Question of the Week

Cody Sickle

Oyster Bay Cove, New York

My first, and only, breed was a Bulldog. It took me nearly three years to save the money to buy my Bulldog. I had only seen Bulldogs in cartoons and thought that would be a great dog. The first two Bulldogs I actually saw were my puppy's mother and my puppy ... on the day I bought her. We named her Cherokee, and she was a wonderful pet. Little did I know what a wonderful impact she would have on my life. I am blessed to be a Bulldogger and a member of the "dog show world."

Dr. Sophia Kaluzniacki 

Green Valley, Arizona

I remember the moment I chose my first breed because it is ingrained on my brain forever. I was five years old, and we lived in Sweden. I was looking out the window of our apartment and saw a man walking what I found out later was a German Shepherd.

The dog was off leash, walking at heel and carrying a basket in his mouth. Suddenly the dog put the basket down and went to anoint a bush along the sidewalk. The man kept right on walking, not looking at or saying anything to the dog. When the dog was finished doing his duties, he went right to the basket, picked it up and caught up to the man, who was already half a block away. I thought to myself that when I get a dog of my own someday that would be the kind of dog I wanted. 

I finally got my own German Shepherd eight years later when we moved to Michigan. He was all Liebestraum breeding, and Grant Mann of Liebestraum Kennels became my mentor for the breed.  

Candy Way

Cochranville, Pennsylvania

My parents would never let me have a dog. But I had always wanted a Saint Bernard because of the Topper movie series. So for my wedding present from my husband, he got me a Saint Bernard puppy.

That was the end of a “normal” life.

Joan Zielinski

Olympia, Washington

My late husband, Stan, and I chose Saint Bernards as our first purebred dog back in 1965. We had four young children, so we needed a breed that would be good with kids, and since we both wanted a giant breed, a Saint Bernard seemed a logical choice. We were never disappointed in our choice. The Saint’s quiet demeanor while always acting as a guardian for his kids was so gratifying to witness. Always vigilant, he would station himself between his kids and anything he’d perceive as dangerous, using his body as a barrier. After having 175 champions bearing our Stoan’s Saints prefix, we’ve been proud and happy with our choice of this wonderful breed.

Claudette Papenberg 

Madison, Florida

I saw this beautiful Doberman when I was just out of high school in 1973 — it was so well behaved. I was very impressed. So when the time came and I moved out of my parents’ home, I shopped around and got my beautiful black/rust female. I had her ears cropped. When old enough, we both went to school. “Sparkle” was my best friend. Today I still have my first breed. 

Lisa Harper

Portland, Connecticut

I grew up with Chesapeakes, but did not show. My best friend from college took me to watch her aunt Judy Seibert show her Portuguese Water Dogs at the Brush Prairie show. Judy adopted me pretty quickly. I paid for my first show PWD by producing a grooming video for Judy. I was a terrible handler, but at my first IABCA show was awarded a Group 1. I thought it would always be like that. Ha! When we moved to AKC, we didn't win again for several years. Bless Judy for picking me up off the floor again and again! I did love working with the PWDs in agility and water, and also the study of basic disease genetics fascinated me.

In 2000, Judy gave me my first Spanish Water Dog. Since then, my life has pretty much been devoted to that breed.

Sharon G. Yard

Lovettsville, Virginia

As a young girl I had a German Shepherd bitch — dumbest dog I’ve ever owned! My roommate said she would take her. So I started looking around for another breed of dog. I came upon the book by Maurice Sendak, “Higglety Pigglety Pop! Or, There Must Be More To Life.” I was charmed, and of all things I soon learned there was a Sealyham breeder right in Peoria, Illinois, where I lived. So I went to see, and of course there were puppies, and I picked out one with a large spot on its back. (A bad fault!)

That was the beginning of my life with Sealyhams.  After a while, and after grooming and showing Sealyhams for a number of years, I was elected president of the American Sealyham Terrier Club, a position I held for more than 20 years!

Terri VandeZande

Hudson, Michigan

I went to a friend’s for a holiday visit, and her daughter was there with an Irish Terrier! It was love at first sight. I had had Jack Russells and Goldens and Labs.

I love the rugged, rough look and the snappy attitude! There was a gentleness and loving side as well. It took a little while before I got one. Now I have 11 in different age groups, and many champions, specialty winners, RBIS and BIS winners …

Janie A. Hecker

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

I came to the world of purebred dogs a year before I retired from a 40-year career in education. My husband and I had lost our German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix the year before. I had always had cats, but my husband clearly favored having dogs. I found myself missing the presence of a dog in our home and shared that with my husband, who declared, “You, the cat woman … want another dog. Well, I still miss Zena, so you can choose the dog you want.” I told him about the tri-colored dog I had seen on my dog walks. It had a calm, quiet manner as we passed the dog’s home. I later learned that it was a Bernese Mountain Dog.

When I researched the breed, I learned about their health issues and short lifespan. So, I was advised to go the Canine Learning Experience held by the Lehigh Valley Kennel Club. In 2012, the site was loaded with all different breed booths. It was literally eye candy for dog lovers. I had never attended an event like this and was in awe of all the beautiful breeds. As my husband and I traveled through the aisles, we came upon the Bernese Mountain Dog booth. There was a puppy, and as I gazed at this appealing pup, I started to talk myself into choosing this breed, even though I had so many concerns.

My husband broke my trance by calling me to the next booth. There stood a Lincoln-like gentleman (Joe) standing with a tri-colored dog that had short hair. He said, “I did not give a Berner a haircut — this is a different breed, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.” We went on to discuss his breed and he answered all my questions. As we left the booth, I told my husband that I had found the breed I wanted. Four months later, a litter sired by the dog we had met with Joe was on the ground. We took a male, named him “Toby” and ended up showing him, breeding him, and sadly saying goodbye to him at age 11½. We still have three Swissies in our home … all because Toby entered our lives.

Beverly Vics

The Villages, Florida

When I was a kid, we watched “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon.” I told my dad I wanted one of those dogs.  He said, “When you grow up and get married, you can have one.” I grew up, got married and got my first Alaskan Malamute.

Miranda Vance

Bexley, Ohio

I am allergic to many breeds (mostly short-haired dogs), and when I graduated college, I did research for two years looking for a dog that wouldn't bother my allergies — going to shows, talking to breeders, fostering. It was just me, in an apartment, and I finally settled on the Norwegian Elkhound. Oddly enough, the northern breeds don't bother my nose at all, even though they're furballs!  I love the spitz-type dogs, and a lot of them are very high energy, but the Elkhound was just the best dog for me — ready to hike five miles, or lie on my feet while I watch football; big enough for me to feel safe walking around at night but small enough to go in the car anywhere with me. Great with kids and the elderly, both of which I had in my visiting family, and just the best family dog ever — they love to do whatever you want to do, as long as they can be with you.

My first Elkhound even won over my non-dog-loving mother, who spoiled him rotten when we visited my parents: She said he was better behaved than the neighbors' children!

Deborah Barrett

Hoover, Alabama

My dear husband was out of town sometimes for his job, and we were poor, so we weren't living in the best neighborhood. We wanted a dog that would alert me if necessary and look imposing. We went to the shows, did all the research, and chose Chow Chows. They are so clean and bond with their owners, and are practically born housebroken. We have never regretted our choice.

Suzanne Orban-Stagle

Hurlock, Maryland

When I was a kid growing up in New York City, my mom used to take me to the Associated Terrier Specialties at the armory at 168th Street. Then she would take me to Westminster for two days. (Yup, I was out of school.)

I fell in love with the Wire Fox Terrier because I thought they were the most beautiful breed I had ever seen!

Every year I would sit at that ring after just glancing at the others … and one year I was brave enough to introduce myself to Mrs. Eve Ballich, who I thought had the most beautiful of the beautiful! Fortunately for me, she eventually became my mentor and a lifelong friend!

Ann Moore Schultz

Joppa, Maryland

In high school, I was working at the local humane society. In the early ’70s there rarely were "adoptable" dogs. There was this black-and-tan matted female terrier; her time was up since no one was interested in adopting her. Part of the problem was she bit/snapped at every male employee there. Since I was the only female, I went and got her when it was her time to be "put to sleep." I held her lovingly in my arms, waiting, but my employer said, "You have until tomorrow to talk your parents into her going home with you." It wasn't easy, but "Terri" came home with me and started my love of Welsh Terriers!

Sylvia Calderwood 

Charleston, South Carolina

Actually, I had several different purebred dogs before I "chose" my first breed. I knew I wanted to be a purebred dog breeder from a very early age. But life came first, and I got my education, got married and had children. After my third child was born, it was my turn to fulfill my dreams. I took AKC’s “Complete Dog Book” and studied all the breeds. There were 115 at the time, if my memory is correct. Cocker Spaniels were all the rage.

I had three small children, so it had to be a family dog. After having a Miniature Schnauzer, I didn't want to have to crop, dock or strip coats. After having a Beagle with ear problems, I preferred not having drop ears. After having a Poodle, I didn't want a high grooming maintenance dog. I grew up on Lassie, but Collies were too big for three little girls. The herding dogs sounded like they fit my lifestyle the best.

I was in obedience at the time, and I was told that Shelties tried hard to please. I was also impressed by the Sheltie being in the top 20, but not the top two or three in popularity. That seemed important to me at the time, because I wanted there to be a market for puppies, but not a saturated market, if that makes sense.

I felt like I was giving on the high maintenance if I chose the Sheltie, but was assured that even though they have a lot of hair, they are easy to keep up. That turned out to be very true. What I wasn't prepared for was that in 1964, Shelties were not very gregarious. Oh, yes, they were great family dogs, but they were not very brave. If I had known that, I might have gone in a different direction. But it's been 60 years, and more than 160 champions since I made that decision, and even though most Shelties are still not real brave, I guess it's a bit late to change my mind now. Grin!

Edy Dykstra-Blum

Ocala, Florida

I actually was afraid of dogs. Then a friend sent me a picture of his car with an Old English Sheepdog sitting on the hood. That was so adorable, I asked what that kind of dog it was, and I wanted one. That is how I got my first and only breed, in 1975.

Diana Smiley 

Santa Rosa, California

My first breed was Rottweilers, and I met one when I met my last husband. She was an import from England, and I didn't know anything about them. A judge saw her and thought she was very special. She bred Rottweilers herself, and lived in Mount Holly, New Jersey. She had a big old champion named Hoss, and said if I would let her breed her male to my female she would sell all the puppies for me. She did sell them all to show people and all of them finished. I kept one for obedience because I knew nothing about conformation shows. This was in the ’70s. That female became top-producing female that year.

I met someone else, and I got a beautiful female for myself. A handler named Walter Kabersky asked if he could show her. I said yes, she won, and I was hooked on conformation. After about 10 years I changed my breed to Akitas because they were so colorful and beautiful.

I met my now husband who also had Akitas at the Akita national in Massachusetts. He is from California, and after a year I moved from New Jersey to California. Then I decided I needed a smaller breed, which I have been breeding and showing myself for almost 30 years. That is the Shiba Inu.

I finished more than 100 Shiba Inu myself, but now I cannot due to my bad knees, and now I have a handler.

Karen Florentine

Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

We were looking for a small breed to grow up with my son. We went into a pet store just to look at breeds in person, and the pet-store owner, who was also a breeder, asked if we had ever seen a Bouvier des Flandres. She opened the door to the back of the store and out walked this big, black, hairy dog. Her name was Sam, and she walked over to my son and waited to be petted. She was a two-year-old show dog who had gotten a stick in her eye and was returned to the breeder. She came home with us that day, and I have had Bouviers for more than 35 years since.  

Pamela Bradbury

Limestone, Tennessee

I knew I wanted to show dogs. My first dog was an American Cocker Spaniel, and I was 10 years old. The show was Sturgis, Michigan. However, the people did not clean up after their dogs, and the smell of dog waste sent me back to horses, where I remained. But in my 20s I was attracted to dogs once more. 

I spent the next 10 years researching dogs. My requirements were availability, health, portability, maintenance, intelligence and versatility. I chose the Pembroke Welsh Corgi for these reasons. However, it was a closed breed at the time, so I went to England. I visited many kennels, and attended Crufts several times and many other championship shows. At that point I became well known enough to import several high-quality dogs (Bulcorg, Kaytop, Olantigh and others). They were shown under the Northwood prefix. These dogs paved the way for my Tibetan Spaniels, shown under the Dragonsong Prefix. Thanks to the famous Braeduke Tibs and Colphil, also Helfor kennels, for mentoring me and providing me with outstanding dogs, several of which still live with me.

Lisa Sons

Homer Glen, Illinois

I saw a picture of Coco the Norfolk Terrier when I was researching breeds, and I thought that is the cutest little red dog. I waited for the International Kennel Club to come to Chicago to see the Norfolk Terriers. My mother used to take us to the IKC when I was a child so I knew I could see some in person. When I arrived at the ring, the Norwich were getting ready to go in. I saw all these darling, bright, little teddy-bear faces looking up at me and I was sold. I said whatever that is, I want that, and I never looked back ...

Bobbie Wood

Cranford, New Jersey

My first and only breed for 56 years. Many years ago, I had some dear friends who purchased two Lhasa Apsos when they started to live together. However, as time passed, the relationship began to fall apart, and they split up. One of them moved out, taking one of the dogs, but my other friend, who was a psychologist, felt she wouldn’t have time for a dog. So, knowing I loved dogs, she offered me hers. Buttons was adorable, and she was my companion everywhere I went. Summer stock was her territory. She knew all the people involved in our productions, so if anyone arrived she didn’t know, all 10 pounds of her would run up on the stage and bark at them to beat the band, placing herself between the intruder and her cast members. 

My friends were going to breed Lhasas, so I decided to try to have a litter. I bred my first litter in 1971 and have spent my years to the present in a hobby that has brought lifelong friends, beautiful dogs and world travel. I couldn’t have asked for more!

Jay Phinizy

Acworth, New Hampshire

I grew up with Wire Fox Terriers at home and Irish Water Spaniels at my grandmother’s place in the San Fernando Valley. I didn’t have a choice. Elin got “our" first Deerhound in 1970. I’m glad she did.

Richard Miller

LaHarpe, Illinois

I chose the Chihuahua before I even knew there were two coat varieties. I wanted a small dog that was smart and easy to live with. The Chihuahua fit these criteria. I was a high school student between 10th and 11th grade. The smooth bitch I purchased fit right into our family. My mother would not let her sleep in my bed, but she sent her upstairs to get me out of bed in the mornings. This all started in 1957. I retired from breeding and exhibiting in 2013. I have many cherished memories in these 56 years with the breed.  

Sylvia Arrowwood

Charleston, South Carolina

I was a court reporter and went to the home of a disabled person who happened to have a Pug to take a deposition. I have never seen such a breed and was captivated by the flat 

face and "snuffeling." That was 50 years ago. Now I have a retired show Pug from a friend who I met through the breed. Her name is LuLu and I am still enamored with the Pug breed.

Mark Francis Jaeger

Mason, Michigan

When Karin graduated from Michigan State, she wanted a dog as her graduation present. (Her parents had gotten a Miniature Poodle when she was 13, but Nikki stayed with them.) She had met a Schnauzer that lived around the corner and thought this would be a good breed for her. We were fortunate to connect with Bob and Sharon Tomanica, who showed Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers under the Tammashann prefix. Max wasn't a great show dog, but he did well in obedience and got us hooked on the sport.

Christie Martinez

Gig Harbor, Washington

I was born into my first breed(s). My mother and grandmother were dog lovers. I have pictures of myself at two years old lying on my Samoyed “Keta,” hence my kennel name d’Keta (of Keta) Samoyeds. In my arms was “Sissy,” my Toy Fox Terrier. A few years, later my mother got two Toy Poodles: “Dodger,” who was black, and an apricot poodle named “Red.”

Then came the two Chow Chows, both a deep, rich red. All these came into my life by the time I was 10 years old. The Sams and TFTs have always been part of my life.

Steven Herman

Wesley Chapel, Florida

My only exposure to purebred dogs was to Weimaraners. My parents’ friends had one when we used to visit, and I had a Latin teacher in high school who told great stories about his bitch — how she was independent and protective. 

When I was ready for a dog of my own, I inquired of my co-worker, who I knew showed dogs, if he could steer me to a Weimaraner. I lived on the Space Coast, and he brought me a list of three names. The closest one was in Miami. Having no concept, I said, “Who the hell would go all the way to Miami for a dog?”

He then mentioned he had a litter of German Shorthaired Pointers (11 to be exact), and that the breed, which I had never heard of, was a lot like Weimaraners — just liver (he might have said brown) and white.  I perused a book titled “How to Pick Out a Puppy” and made my way to his home the following Saturday. I picked a male, and home he went with me. That was 1980.

Wyoma Clouss

Meridian, Idaho

My husband and I had been married about a year when I decided we needed a dog, any dog, maybe a Cocker or a Sheltie. Since he had always felt sorry for his childhood Irish Setter that been strictly an outdoors dog, my husband set criteria that it had to be small enough to be an indoors dog, couldn’t shed, and couldn’t be a Toy Poodle. So I started researching, reading library books, talking to groomers. One mentioned Min Schnauzers. Never heard of them! I found a local lady who had a pair. We went to see them and fell in love. Active, alert little wires, they were the cutest things ever!

With the help of several local dog people, we found a lovely puppy out of the handsome dog on the cover of Schnauzer Shorts magazine, #1 at the time, Ch. Hughcrest Hugh Hefner, shown by Clay Cody. It’s been true love ever since. Min Schnauzers are the best, and the story goes on.