Q: What do you feel is your
biggest responsibility to the breed?
I think that it is to breed as
closely to the breed standard as
possible. To test for genetic
diseases, and to screen hips and
eyes in all breeding animals. (There
are good hips and eyes in our breed,
and we do not have to breed to
grades of "poor" like in some
breeds.) To always sell pets with a
spay/neuter contract, or on Limited
Registration. To always take a dog
back from the buyer, no matter how
much time has passed, regardless of
the reason.
(The rescues are busy enough without
dogs from "good" breeders.) To be
very careful where I sell any
show/breeding dogs, so that they are
not used indiscriminately, or end up
in a poor situation. To do my best
to match pet puppies to buyers, so
that they have a "forever home."
Q: What do you feel is the
most rewarding aspect of breeding
Shelties? What do you
enjoy most about it?
The most rewarding aspect of the
actual breeding, is to have the
outcome be what you had envisioned
when you planned the breeding. Then
to have this validated by winning
with what you have bred, and then,
later, to have this dog produce even
better puppies for you, or for
others in the case of a stud.
The most rewarding aspect of "being
in" the breed, is meeting the people
who are as devoted to the Sheltie as
I am. The friends that I have made
over the years are innumerable. Some
of these are casual friendships,
that might just involve a quick "hi"
at the National, and some are the
closer ones that involve meeting or
talking on the phone on a regular
basis. We have the love of the breed
in common, and many of us have
similar goals. I enjoy these
friendships immeasurably. I have
been so blessed with friends, both
long-term, and new, casual and
close. I think these friendships are
the biggest reward of all. It never
ceases to amaze me just how loyal
and giving these friends can be.
Q: What do you enjoy the least
about it?
Losing the old dogs. The ones who
have been my constant friend for
years, and have enriched my life.
This is always so hard. Losing
newborn puppies when I try so hard
to save them, is always sad.
Disappointing my friends by
something I have unintentionally
said or done. Having bitches sent to
me "miss," when I know how much the
litter is anticipated. The gossip
and the rumors. It seems as if the
use of computers has greatly
increased this. I've seen people and
dogs unjustly accused of many
things. I've seen this almost
totally destroy lives and breeding
programs. We are all probably guilty
of spreading casual gossip. I know I
am. But, when it is malicious with
the intent to do harm, or without
basis just to be hurtful, we all
need to think more carefully about
the end results.
Q: If you had to start over,
would you do anything differently?
There are a few things. One is to
have bred some of my first good
bitches more. Many
Champion-producing bitches only had
one litter, and that was by our
choice. Another is that I wish I had
started using a good handler
earlier, for at least some of the
dogs. I was very set in wanting to
do it myself, and I know I could
have finished many more dogs with
professional help. All in all, I
have very few regrets. I have had
more than my share of success in the
ring, and in the whelping box. I
have had the wonderful experience of
owning one of the breed's
top-producing sires. I have made
innumerable friends. I have traveled
to places I would have never gone
otherwise. And, most of all, I have
had a great deal of fun.
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