Page 250 - ShowSight, November 2020

JEANIE MCADAMS
since July 1, 2015, so to accomplish all this in a few years has been very satisfying.
How important is the owner-handler to the future of the sport? I think, very important. It is a very popular event and encourages participation and more entries.
The funniest thing that’s ever happened to me (in or out of the ring) as a breeder/owner-handler? Watching the Dobe ring and seeing three ladies have wardrobe malfunctions almost simultane- ously! They kept going like nothing ever happened!
LAUREL MEDLEY
I live in Dunnellon, Florida. My breed is Vizslas and I’ve been in dogs for 14 years.
Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? Who has the time?
How often do I breed? Do I breed to compete in Conformation or Performance? I breed, maybe, one litter a year. My dogs compete in conformation, hunting, obedience, and rally.
What has been my greatest challenge as a breeder/owner-han- dler? Trying to do it all and do it well. Also, bringing new puppy owners into the world of dog sports.
What has been my biggest thrill as a competitor? Showing my “keeper” from my first litter at our National and being awarded Best of Opposite Sex in an entry of 350.
How are me and my dogs keeping busy now that most dog shows are on hiatus? I’ve had a litter and been training towards hunting.
Do I have any specific goals in mind for my return to the show ring? Introducing my next generation to dog sports and have them love it.
How important is the owner-handler to the future of the sport? Without the breeder/owner-handlers, where would the sport be?
LORI MILLS
I live in Grand Bay, Alabama. My breed is Coonhounds, Red- bones mainly. I’ve been in dogs for over 50 years.
Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? My hobbies are fishing and hunting.
How often do I breed? Do I breed to compete in Conforma- tion or Performance? I breed when I want pups, not for the general public. I breed for all-around dogs: Hunt, Show and Companion.
Do I compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series? Yes, we do compete in the NOHS.
What has been my greatest challenge as a breeder/own- er-handler? Bypassing politics; and judges’ lack of caring for this competition.
What has been my biggest thrill as a competitor? My greatest thrill has been taking Best in Show and OH Best in Show with a multi-generation dog from our kennel.
How are me and my dogs keeping busy now that most dog shows are on hiatus? We have just been enjoying the break, waiting for things to return to normal like the rest of the world.
Do I have any specific goals in mind for my return to the show ring? My goal is to bring out new dogs and pups, and resume the dog show family relationship we all need and miss.
How important is the owner-handler to the future of the sport? The owner-handler is very important and helps to promote the sport. It is the basis of a good, ethical sport and an esteem builder.
The funniest thing that’s ever happened to me (in or out of the ring) as a breeder-owner/handler? The funniest thing that’s ever happened was a judge pointing at my dog and awarding me the Group, but calling it the wrong breed. I said it’s not that breed, but I will take it!
I live in Denton County, Texas. My breed is Miniature Ameri- can Shepherds. I’ve had Australian Shepherds since 1975, but bought my first Miniature American Shepherd in 2007.
Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? There’s not much time for anything else now, but I love to learn new things, travel and explore, water and snow skiing, any kind of design work, architecture, photography, horses, etc.
How often do I breed? I breed for myself, so not too often, but I am an AKC Breeder of Merit. Do I breed to compete in Confor- mation? Yes. Performance? No, I do not compete in Performance Events at this time.
Do I compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series? Yes, most of the time, depending on the show schedule. However, my main goal is to showcase my dogs in the regular Group and Best in Show rings.
What has been my greatest challenge as a breeder/owner-han- dler? Getting caught up at home with work, etc., so we can go to another show!
What has been my biggest thrill as a competitor? There have been several...winning back-to-back Nationals Best of Breed, also winning two regular Best in Shows and 35 Group Firsts on my third generation bred-by. Also, winning a regular Reserve Best in Show with his sire (also a bred-by) and four Group Firsts! My bred-by boy winning the AKC National NOHS Invitational Best in Show was a thrill, as well as placing in the AKC National Bred-By Group multiple times with bred-bys! It’s more fun to win with a bred-by!
How are me and my dogs keeping busy now that most dog shows are on hiatus? We have been back to showing since the Learning Cluster in Oklahoma at the end of June, but during the Covid break I just tried to get caught up on lots of things at home and at work.
Do I have any specific goals in mind for my return to the show ring? I just finished my third generation bred-by’s Platinum Grand Championship, so I am very thrilled with that accomplishment. He is also the #1 All-Breed MAS through August and #2 Breed! He is the only MAS in AKC history to have won two regular Best in Shows and 35 Group Firsts. I would like to win some more Groups with him. Our breed has only been AKC fully-recognized
BREEDER/OWNER-HANDLER Q&A
246 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2020