NON-SPORTING BREEDER Q&A several coat trims so that dogs can compete in more than one discipline simultaneously. This would encourage a wider group of participants who could earn titles in both pursuits. In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern? The extensive grooming necessary to show a Standard Poodle in Conformation competition can be intimidating to Poodle-passionate hopefuls. Considering less daunting coats to be more widely received in the ring may ensure that the varied and many contributions that our breed offers is fully recognized. Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed? Family dogs, companion dogs, service dogs, hunting dogs, they excel at most anything you ask them to do. What is the biggest misconception about my breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret? Standard Poodles are not frou-frou, so don’t let that show coat fool you. Their best-kept secret is their versatility. As a Preservation Breeder, can I share my thoughts on the sport today? Preservation breeders are out there, but we could always have more. My belief in preserving the original traits valued in the Standard Poodle is strong. If I could share one suggestion with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them about my breed? I would thank them for their invaluable contribution. They certainly have the knowledge, passion, and often times, the courage to be the backbone of our sport. In a breed that has so many exemplary examples, I applaud their perseverance and conviction. Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders? Study pedigrees. It sounds simple, but it’s essential to continue positive traits and breed out negatives. Breed for temperament because most of your puppies will live in companion homes. Every breeder dreams of producing a Best in Show dog; however, if you don’t grab that gold ring, that is not a failure. Happy, healthy companion dogs enriching people’s lives is a worthy goal in its own right. When choosing prospective show puppies, I look at temperament, structure, and move- ment. There should be an enthusiastic yet compliant personality in a show prospect. I begin working with them by setting them up and moving them at an early age. To me, the magic of a show dog is a quality of showmanship combined with correct, beautiful movement. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in Win- chester, Virginia. I got my first Keeshond in 1995 to go to horse shows with me. She had her first litter in 2000. What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep? My first Keeshond was named Nightwind Keepsake Treasure. I picked Keepsake as my kennel name. I have “a bunch” of dogs. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? I kept “Nikkee” from my first litter. We had many “firsts” together; my first home-bred puppy, first Champion, my first OTCH and MACH. She was the first Keeshond to earn CH OTCH MACH titles! Nikkee produced an amazing litter; most of the puppies went on to earn multiple Obedience and Agility titles. Nikkee was CH OTCH MACH2 Keepsake Moonlight Serenade UDX5 OM2 MXB2 MJB2. Nikkee’s daughter, “Icey,” became the second CH OTCH MACH2 Keeshond. Icey was also the first OGM Keeshond. That’s 10 Obedience Master titles. I jokingly called that the “Oh My Gosh” title because, Oh My Gosh, that was A LOT of Obedience Trials. Oh My Gosh, that was A LOT of money spent. Oh My Gosh, that was A LOT of miles driven. And most of all, Oh My Gosh, what a thrill to have such a great partner to play the Obedi- ence game with! Icey was CH OTCH MACH2 Keepsake Giving Me Chills UDX8 OGM MXG MJG. Icey’s son, “Frosty,” was my first male Keeshond. He came from a litter of ALL BOYS. I insisted for weeks that I was NOT keeping a boy, but he was too handsome not to keep! He finished his champion title at 10 months with four majors, two were from Specialties. Then Frosty and I did Agility and Obedience. He was the first intact male Keeshond to earn an OTCH. Frosty sired multiple litters that produced an array of Breed, Obedience, and Agil- ity stars. After several of Frosty’s offspring had finished the CH titles, I was challenged with getting Frosty’s GCH title. I had taught him to heel with focused attention on me for Obedi- ence. To show him in Breed again, I had to re-teach him to NOT look at me. Once he “got it,” he could switch back and forth between Breed and Obedience rings—on the same day.
Margaret Bissell
Keepsake Keeshonden
194 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024
Powered by FlippingBook