Showsight - April 2022

RICHARD YENCHESKY — DEL REY XOLOITZCUINTLI

GCHB Sonadora Del Rey at Royal Canin

Mescalero Del Rey

“My goal is to leave the breed in a better state than when I got into Xoloitzcuintli, so I will continue to health test, DNA test, and breed for temperament, health, and conformation.”

Now, onward to Gold! I want to focus on what I have been doing and continue breeding healthy dogs with good temperaments. Please comment positively on your breed’s present condition and what trends might bear watching. My goal is to leave the breed in a better state than when I got into Xoloitzcuintli, so I will continue to health test, DNA test, and breed for temperament, health, and conformation. I want to continue learning about other kennels worldwide and bringing in new dogs to keep the genetic diversity, evolution, and line growth moving in a forward direction, as well as preserving the hallmarks of the breed. I think it is important to not become comfortable, but to continue to strive for better and better dogs in your breeding program, always trying to avoid becoming kennel blind. Under- standing what is taking place worldwide will only make this breed better and keep it healthy. Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two? I look forward to continuing my involvement with the Xoloitz- cuintli Club of America, especially at a time when the breed is growing in popularity. It is important to participate in breed-spe- cific education for those in the fancy as well as for pet owners. My paperwork, to be a parent club-approved judges’ mentor, has been submitted and is currently awaiting approval. Finally, tell us a little about Richard outside of dogs… your profes- sion, your hobbies. I work for the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I am an avid cook and enjoy trying new things. I am always on the lookout for the best places to go in my community for food, shop- ping, and more. Now that I have more room, I hope to convert a space into a studio and start making artwork again. (I graduated from the University of Miami over 20 years ago with a Master of Fine Arts.) It is just a matter of finding the time. In addition, I am hoping to do more international travel to meet more breeders worldwide and make connections. I feel very fortunate for the life that I have and the accomplishments that the dogs have garnered, but at the end of the day I am happy curling up on the couch with my beloved pets.

GCHS Alfta Del Rey and GCHB Sonadora Del Rey are the two top-winning Del Rey bitches. “Alfta” was owner-handled by Susan DiGiorno entirely throughout her career, winning the National Specialty in 2018 and Benelux Breed Winner during the World Dog Shows in Amsterdam. She was No. 1 NOHS Xolo as well in 2018. Alfta went Best of Breed in 2020 at the Royal Canin dog show in Orlando. GCHB Sonadora Del Rey is currently the No. 1 Xolo all-sys- tems, co-bred and co-owned with Robyn Lauck. Robyn handled “Dream” throughout most of 2021, keeping her in the Top 3 and the No. 1 NOHS Xolo. Co-breeder and co-owner Erika Lanasa took over at the end of the year and made her number No. 1 all- breed in record time, moving on to Best of Breed at Royal Canin and a prestigious Group 3. That night was one of the highlights of my life in dogs. Ch. Mucho Mucho Amor Del Rey, my Bred-By bitch, made breed history in January by going NOHS Best in Show under esteemed judge Dana Cline. “Mucho” is the first coated Xoloitz- cuintli to be awarded this honor. Mucho is also the tenth coated champion that I have owned and the sixth coated champion that I’ve bred. Her grandsire, Ch. Fullibus Mr Grey, was the first coated Xolo to get a Group placement. Barbara Griffin has trained her Xolo in various areas of perfor- mance to accomplish this admirable record of titles: Ch. Mescalero Del Rey CGC, CGCA, NAJ, NA, NJP, NF, OA, OAJ, OF, BN, RN, PCD, NTD, ITD, ATD, ETD, RATI, RATN, FDC, TG-N (I think I got them all! LOL) “Mescal” is the most titled Xoloitz- cuintli in AKC history. Mescal is from the first Del Rey litter of Xolos co-bred with Diane Baker, and he is the second coated male Standard to receive his AKC championship. There is a new, promising generation of Del Rey dogs and I look forward to seeing what the future brings for them. I am so proud of the dogs and their owners/co-owners for what they have achieved. I am also honored that I am the first Xolo Breeder of Merit to receive the advanced AKC recognition of Breeder of Merit Silver.

52 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2022

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