Page 32 - Chow Life - Spring 2016

Q. In your opinion, what is the beautiful they all looked, but also girls. She was a great brood bitch,
greatest thing a breeder can do how different they all looked! From producing many champions as well
to give back to the breed? very tall to very short and from as performance dogs. Her sweet
Michael: Teach and encourage new long to a few that came close to temperament was passed along to
people to the breed, pass on any square. Chows today, are much her offspring as well her legendary
knowledge you have to the next sounder with better temperaments. coat!
generation of breeders. While the breed still struggles
with “square”, there is a lot of
Linda: For me, the most important improvement and more breeders Q. If you had one wish for the
breed, what would it be?
thing to do was to take in rescue doing OFA clearances on their Michael: Breeders will continue to
chows. We started with just one dogs which, in turn, has made for work to correct the health issues we
at a time and that grew and grew, sounder, healthier dogs. face in this breed.
because I had a very hard time
saying no! We were fortunate to Q. Who is your favorite
have a large kennel and acreage to Chow (dog and bitch) that you Linda: Greater involvement in the
take them in plus volunteers to help personally bred? breed by the younger generation
with them. To love a breed and be Michael : My favorite dog was and today’s breeders welcoming and
able to turn a blind eye to those a cinnamon male named Ken mentoring them. Our breed cannot
that desperately need help is to me, Chi Ben who never finished his survive without new members
unconscionable. Just because they championship but was my best and current breeders willing to
are not “show dogs” does not make friend. As for girls, I have a hard encourage and help them.
them any less a chow, nor any less time naming one. I truly enjoy
deserving. them all, and have had several BIS
I believe it is the responsibility bitches that were a blast to own and
of EVERY breeder to take back any show.
chow that they have bred at any age,
for any reason. Before you ever do Linda: Hard to
a breeding, you need to make sure narrow that down
you are willing to be responsible to just one. MBIS,
for every puppy you produce, for as MBISS CH Versaw’s
long as they are alive. If not, then Star Of Justin, also
you should not be adding to the known as JR, was
problem of unwanted chows that very special to me
end up in rescue. and is behind almost
all of our current
dogs. He was an
Q. How does the breed today upstanding dog that
compare to the Chows back had a moderate head
when you first started out? but was very sound
Michael: In many ways it is far coming and going
better, but in others far worse. and very light on his
There are not as many breeders with feet. Ch. Dreamland Coco.....GCH Dreamland’s Haute Couture, BN, RN
the time, space and means to have Net Asset, Portia, was
a large breeding program as there one of my favorite
were in the past. Breeders
could do several breedings
and have a larger selection of
dogs to compare and choose.
However, with the advances
in frozen and chilled semen
transportation and storage, we
have more choices of stud dogs
than just those who are close,
and that is a positive.

Linda: I remember going
to my first National in
1983 and thinking how Sunshine.....MBIS, MBISS Ch Dreamland’s Chanelle.....MBISS Silver GCH Dreamland’s Startin’ A Revolution
Sunshine O’ Winalot
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