SMOOTH COAT CHIHUAHUA #3 #2 SMOOTH COAT CHIHUAHUA ALL BREED * BREED *
OUR SINCEREST APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO JUDGES FOR THESE SPECIAL WINS.
GLEN LEJESKI, ZELL VON POHLMAN, KEIKO SHIMIZU (CIDNEY’S FIRST TIME IN THE RING AT 6 MONTHS AT THE SCCC SPECIALTY, A 5 POINT MAJOR), CAROLINE ALEXANDER, RICHARD MILLER, MR. TIMOTHY CATTERSON, RAY FILBURN, DR. IOIA, JOHN WADE, DENNY MOUNCE, MRS. VICKI L. ABBOTT, MR. JOE C. WALTON
*AKC STATS AS OF 11/30/22
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BIS BISS GCHS BK’S CONEMARA EL CID OWNERS & BREEDERS: BARBARA K. (KATHY) SMITH & CONNI M. ROBINSON CIDNEY
THANK YOU JUDGE MR. ZELL VON POHLMAN
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MULTIPLE GROUP PLACING GCHS EDELWEISS Sting Like A Bee
bred & owned by KATHY KNOLES exclusively handled by CHRISTA COOK assisted by MARINA ROSE
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*AKC stats as of 11/30/22
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CH Shang
GCH Tia
CH Jade
GCH Wu Me
GCH Jia
GCH Lng Lng
GCHG CH SUNRISE DRAGON FORSE OF NATURE “As you think, so shall you become.”
TAO PEKINGESE.COM | 651-417-8041 | MINNESOTA
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MARIE FORSELL & RICK BERNIER
GOING FOR GOLD! Achieved the last show of 2022!
NUMBER ONE BREED 2022 *
#10 ALL BREED * Thank you to all the Judges who helped us get here, and Group judges who believed we were worthy.
*AKC stats as of 12/31/22
Thank you judges Betty Nelson Pollock, Jean Nelson and Carolyn Taylor, (Not Pictured Caralyn A. Herbel, Claudia Seaberg, Gloria Kerr, Richard Miller, Linda Hurlebaus, Nancy D. Simmons, Elizabeth Muthard and Tempest Deptuch)
TAO PEKINGESE.COM | 651-417-8041 | MINNESOTA
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CONTENTS TABLE OF
TNT
AJ ARAPOVIC CEO & Publisher aj@aramediagroup.com Office 512-686-3466 ext. 102 Cell 512-541-8128 HANIFA ARAPOVIC Vice President hanifa@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 104 Cell 512-541-8687 MICHAEL R. VERAS Chief Operating Officer michael@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 101 ALEXANDRA GEBHARDT Chief Marketing Officer, Head Of Digital Brands alex@aramediagroup.com 1-908-288-7733 SAMANTHA ADKINS Production Co-Ordinator Advertiser Relations samantha@aramediagroup.com 512-686-3466 ext. 103 DANIEL CARTIER Director, Social Media & Web Site daniel@aramediagroup.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR MEEGAN PIEROTTI-TIETJE
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22 The Breeders Interview Various Guests 32 AKC National Championship Judge Interview Jeff Bazell 34 AKC National Championship Candids Frank Horvath 38 Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Deborah Thompson 43 A Yorkie or Silky— What’s the Difference? Sandy Mesmer 46 Maltese— The Consummate Companion Larry Stanberry 48 The Responsibility of Judging Shih Tzu Kristi Trivilino
51 An Owner Handler’s Observations from ‘The Dark Side’ Ashley B.L. Fischer 54 Cabrera’s Corner: Breeding Ethics Tony Cabrera 57 History Candids Arlene A. Czech 61 The Bubble Stephanie Hunt-Crowley 63 Photo Finish Dan Sayers 65 Rates 66 Index to Advertisers
Customer Relationship Manager meegan@showsightmagazine.com call/text 512.593.5517 SOCIAL MEDIA ELMA BEGIC Manager, Social Media & Creative Content elma@aramediagroup.com 1-512-686-3466
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TOP NOTCH TOYS is published twelve times per year by AraMedia Group, Inc. PO Box 18567, Tampa, FL 33679. Postage paid at Omaha, Nebraska. No part of this publica- tion may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the editor. The opinions expressed in this publication either editorially or in advertising copy are those of the authors and do not necessarily constitute en- dorsement by the publishers. The editor reserves the right to reasonably edit all copy submitted. All articles become the property of the publishers. Subscription price for third class service in the United States: $75.00. Canadian and U.S. First Class: $110.00. Overseas rates upon request. In- quiries to: Michael R. Veras, COO, AraMedia Group Inc., PO Box 18567, Tampa FL 33678512 686 3466 ext 105 or michael@aramediagroup.com.
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GCHB CH TESSIER WYNTUK RED-E TO REIGN
# 1 ALL SYSTEMS * *ALL SYSTEMS 2022*
Owned by MARILYN SOLVASON MARIBLU SANDY MESMER TESSIER ANGELA SMITH-TILOT BLACKRANGE
Handled by ANGELA SMITH, Saginaw Michigan
Bred by SANDY MESMER & KAREN HUEY
CHIC #164841
THANK YOU JUDGE EUGENE BLAKE
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A Lifetime Devoted to Dogs
L. Sarah Lawrence
Sun Canyon 1959-1986 Chatterbox 1986-Present
Sarah’s career with Shih Tzu began in 1968 when she was one of the first to show them in the Miscellaneous classes and helped to get them officially recognized by the AKC the following year.
Many of the Shih Tzu exhibited by Sarah have the Wenshu kennel name. These dogs have been given the Wenshu name to both honor and recognize the contributions that Donna Gerl has made leading up to the breeding of these specific dogs. Her relationship with Donna began more professionally when she first started handling Donna’s dogs, first with class Shih Tzu and then with Mona Lisa (CH Wenshus Mona Lisa) who went on to win two American Shih Tzu Club National Specialties as well as multiple Best in Shows and multiple regional specialties. Over the course of this partnership, they began to collaborate more as they recognized that they shared the same keen eye for beautiful Shih Tzu. Through this partnership, Sarah came to discover and fall in love with Tyra (GCHG Pekings Midnight Vision at Wenshu) during a visit to Donna’s house. This, over time, led to many accomplishments for Tyra, most notably that she is the top winning black Shih Tzu in the history of the breed and still remains highly ranked in the all-time standings. Together, they bred and exhibited many top winning Shih Tzu, including GCHB Chatterbox Light My Fire, GCH Wenshu Leaving Me Breathless, GCHS Wenshus Shesa Dream, and GCHG Wenshu In The Midnight Hour, the first black Shih Tzu to win the American Shih Tzu Club National Specialty under renowned breeder/judge Luke Ehricht. What started as a professional working relationship blossomed into a lifelong friendship and breeding partnership that has lasted for over four decades.
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MBIS MBISS CH Wenshus Mona Lisa National Specialty Winner
GCHB Chatterbox Light My Fire
GCHG Pekings Midnight Vision At Wenshu Top Winning Black Shih Tzu, Of All Time
GCH Wenshu Leaving Me Breathless Best Puppy
GCHB CH Wenshu Thrill Of Da Game
GCHG CH Wenshu In The Midnight Hour National Specialty Winner
Sun Canyon Miss Hibiscus
CH Chatterbox I Dream Of Jeanie
Sarah’s keen eye for a good dog is what led her to discover Cody (CH Krissy’s Dream Lover) when he was just shy of five months old. She purchased him on the spot when she recognized his potential and, ultimately, he would become the number one ranked Shih Tzu of 2009, as well as her top foundation dog who sired many remarkable Shih Tzu including GCHG Wenshu In The Midnight Hour, GCHS Wenshus Shesa Dream, and GCH Chatterbox My Boyfriend’s Back. In recent years, she has added new bloodlines from Brazil (CH BA Par D’Ellas Sasha, bred by Regina Lucia Perrone) and Thailand (GCHB Hearty’s Wonder Boy, bred by Papitchaya Sukonoi and co-owned with Leslie LeFave). From her perspective as a breeder, it is very important to maintain type and correct structure, and sometimes that means looking outward to other bloodlines. Without proper structure, the dog won’t have correct movement and balance, which are two of the key elements to a top winning dog. T op N otch T oys , J anuary 2023 • 13
GCH Chatterbox Wildfire Rose
Chatterbox Dream A Little Dream
CH Chatterbox Breathless Anticipation Best Puppy
CH Chatterbox Breakin’ All The Rules
Chatterbox Rumor Has It
CH Chatterbox Here Comes Trouble
GCHS Wenshus Shesa Dream The Number Two Shih Tzu in 2012
CH Chatterbox My Only Sunshine
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CH Chatterbox Shut Up And Kiss Me
CH Chatterbox It’s All A Dream Best Puppy
CH Chatterbox It’s Just A Dream
CH Chatterbox Ready For Action
CH Chatterbox She’s What It’s All About
CH Krissy’s It’s All About Me a dog who has been integral to the Chatterbox breeding program
CH Chatterbox The Thrill Of Being Me Best Puppy / BOW
CH Krissy’s Dream Lover The Number One Shih Tzu in 2009
GCH Chatterbox Chase What Matters
CH Chatterbox Reasonable Doubt
CH Ming Dynasty’s Spice Girl BIS Puppy
CH Chatterbox Portrait Of A Dream
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Our Foundation Bitches
Charlotte CH Krissy’s Once Upon A Dream produced Ella and Kayla.
Kayla (CH Chatterbox Sheza Princess) has produced
(CH Chatterbox Forever Yours), produced CH Chatterbox Crazy In Love and is the grandfather of Chatterbox No Time For Love, who is one of our younger dogs out of Sasha, one of our newer foundation dogs. (CH Chatterbox Princess Leia) pro- duced Chatterbox Louisiana Glamour
Max (CH Chatterbox Blame It On The Sun), winner of Best Puppy at the 2016 ASTC National
Leia (CH Chatterbox Princess Leia)
Alex (CH Chatterbox Forever Yours)
CH Chatterbox Crazy In Love Chatterbox No Time For Love
Chatterbox Louisiana Glamour
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Ella (CH Chatterbox Ella Enchanted) has produced
Stella (CH Chatterbox Wish Upon A Star)
Bella (CH Chatterbox Enchanted Dream)
Beau (GCH Chatterbox My Boyfriend’s Back)
Ava (Chatterbox Hollywood Beauty)
CH Chatterbox Enchanted Dream (Bella) went on to produce
CH Chatterbox Most Happy Fella
Chatterbox A Reason To Dream
CH Chatterbox Let’s Misbehave
Sasha (CH BA Par D’ellas Sasha) was bred by Regina Lucia Perrone in Brazil and brought to the States by Sarah. Within a month, he had earned his AKC Championship and was exhibited soon after at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2019. Since then, he has gone on to produce many promising new Shih Tzu for Chatterbox Dogs including CH Chatterbox Breathless Anticipation and Chatterbox No Time For Love.
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CH Chatterbox My Hearts Desire AOM Westminster 1994
CH Chatterbox Nothin’ But Love AOM Westminster 2007
CH Sun Canyon Penny Lover AOM Westminster 1995
CH Chatterbox Worth Every Penny
CH Sun Canyon Runaround Sue
CH Sun Canyon Heza Happy Fella
CH Sun Canyon Jenelle
5 point major as a puppy under renowned judge Anne Rogers Clark
CH Sun Canyon Ivy Leaguer
CH Chatterbox My Captive Heart
CH Chatterbox Sweet Potato Pie
CH Sun Canyon Anabel Lee
CH Chatterbox In A Heartbeat
CH Sun Canyon The Cat’s Meow
CH Sun Canyon Anything Goes
CH Chatterbox My Secret Love
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Sarah’s life in dogs began when she was a very small child. She was raised by her paternal grandmother, Miriam Thompson. Miriam initially raised Poodles before purchasing her first Maltese, Melissa, who produced a Best in Show winner in her first litter. This Best in Show Winner, Sun Canyon Starlet, was the starting point for what would soon become a life-changing journey. Also, the first Maltese litter that Sarah has bred she produced a Best in Show Winner CH Sun Canyon The Heartbreak Kid. Sarah started attending dog shows regularly with her grandmother at the age of seven and their focus was on breeding excellent dogs and establishing the Sun Canyon name. By the age of ten, she finished her first champion—a Japanese Chin— owned by Kate Cross. During this time, she was also very focused on her career in ballet and had very high aspirations, but that would come to an end after a devastating surfing accident. This accident ended her ballet career, but brought her focus back to handling and breeding Maltese. It was during this time that she would learn many valuable lessons from her mentors Frank Sabella, Ric Chashoudian, and Corky Vroom. In the years that followed, she would finish 200 Maltese champions, many of which were during a time when dog shows were still a very male-dominated sport. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Sarah exhibited many top winning dogs. She specialized in conditioning and exhibiting coated dogs from various groups including Toy (Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingese, and Maltese), Non-Sporting (Lhasa Apsos, Tibetan Terriers and Bichon Frise), and Herding (Bearded Collies). After a half-decade long bicoastal relationship with Richard Lawrence, a Pekingese and Yorkshire Terrier breeder, they were married in 1987. She moved permanently to the East Coast and retired from handling while still breeding and exhibiting her own dogs. Without his love and support, she would not have been able to pursue her own breeding program.
gch Chatterbox Nothin’ But Love
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INTERNATIONAL & AKC GCHB CH HEARTY’S WONDER BOY
FROM THE STANDARD “Ideally, height at withers is 9 to 10-1/2 inches; but, not less than 8 inches nor more than 11 inches. Ideally, weight of mature dogs, 9 to 16 pounds.” 2022 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 1ST AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNER Thank you Judge Mr. Charles L. Olvis MULTIPLE SPECIALTY WINNER
OWNERS: Leslie LeFave & L Sarah Lawrence BREEDER: Papitchaya Sukonoi
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A Lifetime Devoted to Dogs
Thank You, to All of the Judges Who Have Awarded Our Dogs for More than Six Decades.
We’d Also Like to Thank Our Friends in the Dog Show Community Who Have Supported Us throughout Our Journey. We Look Forward to Seeing Everyone in 2023 and Beyond…
Thank you to Pat Keen and Judy McQuinston for breeding Keno (GCHB Richelieu’s Here Comes Trouble Again). It was an honor and a joy to campaign him from 2011- 2013, during which time he received 14 Group 1 placements and two Reserve Best In Show wins. He continues to hold a very special place in my heart all these years later.
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BREEDERS INTERVIEW THE
1. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? 2. What is your kennel name? How many dogs do you currently keep? 3. Which have been your most influential sires and dams? 4. What are some of the unique challenges to breeding a Toy Breed? 5. Do you have specific regimens for feeding, immunizations, health & wellness? 6. Are there specific challenges inherent to traveling with a Toy Breed? Any tips you can share? 7. Is your breed suitable as a Performance competitor? Are there any advantages? Any disadvantages? 8. Is there reason to be optimistic about your breed’s future? Any words of caution? 9. Do you feel that your breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? 10. Which show dogs from the past have been your noteworthy winners? 11. How is showing a Toy Breed different than showing breeds from the other Groups? 12. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing you’ve ever experienced with one of your Toy Dogs? WENDY ANDERSON
What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep? My kennel name is Winterholme. I’m a small home- based breeder and usually have 4-5 dogs at a time. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? My foundation bitch, Can. Ch. Wenrick’s Molly N’Winterholme (Am. Can. Ch. Ultra’s Conflict of Inter- est x Wenrick’s Traced by Xeralane) had her Canadian and American ROMs in three litters and was the Canadian Top Brood bitch in 2005. Can. Ch. Winterholme Kiss N Call Me Kate (Ch Symarun’s Groovy Kind of Love x Ch Winterholme’s Lanakila Kiana) produced three Best in Show kids, two from the same litter, one of which was Winners Bitch at the 2019 National Spe- cialty under breeder-judge Luke Ehricht, and the other was Top Utility Dog in Poland. I have currently three prominent sires: MBIS MBISS Am. Can. GCh. Winterholme Any Way U Want It (Jax) who was the number one Shih Tzu in 2017 (all-breed) and the 2018 Westminster Best of Breed winner. He has produced three Best in Show kids in three different counties and the Cana- dian National Specialty Best of Breed winner. Am. Can. Ch. Winterholme Give a Little Love ROM (Stu- art) won an AOM at the 2018 Westminster dog show, the same year Jax won the breed. To date, he has produced over 14 American champions. Can. Ch. Winterholme’s Forever Rockin (Evan) has pro- duced many champions, with two Best in Show kids from the same litter. What are some of the unique challenges to breeding a Toy Breed? Shih Tzu as a whole tend to be very good dams. In my experience, most will free-whelp and are very attentive to their young. They are a laid-back breed and are quite willing to stay with their puppies long past the weaning age. Do I have specific regimens for feeding, immunizations, health & wellness? I’m very strict with what I feed. I only feed Fromm dog food and raw fruits and vegetables as treats. No commercial treats. I follow the puppy vaccina- tion series and the one-year booster, but stop after that un- less I am travelling out of the country with a dog. Are there specific challenges inherent to traveling with a Toy Breed? Any tips I can share? We are very fortunate as Toy breeders as we have the opportunity to bring our dogs in-cabin rather than as cargo, and this is much less stressful for the dog and for us. Shih Tzu have an added restriction as they are one of the banned brachycephalic breeds, so we only have the option of in-cabin travel.
I have been involved in pure- bred dogs since the early 1990s. I have been breeding Shih Tzu since 2002 and since that time have had champions in several countries around the world. My dogs have been the top Shih Tzu in Canada, the US, Bra- zil, Poland, and the number
one all breeds in South Africa, winning multiple Bests in Show and Bests in Specialty Show. My dog “Jax” was the all-breed number one Shih Tzu in the US in 2017 and was the Westminster Best of Breed winner in 2018. I am also a judge, licensed with the Canadian Kennel Club, and have enjoyed judging around the world. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, and have been in dog since the early 1990s. I’ve been breed- ing since 2002.
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“I think every breed has its challenges, but when they have that ‘it’ factor they cannot be denied.”
ALY BELL
As for tips, I usually carry everything I need for the dog just in case luggage gets lost. For young dogs, it helps to get them used to being in a carrier before you actually require it. Is my breed suitable as a Performance competitor? Are there any advantages? Any disadvantages? Shih Tzu are excellent in the Performance events. Many Shih Tzu are quite titled! Is there reason to be optimistic about my breed’s future? Any words of caution? I feel we have an active group of preservation breeders in Shih Tzu who have many, many years dedicated to the breed. The American Shih Tzu Club is a progressive club with several Regional Specialties and the National Specialty, which are well attended. Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? Yes, I believe those breeders have the breed in good hands. Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners? MBIS MBISS Winterholme Hollywood Award (Emmy) was my first American Best in Show winner. She was also AOM at Westminster in 2006. BIS BISS World Winner Am. Can. Ch. Winterholme American Girl (Mia) won the Canadian National from the classes and then went on to win the breed at the World Dog Show in Denmark in 2010. MBIS MBISS Am. Can. GCh. Winterholme Any Way U Want it (Jax) was the Number One Shih Tzu in 2017 (all- breed) and the 2018 Westminster Best of Breed. Am. Can. Ch. Winterholme Give a Little Love (Stuart) was AOM at the 2018 Westminster show. BIS BISS Winterholme Just T’Way U Are (Bridget) was a National Specialty and Best in Show winner the same weekend. How is showing a Toy Breed different than showing breeds from the other Groups? I think every breed has its chal- lenges, but when they have that “it” factor they cannot be denied. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever ex- perienced with one of my Toy Dogs? I had a young puppy at a National Specialty who was fascinated with the whole experience. We were in the 6-9 Puppy Class and he was standing like a statue, watching each puppy ahead of him go up and down the diagonal. He was riveted on them. I let my guard down, getting such a charge out of him, and all of a sudden, he decided it was all far too tempting and made a leap to join the current puppy in action. The lead whipped out of my hand! If not for the very fast reflexes of the com- petitor next to me, it would have been quite embarrassing! Shih Tzu puppies are never dull!!!
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in Venus, Texas, which is about 40 min- utes south of Fort Worth. I’ve been in dogs 15 years, breeding for 13. What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?
I started my Pomeranian program using the name BallO- Fur, since Pomeranians are little balls of fur, especially as puppies. When I began breeding Japanese Chin, I used Infiniti because I was always drawn to the infinity symbol. When Adrienne Wolfson joined me in the Japanese Chin program, we combined her longtime kennel name, Azure- Star, to form InfiniteStars Japanese Chin. I have 5-6 adults of each breed. It is a very small program since I am a pro- fessional handler and spend a lot of time on the road, so I can only keep the best and do my best to make very smart breeding decisions. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? In Japanese Chin, my foundation dog, “Grant,” GCH We- Syng Pleasantly Grand, certainly gave me a solid founda- tion in the breed. We kept two of his daughters, both of which have given us lovely puppies no matter what they are bred to. Our tri-color girl, “Ava,” CH Touche’s Who Do You Love at Skoshi, was left to us by Sharon Cotten. She has continued to produce quality puppies that have been able to produce well themselves. In Pomeranians, I started my program over a few years ago. I purchased a bitch from John Rogoskey whom I named “Alice,” Johnnylicious Down the Rabbit Hole. She is a daughter of GCH Silhouette’s Stark in Winterfell, and when bred to GCHS Silhouette’s Seek- ing Nirvana, “Cobain,” produced three lovely boys that all finished their championships; two are multiple Group win- ners, with one of those being a Reserve Best in Show win- ner and Best of Breed winner at Royal Canin 2022. Cobain certainly changed the face of my breeding program, but Al- ice also left me with two lovely daughters that I hope will continue her legacy in the whelping box. When one of those girls earns that last point, Alice will have earned her ROM. What are some of the unique challenges with breeding a Toy Breed? We don’t get very large litters, especially my Pomeranian girls. We are lucky to get three or four to
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“My word of advice to breeders here is: ‘Do not be afraid to share your dogs.’”
choose from, and I have had many singletons requiring C-section deliveries, despite changing many factors to try to reduce that. Because of this, I have to be very careful of which breedings I do, and remember that I cannot keep a dog from every pairing “just because.” There are a lot of dis- appointments when a dog from a hopeful pair does not turn out to be something I can keep, as so much planning and money go into each breeding. As travel with dogs gets more and more difficult and costly, I really have to think ahead on what will be the best breedings for each girl, and have alternates just in case things go wrong. Do I have specific regimens for feeding, immunizations, health & wellness? We vaccinate starting at 8-9 weeks. We do keep babies and moms separate from everyone else until they’ve had their first shot, and we do not let puppies go outside till two shots have been given. A lot of potential puppy buyers ask about house-breaking when they inquire, but since I do go to dog shows and we are in a country area with a lot of loose dogs, it just isn’t worth the risk to let our puppies go outside before they’ve been vaccinated. Other than that, I just keep them on a good quality food, and add supplements and probiotics as necessary. Are there specific challenges inherent to traveling with a Toy Breed? Any tips you can share? I think traveling with Toy dogs is certainly easier than travelling with a larger breed, since we can fit them under the seat of an airplane. Most hotels allow small dogs, so we can usually get in where other breeds may be outside a weight requirement. I do recommend making sure that your Toy dogs know how to potty on pee pads, just in case finding grass is difficult. Is my breed suitable as a Performance competitor? Are there any advantages? Any disadvantages? Pomeranians make excellent Performance dogs! They are smart as a whip, eager to please, and very energetic. I have seen Poms excel in Agility, Flyball, FastCAT, Rally, and just about anything you can imagine. The Japanese Chin is not quite the ideal breed as a whole, but as an individual dog, there are certainly Chin out there that love to perform in this arena and are very trainable. They are highly intelligent, but some are more outgoing than others. You just have to be mindful of temperature extremes if they are being par- ticularly active. Is there reason to be optimistic about my breed’s future? Any words of caution? I have seen tremendous improve- ments in many aspects of the Pomeranian since I started 15 years ago. Coats have improved greatly, and I believe American breeders are very conscientious about healthy coats as well as health in general. My caution would be for the judges to please be aware of breed type. The ultimate hallmark of the breed is the unique high head carriage. A Pomeranian that cannot maintain its carriage should never
be awarded at top levels of competition. In Japanese Chin, we are still struggling with low numbers but it seems that this is improving slowly. My word of advice to breeders here is: “Do not be afraid to share your dogs.” If you are too pro- tective of “your line” to the point of refusing to share with new people or someone else simply because they work with someone you don’t like, the breed will soon be in trouble. We need to be open to sharing our dogs so as not to limit the gene pool. Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient num- ber of preservation breeders? Yes, in both breeds. We have many people dedicated to preserving our Breed Standards. Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners? My two Cobain sons, “Johnny” and “Paul,” have certainly given me some memorable wins. Johnny is multi- ple Group-winning BISS GCHS BallOFur’s Happiness Is A Warm Pom. Paul is GCHS BallOFur’s Maybe I’m Amazed. Both of these boys were in the Top Ten the same year, and both are mulitple Group winners. Paul is a Reserve Best in Show winner and was awarded Best of Breed at the 2022 Royal Canin show, as well as Select Dog at one of the pre- shows. Those are definitely my most-winning Pomera- nians that I have bred. In Japanese Chin, we have a lovely young tri-color boy we call Mr. Perfect who is going into his second year as a Special in 2023. He is already a multiple Group winner at two years old. We are very excited about his future. How is showing a Toy Breed different than showing breeds from the other Groups? As someone who started show- ing Toys, and is learning to show bigger breeds, I can tell you it is very different. You have to be so in tune to the dog through the lead. I play around with tension a lot to “feel” how the dog is moving. If you move a dog at the wrong speed, you can really screw up their movement. And while this is true in any breed, I see a lot of all-breed handlers struggle to get the pace and speed right with smaller dogs. There is also a lot of emphasis on expression, which can be a chal- lenge as some dogs just don’t have that “I’m a statue” gene. Of course, this still can vary from breed to breed, but in my two breeds it is very important to show correct expression. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with one of my Toy Dogs? My first show dog, “Punkin,” has traveled with me his whole life. This dog has been my co-pilot for tens of thousands of miles, making friends with people everywhere we have gone. He’s had his picture taken in so many drive-thru windows by employ- ees, and he also used to come to work with me at a nursing home where he brought joy to so many residents. I think any chance I get to share these dogs with the public and bring a smile to someone’s face is a good day.
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BARBARA BREM
the established breeders. But I am also seeing subpar Tzu in the ring getting first place ribbons. This is sad because it just encourages poor quality. Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient num- ber of preservation breeders? There are still a number of dedicated breeders who truly care for the wellbeing of the Shih Tzu. I think the breed will still be the breed we have all come to love years down the road. Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners? I would have to give that first honor to Bronze Grand Champion Palaquin’s Lotus Blossom, aka “Blos- som.” Then to my newest show girl, Ch. Palaquins Lovers Lane. She finished at the age of seven months. How is showing a Toy Breed different than showing breeds from the other Groups? For me, getting down on my knees is not happening! So, I train mine to free-bait at an early age so that I don’t have to. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever ex- perienced with one of my Toy Dogs? The most amusing, I guess, was losing my bow on the down and back and also watching my Tzu stalk the other dogs in the next ring. I had to let my friend, Sharon, show her because of that. She just thought she was “all that” and a piece of cake too! CARLA JOHNSON I have one son and I’m the grandmother of two beautiful girls. My family is everything to me; showing and breeding come second. I love this breed and I love how each breeding is always to improve on the last one. The opportunity to go to big shows and learn from other breeders is great. I also love to help the new people coming into the breed because if we don’t, no one will want to stay. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in Highland, Illinois. I’ve been in dogs for 20 years; as a breeder for 18 years. What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep? My kennel name is JOCAR Shih Tzu. I currently keep eight dogs. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? My most influential sire has been GCH Jocar’s Future Invest- ment (Phorbes). My most influential dam has been CH Jo- car’s You Belong To Me (Patsy). What are some of the unique challenges to breeding a Toy Breed? Getting people interested in preserving the quali- ties of the breed is a challenge. I have been showing dogs for about 20 years and breeding for about 18 years. I work for a major hospital facility in St Louis, Missouri. I get to work from home and that is the best. I’m always around the dogs, so it’s easier to keep an eye on new puppies and mothers.
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in Belleville, Illinois. I have been in dogs for 42 years; as a breeder for 39 years. What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep? My kennel name is PALA-
QUIN. I currently have Hans Solo, Amora, Mia, Lyla, Lanie, and my new show hopeful, Summer, so that make six Shih Tzu. I find loving homes for my retired girls so I can give more attention to the one I have at home! Which have been my most influential sires and dams? Ch. Heartlands Promise of Love, aka “Katie,” represents five generations of champions. Sire is Wenrick’s Caught you Looking, aka “Looker.” This is from my early breeding. Now I would have to say, GCh. Palaquins Love Letter, aka “Amora.” Also, I had many great mentors along my journey: Greg Larson, Wendy Paquette, Kristie Miller, Carla John- son, and Janis Oehlschlager. What are some of the unique challenges to breeding a Toy Breed? You have to be there when the puppies are born! Al- ways a nervous time for me, as I tend to worry too much. Keeping them warm and having the proper whelping box! Do I have specific regimens for feeding, immunizations, health & wellness? I have my puppies checked by a vet at nine weeks old, if all is going well. That is when they get their first puppy 5-way shot and a full examination, then every 3 weeks till three vaccines are given. I like to start my puppies on a moistened Purina Toy breed puppy food because of its tiny size kibble. I like to leave some dry down for them at around 3 weeks of age, and have had some suc- cess with them just going for it. But, of course, it never stays in the whelping box too long because Mom eats it. Puppies get plenty of socialization, as my son and grandchildren in- teract with them from an early age. Are there specific challenges inherent to traveling with a Toy Breed? Any tips you can share? Traveling with a Toy breed, talking about a Shih Tzu, is to make sure they stay cool and have plenty of ventilation. I do not feed right be- fore I leave for a show, as the travel can make some car sick. I carry water, paper towels, and plastic bags in case of an accident. Is my breed suitable as a Performance competitor? Are there any advantages? Any disadvantages? The Shih Tzu loves to perform, but not always at your command. I have heard of many wonderful and smart Tzu that compete in all different forms of athletic events like Agility, FastCAT, Obe- dience and such. I do not have the patience it takes for this. Is there reason to be optimistic about my breed’s future? Any words of caution? I am very optimistic on the Shih Tzu future. Several newcomers to the breed are trying to do the right thing in their breeding programs, learning from
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Do I have specific regimens for feeding, immunizations, health & wellness? Feeding consistently on a schedule and providing yearly health checks with my vet. Are there specific challenges inherent to traveling with a Toy Breed? Any tips you can share? Toy Breeds are easier to travel with. Is my breed suitable as a Performance competitor? Are there any advantages? Any disadvantages? Yes, they can be a Performance competitor. Is there reason to be optimistic about my breed’s future? Any words of caution? I worry that I can’t reach enough backyard breeders to help educate them. The Shih Tzu is a wonderful companion. Their job is to sit on your lap. They are very special, so take your time when it comes to picking a stud dog or dam. We are here to improve the breed, not ruin it. Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? Yes I do. Which show dogs from the past have been my notewor- thy winners? OH BIS MBISS GCHS Jocar’s Add A Little Garnish (Parsley). She finished as the No. 1 Shih Tzu in the country for 2002. How is showing a Toy Breed different than showing breeds from the other Groups? I don’t have enough info on show- ing other breeds. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with one of my Toy Dogs? At the Royal Canin National Championship, one of the biggest shows of the year, Parsley pulled out of her lead in the Breed ring. She just stood there, waiting for me to put it back on so that we could finish our down and back to the judge. SUSAN LINK
and dams. For dams, CH Yama Tomosiki (Dottie) and CH Choya Konarmi Midwood (Nova). Both are gorgeous girls that Scott Toney and I purchased from Sheila Vincent and Rhonda Banks, both in England. Dottie and Nova pro- duced beautiful type which continues today through their various offspring. What are some of the unique challenges to breeding a Toy Breed? I think it starts with a thoughtful consideration of goals. Imagine your future and the plans toward achiev- ing those goals. Specifically, for a Japanese Chin, you are dealing with one of the smallest brachycephalic breeds and considerations must be made early for natural or C-section births. Small litters and small birth weights mean careful, constant monitoring of whelping box temperatures, feed- ings, and puppy growth. Challenges include paying particu- lar attention to the mother’s needs of hydration and proper nourishment for nursing. I’m sure every dedicated breeder has a very similar list of care, but the challenge presented with breeding and raising Japanese Chin puppies is one of intensity—with not much room for error. I have also found that with these tiny puppies, sometimes it’s often a combina- tion of the individual fortitude of a puppy to thrive, matched with an equal amount of fortitude from the breeder. Do I have specific regimens for feeding, immunizations, health and wellness? My dogs are interesting in their pack behavior of eating. They like to eat together, rotating around each other, almost like they are discussing a buffet put before them. I like glucosamine and probiotic supple- ments. I’ve always followed my husband’s recommenda- tions for preventative treatments like Bravecto, heartworm preventative, and vaccines with special consideration of the Bordetella and Influenza vaccines to protect traveling show dogs. Also important are various OFA health certi- fications, GM2-cleared, eyes, heart, and patellas and any new testing available. Are there specific challenges inherent to traveling with a Toy Breed? Any tips I can share? You always need to be aware of the temperature. I cannot over-emphasize the im- portance of never letting a Chin get too hot. I carry syringes that I use to draw up water to give orally if I don’t witness them drinking from bottles or bowls. Sometimes a dog might not be the best eater on the road. I bring their food from home and make it a point in a hotel to settle down and eat in front of them because they seem to enjoy us all eating together. I always have Nutri-Cal as a supplement. Is my breed suitable as a Performance competitor? Are there any advantages? Any disadvantages? I have not trained a Chin in Obedience or Agility, but I know that Chin have competed successfully. I love seeing Chin enjoy- ing their life to the fullest. Is there a reason to be optimistic about my breed’s future? Any words of caution? I’m always optimistic. The Japanese Chin is an ancient breed. We are their stewards for a short time. My only word of caution would be to not give up. Be proud of the challenge to continue this beautiful breed. That challenge is a gift. T op N otch T oys , J anuary 2023 • 27
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live way out in the country, about an hour northeast of Charlotte, North Carolina. My husband and I both have been involved in dogs for 45 years. He is a veterinar- ian, still busy running a single-
man practice. I am a vet tech, mom and grandmother and I show dogs. My involvement with Japanese Chin began around 15 years ago. What is my kennel name? My kennel is named St. James, named after my saint of a husband, Jim, who has shoul- dered more than his share of the work associated with my endeavors in dogs. It’s also the name of the church where we were married 43 years ago. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? My sires would be CH Yama Secret Agent (Danny) and his son, CH St. James Dorset Dreams (Dino). They both produced outstanding puppies that went on to have very success- ful show careers and are now themselves wonderful sires
“Finding good homes is a challenge. I never breed a litter unless I have an extensive wait list.”
JEANNIE LOVE
Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? Absolutely! There are legends in this breed who are still hard at work producing beauti- ful breed type. One such legend whom I was very fortunate to meet years ago was Sheila Vincent of Yama Kennels fame. We became good friends and she allowed me to pur- chase my lovely male, CH Yama Secret Agent (I called him “Danny” after Daniel Craig), who became my foundation. I continue to be inspired by her. Sheila was introduced to me at a JCCA National Specialty by my dear friend and show partner, Scott Toney. Which show dogs from the past have been my notewor- thy winners? The two who come to mind immediately are GCH Rakuchin Cashmoor at Midwood who won the Breed at Westminster. To hear the booming voice of the an- nouncer in Madison Square Garden say, “May we have the Toy Group” and see our dog come down the hallway, under the sure and steady lead of my partner, Scott, and into the bright lights of The Garden is a special moment of time you never forget. And to be on the lead of my sweet girl, GCHB St James Felicity, who just recently, in October, won the JCCA National Specialty was another one of those dreams come true. How is showing a Toy Breed different than showing breeds from the other Groups? I did start my show career in the Working Group with a Samoyed, and later, a Rottweiler in Conformation and Obedience. The obvious difference is the size, but I think breeds within the same Group can be completely different. I think it’s an individual relationship that you develop with every dog you show. You ask them to trust you, and when they do, it’s magic. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with one of my Toy Dogs? My beautiful boy, Danny, loved to show off and get attention. But he was the only dog I’ve ever known who actually seemed to get em- barrassed. If he had a favorite toy, he would march back and forth in front of the TV until we all said, “Ooooooh, Danny.” But, he would get flustered and trip while he was strutting around, and then become self-conscience and have to go collect himself before trying it all again. Once, I was con- ditioning one of my Chin on the treadmill and Danny was convinced that he should try it. So, I let him get on, with the treadmill barely moving, and it was as if he was attempt- ing to walk with boots on. We laughed so hard and I swear I could see him blush. He got off the treadmill and forgave us for laughing. He was the dearest boy.
I got my first IG in 1987 and bred my first litter in 1989. Initially, I wasn’t interested in showing but my mentor talked me into it and that was 32 years ago. My current show girl is Number 9 in the US.
Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in Haw- thorne, California. I’ve had Italian Greyhounds for 37 years and have been breeding for about 35 years. What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep? Amore’ Italian Greyhounds is my kennel name. I currently have seven IGs. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? My most influential sire was Ch. Amore’s Rebel Without a Cause; my most influential dam was Ch. Amore’s Til the End of Time. I currently co-own a lovely Canadian boy, Ch. Diavolino’s Lost in the Moment, who is producing wonder- ful get. Four of his get had nice wins at the Woofstock clus- ter in 2022. He is Red Velvet’s sire. What are some of the unique challenges to breeding a Toy Breed? Finding good homes is a challenge. I never breed a litter unless I have an extensive wait list. Do I have specific regimens for feeding, immunizations, health & wellness? I use a spreadsheet to keep track of when vaccines or medications or health checkups are due. My feeding regimen is that I feed twice a day, using a high- grade kibble mixed with raw beef or chicken. Are there specific challenges inherent to traveling with a Toy Breed? Any tips I can share? Actually, traveling with a Toy Breed is very easy. I use pee pads in the motel bath- room and a carry-on Sherpa for the plane ride. Is my breed suitable as a Performance competitor? Are there any advantages? Any disadvantages? IGs excel at Lure Coursing, Agility, FastCAT, Scent Work, etc. Is there reason to be optimistic about my breed’s future? Any words of caution? Yes, we have some very talented Ju- niors coming up. Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? Yes, but unfortunately, many long-time breeders are deciding to stop breeding. The cost is becoming a big issue. Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners? Noteworthy winners include GCh. Diavolino
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but I never agreed with that. It should be structure that is of prime importance. I’ve seen beautifully coated Yorkies in the ring that couldn’t move. To me, a good, healthy, well- structured Yorkie was more important than what was on the outside. Do I have specific regimens for feeding, immunizations, health & wellness? I free-feed my dogs—always have. I give them soft food, once a day, and they always have dry food down, in case they’re hungry. I mostly gave my own shots and cropped tails and dewclaws myself. (I probably built my vet’s clinic, though.) Are there specific challenges inherent to traveling with a Toy Breed? Any tips I can share? We took our motorhome to the shows that were out of town. My dogs were always crated and strapped down in case of an accident. Dogs should never be loose in a moving vehicle. Is my breed suitable as a Performance competitor? Are there any advantages? Any disadvantages? Yes, we have them at our Yorkie Specialties. Some of my friends have Yorkies that are really swift. I sold a larger Yorkie to a friend of mine who wanted one for that purpose. He was a good 7 lbs. and sturdy as a rock. (Read about him in my re- sponse to the last question.) Is there reason to be optimistic about my breed’s future? Any words of caution? I’m not optimistic, but I’d rather not answer this. Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? I really shouldn’t answer this. Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners? Noteworthy winners include Bonsai’s Joker Is Wild Pizzy, he was my heart, and JonAn’s Dixie Girl, out of Abon Hassan’s Jay Jay. How is showing a Toy Breed different than showing breeds from the other Groups? There isn’t any difference that I’ve found. I’ve shown in different Groups and the rules are the same. Know your dog, have your dog well trained, and know the rules for showing. I always recommend to the people who ask me for advice to get the kids guide [Junior Show- manship] from the AKC. Those kids are awesome and the ones who win have studied the book. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever ex- perienced with one of my Toy Dogs? Oh, goodness, there are so many things. There’s always something to laugh about at every show: The girl who went in the ring with blue hands from dying her dog (the judge was a hairdresser). The woman who laid flat on the floor after she finished her dog. All of us running around the ring looking for a certain kind of lead because the judge said we couldn’t go in “her” ring with the ones we were using. On the way to a show, seeing two Great Dane heads sticking out of the sunroof of the car in front of us, and the best one... I sold a larger Yorkie to a friend of mine for Obedience. At his first show, he was still a puppy, he got loose and ran all around the ring. Half the people outside the ring tried to catch him—and it took 20 minutes. People were falling all over, diving after him, but he would escape. I never laughed so much in my life.
Amore’ Sugar Cookie (her mother, Canadian/American Grand champion Diavolino’s Own the Moment, was Best of Winners at the 2009 IGCA National). Daughter Cookie was Best of Winners at the 2019 IGCA National, and her daughter, GCHB Amore’s Red Velvet, was just awarded Se- lect Bitch at the 2022 National. That’s three generations of National winners. How is showing a Toy Breed different than showing breeds from the other Groups? Unfortunately, IGs are usually scheduled at 8 or 9 in the morning. It’s too cold for skinny, short-haired dogs that early and they don’t show well in the cold. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with one of your Toy Dogs? Several years ago, I packed up the car and drove an hour to the show venue. When I unpacked the car to go ringside, there was no dog in the crate. I forgot to put my girl in her crate; left her safe and warm at home. I still laugh when I remember that. COOKIE ROGAN
I’m not breeding or showing any- more, but I’m still active in a couple of my clubs. The one I’m most hap- py to be involved in is the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Founda- tion of which I’m the Vice Presi- dent. The website is Yorkshire Ter- rier Club of America Foundation, Inc. ( ytcaf.org ) and we’re always looking for donations to support the health of the Yorkshire Terrier.
We are having an online auction on our website, with many lovely Yorkie items and all funds go to the Foundation for Yorkie health. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in Harahan, Louisiana. My husband and I have been in dogs since 1965; 57 years. We started in Ger- man Shepherd Dogs, then Schnauzers, and Maltese and Yorkies in the 1970s. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? I started with the Abon Hasson line, and the last I mixed in was the Lordean and Bonsai. I’m not breeding anymore, but I’m still in clubs and interested in what’s happening with the Yorkie. I only have one Yorkie left that I co-own; she’s out of my line. Her name is Int’l. and Am. Ch. Bricriu’s Fill ‘er Up. What are some of the unique challenges to breeding a Toy Breed? One thing is they don’t usually have lots of puppies to get a show dog out of a litter. I would get 3 or 4 in a litter, if I was lucky, whereas my Shepherds produced 8 to 10 in my litters. The main thing, though, is breeding for the correct structure in Yorkies. It’s hard with such a small dog. I al- ways went for a heavier-boned Yorkie rather than the light- er, more delicate ones. I know coat is of prime importance,
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