Page 78 - Chow Life - 2025 02 Summer

the Successful

Chow Chow Breeder

by LOVE BANGHART

Having been actively involved in loving , exhibiting • BREED FOR IMPROVEMENT
and breeding Chow Chows since 1976, I happily It is easy to become lost in the purpose of breeding
share these thoughts with you. quality dogs. Developing a bloodline that is well
considered and has made a positive influence for
• ENJOY YOUR CHOW CHOWS the breed takes discipline, time and effort.
The primary reason anyone becomes involved
with dog breeding and showing is a fundamental A breeder must be dedicated to protecting our
love of dogs with a focus on our specific breed. breed. No breed is in perfect condition when the
We treasure their loyalty, personality and breeder becomes involved with the breed,
beauty. and none shall be perfect when they

Breeding and showing your leave. But to leave a breed in better
shape than it was when you
Chow Chows can be fun “ became involved with it is the
and educational for you Developing a greatest compliment. To
and the family but can improve type, movement,
also be expensive and bloodline that is temperament and
heartbreaking. We health must be the
must try to manage well considered and bottom line for every
priorities so that our has made a positive committed breeder.
hobby and associated Accomplishment takes
expenses do not influence for the a long-range plan that
interfere with other breed takes discipline, is carefully thought
commitments. through. It requires

Being a breeder is a huge time and effort dedication and purpose.
commitment as a lifetime A key to learning is that
student (there is always “ success in the ring is not an
more to learn) as we meet the automatic indication of a Chow’s
challenges and a lifetime gift as true quality. We have many tools
we share the joys of accomplishment. It to use for improving our breeding plans
means frustration, long hours, late nights and early and accomplishments: The AKC (www.AKC.
mornings. It means finding friendships - some org) and breed club (www.ChowClub.org) are
of which will last for a lifetime., to be generous, excellent resources, mentors, health testing (www.
inquisitive, and adventurous. OFA.org), performance classes and events, and
online educational materials are all recognized
As a breeder, we must do all that is possible to educational resources.
ensure the life of every dog we breed and help
other Chow Chow lovers to learn more about the • DEFINE YOUR GOALS
breed and provide forever homes for them, even if The breeding of any breed should be considered
we are not the breeder of the dog. the pursuit of perfection - it is not the maintenance
of it. All dogs have faults, all dogs are less than

76