Page 66 - Chow Life - 2016 Winter

AKC Gazette
Excerpt

by Love Banghart

THE CHOW

CHOW BREED

MENTOR: Webster’s defines “mentor” as a trusted
MENTOR counselor or guide, a coach or tutor.

Having a mentor is very much like having a good recognized by the breed club to have met the required
friend in a foreign country. They speak the language experience levels to attain the role of “mentor”.
of the country. They know where to find the good When selecting a mentor, make certain that the
things to buy. They know which items and what areas chosen individual is “breed oriented” rather than
of the country to avoid and can educate you about the “kennel or self-oriented”. A breed oriented individual
problems of the area. All of this knowledge is based will find good things to say about their competitors
upon first-hand experience. This friend’s experience dogs and dogs from other kennels and breeding
and knowledge will save you unlimited time, money, programs. A “kennel or self-oriented” mentor will find
and heartache. And.... it’s FREE to you .... all you have goodness only in their own or associated bloodlines.
to do is ask. All too often, we are unaware of the great Objectivity is a virtue of a good mentor.
value that such an individual can offer as we become
Learn everything that you can from each and every
involved with a new breed. experience, avoid making mistakes that have been made
As you grow and become more knowledgeable and before, talk, read and LISTEN and one day in the future
experienced, you will add additional mentors to your vow to share all that you have learned with a newcomer
list of trusted resources and you may disassociate early to the breed!
mentors if you find they have misguided you or lack
the experience level which you are seeking. This is
very much a normal pattern of learning and growing
within the breed.
There are several ways to find a mentor.
One is to contact the AKC Breed Referral
Representative for the breed.
Each national club designates
an individual to serve in this
role and the individual can
put you in contact with a
mentor in your geographic
area. A second method is
to visit local dog shows....
preferably attend 6 to 10 shows and
become acquainted with the exhibitors
who you see consistently competing,
placing favorably, and who are well
thought of by their peers. These folks have
obviously had some experience and have used it
to move toward success. If they are not comfortable
serving as your mentor, they will likely refer you to
someone that helped them in the past. A third method
is to obtain a subscription to the breed club publication
and become acquainted with the regular advertisers
and club participants. Most clubs, including
the CCCI, have a formal mentor list which is This article first appeared in the January 2009
available upon request. These individuals are AKC Gazette and is reprinted with permission. To
read the online Gazette, visit www.akc.org/pubs.
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