NON-SPORTING BREEDER Q&A near the PROs. OH NO! The OH might learn something and be a better dog person. AKC needs to reevaluate the relationship between “PROs” and OH, especially PROs who are breeders too (most are). What are some of the positive changes I’ve seen in the dog show community over the past decade? I think the addition of the Grand Champion titles is a great improvement. We are more likely to show our best dogs for longer periods of time, as there are still goals to be achieved. If I could share one suggestion with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them about my breed? Stop taking Tibetan Spaniel assignments when you don’t like or have not made the effort to understand the breed! For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Non-Sporting Dog? These little dogs are amusing almost all the time! “Bugsy,” whom I mentioned earlier, was left in the motorhome while we were showing other breeds. To our dismay, she was nowhere to be found. (Tibbies can escape through an open door, between your feet without you knowing.) So, we ran out to the showgrounds to hunt for her. We thought, since she loved showing, she might be trying to get in the ring or looking for Sharon in other set-ups. After a very frustrating few hours, we came back to the rig despondent that we had lost her. We pulled out a 24-pack of bottled water to water the dogs, and low and behold, there was Bugsy curled up on a towel behind the bottled water. She probably laughed at the stupid humans for making such a fuss. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in Brigh- ton Heights, Pennsylvania. I have been passionate about Standard Poodles and involved in our sport for thirty years. I am a new breeder. What is my kennel name? My kennel name is Confection. A confection is the mixing of different elements and ingredients to create something wonderful. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? I started my breeding program by selecting a bitch whose pedigree held examples of the type I wanted to emulate. I picked a sire whose pedigree would hopefully complement those characteristics. My GCH Versailles Confection Tsunami bred with CH Theory Starboy proved to be an outstanding combina- tion. Their breeding produced GCHS Confection Supernova Explosion At Theory, “Piper,” who is currently being shown by Elizabeth Reynolds. Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised? I use a large and separated room that has its own heating and cooling system. It utilizes an easy to set up and use Inkbird brand temperature controller. I have peace of mind knowing that it will alert me via my cell phone if the temperature goes out of range. I also use a tem- perature-controlled heat cable-based perimeter heater (details and availability at: mybreeder- supply.com ) that is situated under the pig rail. It works like this: A cold pup will seek heat; this method draws a pup to safety and comfort under our whelping box’s pig rail. This carefully controlled heating system also provides a more comfortable environment for the dam. My puppies are home-raised with an emphasis on socialization. What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies? Since Standard Poodles are intelligent, energetic, and athletic by nature, they need challenges. We use an Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) exercise program in the early weeks of life to build a stable temperament and the ability to adapt to whatever life brings their way. I would never whelp and raise a litter without using this program. It’s that successful! We also use scent training in the early days of life. As a breeder, I am often asked about prey drive. I begin evaluating this trait early to see which pups may excel in performance or retrieving. Does my breed require any special preparation for competing in Conformance? In Per- formance Events? Conditioning a Standard Poodle should be built on a good diet, exercise, and early life socialization with people and other dogs. The impressive range of talents and versatility of our breed challenges the direction of our future. There is a strong bent to performance sports in the younger participants to the fancy. Standard Poodles are highly qualified to compete and excel in Performance competition as well as Conformation. I believe we need to make adjustments without compromising or diminishing the Breed Standard to advance the Poodle community. In my opinion, we may consider allowing
Cynthia Horn
Confection Standard Poodles
192 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024
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