Page 62 - ShowSight, November 2020

AKC BREEDER OF THE YEAR HONOREES
Kristi Woods Libertore, Larry & Chris Delaney SPORTING GROUP
1. How does it feel to be honored by the AKC to represent your Group?
We are beyond honored to represent the Sporting Group with a rarer breed like the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. It’s an hon- or for us but, more importantly, it’s a tribute to a very special breed that can truly do it all.
2. Who are the people “in dogs” who’ve influenced your breeding program?
We would be remiss to not thank the breeders/kennels who’ve provided our foundation dogs; Flatbrook Sporting Dogs, DuValin, Duchasseur, Wet Acres, and Fireside. We have al- ways admired our Canadian breeder friends too. They are al- ways helpful with importing dogs from their kennels or from France. In addition, the many people we have learned from over the years professionally involved in the sport— handlers and judges.
3. Do you have specific philosophies that you maintain as
a breeder?
Form follows function is a big thing to us. A key tenet was to breed beautiful gun dogs. A dog in the ring should be able to do its job and a dog in the field should still meet the breed standard. Through our breeding program, we require dogs to be active in both venues and to earn show & field titles prior to breeding them. We are active members and have held offices in both our breed parent club, AWPGA, and in NAVHDA chap- ters (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association). We are active in AKC Field Events as well.
4. Can you speak to the importance of breeding to
the standard?
I think it’s important to understand not just the words of the standard, but the reason why things were written that way. The standard was written as it relates to the function of what the breed is supposed to do. For example, in our standard, “Correct size is important. Oversize is to be severely penalized.” This directly relates to the Griffon being able to excel equally as a pointer in the field or a retriever in the water. AWPGA also created a working standard just recently, which gives breeders insight into how the breed works in the field.
5. What breeding advice would you give to today’s
novice fancier?
Learn pedigrees and history. If you see a dog you like, look up the pedigree. Sitting ringside with a catalogue at your National Specialty is one of the best things you can do. Some of our very best litters were the result of known outcomes from previous dogs bred with similar pedigrees. Spend whatever it takes, go wherever you need to go to get what you need. I also think it’s so important to be honest with yourself and seek opinions— even if it’s hard to hear. Sometimes a dog with a lot of titles might not be the best dog or the best dog for your breeding.
60 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2020