Page 400 - ShowSight - December 2019

Holly Horton continued
afford to buy a sled, so we built one—out of 2x4s and a used pair of skis! That thing weighed an easy 75 pounds and steered like a semi in mud, but we used it for two winters (and had some BUFF dogs in the show ring! But boy, were we shocked when we finally got our first real sled and found out how light they really are!).
A couple of my most important mentors were professional han- dlers who I got brave enough to ask questions, about grooming or handling (note: always a specific question about a certain aspect of one of those things). Others were also breeder-owner-handlers who were very successful in the ring, taking multiple group placements and even Bests in Show (granted, I didn’t understand at the time how amazing that was, and how much dedication it takes). I am infinitely grateful to them for taking me under their tutelage, and even more grateful that many of them are now very dear friends.
The best thing about being a breeder? Besides the obvious answer of “Puppy Breath!”, the best thing is rediscovering the world through every new puppy’s eyes. The petals of a flower, a blade of grass, other creatures around them, fingers, water bowls, a first Christmas, the first snow. I get a sort of rebirth and renewal with every new puppy that explores the world. There is nothing like that feeling!
The toughest part about being a breeder? This one is twofold: first, losing a puppy during or soon after birth. It’s always sad and disheartening. From puppies stuck too long in the birth canal, to the one who got smothered by an exhausted new mom, the one aborted mid-term, or the one who was a little premature—especial- ly if the puppy fights to live and eventually just can’t fight anymore.
Second, finding out too late that the “perfect home” you thought you’d found for one of your precious bundles wasn’t so perfect, despite what checking you can do. And then surviving the fallout, whether it’s just hard feelings or being black-balled by others from your breed, or sport, or out of nowhere from the internet, or even AR advocates who believe that breeders are evil.
Do I work outside of the home? For most of my dog show career I worked outside the home, a typical 40-hour work week. Some- times I was blessed with bosses who were dog lovers themselves and in some way understood my “obsession” with traveling large dis- tances and/or taking long weekends and going “nowhere” to my local shows. Other times I wasn’t so lucky. Either way, it didn’t real- ly impact my ability to show—as long as I was showing class dogs.
Campaigning is a completely different story. When I had my first real Special, a Finnish Spitz who would later become my foun- dation bitch, it made a huge difference. Other dogs, either out with handlers or who lived in areas where shows are close and plentiful, had many times the number of wins she did. Between working and living where a local show is anywhere you can drive in a day (eight to ten hours), going to shows was a once a month thing—twice if the show was only four to five hours away. Breed points were rare, and group placements even more-so. But we did it!
Now that I work for myself, taking a booth to dog shows, my work and hobby coincide. That doesn’t mean it’s “easy”, as now I set up and take down my place of business every few days, and then drive a couple hundred miles or so to its next location. But at least my specials get in the ring more often, and I’m able to travel more often to shows where I’m not the entire entry.
Is my family involved? Yes, though somewhat reluctantly at times. My dad loves me, and proves it daily by putting up with my chosen lifestyle and furry companions. He is a cat person, and I know having multiple dogs running around is difficult for him. My siblings and their families all own purebreds, from Chihuahuas to German Shepherd Shutzhund dogs, Papillons to Boxers. They don’t show or compete in AKC events, but they insist on purebred dogs as companions. My mom is the only one who has fully embraced the sport of showing. At first I dragged her to shows to be a backup
handler when I had multiple dogs or breeds entered. But it didn’t take long for her to become fully involved, showing in conforma- tion and rally, and she is now the “Steward Queen” for many differ- ent clubs which gives her the opportunity to tell people where to go and how fast to get there.
Am I involved with a breed club or all-breed club and held posi- tions within the club(s)? I was a member of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America for many years, and am currently a member of the Finnish Spitz Club of America. I was a member of a local all-breed club for approximately ten years, until my life as a vendor made it basically impossible to attend meetings or be of any help at club activities or shows. I have held multiple board positions in both the FSCA and all-breed club, and have also served as show chair for both.
My kennel/exercise areas described: at home, I have a room in my house that is my office/dog room, where I have varying numbers of crates and grooming tables or where I raise litters. Although I admit to also having a crate in my room, all of our dogs sleep in bed with us. Our back yard is 1/3 acre of basically dog heaven. It’s multiple levels of grass, garden, patio, deck and a river (fountain) that is perfect for cooling off in on hot summer days. Multiple trees invite birds, which are instrumental in exercising both the Finnish Spitz and Papillons.
On the road I have an RV. The basement storage is for my booth, the upstairs is the living area for us and the dogs. The dining area is crates and storage related to dogs. At shows we set up a yard so the dogs have inside/outside access when weather permits. The dogs ride in crates when we travel, but still manage to find room to sleep with us in bed.
How did I come up with my kennel name and is it registered with AKC? My kennel name is Ajuaq, which is Inuit for Victory. I found it after scouring university library dictionary archives look- ing for fun names for an upcoming Malamute litter. Bonus: it’s only five letters, so it doesn’t take up too many spaces in registered names! I have often considered registering it with AKC, but have not yet.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? Yes, although I now do so with extreme caution, and try to avoid it. I know I’m not the only one who has been burned by the practice, as both a breeder and an owner, but it has been a necessary evil. As a breeder, to get promis- ing puppies into homes where they can still be part of the legacy I’m trying to build. And on the other hand to get puppies from other breeders for the same reason.
Is my breed easy to place? I have two breeds, Finnish Spitz and Papillons. Like most Toy breeds, the Papillons are very easy to sell as puppies or adults. The Finnish Spitz are another story. Few people even know what they are, and many of those that do think their nick name “The Barking Bird Dog” means they bark constantly (and sadly, too many that show them let them do just that), so then they have a bad reputation they don’t deserve.As a Breeder of Merit, I use the services the AKC provides with their Marketplace, as well as occasional local ads, and my website (when it’s up and working) to sell puppies. I do my best to make sure my dogs are good exam- ples of their breed every time I take them somewhere. Beautiful, well behaved dogs are the best education and sales tool, no matter the breed.
If time and money were no object, I would have a beautifully designed website that came up in most internet searches, and have educational videos on YouTube and Facebook, and have ads in dog magazines—not only the show publications but the ones geared towards the general dog loving public.
As a breeder of one of the critically endangered breeds listed in an article that was recently shared with me, I WISH there was an easier way to find available studs, and to research bloodlines and pedigrees. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked for a dog
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Breeder Q & A