10 Questions

Lisa M. Gallizzo

Greenway Bernese Mountain Dogs

AKC Registered Handler 

Hometown: Somerset, New Jersey

Sign: Libra 

1. Do you have any dog-show superstitions?

I really don’t have any superstitions. I do, however, seem to have a “lucky” dress.

2. TV-show guilty pleasure?

New York Yankees baseball.

3. If you were president of AKC for one day, what would you do?

I plead the fifth.

4. Most valued material possession?

My great-grandmother’s recipe book. Anyone who has been to my home and had stuffed shells, crab dip, braised short ribs or the biscotti my sister makes can back me up on the just a fraction of value in that book.  

5. What is something no one would guess about you?

I’ll never turn down a round of golf.

6. Who would you compare yourself to?

We are all unique; it’s not healthy to compare yourself to anyone.

7. What are you “famous” for?

My naturally curly hair.

8. What website do you visit most often?

Infodog.com. Shows are always changing, and one must stay up to the minute!

9.  What was more memorable, your most satisfying win or disappointing defeat? And what was it?

While I currently breed Bernese Mountain Dogs, I grew up with Golden Retrievers in the Northeast during the early 1990s.  At one point in the mid 2000s, I had the pleasure of piloting GCh. Goldenway’s Caramel Chew Chew – “Shiloh.” I showed the dog to a Top 20 tie, and the most memorable win I ever had was in in Lima, Ohio. The dog was in great shape coming into the show and he was awarded Best of Breed and a Group 4th, sealing the Top 20 spot.  While this was a modest win, and we had been awarded higher, it was a satisfying moment. Growing up, I did my best to learn from amazing experts. During critical years in my youth, I was told by peers actively involved that I wasn’t good enough to “be” in Goldens. The win in Lima was one of the few times in my life I was proud of myself and not just the dog. I applied all I had learned, put forth best efforts, conditioned, trained and showed the dog – and delivered the owners a positive result. 

10. What do you wish someone would ask you?

Out on a date – be bold!