TOY GROUP BREEDERS Q&A
nursery and puppy rooms are kept at a steady 80-85 degrees. Rocky Mountain Biewer Terriers is a family kennel. Having all the dogs live with us inside the house, we do things a little differently. It requires a lot of multi-tasking and endless cleaning. The only downtime is after lunch when most of the dogs are napping. We find that it is very dif- ficult to find staff that respects our ways and that we can trust with our animals. Rocky Mountain Biewer Terriers would not be possible without the hard work the whole family is putting into it. Also, since COVID, you can’t send puppies on planes anymore. So, we have our own Puppy Delivery Plane and my husband is the pilot! What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions? Selecting show puppies is an ongoing process of observation and evaluation. I have a “special chair” in my puppy room. I like to sit and watch them play with toys, interact with each other, watch their movement, their little tails and ears, and their attitude. I compare them to the AKC Breed Standard and evaluate the pros and cons of each puppy. I like to see how they learn and discover things, and how they make decisions and problem-solve. It is really satisfying and fun to do, and I think it is a good way to find the “special puppy” in the litter that could be a potential show puppy for a customer or myself. Common faults in the Biewer Ter- rier are color faults; for example, too much color below the knee or elbow. I also have a personal preference for ear shape and size. I don’t like tulip ears that have a round tip. I prefer a pointed ear tip. I also prefer longer legs. A Biewer Terrier with long legs can grow a long coat and it looks very elegant when the dog gaits in the ring. I begin making selection decisions at 8 weeks of age, and puppies that I feel have potential (keepers) are further evaluated at 12 weeks and again at 16 weeks. I am fortunate that I have the space to keep any puppies that I believe may have the potential for the show ring until they have developed. How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation? Our puppies are socialized continu- ally from the time of their birth. They are exposed to lots of noises, people, smells, toys, a variety of surfaces, mental stimulation, and interactive play with people and other dogs. Once I have selected a puppy with show potential, we add stacking practice on a stacking box and learn to make eye contact. All of our puppies get a com- plete groom every week, and it becomes more frequent for show pup- pies. Biewers are a coated breed and the longer their coats grow, the more care they require. High-quality shampoos and conditioners, along with frequent brushing and combing to keep the coat clean, are essential. Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring? Biewers are new to the regular show ring and their presentation is currently centered on the coat, color, and attitude. They are active, smart little dogs and a focus on their movement and structure is growing. Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any spe- cial nutritional needs? The Biewer breed as a whole is healthy. With the current DNA and health tests available, many of the common health issues in Toy Breeds can be controlled or eliminated from the Biewer Terrier lines through diligence and informed, selective breeding decisions. Biewers don’t have any special nutritional needs. They thrive on high-quality all-life stage food, home-cooked meals, or raw food. In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall. Any trends that warrant concern? I believe the Biewer breed is in good condition overall. Like in many breeds, certain lines have inherent problems and issues. One trend that concerns me is the intentional breeding for “teacup” Biewers. Standard-sized parents occasionally produce very small puppies that don’t make standard size, but to intentionally breed for these tiny Biewers does the breed no good and can taint the breed as a whole, having health problems that are due to a tiny size. Do you feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? Biewers have some preservation breeders, but there is certainly room for growth. This delightful little dog’s popularity is growing by leaps and bounds as the public becomes
aware of them, and the potential for indiscriminate breeding for profit is a very real possibility. It is the responsibility of our current preservation breeders to seek out, educate, and nurture the next gen- eration of guardians for the Biewer Terrier breed. Is my breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best can- didates to own my breed? Biewer Terriers are excellent family dogs. They are playful, friendly, smart, and highly trainable. For all their small size, they are very athletic and can be found regularly compet- ing in Agility, Luring, Fast CAT, and Barn Hunt. The best candi- dates to be owned by a Biewer are people who have a sense of humor and adequate time to give the dog attention. Biewers are outstanding Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, and do very well traveling in an RV with a retired couple or racing in the yard with children. They are not yappy, so they fit very nicely in apartments or condos. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experi- enced with a Toy Dog? Biewers are the happiest, funniest little dogs I have ever owned. They constantly keep us in smiles and laughter with their antics and just some of the goofy things they do. Our family likes to train our dogs for CGC and Trick Dog events, and teaching these little guys tricks is guaranteed to keep you smiling. I think it is adorable when they stand up like little Prairie Dogs to see what’s going on “over there.” KATHY KNOLES Where do I live? How many
years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I live in Springfield, Illi- nois. I’m a fourth generation fancier and I have been breeding Chinese Cresteds for over 25 years. What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep? Our kennel name is Edelweiss, which has been in my family since 1894. I try to keep my herd under 20.
Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy win- ners? Noteworthy winners include Back Seat Betty, of course, Cruis- er, and Bravo. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? I have three dogs that have done great things for my breeding program: GCHS Viva Gimme One More Chantz at Creekside (Jackson); CH Edelweiss Walk this Way (Steve); and CH Edelweiss Willi Wonka. GCHS Edelweiss 1.21 Jiggawatts, “Jiggy,” has produced some beau- tiful puppies, as has Sashay N’co, years ago. Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised? I have a 20 ft. x 30 ft. addition on the back of my house that is my dog area. My puppies are whelped in a 2x3 area, then moved into the house at about six weeks. They are then underfoot most of the time except when we are gone or in bed. My dogs all take turns being housedogs. What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions? I usually know from about four weeks who are the contenders, but make my final choices at eight weeks. I watch them interact with each other and the adults, then they generally go to my boarding kennel for some socializing. How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation? They usually start going to shows with us at about 3-4 months. Chinese Cresteds have become very hairy and need shaving before shows. I am actively working on breeding less body hair. Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring? I absolutely hate that everyone thinks they need to race them around the ring. They are a Toy Dog. A fast walk is plenty. Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any spe- cial nutritional needs? Currently, we are experiencing IVDD in the breed. We do have a genetic test, but it’s “iffy.”
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2022 | 171
Powered by FlippingBook