CAROL DEAN, DeLaPASSION POODLES
Both Wendy and I feel very fortunate that Ianthe shared the outstanding Ch. Baliwick Baby Gaga with us for her show career and two litters. All four of her pup- pies are champions and contributing to our breeding programs. Currently, her son, Ch. Baliwick Breaking the Rules, is co-owned with Martin Gregory and has been the start of a satisfying partnership. My high point as a breeder/owner-han- dler is a dog that I loved from the moment I clippered him the first time. GCh. DeLa- Passion Valdinera ByReQuest was truly a group effort. His co-owners, Kate Horn- ik, DVM and Kasie Podijil, DVM did everything they could to raise him to his potential, and I could have never had him prepared without the encouragement and push from Chelsay and Nick. I’d sent him to them to get ready for PCA, but Chelsay called me that night and said, “You show him, you can do this.” I was doubtful, but she was right. At seven months old, he was not only Winners Dog from the Bred-By Class, but was awarded BOS to BOV at our National Specialty under breeder- judge Jordan Chamberlain. Working with friends is one of the most satisfying parts of breeding for me. Linda McFadden sharing the beautiful white bitch, Ch. Oaktown Gone Rogue, “Stormy Daniels,” sired by Ch. DeLaPassion Undeniable ByReQuest, led to another thrilling PCA as Chelsay piloted Stormy to BOW from the 9-12 Class under the esteemed Toy breeder, Sharon Stevens. Co-owning this beautiful bitch and looking forward to what she will produce is, indeed, exciting. Each dog or bitch that I keep is sig- nificant in its own way to our breeding program. I rarely breed a bitch that isn’t finished. However, the current COVID-19 situation has caused me to reevaluate this position to some extent.
Left: GCh. DeLaPassion ByReQuest Peter Pan. Right: GCh. DeLaPassion Valdinera ByReQuest
Please comment positively on your breed’s present condition and what trends might bear watching. I’m encouraged that most breeders are branching out and working (if not them- selves, then with others) to have their Poo- dles be the multi-purpose dogs they are. I see lots of conformation-bred Poodles doing a variety of performance sports and field work. I think the growing acceptance of the Modified Continental trim is a defi- nite plus as it allows dogs to more easily do a variety of functions and still compete in conformation. The continued work of breeders to monitor their dogs’ health and use the ever-expanding health testing available is also a plus, and speaks positive- ly for our future. The sport has changed greatly since you first began participating. What are your thoughts on the state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us? I suppose change in any aspect of life is just the nature of it. I read about people complaining about too many dog shows, handlers having an edge, and the dog with the wealthiest backer doing the winning. I still believe, as I did 40 years ago, that a good dog, well presented, will do its share of winning. I believe an owner-handler who does it right can compete on any level. If I didn’t believe this I would stop breed- ing and showing dogs. While I think it is important to encourage newcomers to the sport, I’m not entirely sure the sport itself is to blame. I think we live in an instant gratification society, and that is simply not how dog shows work. It takes time, and the desire to learn and do the work, to do it successfully. I also think the many aspects of dog sports are more appealing to young people. Activities like agility, barn hunt, and scent work are all less subjective and more score based. I think when people
show an interest in breeding and showing dogs, we need to nurture that. But, unless it is a two-way street, that’s not always easy. Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two? I would hope that within the next decade I will be able to maintain the type we’ve worked toward developing, continu- ing to improve, as we all do, with each suc- cessive generation. Sometimes you take a turn that doesn’t give you the results you would have hoped, so you regroup and move on. Although I don’t think you should ever be satisfied with what you have, I am extremely happy with the prog- ress that we have made and look forward to what we will have in the future. I have been extremely fortunate in hav- ing breeders I respect utilize my stud dogs. I’m looking forward to seeing what these dogs will add to programs other than my own. I’m also encouraged by the dogs that performance people have purchased from me and by the success these dogs have had. I’m looking forward to seeing what these multi-purpose dogs can contribute to my program as well. Finally, tell us a little about Carol outside of dogs…your profession, your hobbies. I’m really all about the dogs. My busi- ness is the grooming shop, which allows me to bring my dogs with me, to raise lit- ters without having to leave them at home, and to schedule my life around the dog shows I want to attend. I enjoy mentoring both Poodle enthusiasts and promising groomers. Watching someone’s skills grow gives me a tremendous amount of satisfac- tion. I also enjoy reproduction in all its phases, raising neonates, and helping other breeders succeed with problematic whelp- ing. I enjoy learning about all aspects of our breed, our sport, and new scientific developments. I don’t think that that will ever get old for me.
Ch. Baliwick Breakin the Rules
50 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, SPRING EDITION
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