| Sheltie
Quote
I
would suggest that any newcomer to the
breed visit as many top kennels as
possible, study the standard of the breed
and ask advice of those who can truly tell
them what to breed for and what to look
for. Buy the best available and breed to
the best. They may not necessarily be
those who sire the most champions as they
might not suit the line you have decided
on. Try to improve each litter and above
all, take good care of your dogs, feeding
and training correctly. Go to the shows
and watch others. Ask questions. Learn as
much as you can before you start. |
| Am/Can
Ch Linden Winsong McKenna is my foundation
for what I have today. He came to me
needing his majors, and we got them with
some very respectable judges. He in turn
sired my first home bred Champion, Ch
Raven's All You Need Is Love, to
make two champions here at Raven. We are
currently working on dogs from the 3rd and
4th generation, who are now AKC pointed
and well on their way to their AKC
Championship. These dogs have "the
look" and movement that we are
striving to preserve in the breed.
The
best way to learn how to groom, breed and
show Shelties, is to join an local Sheltie
club. I was very fortunate to have been an
active member of the Nashville Shetland
Sheepdog club for several years, before it
was dissolved, for lack of active members.
I still miss this club, and the knowledge
we shared. Local all-breed clubs are also
very valuable. They hold conformation
classes for puppies, which helps get
puppies ready for the show ring. Seminars
are held by the various club specialty
clubs, and all-breed clubs. These seminars
teach grooming, handling, breeding,
obedience, agility , and other things. I
have attended the seminar, "Stamping
The Look" by Cheryl Anderson,
"Born To Win", by Patricia Craig
Trotter, and "Showing Your Dog To
Win" by Eric and Nancy Liebes. In
January, I attended a seminar by Myra
Savant Harris on "Canine Reproduction
and Puppy Intensive Care".
I
feel that showing in Conformation is a
vital aspect of my breeding program. I
encourage all prospective Sheltie buyers
to do their homework and ask questions,
like: Is your breeder ACTIVE in AKC
showing? Do they test their breeding
stock? Are the puppies well socialized?
I
am presently working on a third and fourth
generation for the show ring, and am
adding some AOAC's to my program. I hope
to continue the line of success that I
have today. It has taken me years, almost
15 to be exact, to have the quality that I
have today. I am grateful and honored to
have dogs that are able to compete in AKC
conformation shows and win!!! Watch for us
at the shows, and come say hello. We
always love to talk Shelties and show off
our dogs! |
