Page 428 - ShowSight - December 2019
P. 428

                  Jackie Robertson continued
Am I involved with a breed club? Yes, Labrador Retriever Club of Albuquerque. An all-breed club? Yes, Coronado Kennel Club. Have I held positions within the club(s)? Yes, board member, vice president, in charge of hospitality for the Albuquerque shows. Co- owner is secretary for the Club.
My kennel/exercise areas described: we have three large play areas in the backyard, a puppy play area, and three large runs. There’s also a large play area and puppy play area on the side of my house.
How did I come up with my kennel name? The Sandia Moun- tains are almost in my backyard, so that gave me the initial idea, plus because Sandia Laboratories is a good size employer in this state, I figured I would get some of their traffic on my website if people googled just Sandia Labs. I recently applied for it to be reg- istered with AKC.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? Yes, I have a co-owner, Cynthia Ramsey, that I co-bred every litter with. Occasionally we co-bred and co-own with others.
Is my breed easy to place? Yes. How and where do I advertise available pups or stud service? On our website. Our special, out with Kellie Miller, does have ads in publications like Canine Chronicle, Labrador Quarterly, and ShowSight. Anything that would make it work better for me? An active website is the best.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” as a special event at an orga- nization’s site will give breeders the recognition they deserve? Yes, as long as many different breeders are recognized.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? Stress adhering to the breed standard with judges. In breeds with height standards, a wicket ringside would be extremely helpful. All win- ners should be of standard height.
Any hint or trick I can share with fellow breeders? Have found Puppy Culture Program to be extremely helpful when raising a litter. Talk to and listen to other breeders to find out what they are doing.
Do I show my own dogs? Yes, we do. Although, our special is out with Kellie Miller, a professional handler.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? In Prescott, Arizona several years ago, we were standing in line for ribbons, I was in first place, a woman I know was in second place, when my bitch jumped up, grabbed my skirt and pulled it right to the ground. I got it right back up again, but as we are leaving the ring, the woman behind me says “Well, I can’t compete with that!”
NATALIA SAMAJ KUNZE
From an early childhood I was all about animals, but was unable to have a dog. My uncle was an avid hunter, so I was lucky to spend the summer breaks admiring his hunting Jagdterriers, Bavar- ian Mountain Hound, Slovak Cuvac and a Great Dane living at his property.
On my 18th birthday I was finally allowed to get a dog, but as my dream breed- a Bullterrier- was too expensive, I purchased a German Shepherd and become active in the Schutzhund train- ing. The second year of my veterinary studies I met my first Kerry Blue Terrier and 25 years later my passion for this breed is still going strong.
What made me know that this was what I wanted to do? Breed- ing for me is about producing quality dogs based on the ancient Greek philosophy of kalokagatia, the harmonious combination of bodily and spiritual virtues.
My goal is to create family dogs appreciated for not just their beauty but a level temperament too.
Who were my mentors? The mentorship did not come easy and the learning comes a lot from a personal trial and error. While new
to the US Kerry community, I was more supported by the profes- sional handlers than fellow breeders. I really appreciate Gabriel Rangel, Peter Atkinson, for offering a helping hand with the groom- ing. I am also thankful to the breeders as Donna Goshen Perdue of GlennKerry Kerries and Wheatens, Bob Asztalos and Carrie Rob- erts Jacobson of Rojac Kerries.
The best thing about being a breeder is sharing the love for the breed, seeing the pups getting old in their loving homes and ulti- mately providing these homes with the new puppy when the time comes, often related to their previous pet.
The toughest part about being a breeder? I think finding the right homes and being held responsible for mistakes of the owners rising the dogs.
Do I work outside of the home? Absolutely. As a veterinarian board certified in reproduction and pediatrics, the care for others never stops. I work full time, with an additional emergency breed- ing/whelpings/puppy care on weekends and overnights.
Just like many of my breeders I need to take care of my litters and they often come with me to the hospital to be bottle fed on a regular basis.
Is my family involved? None at this time.
Are you involved with a breed club or all-breed club and held positions within the club(s)? Not at this time, my time is very limited.
My kennel/exercise areas described: currently, I have five dogs and they all live with me in the house. They have a separate area they stay during the work days, they are walked off leash daily.
How did I come up with my kennel name and is it registered with AKC? My kennel name, Cross the Rubicon, was approved and registered by FCI in 1997.
“Cross the Rubicon” came to mean making a difficult and risky decision, but one that could lead to significant benefits.The name was one of the five required options and was approved as first. At the time it “just sounded right”, but now I know it was the hand of fate.
Do I co-breed and co-own with others? I have only one co- breeding partnership at this time, with very dear friends of Aristo- crat Kerry Blue Terriers I know for many years. Otherwise I use the co-ownership with “pet people” in hope to regulate an unwanted breeding, which unfortunately, is still very difficult.
Is my breed easy to place? The breed is challenging to place. Most of my pups are replacement for the others which pass away.
Do I think “Breeders’ Showcases” will give breeders the recogni- tion they deserve? I am not familiar with it yet.
What can AKC do to help breeders attain great results? AKC should work closely with the breeders in managing the litters, espe- cially help them to regulate the unwanted breedings.
Also, remind the judges that the dog show is about an evaluation of the breeding stock. We do rely on their objective opinion to move forward in improving the line or the breed.
Do I show my own dogs? Absolutely and with pride. In 2015 I showed “Kril” to the No.1 Male in Breed, in 2016 “Vega” was the No.1 Bitch in Breed, her sister “Vixen” became the No.1 Kerry in Breed in 2018 and this year (2019) I am “specialing” “Korvin”, cur- rently the No. 1 Kerry in Breed.
Although I want to focus on Korvin the upcoming year, I also have two young bitches to show.
The “funniest” thing comes from the mouth of our clinic employees who assume that the time I take off to go to the dog show is like a mini vacation.
They do not realize that going to the dog show means long hours driving overnight or early in the morning, spending most of the day in a building “prepping” and taking care of the dogs. I joke that i come back to work to rest!
424 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019
Breeder Q & A
 




























































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