Those of you who breed know, like me, how challenging it can be to teach a new puppy owner who is not in your immediate area. How do you help them prepare for the show ring and raise their puppies to be good show dogs when they aren’t nearby? This Read more…
After taking an almost 14 year break in breeding, I began again last year with a new breed. I have moved from Dachshunds to Lowchen and bred my first Lowchen litter last year. I take the job of breeder very seriously. I recognize the huge responsibility to produce and create Read more…
SAFE PUPPY EVALUATIONS Many breeders, such as myself, grade our puppies at around 8 weeks old. The official “puppy grading” is when the breeder and the breeder’s friends, mentors and peers get together to look at each puppy as a group and as individuals and decide which puppies are show Read more…
4-6 MONTH PUPPY COMPETITION Ever since AKC began offering the 4-6 month old puppy competition I have had people asking me what I think about it and whether or not they should enter their puppies in it. I have a lot of thoughts on this and what you need to Read more…
One of the things we have to get our show dogs used to is being groomed. Of course, depending on the breed of dog grooming can be extremely labor intensive or very little work at all. Dogs that are heavily coated need to learn to accept being blow dried, brushed, Read more…
Yes! It’s true! I do allow young puppies in my conformation classes, in fact, I encourage it. Because the methods that I use for training show dogs (and all dogs actually) are positive reinforcement methods young puppies do great and are welcome to attend. Young puppies (2 to 5 months) Read more…