when I ran out of my other shoe. She walked over to me and asked me to please go get both of my shoes and put them on so she could safely continue the class. I asked the judge to hold my dog for me while I found both of my shoes and put them on. Off we went again as the spectators were finding the routine very amusing. Then everyone became hysterical because my stirrup pants began to slide down off my hips (I had cleverly hooked the elastic straps over my shoes to keep them on). Everybody was howling with laughter as I continued running while desperately trying to hold my pants up. The whole class definitely enjoyed the show and I can’t even remember who won it, but I can assure you it wasn’t me!
HOLLY HORTON
My family has always had purebred dogs. One grandmother raised Dalmatians, providing more than one mascot to local fire- houses. My other grandparents had a Standard Poodle when I was young, and followed him with a Miniature Schnauzer and a Cava- lier King Charles Spaniel. My parents had a Toy Poodle and a Lab- rador Retriever when I was growing up. Then followed a string of lovable mutts and a rescue Dalmatian until I hit high school and met some friends with Alaskan Malamutes. They took me to my first dog show, where I discovered the funky-looking dog on Black Sheep Squadron was actually a purebred. Cliché as it is, the rest is history.
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? When I was young, having a purebred dog was unusual and special. Before the AR started the misinformation about them, and their breed- ers, everyone I knew that was “important” in my life either had or wanted a purebred. Horses were my passion at that time, and at the stable where I rode there were several people who had purebreds that accompanied them on trail rides. There was a Whippet who gloried in high speed flybys to knock her playmates off their feet, a Border Collie who spent her days staring at horses and joyfully “herding” them on rides, an Afghan Hound who regally accom- panied her owner and her Arabian all over the mountains, and a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. I knew I wanted a purebred. The Malamutes were a perfect addition to the group.
As for when I knew I wanted to show dogs, that was a little later. My friends did, and I went to shows with them, but I was terrified to show. I hired a handler. That worked for a few months—until another of his clients entered their Malamute in the same show, and in the same class. He told me I was going to have to take my dog in, but not to worry because I could follow him and do what I did. Except, the judge wanted us in catalog order (that was actually unusual when I started) and I had the lower number. My first ring experience was my handler surreptitiously telling me what to do and when. I don’t remember if I won that day, but I was hooked on the adrenaline rush. Mrs. Betty Krause gave my first show dog his first point, and the dorky grin on my face says it all!
I had a couple mentors when I first started in Malamutes, including my two friends. But being only a couple years older than I didn’t give them much more experience, and we made a lot of mistakes. For instance, we wanted to run sled teams. We couldn’t
394 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019
Breeder Q & A