TERRIER GROUP HONOREE MARY REMER BANBURY BEDROCK BULL TERRIERS
As for our choices for breeding, because we have bred so many dogs for so long, we know the pedigree and background of every dam and sire we breed. Cathy assesses the health and potential issue of every dog we breed. 4. The breed standard is the preservation breeder’s most essential tool. What are your thoughts on the importance of breeding to the standard and presenting the breed in the ring accordingly? Our breeding program has been blended into several lines. We therefore can utilize linebreeding to solidify breed type and temperament, and to minimize problems. Because Cathy is an AKC judge and Mike has worked in the ring as a ring steward, for many breeds, we can assess the small differences between outstanding dogs in the ring, using the standards to make hard decisions. The standard is our blueprint for type, conformation, and tem- perament. Almost ten years ago we were given the opportunity to breed to one of the original dogs that helped revive the breed “back in the day.” PWD "Keel Tonel’s" sperm was 39 years old, but still very potent! Ladybug produced eight “olde school” PWDs with substance and type. We referred to this breeding as the “Bygone Era Litter.” We sent three young female PWDs to fellow breeders we know well; in England, Germany, and Portu- gal. Their dogs had been dominant in Europe and we knew that their pedigrees were consistent to the PWD breed standards. We planned to get offspring pups back from these breedings and we did just that a few years later. It also reintroduced one of the original breeding lines for PWDs that had been lost in the Por- tuguese Civil War of 1975, and it expanded the tight gene pool for PWDs in the US. 5. Today’s breeders have found themselves to be on the defensive from public criticism and from legislative proposals that would restrict breeding practices. What can preservation breeders do to counter the anti-purebred rhetoric that has taken hold in this country? First of all, the current mood of the country is full of conflict and misinformation; that will require systemic change over time to correct the mood. Ironically, during COVID, many people decided to get a dog to hang out with and they “cleaned out” the animal shelters. Of course, many of these same new pet own- ers, who had no business having a dog in the first place, soon returned these unwanted pets to shelters all over again. The best thing that a purebred preservation breeder can do is to maintain the course. Our duty and obligation to our breeds, fellow breed- ers, our owners, and to the sport cannot be based on a desire to pander to the lowest common denominator. Ultimately, there is room in the pet universe for preservation champions and strays from the pound and shelters. We counter ignorance with centu- ries of adherence to standards and a desire for excellence.
1. The Bull Terrier is an iconic breed with an unmistakable appeal. What is it about the breed that has sustained your interest for so long? The Bull Terrier’s enduring sense of humor nourishes and sus- tains me. Their commitment to themselves makes the challenge. The ever-present question, “Can we do this together?” keeps me intrigued, present, and ever curious. 2. Breeding dogs requires the vision of an artist, the curiosity of a scientist, and the commitment of a philosopher. As a breeder, do you view yourself as an artist, a scientist or a philosopher? Maybe you are a combination of all three? The breeder’s vision—to keep trying to produce to the breed standard—is a lifetime pursuit. Always, there is the curiosity, anticipation, and excitement of what could come from a mating now, and its impact on generations down the line. There are joys as well as devastations, which underscore the necessity of com- mitment. So, for me, it is a combination of the three. 3. In dogs, selection is key. How do you select your sire and dam combinations? How do you select which puppies will enjoy the spotlight of the show ring? Selection for a breeding calls for rumination, and I am most for- tunate to have mentors and co-owners/breeders to have lengthy
“The breeder’s vision—to keep trying to produce to the breed standard—is a lifetime pursuit.”
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2022 | 187
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