Page 402 - ShowSight - December 2019

Breeder Q & A
“One of the biggest things I can share is to follow your instincts.”
Holly Horton continued
on the AKC website and wanted to be able to see the whole pedi- gree, but there’s no way to do that without getting a certified paper pedigree that takes weeks to get. I need the information “now”. And I wish it was easier to communicate with owners and breeders in other countries.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” as a special event at an organi- zation’s site will give breeders the recognition they deserve? A couple shows I attend do this, and I think they’re very important. The one at the Greeley Kennel Club in August is HUGE. It used to be sponsored by Eukanuba, and is now sponsored by Royal Canin. The cost to enter is minimal, and the entry consists of three dogs bred by you from a minimum of two litters. I go to the show every year specifically for this event. It is separate from the show, so you truly can show the best of your breeding, not just dogs in Bred-By that aren’t champions yet.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? 1) Offer discounts on DNA testing for Breeders of Merit; 2) Make the pedi- grees on AKC searchable or viewable for breeders. I would be will- ing to pay an annual fee for this. OR offer NON certified, elec- tronic pedigrees as one of the digital things breeders can pay for. They do it with show records, why not pedigrees? As a registry, isn’t that one of their primary responsibilities?; 3)Help us fight the pub- lic stigma of being purebred dog breeders. The ASPCA constantly runs tear-jerker TV ads that pull people in hook, line, and sinker in believing everything they say. How about the AKC running short ads showing Responsible Breeders create healthy, happy, versatile companions for more than just the show ring.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? One of the biggest things I can share is to follow your instincts. Whether breeding or whelping, if something isn’t feeling right, figure out why. On the other hand, even if other breeders say you’re crazy for choosing the stud you are, if it feels right to you do it anyway. I have a litter that proves that.
And pay attention to your dogs. Even with 30+ years of experi- ence, the best place to get information about when a bitch is ready to breed is from a male who has some experience. Science is awe- some, but tests take time and humans make mistakes and dogs rare- ly time things on a Monday through Friday, eight to five schedule.
Do I show my own dogs? Absolutely! I am proud to show my dogs in Bred-By Exhibitor. And I promise, there is nothing like being handed a Group placement ribbon, or a Best of Breed over stiff competition, and knowing and being able to say that “I bred this dog.” And I do my best to encourage and help others do the same.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? Watching a breed ring from across show grounds, I could see the judge hold up his hand and make clear motions to take the class around twice. Unfortunately, the person leading the class somehow missed that. She went around once and stopped. The four people behind her listened to the judge, and weren’t watching her. It was a five-dog pile-up! Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom! Good thing they all had good temperaments.
And, one from my own personal experience: only dog in the ring, Best of Breed. Go around the ring and up on the ramp. My dog sees something outside the ring that is far more interesting and important than what he’s doing in the ring, so he is looking over his shoulder as we approach the ramp. And he half misses it: left front paw hits the ramp, right front does not, and it doesn’t get any better, and he falls off. But, he’s “cool”, and shakes it off and looks around—“Who did that?!” I laughed so hard! It’s a good thing it was a judge we had shown to multiple times. We all got a good laugh out of it.
JAY HYMAN
I evidently loved dogs from before I could speak well. When I was about seven years old my parents got me a Wire Hair Fox Terrier, and by the time I was approximately 11, I showed a wire in a regular dog show at Ms. Shouse’s, which is now Reston, Va. I did not show particularly while growing up, or going to college or law school. Once I was married, purchased a house and had a son, in 1959 we determined it was time to purchase a dog. After some research we settled on a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and with fur- ther research determined to get one from a preeminent breeder in California. In 1959 I purchased my first from Lamarde Perro Ken- nels in California and my second from Kraal Kennels in Canada. The breed was newly recognized by the AKC and there were not many breeders in the US .I had determined as a young person that I wanted to be a veterinarian but in college gave up this idea and became an attorney.
Who were my mentors? Margaret Lowthian, the owner of Lamarde Perro was one of the first breeders of RR in the country, she was instrumental in a large scale breeding program that set the standard and style of the breed in this country. In addition Kraal Kennels was owned by Dr. Hagar Hetherington, related to one of the preeminent breeders in South Africa. I studied the breed, and followed the advice of each of them.
The best thing about being a breeder? Looking back over seven decades I appreciate the challenge of developing a style of dog, espe- cially the head and type of the breed, over such a long time I am pleased that you can see a similarity over the generations. You can also see the improvement of temperament in the line. My dogs are known for their soft temperament, willingness to accept strang- ers. and willingness to adopt a family or children and protect them while putting up with them.
The toughest part about being a breeder? There are certain pecu- liarities of the breed such as dermoid sinus, ridgelessness, imperfect ridge, and other things that affect puppies or dogs, that occur to your distress. Some of these cannot be predicted or anticipated in advance. For the first sixty years I did not have epilepsy, or DM. or cancer. There is some indication that all lines are occasionally affected at this time. I have always gone outside of my line every third litter, done extensive health testing and as a result have main- tained a relatively healthy line.
During my history of breeding, I have raised a family, been an attorney, builder etc., all of which took time but fortunately with the help of my family I have been able to maintain my hobby of breeding, showing and judging many breeds of dogs (Hound and Herding Groups and BIS). In addition to Ridgebacks I have bred Whippets for 25 years, then Greyhounds, Bull Terriers and Cattle Dogs for 15 years, This was all done while continuing to breed Ridgebacks.
Is my family involved? My wife was supportive of this hobby and of my three sons one did junior handing, and the others helped around the dogs.
I have been a member of the RRCUS, the national breed club for 60 years, and held all of the offices, I have not been active in its management in the last 15 years. I also belong to National Kennel Club (all breed), Mason Dixon Judge Group, and numerous Judges Groups and writing groups.
I share a home with an Afghan, breeder/Judge and we cover for each other depending on who is judging. The kennel is a separate heated/ac building with ten indoor runs and four outside runs. My dogs (two at the moment, live in my office where they have access to two large fence grass yards. This is where I spend most of my time
398 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019