Excel Shu-Ku III

Do you show your own dogs,or do you prefere an handler?

Linda:   We proudly show our own dogs, we enjoy being with them & that is part of why we have dogs.

Frank:   We show our own dogs, it something we do for fun.

What do you think about politics(judges ,handlers…) on the breed?

Linda:  I have no problems with handlers, they are just doing a job, it’s the judges that are IMO play politics, I think there are plenty of fair judges out there, it is the ones who play favors that make a bad name for the sport of dog showing.

Frank: There are a lot of decent judges out there who  do a good job, some it has become more of a chore  & IMO it should be an enjoyable assignment.

What would you change?

Linda:   Id like to see every judge , judge the DOG not who’s on the end of the lead & give eah exhibitor’s dog a fair shot.

Frank: Id like as Linda said every judge , judge the dog itself, that is what the purpose is not to put up you friends or people whocan further your career. 

Would you rather show under an all breed judge or a breeder judge?Why?

Linda:   I like breeder  judges, I think it is more of an honor to be judged & win under a breeder judge, all around judges are good to.

Frank:  I too like showing to breeder judges, but I’ll show under any judge that  judges the dog.

Have you ever been  interested on becoming a judge?

Linda:   I have judged some Sweepstakes & I like that, someday I hope to judge but now Id rather show , I personally find it conflicting to be judging & showing at the same time.

Frank:   I enjoy judging & seeing the different dogs all over, it is something I plan to do in the future.

How did your train your dogs,an ad what age did you begin?

Linda:    Yes we train our own dogs, we start from birth LOL, stacking stats as soon as they  are up on their feet, we start on the ground & at 4 weeks move to a box off the ground , then to the grooming table , by 8 weeks they are pros ( on the table) , then we start leash & ground stacking & learning  cues  for what I want , Stay  that’s a given , watch ~ eyes on me, Lets Go  ~ when it time to move out & easy ~ slow down.  They seem to work pretty good, some pick it up quicker & some are just naturals J

Frank:  Linda is the main trainer as she is at home more that I am J, I just follow  the command she starts the off on & they usually comply.

Have you ever sold or trained dogs for obedience work?

Linda:   We have had some family dog  do obedience but not in AKC completion we have not done any ourselves but are thinking about expanding our horizons .

Frank:   We have done minimal obedience training ,none formal , but think it is a  great idea & think we  we’ll look into doing it more.

Could you give any advice to owners who would like to handle their own dog?

Linda:   Go to classes,learn  your dogs positives & negative attributes , remember it is just a game, we win some ,lose some  so have fun & remember you always go home with the best dog.

Frank:    Fun is a the part to remember, if you get to caught up in it you will get very disappointed & may want to quit , you may lose more than you win.

At what age do you evaluate your puppies for pet/show,and what are you looking for?

Linda: Now that’s not always easy !  we look at them at birth & watch them grow,  we look at heads, bone , front & rear angles, some we know right away some it takes a bit, I like to watch them interacts & play & move on their own, you can tell a lot by that.

Frank: We do structure evaluations  & try & do some movement video at 8 weeks ,we usually have  one or 2 favorites picked out by 6 weeks,  we also key into the temperaments of each pup then we watch & wait & hope we‘re right in our assessment.

What kind of surface do you have on the ground for your kennels?

Linda: We have  brush finished concrete  on our 10 indoor/ outdoor runs , the other 2 runs are stones with dog houses.

What advice might you give to other breeders who are starting on the breed?

Linda: Find a good mentor, someone to hand with at shows , to teach you the ropes so to speak, we willing to be open to change & be honest with yourself & your dogs, experience & learn the Akita Breed as a breed  before rushing off to breed your dogs.

Frank: Get  to know those who dogs  you admire, be sincere , have goals in mind & stick to them, even if it means starting over.