Unsportsmanlike Conduct or Just Plain Bullying?

With regard to bullying and unsportsmanlike conduct:  

It seems like the Topeka show brought out some really bad behavior by more than one ‘couple.’  Unsportsmanlike Conduct does not just refer to your bad conduct on the show grounds.  

A long time breeder/handler really went overboard on a dear friend after returning home from the first Topeka weekend.  Let's refer to this person as 'Platter.'  Platter called up this dear woman at home, at night, and actually yelled at her because she had hired someone other than himself to finish her dog.  This woman is now afraid to attend shows where this man might be present.  Platter had her in tears, afraid of what he would do to her.   

Well, Platter, the handler that she hired, did what they said they would do:   Showed the dog when they said they would, AND finished the championship on her.  Maybe if you had followed through when you had the chance, she wouldn't have hired the new guy.  In fact, YOU still owe her.  Still, IT'S A FREE COUNTRY!!!  Anyone can hire whomever they want.  

We all want to win every time but there is no excuse for this type of behavior.    Platter, this is definitely not behavior that the PHA or the AKC Registered Handlers program emulates...so you big bully remember that.  

If it were me, I would be writing a formal complaint letter to the AKC Registered Hander Program about this behavior.  

Remember, several years ago, when I saved your life at Outback when you were choking on a piece of steak?  Then the next year, or so, we went to dinner at the San Bernardino Show.  I was in a conversation with your partner, asked him a question about a dog that he had bred, at which point you came across the table, steak knife in hand, threatening me, for insulting your dogs!!!  It was a question, not to you, but to your partner, about something that occurred when you were not even present.  Then you came up to me in tears at the show the next day apologizing because you were SO in the wrong.  How soon they forget.

I could go on.  And I think I will...

Remember when you came looking for a really good bitch puppy for one of your clients that was a ‘long time dog show person.’  They have really done a lot in multiple breeds, you said.  You lied.  I trusted you and then found out that you had just finished their first show dog.  A dog that we would have neutered and placed in a pet home.  Long time show dog people, huh?  Then when you couldn’t finish the bitch we sold them, and we did, that really pissed you off.  But I guess when you spend that much time trying to finish a big clunky dog, and telling the judges how good he is, when you bring out a smaller elegant bitch with an awesome coat, now what do you do?  She is definitely not anything like the dog, so if you tell the judges she is good, what does that make the dog?  And what does it say about your ability to evaluate the breed?  

When the bitch came in season at 18 months of age and the owners wanted to breed her to their male, we said “No” for multiple reasons.  One reason was that she was 18 months old!  Not old enough to have all of her OFFA health certifications completed.  Another reason was that they wanted to breed her to their Champion pet dog, that you finished.  The contract required us to choose the stud for the first two breedings, and both must pass all of their health certifications first.  A few months later we received a card from this owner saying that she hoped this news would cheer us up a bit:  “Ally is due in a few weeks with Bandit puppies.”  After discussions with her and why she blatantly broke the contract, she said that YOU had said it would be fine and we couldn’t do anything about it.  You cost her a lot of money and the loss of her dog and the litter.  You talked her into breaking the contract, and then made us out to be the bad guys.  Well, we are not in the business of breeding puppies to sell puppies.  We breed to improve the breed, and abide by the contracts that we sign.  

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we could all just get along?

NO HANDLERS ALLOWED!!! WHAT???

So, now we can’t do a favor for a friend?  

A friend with a Toy Fox Terrier was at the Topeka show and she was coming down that crud that is going around.  Her puppy was being a real puppy, and she felt so ill that she was just going to pull him.  Dave had a tight schedule but told her not to worry, to just rest, and he would make sure that her dog made it to the ring.  Well, Dave, going above and beyond the call of duty, didn’t just make sure that her class puppy made it to the ring:  5 minutes before the ring, Dave takes the dog, gaits him a bit, (this being the very first contact that Dave had with the dog) and goes into the ring for the puppy class.  Well, 1^st in his class, and Winners Dog came next.  That led some ‘local’ people, former president and board members of a local club, to approach our friend with an almost threatening tone.  Why would she hire a handler?  We don’t appreciate handlers in this breed.  This is an ‘owner-handled’ breed!  

This is only our friend’s first or second show dog.  She still considers herself an amateur, and she is trying to learn.  This type of behavior by ‘old-timers’ does not make anyone feel welcome.  We should be embracing new people and helping them, not chastising them because a friend helped out in their time of need. 

No one likes to get beat, whether it is by a professional handler, or an owner-handler, but if it is a good dog, it is a good dog.   To this couple, and you know who you are: either buy or breed better dogs, or have more confidence in the ones you exhibit, and do a better job at presenting them.  It is extremely unsportsmanlike behavior to bully people. 

When you make your entry, you take your chances.  We never know who is going to show up and we all want to believe that the judges are judging the dogs.  That is what keeps us coming back. 

Since professional handlers do this full time they are just better, sometimes, at getting the most out of our dogs in performance and grooming.  

Not that it is anyone’s business, but Dave did not charge her for showing her dog.  He was just helping a friend.  But the people that chastised our friend, have inquired about hiring a handler but were too ‘cheap’ to do so, and would rather spend more money, in the long run, on travel and entries taking many months longer to finish a dog, than to pay a handler.  That is their prerogative, but don’t put down people who do choose to hire someone to show their dogs.

Topeka Kennel Club, Topeka, KS August 26, 2012

Havanese -
Selena - Best of Opposite
Zeus - Select Dog
Thank You Judge Dorothy Macdonald

Bichons - 
Gracie - Yoshi's Gracie Show Me Something Special - 
Winners Bitch - MAJOR !!!
Thank You Judge Denny Mounce

Manhattan Kennel Club, Topeka, KS August 25, 2012

Havanese -
Piper - That's Her Serene Highness - Winners Bitch,  NEW CHAMPION !!!
Thank You Judge Dawn Hansen

We just can't express how good it was to see Adam King.
He never fails to disappoint. 

Bichons - 
Gracie - Yoshi's Gracie Show Me Something Special - 
Winners Bitch - MAJOR !!!
Thank You Judge Sonny Ambrosio

More Havanese Puppies

Another big congrats to Jeannie & Philip Woods
Tina X Quincy 
3 girls, 2 boys

CH THAT'S TIMELESS ELEGANCE
'TINA' is breeder/owner/handled by David Scheiris
Thank you Judge Mildred Bryant
Tina is now owned by Jeanne & Philip Woods

CH THAT'S MY SWEET RIVER CITY BLUES
'QUINCY' is breeder/owner/handled by Darlene Scheiris
Thank You Judge Harry Bennet
Quincy is owned by Vicki Thompson of Lenexa, KS and available at stud to approved bitches. havanesevicki@weshowdogs.info

Topeka Kennel Club, Topeka, KS August 24, 2012

Bichons - 
Sparkle - 1st/Winners Bitch/Best of Opposite  MAJOR - NEW CHAMPION !!!
Thank You Judge Dawn Hansen

Havanese - 
Selena - Best of Opposite
Zeus - BEST OF BREED  
Thank You Judge Jan Mercer

Black Russian Terrier -
Sam - Best of Breed - Made the cut in Group ! 
Thank You Judge Donald Gill

Ibizan Hound - 
Quandry - 1st/Winners Dog/Best of Winners/BEST OF BREED
over the specials!!!
Thank You Judge Dana Cline

Manhattan Kennel Club, Topeka, KS August 23, 2012

Bichons - 
LuLu - 1st/Winners Bitch/Best of Opposite  MAJOR NEW - CHAMPION !!!
Thank You Judge Janis Mercer

Havanese - 
Selena - Select Bitch 
Congratulations to Harry & Lotus for their Breed win.
Thank You Judge Denny Mounce

Black Russian Terrier -
Sam - Best of Breed - Made the cut in Group ! 

Havanese Puppies

Congratulations to Jeannie & Philip Woods on their new litter:
Imelda X Zeus
1 cream and white boy
1 black and white girl

Greater Emporia Kennel Club, Topeka, KS Monday August 20, 2012

Bichons 
LuLu - Winners Bitch & Best Of Opposite
Thank You Judge Charlotte Patterson 

Havanese 
Selena - Best of Breed
Zeus - Best of Opposite
Thank You Judge Norm Patton

Jesse James Kennel Club, Topeka, KS, Sunday, August 19, 2012

Show Results:

Bichons:  

LuLu - 1st/Winners Bitch/Best of Winners 3 Point Major!!!

Thank You Judge Monica Canestrini

Havanese:
Piper - 1st/ Reserve
Rembrandt - Select 

Zeus -  Best of Opposite

Selena - Best of Breed  

Thank You Judge Chuck Winslow

Greater Emporia Kennel Club, Topeka, KS Saturday August 18, 2012

Show Results:

Bichons:  

Sparkle - 1st and Reserve

Thank You Judge Chuck Winslow

Havanese:

Zeus -  Best of Opposite

Selena - Best of Breed  

Thank You Judge Charlotte Patterson

Jesse James Kennel Club, Topeka, KS August 17, 2012

Show Results:

Bichons:  

Sparkle - Winners Bitch and Best of Winners for a 3 point major!

Thank You Judge Suzanne Dillin

Havanese:

Zeus -  Select Dog

Selena - Best of Breed 

Thank You Judge Faye Strauss

MO-KAN TOY DOG CLUB, August 16, 2012

CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVE, SELENA AND PIPER!!!

Piper - That's Her Serene Highness - 
Winners Bitch for a 3 point Major

Selena - GCH That's Adorabull's Dreaming of You - 
BEST OF BREED and a GROUP 2 !!!!

Thank You Judge Robert Hall.

Female Havanese Puppies Available

Two girls left.  
Want Black and White or Gold and White?
Both parents are AKC Champions with Successful OFFA Health Certifications

Black and White Parti Belton Female
Beautiful neck, coat, and angulation. 
Outgoing and loving.
Available to a show or pet home:

   

Panda X Matthew puppy girls still available about 12 weeks old!

Gold Sable and White Female
Beautiful conformation, coat, and attitude.
Would be a great addition to any family and breeding program.
Dave's pick of the litter
Available to show home only:

Available female to a show home:

Contact Dave at Dave@WeShowDogs.com

or 816-213-8100

AKC 4 to 6 Month Puppy Class

The AKC’s 4 to 6 month beginner puppy class seems like it would be a lot of fun, but I wouldn’t know.  Dave and I, or any other person that has ever been paid to show a dog, is excluded from this class.  (Except that at Havanese Nationals this year, there were no less than 3 people exhibiting in this class, that I know for a fact have received payment for showing dogs).   They even allow dogs in Foundation Stock Service (FSS) to participate in some of those competitions.  I recently bought a puppy, Dudley, that is registered with the AKC FSS.  I have had to take him to other clubs IABCA, etc, to get him in the show ring, or we have to show him in fun matches, after we have all had a long day at the show.  I don’t understand not being able to hire a handler to show in those classes, but really who wants to spend the money on that?  And what professional handler wants to be stuck with a 4 month old puppy in the ring, unless they are just doing it for the money?  That’s when you tell the owners to get out there by themselves and have fun with their puppy.

When I cannot even show my own puppies there is something wrong with the AKC regulations. 

Since the AKC is so concerned with money, do they realize how much money they and the clubs are missing out on by restricting these entries?  Hell, they even let in mixed breed, or ‘breed unknown’ dog, and we know that wasn’t for their love of dogs.

This also gives an unfair advantage to those dogs who are being regularly shown between the age of 4 and 6 months.  When I can’t bring my own dog in the ring until 6 months, they are going against dogs who have had ring experience, and also could have another title on their name Certificate of Merit.  Just because I have accepted compensation for showing a dog, my own personal pets are being discriminated against.   

This is just another way that AKC isn’t looking at the big picture.

New Bichon Puppies !!!

Congratulations to Buttercup and Mr. Mushnick. 
2 girls 7.4 oz, and 8.8 oz
1 boy 6.7 oz
Momma Buttercup, Babies, and Daddy Mush all doing well.   
Momma Kathe B.is very tired.

Bichon Puppies Today!

Well, everyone it looks like Miss Buttercup and Mr. Mushnick will finally become parents today.
It is Butercup's first litter, as well as her owner's first whelp.  Please say a prayer that all goes well for them out in Virginia.
Here is a photograph of Buttercup from yesterday.  I think there's something in there!

CH That's Buttercup ala Creme
CH Pawmark's Spellbound Autograph (Johnny)  X  CH Victoire's Diamond Rio Citrine  (Trina)

Buying a Puppy? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions !!!

So, you want a puppy.  Or do you want an adult?  Do you want a retired show dog or one that the breeder kept to show but changed their mind for one reason or another?  Do you choose a male or a female?  Is color really a factor? 

So many choices, so much time.   And you do have time.  There should never be a rush to bring a dog into your household, by you the buyer, or by the seller trying to pressure you into buying a dog from them.

One should never feel pressured to buy a specific puppy or dog, but you should also respect the input of breeders with years of experience placing dogs, not just a breeder who sells puppies.  There is a difference.  A placement takes into consideration the dog, it’s personality, and the prospective new family, their needs, desires, and accommodations.

For some reason people think a ‘rescue’ dog or a ‘shelter’ dog is fine to bring into their home with  no family or actual dog history available, but would not consider an older puppy, adult, or retired champion from a reputable breeder.  Dogs from reputable breeders should never end up in a rescue, shelter, or auction.  Any dog we place can come back to us at anytime the owner is unable to keep them, for any reason.  A reputable breeder is there for you 24-7 for the life of the dog.  Our ‘puppy people’ can call us any time, day or night.  We would much rather get a call in the middle of the night that turns out to be nothing, instead of the dreaded phone call a few days later, because the owner didn’t know what to do or who to call.  Many people think the price of a puppy is ‘too high’, well a lot goes in to breeding quality dogs.  Many people also think an older dog should be a lot less.  Why?  It’s not a used car with a lot of miles.  An older dog has already been trained.  Many, many hours, and sometimes a lot of money, has gone into raising that critter. Yes, you miss out on that itty-bitty-puppy stage.  But you also miss out on him teething on your antique dining room chair, peeing on the imported rug in the living room, teaching him to lay down and stay to be groomed, and having to wait 2 years to see if they pass their health certifications.  So, why would you think that dog is worth less?  We recently placed Red Dog, a fully health certified, young adult Bichon male that is an American Grand Champion and a Canadian Champion with multiple Group Placements in the US and Canada.  What is all of that experience, maturity, and training (and trainability) worth?  Why would it be worth less than nothing?

The days are long gone of ‘large breeding kennels.’  It was common for top breeders to be wealthy people with a large kennel building, a kennel manager, and 150 to 200 or more animals.  These were controlled environments with each breeding carefully planned, and everything completely documented.  Those breeders produced many of the great bloodlines that are still out there today.  A reputable breeder today is generally a small ‘operation’ out of our homes and dependent upon co-breeding with co-owners to keep the best that we produce and breed only to the best.  We live in regular houses, in subdivisions, some on small acreages, but usually with some type of ‘dog limit’ restrictions.  That is why you see breeders with adults available.  We can only keep so many, and while as in Red Dog’s case, I love him and miss him terribly, here he was one of many, and at his new home he is is quickly becoming a totally spoiled only dog.  I would love to have been able to place him and keep him in tact for a few years so that I could have bred to him again, his pedigree and health testing is fabulous, but instead, we put his happiness first.  It’s not like we place all of our adults, we have our dogs that will always be with us, some are retired show dogs, some not, most are spayed or neutered.  The oldest is my Mom’s dog, Maggie.  She is a 22 year old toy breed mix that came to live with us just before my Mom passed away.  She has her monthly chiropractor/acupuncture appointment and when isn’t demanding to be held, she is either sleeping or wandering around the house.  Are we crazy to spend that kind of money on a dog most breeders would not have kept?  Maybe, but she is a good dog that brought much joy to my mom, so she will always get the best care we can afford.

When you see kennels with hundreds of dogs today - think Puppy Mill.  Those are people who breed to make money.  They breed whatever they have, don’t care about pure-bred dogs, health testing, or pedigrees.  They are on a first name basis with the cargo guys at the airport because they ship crates full of puppies every week. 

If you pay $2,000 for a dog, that sounds a ton of money, and it is, for most of us.  But, when you break it down, if that dog lives 15 years, that purchase price equals $2.57 per week.  If you buy a 4 year old for the same price, with the same life expectancy it ‘boosts’ the price to a whopping $3.50 per week.  I would hazard a guess that many of us have spent more than that at Starbucks for a coffee, at least once a week.

Since many breeders require a deposit to be on their waiting list, they will also consider a payment program, so you do not have to come up with the cash all at once.  We had a family waiting for a puppy from a specific female.  They put a deposit down well before she was even bred.  By the time their new puppy goes home it will be paid for without a large cash outlay all at once. 

If you are honest with your breeder, you will be amazed at how easy this can be and how fabulous your puppy is.  If you lie to your breeder, or yourself, about your life, your history with dogs, or your abilities, that prevents placement of the right dog.  You will probably NOT end up with the companion of your dreams.

The following link provides some excellent information and tips on buying a puppy (from Joanna Kimball, Blacksheep Cardigans):

http://sardigreatdanes.com/about_great_danes/puppy_buyer_etiquette

I must say that I agree with a lot that she writes about in that article.  There is good information to consider no matter what breed.  

One thing that I must emphasize is Health Testing and Certification. 

This is NOT a ‘vet check’ or a health certificate from a vet. 

There are specific standards that must be met to pass an OFFA Health Certification. 

Whether you want a show dog or strictly a companion, ask about health testing.  Get the registered names and registration numbers of the parents, and/or the name and number of the dog you are interested in.  Go to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals website, http://www.offa.org, and look for those dogs.  It is a relatively easy site to get around.  If you have any questions, call us and we would be happy to help you through it.  The parents should both be there.  Why?  Because all health testing can be completed after the age of 2 years.  If the parents are too young for their health testing, what was the hurry?  Why are they breeding puppies to make more puppies?  There are plenty of puppies out there born to parents who were old enough, and have passed their health certifications, and had them posted to the OFFA site for everyone to see.  Check the parents, check their siblings.  Just finding a dog on there doesn’t mean everything.  Many dogs are listed there that have not passed.  Remember, all information is good information, and will help you make a better decision.  If a 14 month old dog is there and has, for example, their Cardiac certification, why isn’t the patella certification listed?  Both of those tests can be done at 12 months of age.  Did they not pass, or does the breeder not think that having good knees are important?  If the dog is over 2 years old, you should be able to find certification results for at very least:  hips, elbows, heart, CERF(eyes) and patellas (knees).  We also like to see the thyroid test.  Many clubs recommend BAER hearing certification, although that is getting more difficult to find.  We have to drive 3 hours each way to a university to have it done, at $65 per dog.  If you are looking at a dog over the age of 1 year, some testing (eyes, heart, patellas) should be there.  If not, ask the breeder why, and if they will take the dog to a vet and have it done.  Honestly, sometimes you just lose track of time, and don’t realize that one dog’s testing did not get completed.  These tests are not expensive, and the dog you are buying is, so it shouldn’t be a problem for the breeder to do this for you...and their bloodline.

Ask questions, if it pisses off the breeder, there are more out breeder out there, find another one.  Feel free to ask about other breeders.  Some people have sour grapes (the breeder you just asked about kicks their butt in the show ring) so it is your responsibility to make sure that you have correct information.  Do not take anything at face value.

This is a lifetime ‘partnership of personalities’ so if you don’t ‘click’ with a specific breeder now, tell them ‘Thank You” and move on, because you probably won’t get along with them any better later.

I hope this gives you more to think about when making this important decision.

Wishing you all the best in your search for the next member of your family.

Team NIKE wins Gold

While I am thrilled that the USA is doing so well in the Olympics.  Take a look at the USA Men's and Women's Basketball Teams.  They were just awarded the Gold Medal and the biggest logo visible on their black jackets and pants was the white Nike Swoop.  There was another small logo on the left breast of the jacket, but the US Flag was small and on the upper sleeve.  They could have just about been any US team, playing for any tournament.

Did anyone notice TEAM RUSSIA?  Or should I say:  Did anyone NOT notice Team Russia?  Only a few of their uniforms throughout the entire Olympiad varied from the red background with white swirls, occasionally a different color with the swirls.  One set of coaches had it in a dark blue with the same Russia logo and swirl.  But, all of their jackets matched and with a big RUSSIA on the front there was never a question of the nationality of the team.  When the front of a uniform didn't utilize the 'swirl' the backs did.  They were very consistent and inspiring.

I guess it was nice for the US to get several designers involved but there was little or no consistency in our uniforms from sport to sport.  And what country was that suit with a French Beret supposed to represent in the opening ceremony?   Our Olympians looked like a private military academy from France.  We should stand proud and people should not have to wonder what country a team is from when they are playing or standing on the podium.

NOTE TO THE US OLYMPIC COMMITEE:
I, DARLENE SCHEIRIS, VOLUNTEER TO DESIGN OUR UNIFORMS FOR THE NEXT OLYMPIC GAMES, AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ALL MADE IN THE USA!

Havanese & Black Russian Videos

We have already had such an outstanding response to the live videos of our new Havanese babies that we have decided to post videos of some of our other kids, some of whom are available to the right show or pet homes.  

Here are the links.  If you get an 'offline' message instead of a video, scroll to the bottom of that page and check out our other videos:

Havanese, Caroline, RJ & ChocoBeast,  & Jack:  http://livestre.am/44f2f

BeBe x Benson Puppies:    http://livestre.am/44gRO

Black Russian Terrier Puppies:  http://livestre.am/44zyP

We will be adding to the video collection as time allows. 

Black Russian Terrier Puppies

Rozie X  Zac Puppies

Rozie:   CH That's Rozalia Liliya Vita

Zac:  CH Valkyries A Little Night Music Born June 24, 2012

There will occasionally be live video stream at:
http://livestre.am/44zFS

If you get an 'Offline' message, scroll to the bottom of the page and view their videos!

Contact us to see if your favorite is available. 

NEWBORN HAVANESE PUPPIES !!!

Congratulations to BeBe and Benson!

Proud new parents of 3 boys and 2 girls.

Check them out on their webcam from about 9 AM to 10:30 PM Central Time.  It will also be offline or blank when we are cleaning or changing bedding. 

http://livestre.am/44gRO

BeBe:  AM CAN CH That's Hot to Trot in Bedlem
Benson:     MBIS BINSS CAN GCH Havntyme El Vengador CGN

BENSON with Lorette Ball
CAN GCH Havntyme El Vengador CGN (AM Pointed)

BEBE with David Scheiris
AM CAN CH That's Hot To Trot In Bedlem

Mommy with Babies - 3 hours old
August 5, 2012