Page 242 - ShowSight, November 2020

THE
BREEDER/OWNER-HANDLERS
1. Where do you live? What is your breed? How many years in dogs?
2. Do you have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs?
3. How often do you breed? Do you breed to compete in Conformation? Performance?
4. Do you compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series?
5. What has been your greatest challenge as a breeder/owner-handler?
6. What has been your biggest thrill as a competitor?
7. How are you and your dogs keeping busy now that most dog shows are on hiatus?
8. Do you have any specific goals in mind for your return to the show ring?
9. How important is the owner-handler to the future of the sport?
10. And for a bit of fun: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you (in or out of the ring) as a breeder/owner-handler?
MEG CALLEA
I live in Shelton, Washington. My breed is Dalmatians and I’ve
been in dogs for 50+ years.
Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? Not really. Being a Dog Show Photographer, and breeding and showing my own Dals, just about takes all my time!
How often do I breed? Do I breed to compete in Conformation or Performance? I breed one-to-two times a year with two others; we combine our breeding efforts. Dals are a can-do breed and can do it all.
Do I compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series? Yes, and I very much enjoy it.
What has been my greatest challenge as a breeder/owner-han- dler? Really, not much. I think many use it as a crutch when they don’t win. Often, it’s because their dogs are not as well trained or conditioned and groomed.
What has been my biggest thrill as a competitor? Ohhh, there have been more than a few! Winning the National Specialty—and then again with her daughter—has to be pretty close to the top of my list! Winning the Breed and then making a cut in the Group at the Garden was a dream any kid in dogs dreams of!
How are me and my dogs keeping busy now that most dog shows are on hiatus? We had puppies early on and that kept us busy. We have been fortunate to have had some shows in the Pacific North- west and in Alaska. I feel very lucky to have been able to go to some of them.
Do I have any specific goals in mind for my return to the show ring? My goal is always the same; to show the best, show to those I want and/or care for their opinion (though not always the case), and to have a good time with my dogs.
How important is the owner-handler to the future of the sport? There is a place for the NOHS, for sure. It keeps some coming to shows when they have a breed that is dominated by a handler or breeder in their area. There is a lot more camaraderie in the NOHS ring, for sure. I do wish they would not allow people to compete if they are licensed for more than their original breed.
The funniest thing that’s ever happened to me (in or out of the ring) as a breeder-owner/handler? I guess it’s when I was a kid and the judge asked me what kind of dog I had. It was a Dalmatian, of course!
GINA DATTILO
I live in Indianapolis. I have both American Staffordshire Terri- ers and Smooth/Long Coat Chihuahuas! I bought my first “show” dog in 1997. I was involved with working dogs prior to that. I also did Pit Bull rescue.
Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? Between being a business owner, homeowner, grand- kids, dogs and my betta fish, I’m going to say no!
How often do I breed? Do I breed to compete in Conformation or Performance? I have 1-3 litters a year between both breeds. I do Conformation as of now, but I’ve been thinking about doing some Performance Events as well.
Do I compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series? Yes, I do! I absolutely love it! For someone like me who is very busy and does showing as a hobby only, it’s been a wonderful addition to dog shows!
What has been my greatest challenge as a breeder/owner-han- dler? My greatest challenge...I had to get out of dogs for a few years. I was raising three children and I just couldn’t do both. So after they were older, I came back to the world of dogs. I had to com- pletely start over! I bought a dog and she ended up having major heart problems. She was spayed and placed, and then I was able to get another bitch that is my foundation and my heart. So, I would say that was my biggest challenge.
What has been my biggest thrill as a competitor? I’ve had a few big thrills as a competitor. For me, winning my first Group back in 2001 was huge! Since I’ve been back in dogs, I would say winning an OH BIS with three different Am Staffs...two of which I bred!
How are me and my dogs keeping busy now that most dog shows are on hiatus? Oh, we have no problem staying busy in this house! But one thing I’ve enjoyed doing with the dogs is being able to play with them in our big yard!
Do I have any specific goals in mind for my return to the show ring? Goals are something I love to set and work to achieve. One of them is to win a BISS with one of my bred-by Am Staffs. I won BISS on one of my bred-by Chi’s, so the Am Staffs are next!
How important is the owner-handler to the future of the sport? I can’t stress enough how important the owner-handler is to the sport of dogs! There are a lot of OHs who go to shows just for the OH Series.
The funniest thing that’s ever happened to me (in or out of the ring) as a breeder/owner-handler? Well, this is one of many things that’s happened... Many years ago, I was waiting to go in the ring with an Am Staff. I was chatting away with friends (not paying any attention) when my dog hiked his leg on me and it absolutely soaked the inside my shoe!
CHERI HERSCHELL
I live near Zelienople, Pennsylvania, a beautiful, quaint town north of Pittsburgh. I own and breed Labrador Retrievers, primarily Black and Chocolate. I have been showing dogs since 2002, when I acquired my first Labrador and competed in Obedience.
Do you have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? I enjoy activities outside of the show ring with my dogs, including pheasant hunting, hunt tests, obedience, and dock diving.
How often do I breed? Do I breed to compete in Conformation or Performance? I typically have one litter a year. I breed for a dog
238 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2020