Breeder Interview: With Maria Arechaederra ...
BY ALLAN REZNIK continued
and Vizsla! From there I would love to expand my education to other Livestock Guards I admire like the Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd. Who were/are some of your most significant dogs, both in the whelping box and in the show ring? My first two bitches did not produce well. Although coun- terintuitive, I actually kept a male from a litter by Ch. Wind- flowers Sweet Flag x Ch. Lofranco Budavar Prima Megan. I just couldn’t part with that boy and I knew he was special. That pup was “Major” (Ch. Ederra’s Canis Major Arrakis) who became a multiple group winner and one of the top-produc- ing sires in the breed. So I worked the process backwards, starting with a foundation stud instead of a bitch. Instead of gambling with puppy bitches, I was able to lease outstand- ing, mature and proven bitches and that formula worked well for me. Our first success was “Phaedra” (Ch. Shambala West Phaedra) who produced the famous “Kaffiene Kid” litter with multiple group placers of both sexes. Another good producer was “Taylor,” Ch. Lambent’s National Velvet, who produced one of my favorite bitches of all time, “Terra” (SBIS GCh. Ederra’s Terra Nova), as well as Ch. Ederra’s Yosemite and Ch. Ederra’s Haleakala. Recently, “Lina” (GCh. Glacier Creek Mtn Wildflower) has made unparalleled contributions. Bred and owned by my friend Deb Blank of Glacier Creek Kuvasz, we used 20-year- old frozen semen from “Major” to co-breed a stunning litter of three puppies with the biggest star being our two-time National Specialty winner and MBIS/MSBIS GCh. Ederra Gla- cier the Power of Mo’Ne. Mo’Ne is exclusively shown and co-owned by 17-year-old Caroline Clegg who I often refer to as my “junior partner.” Caroline’s parents, Brian and Mary Clegg, have decades of experience in Kuvasz and handled many for me through the years. Mary showed a bitch I co- bred with Sue Riipa named “Image” (MBIS/SBIS Ch. Mauna Ederra’s Double Image) to a National Specialty, multiple all- breed Best in Shows and a Group placement at Westminster. But without a doubt young Caroline is the star handler in our show program. Her skill and connection with the dogs is unparalleled. Please comment positively on your breed's present con- dition and what trends might bear watching. I’m generally pleased with the state of the Kuvasz. Our breeders have worked hard to improve health and tem- perament. Twenty-five years ago we had weak rears and a higher rate of hip dysplasia. Pigment overall is very good and much improved. Our coats seem to be in good condi- tion. I think the overall texture of coats in different lines is very good. If caution is indicated I would say Kuvasz breeders need to be vigilant about front assemblies, heads, tails, and overall soundness and movement. I still see too many dogs that lack athleticism, that pace or do not cov- er ground effortlessly. The Kuvasz shouldn’t be short strided or stilted in gait. In addition, a Kuvasz should not be shown at a run. They should be able to cover the maximum amount of ground with the fewest number of steps. The sport has changed greatly since you began as a breeder-exhibitor. What are your thoughts on the state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? The “adopt, don’t shop” campaign coupled with increas- ing governmental restrictions on breeding (especially in my home state of California) has resulted in the decline of breed- ers. California recently outlawed the sale of purebred dogs
122 • S how S ight M agazine , J une 2018
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