Page 226 - ShowSight - February 2020

Kaye & Layne Shipley continued
other dogs by surprise. Black Russians are a confident and fearless breed. These traits make training and socialization, a requirement for ownership.
What special challenges do BRT breeders face in our current economic and social climate? At ZolaRoza Black Russians our goals are to contribute to the breed through well researched, thoughtfully planned litters. Our greatest concern is finding exceptional homes for puppies that we raise. We take the responsibility of being a breed guardian very seriously. Health testing, excellent nutrition, groom- ing and training requirements for BRTs can be costly.
At what age do we start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? Having been around horses most of our lives, we see movement as an indicator of correct structure. Observing free movement in the whelping box and puppy play area is key. Good movement, in our experience, is evident between eight to ten weeks. As new breeders, we were fortunate to select a pairing that gave us incredible confor- mation through a large, consistent litter. To date, seven out of the nine puppies from our first litter have finished their AKC champi- onship or grand championship. We are extremely proud that all of them bear the ZolaRoza prefix.
The most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? The head should be large with parallel planes. Full dentition and a scissors bite are required. The Black Russian should have a prominent pro sternum, the top line should be strong and slightly sloping toward the tail. Black Russians are a working breed designed to perform in deep snow under harsh conditions. A correct coat should be evident in the show ring—slightly wavy, double coat with harsh outer layer. BRTs should possess great reach and drive with an energy conserving, fluid movement. Overall balance is the most important general consideration.
The best way to attract newcomers to our breed and to the sport? We always invite people to attend local dog shows and events to meet our BRTs. We feel that AKC offers something for everyone. We’ve tried barn hunt and dock diving with our BRTs and had such fun.
Attending a local conformation show is the best way to become familiar with the sport and meet breeders who have their dogs com- peting in conformation.
At ZolaRoza, we encourage our puppy families to join our breed club, compete in local events and matches, and become ambassa- dors for the BRT.
It’s important for people to understand that the sport is open to all levels of experience. Showing is a family friendly sport. Our first home bred grand champion Freyja has been owner handled for the most part. Although new to the sport, Layne and Freyja finished 2019 as #4 NOHS in our breed. They were awarded opposite in the NOHS breed finals in Orlando this year.
Our ultimate goal for the breed? As a preservation breeder, our overarching goal at ZolaRoza is to raise healthy Black Russian Terriers that will become reliable, versatile, cherished members of the family.
We were fortunate to produce an amazing litter through a first ever breeding for both sire and dam. When we selected top win- ning GCHS CH That’s What’s In A Name “Varias” as the sire of our foundation dam’s CH Karma’s Reincarnated Rosa Shanina, CGC “Sipsey” first litter, we had no idea what we would get. All of those pups are pointed. Seven of the nine have attained their AKC championships or Grand Championships, one is a therapy dog, several were puppies of achievement, and some are excelling at performance and obedience.
Frankly, it was humbling when our foundation dam CH Kar- ma’s Reincarnated Roza Shanina, CGC “Sipsey” was selected by Mr. Harry Tast of Finland as 2019 BRTCA Best Brood Bitch for producing “homogeneity of type.” She has excellent hip scores, as do her dam and grand dam. Sipsey received a BRTCA 2019 Reg-
ister of Merit award as a result of this first pairing. That is, she produced healthy puppies that also achieved their AKC champion- ships. ZolaRoza won first and second place in bred by sweepstakes for bitches ages two to four years old. Layne and Freyja finished as one of the top four bred by entries. Her littermate, Jolene, received a 2019 BRTCA National Specialty Show Award of Merit.
Also in 2019, the BRTCA launched the inaugural Top Twenty event. Out of the elite group of Top Twenty Black Russian Terriers recognized at this event, three are first degree relatives to ZolaRoza dogs: Sipsey’s sire and dam, Zilya and Zoe, and Varias—the sire of our first ZolaRoza litter. This was a banner year for us as breeders who are new to the fancy!
We hope that our ZolaRoza pups continue the legacy of good health and conformation success. After all, they have generations of top winning Black Russian Terriers in their pedigree.
Ultimately it will be wonderful to see gorgeous Black Russian Terriers routinely winning Best in Show. Ideally, we’d like a few of those wins to come from ZolaRoza!
Our favorite dog show memory? Like all dog people, it’s hard to select just one. At Devon in October, Layne was ecstatic when they made the final cut of six from a very large, stellar working group of top ranked breed and all breed working dogs.
For me, it has to be Layne and Freyja’s Owner Handled Group First from renowned judge Mrs. Dorothy Collier and each of our wins at the 2019 BRTCA specialty.
We’d like to share about the breed that not all BRTs have the same temperament. Some lines are “sharper” than others because of the work they were bred to do. Always ask the owner of a Black Rus- sian Terrier before approaching the dog. That’s just a good practice for any dog of any size.
We have come a long way in making health improvements in our breed. Some of the health challenges in the BRT are genetic. Breed- ers now test for the genetic diseases that we know about. We have made great strides in BRTs with producing better hips and elbows in our large breed.
We urge anyone considering a BRT as part of their family to do research on BRT health. Select your breeder and be prepared to wait for a puppy. Your chosen breeder should become your breed mentor.
MARGARITA GALPERINA & HELENE HALDI
I have been breeding BRTs since 2006. I have bred many dogs who have attained many firsts in the breed (first AM Bred BIS, First AM Bred to Win at an FCI World Dog Show, First AM Bred to Go Back to Back BIS etc). I started with Rotties and GSD and Malinois for police and military as well as personal protection dogs in 1988. Found BRTs in 1991 but they weren’t suited well for Police work here in the USA—so I put them on the back burner until I changed directions in dogs. I will never own another breed that can be as well rounded and wonderful as a BRT. I currently train for private individuals as well as service dogs for veterans.
Margarita with Feodor lives in Englewood, Florida on the Gulf Coast. Managing her husbands dental practice. Helene Haldi lives on the border of Georgia and Florida. Currently working as an EMT and going to school to become a counselor.
Do we hope our breed’s ranking will change? I hope it does not change. I think if it gains more in popularity it will ultimately hurt the breed as they are not a dog for everyone but are fantastic dogs for the ones who are lucky enough to own one.
Does the average person recognize our breed? No. They are often mistaken for Labradoodles, Bouviers and Giant Schnauzers.
What qualities in the field also come in handy around the house? They are intuitive and always want to help. Want proof? Pick up a
224 • ShowSight Magazine, February 2020
Black Russian Terrier Q & A