“i never would have Tried my hand aT Breeding wiThouT The SupporT of menTorS.”
My most treasured mentor was the breeder of our first show dog—Harriet Richman, Hobbit Hill. She was the one I went to for advice and was there to teach us about whelping and caring for puppies.” Terri: “My mentors are very impor- tant. As I learned more about the breed I turned to BHCA breeders for my hounds. Th e mentors’ trust enabled me to have Bassets that could fulfill my dreams. Rob- ert ‘Gene’ McDonald helped with aspects of showing when I got my first conforma- tion dog. Ellen Ferguson, Kaleidoscope, is one of the pioneers of Basset agility for the club. Ellen has given her time and good advice over the years. Agility, obe- dience and rally instructors who believed
that Bassets can do it all have worked with me to train in ways which compliment the independent nature of the Bassets. A great mentor in rabbit hunting was the late ‘Wild Bill’ Cartwright of the Ohio Val- ley Beagle Club. He spent hours showing me the ways of rabbits and hunting with Beagles that applied to Bassets.” Anne: “Mentors are important to suc- cess in dog sports. Each dog sport has its unique written and unwritten rules. Men- tors help the novice achieve success and avoid costly errors. My earliest mentors were in companion events and conforma- tion. I was lucky to have good instructors for Rally and Agility. Th ey stood ringside at my first competitions providing moral
support and technical feedback. I never would have tried my hand at breeding without the support of mentors. Th eir guidance has been critical.” What are the challenges and rewards of participating in your chosen events? Marge: “ Th ere were many challeng- es—early mornings, late nights, sick pup- pies, old age problems, decisions on how to breed, etc. Th ose who have dogs know what a trick it is to grow the lawn without the excavation team making mulch out of the whole thing. We lost one of our field dogs while she was practicing her trade to get ready for the BHCA Nationals.
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