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.