Page 420 - ShowSight - December 2019

Joyce Mullan continued
benefits from receiving these Breeders’ answers to important ques- tions given to them.
What can AKC do to help Breeders attain great results? AKC already has published great articles on raising puppies, best breed- ing information, canine diseases, how to register your litter and puppies, microchipping, etc. I cannot think of anything else AKC can do to help Breeders attain great results with their dogs.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow Breeders? I suggest to Breeders to seek out a long-term Breeder’s ideas to solve anything that they be uncertain. It is not fun or cost effective to just move forward without good information and greater knowledge about a difficult time with your dogs. In almost 12 years, I have had three great Mentors who have helped me avoid costly mistakes.
Do I show my own dogs? Yes, for the first seven years of show- ing Brie, I only hired a Handler when there was a National Dog Show and/or a Standard Schnauzer Specialty where about 90% of the Handlers were professionals. Also, as I have gotten older, I have hired Professional Handlers more often.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? There was an older dog, possibly an Australian Shepard, who ran his “own” Agility Course. He even went up to the Judge who was sitting down and wiggled his butt and did a 180 to go back to his “own” Agility Course. The Audience went crazy and applauded the dog. When the dog did his “own” finish, the Owner gave the dog praises and the dog ended up in her arms.
CLAIRE O’NEILL
How I got started in dogs: in 2008 we purchased our first show dog and we were hooked. It really helped that the dog we got ended up being a Multiple Best In Show and Multiple Best In Specialty winning top dog in breed and all breed standings.
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? We took our eight month old puppy to our breed Nationals. He won his class and placed second in sweepstakes. While we were there, we purchased another dog. On the plane going home, we discussed a kennel name and decided we would give it a go.
The best thing about being a breeder? To be able to place healthy puppies with good temperaments with families that then become extended families. We strive to better the breed and feel we are doing well with that.
The toughest part about being a breeder? Losing puppies.
Do I work outside of the home? We have actually had businesses that allow us to work from home offices. Nothing more rewarding than doing business and be able to be with new litters.
Is my family involved? Yes, our family shares in all aspects of this.
Am I involved with a breed club or all-breed club and held posi- tions within the club(s)? We are members of our National breed club, we hold no direct board positions, but do work with
our quarterly Bulletin that is sent to all members.
My kennel/exercise areas described: we have 2 1/2 acres for our dogs to run on with different runs if needed. We have a large walk in closet in the master bedroom where we set up our whelping box so we are able to be with new mamas and puppies. An attached garage to the house, with heat and air, depending on the time of year, is used for when we move our litters to a larger area. All of our dogs live inside, sleep on couches and beds and pretty much rule the roost.
How did I come up with my kennel name and is it registered with AKC? Our kennel name was based on a toy dog that our han- dler’s daughter, at the time, would play with at shows. She called it Bark Bark and it was a very fitting name for our breed.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? We have in the past but our litters now and dogs we keep or place are not co-bred or co-owned.
Is my breed easy to place? Yes and no. Samoyeds are not a breed for everyone. Coat maintenance, being vocal and diggers can cause issues. But if you can deal with this and want a dog that is very much a family dog, this is a great breed to own. They do not do well as kennel dog, so when we place them, this is an important part of our decision. We have had numerous families come back to us when wanting to get another dog. We advertise as a breeder on our parent club website.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” as a special event at an orga- nization’s site will give breeders the recognition they deserve? I do think this helps give breeders recognition. Last year we placed sec- ond in the Working Group at the Santa Barbara Breeders Showcase and it was one of the more special wins we have received.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? Always be willing to learn. Learn what works for you, but realize that won’t work for everyone. I find that with each litter, there are things that I change a bit with the next to make it work better. And we always are there for all the families we place our dogs with. No question or concern goes unanswered from us.
Do I show my own dogs? No, we have always had handlers on our dogs. But the Owner Handler program is really important to us and we have placed puppies in new show homes and are having great success with these owners showing the dogs themselves.
PATRICIA PRINCEHOUSE
How I got started in dogs? I was a horse-crazy child but by 5th grade I’d had riding lessons but no follow-up horse! Impatient, I latched onto the idea of getting a dog as big as a horse and started looking into Irish Wolfhounds! I eventually did get horses but by then I had become interested in dogs for their own sake. I was aware of dog sports since my mother grew up with a champion Boxer and my father’s cousin was a top Border Collie trial champion trainer, but it really clicked when I met a Siberian breeder who encouraged me to come by and socialize her puppies every time she had a litter. The wall of trophies in her house was impressive and it raised my vision of what was possible to achieve in the world of dogs. My first dog show was Dayton Kennel Club at Hara Arena in 1975. Fast forward a few years and I was breeding Great Pyrenees, showing at the Garden, attending shows in Europe and soon importing my first Pyrenean Shepherd!
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? I was still a young teenager. I was showing in breed and juniors, but my real passion was the prospect of breeding —trying to create a flesh and blood instantiation of the image of the breed I had in my head.
Who were my mentors? In the US, Whitney and Nancy Coombs. I’ve been so lucky to learn so much from them. Not only about dogs but about caring for the sport. They opened their home and hearts to this breed early on and that has made such a difference. I may not always achieve it but their message is loud and clear: have a plan and follow through. I’ve also learned from their example when judging. When I judge I want to make sure every exhibitor feels welcome and respected. Consider every exhibit. Their qualities may surprise you!
My primary mentor, the source of my Pyrenean Shepherd foun- dation stock, has been Guy Mansencal in France. Now 90 years old, he was at one point one of only six FCI all round judges in France. But more than that he is a world treasure. Someone who really understands the essence of breed type as an abstract concept. He never dwells on the past. He’s constantly looking to the next litter, and looking at what other breeders have. Asking what’s out there of value looking to the future? He stresses how you must see
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Breeder Q & A