Page 408 - ShowSight - December 2019
P. 408

                  Linda Kunicki continued
The toughest part about being a breeder? Losing our Shelties, no matter how old they are, it is hard to have them pass.
Do I work outside of the home? Yes, I work in healthcare for a home care and staffing agency. It does make it hard to do week- day shows now that there are more clusters with multiple days of shows. We usually can only attend the Saturday and Sunday events depending on how far we must travel. I truly enjoy the NOHS com- petition but when it’s offered on a weekday and not a weekend it’s hard for owner-handlers who have outside jobs.
Is my family involved? My husband, Len, is very helpful and loves to travel so he does the driving. He enjoys the dogs and they love him also.
Am I involved with a breed club or all-breed club and held posi- tions within the club(s)? Len and I have belonged to Chicagoland Shetland Sheepdog Club since 1986. I have been in every office except Recording Secretary and have been on many a committee. I also belong to the American Shetland Sheepdog Club since 1995.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? After buying and co- owning a sable and white young male, who became Ch. Starlite’s On the Move, from Christy Calkins in Wisconsin, Len and I start- ed working together to co-breed as well as co-own Shelties under the Starlite name.
Is my breed easy to place? Shelties are a desirable pet for many people. The American Shetland Sheepdog Club has a breeder listing page on their website.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” as a special event at an organi- zation’s site will give breeders the recognition they deserve? I think this is very helpful.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? Even more focus on education of the public and keeping legislation less restrictive.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? I cannot remind myself enough to keep in mind that I was new once upon a time and to be considerate of the new person. While we have to be cautious, we must help those entering our breed and sport. To those entering the sport you need to remember to be patient. Don’t think that the fast winning dog is necessarily the best representa- tive. Study the standard and any good books by long time breeders. Go to education events. Listen more than you talk!
Do I show my own dogs? Yes and on occasion have used a han- dler if needed. We are proud to currently have GCh. Starlites Eche- lon Take Command, Grant has been in the Top 10 NOHS for 2018 and 2019. This year we will attend the NOHS Finals in Orlando.
ADAM LEVY
How I got started in dogs: I’ve always been a dog lover and grew up with multiple dogs in the house. I got introduced to hunting as a teenager and bird hunting became a passion, hence the Retrievers.
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? I’m not really sure, it just kind of happened! When I was a kid, I talked my father into hiring a professional obedience trainer to train our pets. This is how I met my really good friend, who became a training mentor, Frank Bonomo (Best Friends Dog Training). After that, I just couldn’t stay away. I’d call him with questions, go to every class he had and show up to his classes where he was training other train- ers. We started bird hunting together and from then on, I just knew I’d be in dogs the rest of my life! I’ve never looked back.
Who were my mentors? Frank Bonomo at Best Friends Dog Training is the reason I got into dogs in the first place. Diane Baker at Sandbar Chesapeakes really influenced the way I look at a dog structurally and how I look at pedigrees.
The best thing about being a breeder? It’s very rewarding to watch dogs you bred succeed in both the field and in the ring. A big
passion of mine is mentoring others through my own experiences and knowledge, then watching them become successful as well.
The toughest part about being a breeder? The very long days and nights—the stuff no one gets to see. That, and the heartbreaking times when you lose a puppy, no matter how hard you try.
Do I work outside of the home? I’m lucky to own and run a Retriever training facility, Next Generation Gundog Training, with one of the best trainers in the industry, Andrew Barbouche. Every- thing about our daily lives, revolves around dogs.
Is my family involved? No, my parents and siblings enjoy being pet owners. But I met my girlfriend, Devon Kipp, through dogs!
Am I involved with a breed club or all-breed club and held posi- tions within the club(s)? Yes, I’m involved in the American Chesa- peake Club and sit on committees.
How did I come up with my kennel name and is it registered with AKC? Next Generation GunDog Training came about because two young guys, in our early 20s, really wanted to bring the “next generation” forward, both in breeding and in training. The kennel name is an offshoot of the training business.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? Yes, with many people. I think it is a very important tool for mentoring and building community.
Is my breed easy to place? I think word of mouth is the MOST important adverting tool. If you have a great product and are good to your people, then people will want that product and will tell their friends about you.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” as a special event at an orga- nization’s site will give breeders the recognition they deserve? Yes, most definitely! I think it’s a good start. For breeders to get the recognition they really deserve, I think we need to get out into our communities. It’s our job to share our dogs with oth- ers and help them understand why they should be looking for a responsible breeder for their next family pet. We need to be marketing ourselves.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? I’m not sure it’s the responsibility of the AKC to do this. I think it’s up to us, as breeders, to mentor and give our time to the next generation. That will give the best results moving forward.
What I believe the AKC can do, is to ramp up the education and champion the purpose behind purebred dogs. The job of the AKC should be to tell our story to the general public - to help every family choose a purebred dog and locate a responsible breeder for their next family pet.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? Keep an open mind! Don’t just say it, but really practice it. This, and keep educat- ing yourself. Education has a way of opening your eyes.
Do I show my own dogs? Yes, I show some of my own dogs. My wonderful girlfriend, Devon Kipp, really does them the justice they deserve.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? Watching a dog get off leash and still stay in perfect gait going around the ring and back to its handler.
SHARON LINDGREN
I got started in dogs at a very young age. My mom delivered church envelopes to a judge and breeder of Kerry Blue Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers. I loved to spend time at their kennel and was fascinated by their dogs and puppies. My family owned Kerry Blues when I was young, but they did not show. It was not until I was retired and purchased my first Irish Terrier from Pat Kostal that my husband and I started showing in conformation and later breeding.
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? My love for dogs and the desire to study pedigrees and want to breed.
404 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019
Breeder Q & A
  































































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