TOY GROUP BREEDERS Q&A
motion of the breed to the public as to what great pets they are. They see these huge-coated dogs and think, “I can’t take care of that breed of dog.” Instead of spotlighting the dogs that are cut down in pet trims and how easy they are in comparison to some other breeds, many breeders nearly “faint” when we suggest that we highlight the “pet Pekingese” in a short coat instead of the full-coated show dog. I know they are beautiful in all their glory, but that is the same thing that makes them undesirable for the typical pet home. This is sad. Is our breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best can- didates to own our breed? The Pekingese AND the Japanese Chin are a hidden secret as a family pet. They are hysterically funny dogs and love their families. I think the days of the ankle-biting Peking- ese, owned by many people’s grandmothers, are a thing of the past. Do we feel that our breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? ABSOLUTELY NOT! The Pekingese has become a RARE breed and not enough is being done to promote the breed, so the numbers continue to shrink. I applaud the current breeders in this country, but too many people are looking outside the US for a show or breeding dog and are not supporting those won- derful breeders right here in this country. I have seen very, very few foreign dogs that are as good or any better than those bred right here. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing we’ve ever expe- rienced with a Toy Dog? This is nearly impossible to answer because nearly every day they never fail to amuse us… and they know it! DIANA SPARKOWSKI Where do I live? How many
‘oe, “Lilo.” Olivia is a 2022 Westminster hopeful. SIDENOTE: My new stud, GCH Strudl Haus Fabulous Hudson Hornet, is also a Westminster hopeful and is currently No. 2 AKC NOHS and No. 12 in Breed Standings. He is Bellissima’s pride and joy, co-owned with Donna DeMers and Tiffany Tremont. Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised? When we moved to Virginia in 2016, we purchased a 3,600 sq. ft. home. (We looked at 36 different homes to find the perfect one with a “dog room,” and yes, my realtor thought I was crazy, lol.) My dogs have their own first floor room with a separate door to go out to the deck and our fenced backyard, and gated pens to separate girls from boys when needed. We have waterproof vinyl flooring; they have filtered water fountains and free- feed kibble, and are fed twice a day together. When one of the girls is pregnant, however, she gets fed separately as she needs vitamin supplements. She is also separated and watched closely during her pregnancy. When it gets close to whelp time, I have a whelping bed, heat pads, incubator and oxygen tank, and all instruments needed to help her whelp naturally in my bedroom. She sleeps with us and will stay in my bedroom until puppies are weaned and moved to a bigger area to play and socialize with the other dogs. I have IRIS pens and increase space as the babies get older. I add toys and play with them daily. We supplemental feed or wean at around six weeks, and allow play with the other dogs so that they can be taught their place in a pack. They get vet-checked and aren’t allowed outside or with the other dogs before they are fully vaccinated. They are allowed to go to their new family at 12 to 14 weeks of age. What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions? At an early age for this breed, I start by look- ing at color markings and I monitor size. By six weeks of age, I can determine those that show signs of having exceptional conformation; looking at head, body, length, topline, tail-set, teeth, etc. I watch movement and personality. If at 12 weeks of age I feel that they have the potential to be in the show ring, I will hold the puppy for a longer period of time until I make that decision. How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation? This is drop-coated Toy Breed, and the hair texture has different stages. Since I’m a groomer, I make sure ALL of my puppies learn grooming etiquette; so they get baths and are groomed weekly. They have their ears tipped, potty area and feet pads shaved, and they get used to being dried. Their coats are conditioned, and once it reaches a certain length, they must now be put in oil and wrapped to keep the coat from breaking. Puppies learn to stack on a table with treats until they stand freely without fear. They are also handled by multiple people, to get used to being touched. I train with a lightweight lead, to walk with it around their neck until comfortable. Then we go outside to walk while being handled. I also bring another seasoned show dog with us so that they can learn to walk on a lead with other dogs in the ring. Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring? The dog is presented as an elegant Toy Breed with a luxurious drop coat that flows when moving, so the dog looks to be gliding on the floor; they should not have hackneyed movement. The hair on the top of its head is put in a ponytail with a waterfall look, so it looks more natural. We do NOT topknot the ponytail, and it is actually a disqualification to do so. Their facial expressions and personalities are loving, and almost look like they are smiling at you. Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any spe- cial nutritional needs? The breed is still very young, and can have degenerative diseases similar to their cousin, the Yorkshire Terrier. Currently, we test eyes, patellas, and heart for OFA and CHIC cer- tifications. They do have sensitive stomachs and can have food aller- gies. Most breeders feed a raw diet and have had great success. In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall. Any trends that warrant concern? Our breed is still in its early stages of devel- opment, but I feel our foundation stock and preservation breeding programs, together with the diversity of our European breeders, have produced and now maintain the structure and standards our breed.
years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? I currently live in Chesa- peake, Virginia, and started my breed program in 2008. I’ve been an animal lover my whole life, and my interests in showing and breeding all started when I was a groomer. I owned my own grooming shop, met my first show Yorkshire Terrier, and fell in love with this drop-coated
Toy Breed. It was the beginning of my show career, as I purchased my first show Yorkie. I was then introduced to the beautiful tri-col- ored Biewer Yorkshire ala Pom Pon—instant love for me! What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep? I am Italian, so it was only fitting to choose a name to fit my heritage. “Bellissima” is Italian for beautiful. Currently, I have two Yorkshire Terrier bitches and four Biewer Terrier bitches, as well as one stud that resides with me and one stud that I co-own. Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy win- ners? I’ve been showing the Biewer Terrier now since 2012 when they were still Biewer ala Pom Pons and were only allowed to show in the National/International dog show venues. My first bred-by bitch, Bellissima’s Sweet Land of Liberty, was an International/National Multi. Supreme Grand Champion by the time she was 1.5 years old. Her brother, Bellissima’s Star Spangled Banner, was an Altered Grand Champion, International/National, and with UKC. When UKC fully accepted the Biewer Terrier, “Liberty” was Grand Cham- pioned and was No. 3 Top Ten for 2016 and again in 2017. She went Reserve BOB both years. Her daughter, Bellissima’s She’s the Bees Knees, is also a UKC champion and my very first Biewer Terrier to show in FSS AKC; she went on to get her CM1 before retiring. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? Because this breed is only 30-plus years in the making, diversifying our American lines with European lines has been successful in produc- ing exceptional, quality dogs. My imported Russian bitch, Show Kurazh Suri, and Bellissima’s Sweet Land of Liberty have both pro- duced beautiful litters, with Ukrainian sire Oliver Brave Hero Lav- ista and bred-by sire Bellissima’s Autumn Sunshine Lights My Way. Offspring of “Suri’s” are now AKC champions: Ch Bellissima’s Have to Believe we are Magic, “Olivia,” and Ch Bellissima’s Lilo Koa Loa
176 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2022
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