Page 150 - ShowSight - June 2020

their friend, Jake, live. It truly was extra special and meant so much to Lydia.
This sport is about enjoying your dogs. In addition, for us it was about making family memories and sharing and promoting our dogs. It is also important to recognize these special moments and realize the positive impact this sport and purebred dogs have on others.
How are we and our dogs keeping busy now that dog shows are on hiatus? Not too much has changed for us day-to-day. Of course, like everyone else, we miss the shows and visiting with friends at shows.
Do we have any specific goals in mind for our return to the show ring? We are anxious to get our young dogs in the ring. We hope we have been able to provide enough socialization and exposure to them in this limited contact regimen we are all living under at the moment.
How important is the owner-handler to the future of the sport? I think it’s a nice option for competitors who show their own dogs. I think most judges evaluate the dogs regardless of the handler anyway.
The funniest thing that’s ever happened to us as breeder/own- er-handlers? Well, something that stands out to me took place at a dog show a few years ago. A judge, who shall remain nameless, announced to us mid-way through the breed ring evaluations that she was hungry and was going to eat her lunch. She turned to all of us and said, “Just stay put, I’ll be back.” It was raining and we all stood there dumfounded in the rain with our dogs while she ate her bag lunch ringside.
Then when she was finished with her lunch, the ring proce- dure continued. What could have been an upsetting circumstance among exhibitors, most of us took it in stride. We moved under the tent, away from the rain, waited for her to finish her sandwich and made the best of an odd situation. Some of us still have a good laugh about that quite unconventional experience, to say the least.
LOIS & TED GRIER
We live near Des Moines, Iowa, and have been show- ing Kerry Blue Terriers for 18 years. We have been raising them for 15 years.
Do we have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? My fam- ily enjoys biking, kayaking, and water sports. This winter I have become obsessed with acrylic paints and what can be done with them, including some Kerry art.
How often do we breed? Do we breed to compete in conforma- tion or performance? I have been blessed with mentors that under- stand many parts of the breeding puzzle, including health testing, genotype and phenotype. When it comes to making wise decisions regarding our breeding choices, several of us put our heads together to discuss our best possibilities. We have built a successful breeding program that gives us options that sets us apart. We breed carefully, following our interpretation of the breed standard with regards to structure, movement and temperament. Our goal is to breed each new generation to be sound in mind and body, to be able to carry out the job they were originally bred to do, to be the ideal compan- ions along with the beauty and elegance that only a well-bred Kerry Blue Terrier possesses. So the answer is yes, we are always breeding for the best to compete in conformation and performance—or most
any activity—but can still go home to romp with the kids in the backyard. Kerries are both adaptable and eager to learn new things. Over the past decade we have generally bred two litters a year with several going to show homes and/or performance homes, and others going to wonderful companion homes to do therapy work or just fill a void as a great family member.
Do I compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series? I do at times, especially when starting out with a new special and want the extra ring time. I find it a bit much, however, when com- peting in both Group rings regularly for an experienced dog that I am campaigning seriously. I prefer to compete in it when Owner- Handled Groups follow the regular Groups rather than before.
What has been my greatest challenge as a breeder/owner-han- dler? As with any breeder/owner-handler it is probably the same thing most have said at one time or another. It is gaining the rec- ognition for having top-quality dogs, to be taken seriously in the ring, and to be good enough to deserve the top wins. To do that takes a great dog with expert grooming, trained to compete on the highest levels. A great breeder/owner-handler must be at the top of their game at all times, including breeding decisions, training, conditioning, grooming and competing in the ring. Remember, it is one of the only sports where everyone there has to compete with professionals.
What has been my biggest thrill as a competitor? I have been fortunate to have experienced some of those top rewards in the ring, including Best In Show in both regular competition and owner-handled. However, to walk into the National Specialty ring at Montgomery County along with all the top dogs and top han- dlers and be crowned Best Of Breed with a Kerry Blue that I bred, raised, groomed, trained and handled is probably the ultimate win any breeder/owner-handler dreams of. This has to be at the top of the list. Our Xavier did it twice, and took Best Of Breed twice at Westminster as well. Those are days I will always treasure.
How are me and my dogs keeping busy now that dog shows are on hiatus? There is never downtime when you are serious about breeding and showing dogs. We had two litters of puppies this win- ter, so keeping busy was never an issue. Now we are training pup- pies for the upcoming shows and, of course, Kerry Blues are always on the grooming table at our house. To help new owners this year, I made up videos for puppy care that include setting ears, trimming, and general puppy care issues. These have proven to be invaluable for new owners with the social distancing this year.
Do we have any specific goals in mind for my return to the show ring? Sure we do. I have a beautiful New Champion that is ready to start her specials career as well as puppies of all ages to get in the ring with their new owners. We have some catching up to do!
In my opinion, the breeder/owner-handler is the most integral part of the fancy’s future. It seems that many people involved in the sport have totally forgotten the original purpose of dog shows; that is, to have your breeding stock evaluated by well-respected judges of your breed (rather than who has the biggest pocketbook behind a dog). It seems more about egos and big name handlers than about what is best for the breed when it comes to what is winning.
The funniest thing that’s ever happened to me as a breeder/ owner-handler? This wasn’t exactly funny for me, but those who witnessed it sure thought it was. To set the stage, we are at Hatboro Kennel Club, part of our National Specialty weekend, and my young boy, Xavier, just won some award. His littermate sister, Reagan, was also there winning something as well. After the ribbons and awards are all handed out, we head on over to the photographer’s stand to wait our turn for a picture. As soon as we approach from between the crowd, at least 50 feet away I hear a familiar growl. It is Reagan that, for some reason, really dislikes the sight of her brother. I could feel Xavier react on the end of his show lead, trying to back up, and I am afraid he is going to come out of the lead. I did the only thing I
BREEDER/OWNER-HANDLER Q&A
148 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2020