Furthermore, in many cases breeders face a much more difficult path toward becoming multiple breed and multiple group judges with the time required for attaining such status being longer than that of handlers. It is with this in mind that we have introduced a new feature that will appear monthly in The Canine Chronicle. Each month we will ask ten questions of several top breeders within the group featured in that month’s issue.
The questions are listed below. We think you will find the responses to be forthright, refreshing and enlightening.
What was the attraction to your chosen (primary) breed?
What level of participation/success have you reached, and in what area?
If you could change anything along the path of your success, what would that be?
How would you describe the features/details of your breed’s most important characteristic?
On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you think your breed stands in overall quality?
Name a few dogs of your breed that would epitomize the standard, in your opinion?
Please share with us one/some of your most memorable moments of your involvement with the breed.
Are you breeding for the Judges or are the Judges influencing how you breed..... does one affect the other?
What breeders, judges, or dogs influenced the direction of your line?
If you could choose the Ultimate National Specialty Judges Panel,
who would do Dogs, Bitches and Intersex?
NO AKC Approval required.
1. I started out in Shetland Sheepdogs. It was my husband who wanted a Schipperke. The more I was around them, the better I liked them. I loved the distinct silhouette, the ease of coat care and grooming, and their comical personalities and devotion to their owners, along with their "I'm a big dog" attitude in a little dog package!
2. We have been fairly successful with the Schips, having bred or owned four All Breed Best in Show Schips and two National Specialty winners as well as independent Schip specialty winners. We have had BOB winners at Westminster and #1 and Top Ten Schips.
Ch. Shalako's the Rose, R.O.M. (from our first litter) was specialed at 10 years old for about 5 months. She was the #1 bitch for the year, #3 Schip and won 8 groups. She produced the great dog, Ch. Shalako's E.L. Fudge, H.O.F., co-owned and handled by Nancie Mages to 7 BIS and he was the #1 Schip the 3 years he was shown. Fudge won the National from the Veterans class.
"The Rose" was the granddam to multiple Best in Show Ch. Shalako's Simply Simon, C.D., R.O.M., H.O.F. Simon was the sire of BIS Am. & Can. Ch. Shalako's Bartered at Barsu, R.O,M., H.O.F and the grandsire of the current multiple BIS Ch. Shalako's RockN Whisper who just won our National this year. We were also the co-breeders of the Winners Bitch , RWD and Best Puppy at the Nationals.
All of our top winning and producing Schips are direct descendents from Ch. Eatchurheartout de Sang Bleu, handled by Nancie Mages, who broke the long held BIS record of JD Jones' great Schipperke. JoJo's record was then beat by his son, also handled by Nancie. We are thrilled to have her as the co-owner, with Jen Garrett, on our current dog, Rocker.
3. From a breeding standpoint, I would have utilized Ch. Shalako's the Rose and her brother, Ch. Shalako's Bear Cat, R.O.M. much better in my breeding program.
From a showing standpoint, I wish the Schipperke Club of America would have placed more emphasis on the history of the Schipperke. While most judges know them as a "barge dog", early history describes them as a "working dog" of the common people, a great hunter, and a great guard dog. Belgian authorities of today consider them to have a common ancestor with the Belgian Sheepdogs, and they do indeed have many sheepdog traits.
4. The silhouette and coat. Without the coat, you do not have the proper
silhouette.
In my opinion, the SCA should have never removed the word "profuse" from our
standard when describing the coat. Many judges today look for "moderate" in the
Schip - a word NOT used in our standard. The Schipperke coat should be abundant
and profuse - a hairy little dog! That coat should grow in a very distinct
pattern.
It is the combination of the correct coat and a good square profile that makes the Schip such a unique breed. The well balanced Schip will have both, along with good reach and drive and effortless movement. The dog must be thickset: a heavy little dog with lots of body under the coat.
5. About a 6.
6. The dog who has always been my ideal and influenced my breeding program
the most is the bitch Ch. Minette of Kelso bred by Kelso Kennels in the 30's and
often used to describe the "ideal" Schipperke. She still is today.
JD Jones' Schip Draco who, unfortunately, I never saw in person, but the
pictures of him are gorgeous!
The great Ch. Eatchurheartout de Sang Bleu who proved the breed could move with
good reach and drive.
7. My most memorable moment was my first breeder-owner-handled BIS with Ch. Shalako's Simply Simon, CD. We won the group under Mrs. Ann Flemming and the show under Mr. Jerry Watson. Both were judges I'd never shown to. The BIS ring was packed with big winning dogs and many great professional handlers. I figured we didn't stand a prayers chance. Simon must have figured we didn't either, because he went in and showed like a million dollars and never missed a step.
It took Simon awhile to learn to be a show dog. He carried the "reserved" part described in the standard a little too much to heart. He didn't like anyone he didn't know well to stare at him or get too close to his "mommy." He was a real challenge to train and show!
8. I breed to the standard, and for me! Then I hope the judges like what I breed.
9. The person who most influenced me was my sheltie mentor Mary Jane Morey of Moribrook Kennel. She taught me to learn about the "dog", then apply it to my breed. She introduced me to Lloyd Bracketts ‘Planned Breeding’ program which has been a big influence to me over the years.
10. JD Jones, Bill Bergum and Dr. Berndt.
The above article appeared in the Canine Chronicle.
We were very pleased to be asked to participate!
