I was thrilled to sit down with Antoinelle Vulpis after she and her Skye Terrier made history by winning the most competitive Terrier show in the World: Best in Show at Montgomery County. It was no small feat, but Antoinelle’s bond with her dog truly shone through in their performances. We’re here to uncover what drives her, her unique journey, and how she got from where she was to where she stands now. Let’s dive into what makes this owner handler’s journey so remarkable.

Lee Whittier: A Veteran dog like Archer brings something special to the ring—resilience and longevity. How do you keep that deep connection alive and maintain a veteran in top form year after year?

Antoinelle Vulpis: He’ll be eight in February. I stopped actively showing him about two years ago, but I knew once he turned seven, I wanted to show him in the Veteran class at the National—it was a personal goal. I showed him in Canada as a primer for Montgomery County. It was refreshing; different show cultures offer new insights. Preparing him now, with more responsibilities in my life, is a bit more challenging, but it’s deeply satisfying to see him groomed and ready. It takes longer, but the pride and excitement are just as strong.

Lee Whittier: Not everyone sets a goal like showing their veteran at the National. What drives that ambition for you?

Antoinelle Vulpis: We’ve won the National twice and the Roving once—those were incredible moments. But there’s something extra special about showing an older dog if they’re still in great shape. He’s my only one, so I can really focus on him. In Canada, this June, he did well, and it showed me he still had it—he remembered what to do and could still move beautifully. Montgomery felt like the natural next step for us.

Lee Whittier: It’s pretty unusual to step back for two years and then bring a dog out to win the National. How did you make that happen?

Antoinelle Vulpis: Archer’s my only show dog. I have an older Siberian as a pet and recently got a Welsh Springer Spaniel to try another family-friendly breed. I’d love another Skye Terrier, but I’m never in a rush. As you know, I waited a few years for this one. I will wait as long as I have to for another good one. I’m never in a rush. When the timing’s right, I kind of just know.

Lee Whittier: Patience is rare in the dog world. Many people want what they want immediately. If it’s not now, it’s never.

Antoinelle Vulpis: I remember him as a puppy—Skyes are adorable but go through an awkward teenage phase. I’d pray, “Please grow faster!” Now, as a veteran, I wish time would slow down. You want to rush through stages, but then you realize you shouldn’t want that at all.

Lee Whittier: For those unfamiliar, Montgomery County is a one-of-a-kind event. It’s the only Group Show hosted by a breed club where you can win Best in Show. Typically, in a Group Show, winning means you’ve won that Group, a Group First, but at this show, it is Best in Show at the largest Terrier show in the world. Montgomery County draws people from all over the world to celebrate Terriers. I had the pleasure of meeting friends from Sweden who came specifically to watch the Wheatens, and others to show their Cairns. It’s an incredible gathering, both for competitors and spectators, dedicated entirely to showcasing the best of the Terrier breeds. Antoinelle, what was the entry like this year?

Antoinelle Vulpis: When I looked [at the entry], it was around 1,400. I did look in the catalog and see that it used to be about 2,500, which is incredible, because it’s only Terriers. It shows you how intense this show really is, and how it really is a Bucket List item for people just to be able to go to the show.

Just making it to the final Group ring is incredibly challenging because, for many breeds, you have to win your national just to advance—that’s not a regular Best of Breed. The level of competition is mind-blowing. And then there’s the international element; so many dogs come from other countries specifically for this show. You might think the lineup looks manageable, but then a dog from Europe shows up and dazzles everyone. That unpredictability is what makes it so exciting. It’s a place where people debut new dogs and retire veterans, adding to the event’s significance. The vibe is electric—the crowd is rows deep, and even if you lose, you stay to watch. Being there is an experience unlike any other. It’s electric.

Lee Whittier: To give our readers even more perspective, even the iconic Walter Goodman, Mr. Skye Terrier, Best in Show at Westminster, never won Best in Show at Montgomery. It’s surprising, considering he was so involved with the club and AKC.

Antoinelle Vulpis: I checked the catalogs myself, it’s hard to believe! He was such a big part of the club. It shows just how tough this competition is.

Lee Whittier: Exactly. Even top professional handlers often don’t win here. With 31 Terrier breeds and 23 Nationals at Montgomery, no other Group Show has that. Over two-thirds of the Terrier breeds hold their National here.

Antoinelle Vulpis: That’s why the whole weekend is so special. People look forward to it all year. The all-breed shows leading up to Sunday’s event are incredibly competitive, and entries spike for certain breeds just for Montgomery.

Lee Whittier: When Antoinelle was in the Group ring—which serves as Best in Show for the Group winner—she made the cut, and on the second up and back, she and Tucker performed an amazing feat. For those who know Skye Terriers, they aren’t the easiest to free-stack. But she performed “The Prayer,” a move originally developed by Gwen DeMilta in Dobermans in the 1990s. The Prayer is when you kneel, in the free-bait, in front of your dog, bait them down, and let them stand independently, watching you. Antoinelle, it was a breathtaking moment to witness, especially with a Skye Terrier. No one else did anything like it with their fancy Terriers—you truly clinched it.

Antoinelle Vulpis: I’d never done that before. But I know my dog; after years together, I can anticipate his quirks. He’s stubborn with his ears—they never stay up when I need them to. I thought of Larry Cornelius with Charlie, who had similar challenges. You only get a few seconds to showcase your dog’s strengths. So, I got in front of him, hoping he’d pull himself forward and show off his topline and neck—classic Skye qualities. They call it “The Prayer,” but really, it felt like a Hail Mary. It was my last shot, and I’m glad it worked.

Lee Whittier: You’d shown to Lydia Hutchinson before. What were those conversations like when you won under her previously?

Antoinelle Vulpis: Yes, Lydia saw my dog early on—she gave him his second major when he was just a year and a half at the Trenton Kennel Club. I was still a novice and remember being a sweaty mess, not even knowing how to properly present on the table. She had to tell me to stop feeding him when she was examining his mouth. She’s seen me grow from those beginner days. I also competed in the National Owner-Handled Series for extra experience, but I was so green—I’d walk out of her line of sight! I’ve shown to her sporadically since then, and while I don’t chase judges, it’s meaningful when someone like her recognizes your dog.

When I showed to her at Morris & Essex, she awarded Archer a Group Two in an 800-dog Terrier Group, which was huge. I knew if I could just make him look good, we’d be considered. You never expect anything, even with a favorable judge. I had no hopes of winning my National that day. I’d never shown to Lorraine Bisso before, but she seemed to remember my dog from a show, years ago, maybe the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. It’s funny how these things come full circle.

Lee Whittier: The Dog Show Mentor community is dedicated to going as far as possible with their dogs. When we talked before, we touched on routines and excellence. How have you kept your Veteran Skye in top condition? Do you bike him or swim him?

Antoinelle Vulpis: Skyes are a bit lazier, which works for me. Just getting him to play fetch in the yard, doing some baby agility jumps, or going up and down stairs—simple activities like that kept him fit. Even with his short legs, just going up and down the stairs helps build his back muscles. Thirty minutes of cardio a day was really all he needed.

Coat conditioning, though, was another story. When we were actively showing, I’d bathe him every week or 10 days. Now, with work and my toddler, it’s more like every two weeks. Clean hair grows, so I make sure to keep him clean, especially after it rains. He drags in all the leaves and dirt, so I always have to clean his undercarriage. I don’t brush him daily, as I don’t want to pull too much hair out, but I focus on the areas that mat. The bathing process takes about two hours—soaking, shampooing, conditioning, blow-drying—and I don’t use a force dryer, just a hand dryer for line brushing. It’s time-consuming, but it’s been routine since he was young, and now it’s relaxing for both of us. As he’s getting older, I have to be more careful because his skin is thinner, so I make sure not to irritate him.

Lee Whittier: That kind of detailed care is so important, especially as they age. Did you expect to win the breed?

Antoinelle Vulpis: Honestly, no. Our Breed ring was late, around 1:40, and the Group started just after 3:30. With the heat of the afternoon, my main concern was keeping him cool. He overheats quickly, so I made sure he had water, a fan, and some rest. I didn’t want to stress him with a full bath before Group—it would’ve been too much. But I did rewash his beard since he drools, and by the time we head to the ring, it’s always wet again.

Lee Whittier: It’s so interesting. With less time, you were focused on each moment—getting the fan, cleaning the beard, and getting to the ring. What happened next?

Antoinelle Vulpis: Once he was taken care of, I made sure he had time to rest before the Group. I got him on the table to relax, but I always get a little nervous, especially at this show. I focused on staying calm because dogs feed off your energy. My mentors were there too, and he always gets excited when he sees them, which can mess up his perfectly groomed hair. He has a habit of shaking at the worst times—right after the table exam or on the down and back. It’s a constant challenge, but I manage it with a little invisible hold gel and quick brushing. I think it’s his way of reminding me he’s the boss.”

Lee Whittier: So you got him in the ring, a little nervous, but it sounds like your main focus was keeping him relaxed, clean, and steady.

Antoinelle Vulpis: Exactly. I brought a fan ringside to keep him cool. Even though it got cooler than it was during Breed, he runs hot with all that hair. I made sure that when he wasn’t being examined or stacked, he was sitting and relaxing. Some Terriers stand the whole time, but for Skyes, with their short legs, I think it’s too much. They need to rest, especially in a big ring like that.

Lee Whittier: You were on AKC.tv, and though you worked for AKC for five years, at this point, you were the exhibitor, putting your dog on the table for the Group/Best in Show judge. How did you stay calm?

Antoinelle Vulpis: Honestly, I didn’t even think about being on AKC.tv. I was just focused on making my dog look good. I always try to place him on the table, so he’s already in position; something Ernesto taught me years ago, to lift him so he’s ready for the judge. I want everything perfect—his legs, his hair—before the judge even turns around. But I had a bit of a rush because the Parson Russell Terrier in front of me waived me ahead of them, so I was up next, unexpectedly. I had less time to mentally prepare, but I rushed up to the table. Thankfully, AKC.tv’s timing worked in my favor. Once he was stacked, I just looked at him and tried not to cry. Seeing him there as a veteran, knowing the judge had seen him when he was younger, it felt like everything had come full circle.

Lee Whittier: Wow! That’s a powerful moment.

Antoinelle Vulpis: Yeah, it was. I just kept telling myself, “Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.” I knew this was my moment.

Lee Whittier: Did she say anything to you? Or nice to see you?

Antoinelle Vulpis: No, nothing like that. We just made a small joke about the dog that didn’t go when it was supposed to, but no personal comments or congratulations. I think when I’m really nervous, I don’t say anything. When there’s a lot of pressure, I get quiet. Some judge-friends think it’s weird, but I’m focused. I just want to make sure I’m presenting him well and I just don’t want to get distracted.

Lee Whittier: Is there anything you’d like to add before we close?

Antoinelle Vulpis: Just that being an owner handler is such a special experience, especially when you have a good dog. You really want to bring out the best qualities in them. It’s just such a sense of pride knowing that you did that yourself from start to finish—from grooming to conditioning—it’s unmatched. I have many professional handler friends and have learned so much from them. I never blamed losing on the fact that they were pros. Instead, I’d think, “What can I do to make my dog more competitive? How can I improve?” I’d ask other Skye handlers for advice when I lost, and I learned by watching and asking questions. There’s no single right answer, but you gather bits of knowledge and find what works for you.

I gave my dog his full trim myself, and while I was kicking myself for cutting his hair a little too short on one side—that’s all I could think about when I saw it on the AKC.tv video. I knew I’d come a long way. In the beginning, I had no idea how to trim, but I kept asking for advice. Professional handlers aren’t people to be jealous of; they’re people you can learn from. And when everything comes together with your own dog, the feeling is like no other. It’s the best in the world.

The post An Interview with Antoinelle Vulpis – 2024 MCKC BIS Winner appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
4. What are some of the challenges encountered along the road to full AKC recognition? What are some of the challenges as a preservation breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Carrie Smith

1. I live in a little town north of Tyler, Texas. I have been involved in dogs for over 30 years. My involvement includes breeding, Conformation, and being the primary kennel manager for an Assistance Dogs International, Inc. accredited service dog program. My Siberian Huskies and Yakutian Laikas carry NorthStar as my kennel name.

I began importing Yakutian Laikas with the help of my good friends, Ekateriana Klimakova and Oksana Zadora, who were coming back and forth from Russia to show. I was fortunate to have experienced handlers/mushers in similar Northern breeds help me select the initial Yakutian Laikas, which are now a critical part of the gene pool in the US. They visited Russian kennels, to help me locate breeders who focused on both Conformation shows and sledding, to select breeding stock for the US. With their help, we were able to obtain several dual-titled dogs for the gene pool here.

2. Thankfully, the breeders we worked with in Russia and other countries helped us to import as much diversity in this breed as possible. Concerning trends would be size and color. We are considering Standard changes to address these concerns. We might add disqualifications for oversized dogs and for dilute colors such as blue. The Russian National Breed Club has spoken out against dilutes since it seems to produce Color Dilution Alopecia, which we, of course, don’t want to see in our breed.

3. I think we are lucky to have so many chances to exhibit our dogs. Although I am located somewhat in the middle of nowhere, there are many events within a 100-mile radius.

I think judging is fair overall. It’s important for exhibitors to remember that the Miscellaneous phase is about the owners learning AKC procedures, policies, and expectations. It’s also about the judges learning our breed. This breed has been very well received by judges. We have had good placements in FSS Open Shows right from the start. I feel the judges have taken a true interest in learning about our breed.

4. AKC club policies and procedures are probably the biggest challenge. We have been lucky to have some great experienced guidance with that part.

5. I think social media can be a great communication tool. It does allow immediate access to a lot of information. I do think it does a lot of harm as well. I think people can easily follow those who talk the loudest rather than those with the most knowledge and experience. I do think that it can put judges under a lot of scrutiny, as everyone has a voice and no one likes to lose.

6. I think bridging the gap between learning from social media and online resources versus true in-person mentors can be a challenge. While we have access to more people these days, we need to understand that these judges, breeders, and handlers are still busy dog people. We are all very busy dog people, but we are expected to be so much more than that now.

7. I think it is great that people have easier access to health testing and learning about the positive contributions they might be able to make in a breed. The improvements in health testing over the last 20 years is especially positive for the health of future purebred dogs.

The post Carrie Smith | NorthStar appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
4. What are some of the challenges encountered along the road to full AKC recognition? What are some of the challenges as a preservation breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Amber Eisfeld

1. My name is Amber Eisfeld and I have been showing, training, and breeding dogs for the past 15 years and have been breeding and showing JAI since 2016. I have six Japanese Akitainu that represent all three colors. Hokkyokusei Kennels Japanese Akitainu is based in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and is named in reference to the North Star. I really enjoy showing in Conformation, but I also actively train and show in Scent Work, Fast CAT, Agility, Obedience, and Rally. I am a Board Member of the Japanese Akitainu Club of America (JACA), and also a member of Akitainu Hozonkai (AKIHO) North America.

2. In terms of health, overall, the breed is in decent condition but suffers from a few autoimmune-related issues such as sebaceous adenitis and uveodermatologic syndrome, which we unfortunately do not have genetic testing for. Amelogenesis imperfecta (familial enamel hypoplasia) is a condition that affects teeth, which has been coming up but there is a DNA test for it that breeders can take advantage of. As for conformation, weak rears comes up in discussion as something to work on for breeders, in addition to low ear sets and undesirable brindle patterns and color.

3. I feel that in this sport, every breeder has a different eye for what they are looking for in their breed… in many cases, so do the judges. Staying true to what the Breed Standard should be and not breeding for what might be winning in the ring is important.

Good judging can be challenging in newer breeds as the judges learn the Breed Standard. My experience has been across the board when it comes to judges being knowledgeable about the Breed Standard. Some judges enter the ring excited and enthusiastic about the dogs in the Miscellaneous Class and have clearly taken the time to read the Breed Standard presented by the parent club and will often reference the Standard while we are in the ring. On the flip side, I have had judges show up without any knowledge of the breed, barely put hands on the dogs, and point to a dog that lacks everything the Standard indicates. The Japanese Akitainu Club of America (JACA), the parent club of AKC, has put together great judges’ educational guides informed by the country of origin’s original breed club, AKIHO, to help judges have a better understanding of the Standard.

4. JACA was formed in 1997 and was not allowed to apply for AKC recognition until 2020. There were a lot of significant challenges along the way that our predecessors endured in order to split the Akita breeds in the AKC. We have a dedicated group of breeder-members in JACA who work well together and really support each other as Preservation Breeders, and many of us are also members of AKIHO North America as well. The biggest challenge as an exhibitor came when we were still in FSS. There was a lack of Open Shows in the Midwest, specifically Minnesota. Since entering the Miscellaneous Class, we have had the opportunity to show much more. I do not have as much competition in my area, so traveling and building enough points to make shows worthwhile becomes a very strategic process. Adding in the expenses of show, travel, and lodging can make things difficult and limits the amount of shows several of us in the region can attend.

5. In general, it opens the field to a new audience and allows for education to a broader audience. Developing relationships with knowledgeable persons/mentors has probably been furthered through social media, for me, and it allows for new participants to have connections to people they may not otherwise have relationships with. For our breed club, social media is a great way for us to keep connected across the US and Canada. Luckily, we have AKC and CKC judges, a lot of enthusiastic exhibitors, responsible pet owners, and passionate rescue members in JACA who share valuable knowledge and experience with one another.

On the other hand, miscommunication also hits a broader audience. Mistakes are easily perpetuated. Tone can be tough to interpret via social media. In the social media world, you can learn things about people who hide behind their keyboard and it can be tiring and disheartening before you ever set foot in a ring.

Whatever people may see online, I would say, come meet exhibitors in person and see for yourself rather than relying solely on someone’s social media account.

6. I see participation by younger people as a big challenge, and part of that is due to people not being welcoming to the sport or to a specific breed. If we don’t encourage young people, help mentor, and give chances, we cannot expect to continue to do better and we risk cutting off the next generation of enthusiasts and preservation breeders. Another challenge, which ties back to a previous question, is seeing how newcomers may be manipulated by social media.

7. A positive change is seeing show dogs be able to do more than present themselves in the Conformation ring. It is much more common to see all breeds of dogs showing the versatility of their breed by participating in performance sports. When breed clubs embrace a variety of the dog sport enthusiasts in their membership, it encourages more participation overall. It can’t just be about Conformation anymore for clubs and communities to thrive.

The post Amber Eisfeld | Hokkyokusei Kennels appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

“The little dog has a beautiful intense point for all sitting game which it keeps until the hunter reaches the dog,
the game is flushed, the dead game retrieved, the crippled game tracked and retrieved—all with great assuredness.”

—Rudolph Lons

This is how Rudolph Lons, an early breeder of Small Münsterlander Pointers, described the little pointing versatile dogs in his 1921 book. Affectionately known as “The Little Spy” for their tendency to closely watch their owner from their kennel or bed across the room for any sign that the owner may need them, Small Münsterlanders are elegant and energetic, medium-sized dogs with a strong confidence only outweighed by their loyalty to and cooperation with their handler. They are versatile dogs that combine intelligence, desire, and fidelity. They quickly adapt to multiple types of game, climate, and terrain. Tireless in the field and good-natured in the home, they are solid pointers, meticulous trackers, disciplined retrievers, and enthusiastic swimmers.

Although there are arguments for a much longer history, perhaps back to the 1500s, official documentation of the Small Münsterlander dates back to the mid-1800s and names two storied lines: the smaller Heitmann line and the sturdier Wölberg line. These lines, managed by a teacher and a gamekeeper respectively, originated in the Münster region of Germany. It wasn’t until fifty years later that the breed was well-established with German hunters, and the breed club “Association for Kleine Münsterlander Vorstehhunde” was founded and a studbook and registry were created.

Until 1927, only brown and white dogs were recognized within the breed. That year, Edmund Lons, an early ambassador of the breed, was so impressed with the temperament and hunting aptitude of a roan female that he incorporated her into his breeding kennel. This color prevailed, and due to its genetic dominance, roughly half of today’s small Münsterlanders are roan.

Through the two World Wars, the breed was nearly devastated. We believe that by the end of World War II there were, once again, only two small Münsterlander kennels in Germany. Thanks to the persistence of the two kennel masters, dozens of individual dogs owned by priests and hunters were found and breeding stock was selected. Kennels across all of Germany were reunited after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990.

Small Münsterlanders were probably imported into the United States in the 1950s, but they remained largely unknown until Paul Jensen and his wife, Vibeke, imported their first Münster in 1973. The couple imported several Danish Small Münsterlanders and began breeding them under the Jaegerbakken kennel name. Paul was instrumental in establishing the Small Münsterlander Club of North America in 1993, which ultimately became the Small Münsterlander Club of America (SMCA) in 2020. The SMCA is the parent club of the breed and sets the Breed Standard within the American Kennel Club.

The post-World War II German Small (Kleine) Münsterlander Club, the Verband fur Kleine Münsterlander, set out to repopulate the breed by breeding for “health, performance, character, and form.” It’s important to note that with these small, versatile dogs, form follows function; they were, and are, hunting dogs first and always. Uncommon with other sporting dogs in Europe before and after the war, but common with Small Münsterlanders, was that farmers had their dogs with them in the home. While many sporting dogs are described to have an “off button,” an ability to settle down in the home after the hunt, Small Münsterlanders are known to have an “on button.” By selectively breeding for temperament, early German breeders developed a versatile dog that is regularly relaxed in the home, good-natured with other pets, good with children, and an excellent watchdog.

The SMCA encourages all breeders to withhold breeding rights from puppy buyers until the puppy can be fully evaluated for temperament, hunting aptitude, conformation, and health. Often, this takes approximately two years, as dogs cannot be fully evaluated for conformation until they have reached their adult size.

As a highly heritable trait, temperament is of utmost importance when evaluating a Small Münsterlander for breeding. It is the author’s experience and opinion that just fewer than half of the puppies will closely mirror the sire’s temperament, roughly the same will be very similar to the dam, and the remainder will be a random mix of the pair. Therefore, it is paramount that neither parent show aggression to people or dogs, shyness to gun or game, or fearfulness. These qualities are evaluated as a part of hunt tests and the results are shared with the breed council prior to breeding approval.

The Small Münsterlander was developed as a versatile hunting dog, and it is important to the quality and utility of the breed that a strong hunting aptitude is maintained. All Münsters must be capable of finding and pointing game, tracking, and retrieving over land and water. Prospective owners are encouraged to test their dogs for hunting aptitude in either AKC Pointing Breed Hunt Tests, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) hunt tests, or the Jagdgebrauchshundverein (JGV) hunt tests, commonly used for dogs with FCI pedigrees.

While conformation is important as a strong contributor to the dog’s “type,” its evaluation is solely used to ensure the dog’s utility in the woods, water, and field well into old age. As is stated in the Breed Standard: “Structure of the ideal Small Münsterlander should indicate an anatomy that enables the dog to do its work searching, retrieving, and swimming in an effortless, efficient way.” They should have a “strong, harmonious build,” be of medium size and with balanced proportions. Adults should have well-feathered front legs, breeches, and a flagged tail. Coats should be dense and straight or slightly wavy, and of medium length.

Proportional balance is of prime importance. Small Münsterlanders should be approximately ten percent longer than they are tall. Overly long dogs will lose agility in the field, while shorter dogs will lack reach, drive, and freedom of movement. Males should be 20.5-22 inches tall; females 20-21 inches. Dogs should have a strong, driving rear with good reach in the front and equal angulation in the front and rear.

Bone structure should be medium to strong. The dog should be light enough to support effortless work in the field but strong enough to promote the dog’s propensity to jump over, duck under, or in some cases, push through obstacles. It is the opinion of the author, and many other breeders, that males should look strong and masculine and females should be agile and feminine without being frail.

“The expression of the head is part of the type.” The physical traits found on the dog’s head should support the typical Small Münsterlander’s demeanor. The dog should appear keen, yet soft, with a relatively flat skull, recognizable stop, powerful and straight muzzle, tight lips, powerful jaws, and strong cheeks (to promote a solid retrieve), medium-sized eyes, colored as dark as possible, and broad, high-set ears. The nose and lips should be solid brown. Many Münsters have a solid brown head, although some have “spaniel markings,” or full or partial white blazes.

The neck should be in balance with the body, with enough length to show some arch without being overly long. Breeders have noticed that dogs with a well-inclined shoulder, which absorbs front-end impact, will typically have a slightly longer neck than dogs with a steep shoulder. Münster breeders are encouraged to improve the breed’s front shoulder angulation as this will lead to longevity in the field. The topline should be straight and slightly sloping to the rear, with pronounced withers, a well-muscled back, long and slightly sloping croup, deep (not overly broad) chest, lightly tucked belly, and high-set tail which is carried horizontally and approximately level with the topline and then slightly curving upwards.

As previously stated, breeders are attempting to improve shoulder angulation, striving for a near-perfect 110 degrees as measured between the shoulder and upper arm. This is a challenge across the breed, with many dogs lacking good shoulder angulation. Münsters should be well muscled in the fore-end, with tight-lying shoulder blades and elbows turning true to the direction of travel. Elbows should be directly between the withers and the ground, and all four feet should be tight and round with tough, robust pads and strong nails. Feet should maintain parallel in both stance and in movement. Excessive hair and hare-like feet are both undesirable. A dog with poor feet cannot do his work properly.

As the motor behind the suspension, the hindquarters of the Small Münsterlander should be proportional to the front. Münsters will have to search wide, retrieve, and swim strongly during work. This requires powerful muscles in the upper and lower thighs and good angulation in the stifle and pelvis.

The Small Münsterlander’s coat serves to protect it against weather, vegetation, and terrain. It is the author’s opinion that there is no dog more beautiful than a well-furnished Münster with a dark brown head and cape and strongly contrasted white tail, belly, and legs with moderate ticking. However, an overly furnished dog will tend to collect every briar, burr, and bramble in the forest and will prove to be incredibly high-maintenance in the field. Besides, a properly utilized dog will likely lose at least half of its furnishings and feathering in a typical hunting season anyway. The coat can be colored brown-white or brown roan with brown mantle or ticking.

The Small Münsterlander is a generally healthy breed. Some health conditions, while uncommon, are considered disqualifying traits by the breed club, including epilepsy, history of seizures, and hip dysplasia. German Kleine Münsterlanders are further tested for ectopic ureter, a condition found to be extremely rare in our North American dogs due to strict breeding guidelines.

As a very active sporting breed, Small Münsterlanders need daily mental and physical exercise. These dogs are bred to hunt, and they are hunting every time they are running free whether the owner knows it or not. A happy Münster is able to spend at least 15 minutes every day running off-leash in a safe environment where he can explore. This satisfies the body and the brain, and will likely keep the active dog out of trouble in the home! As such, they are a best fit for homes with a large, safe yard or homes where the owner can regularly and safely exercise the dog off-leash. Practically all Small Münsterlander breeders prefer to pair puppies with hunting homes, and some sell to hunters exclusively.

Small Münsterlanders are the little dog that can do it all. As a relatively rare breed, they’re yet to be evolved into field and show lines. With the right breed stewardship, Münster owners and handlers can have their cake and eat it too.

The post The Small Münsterlander: A Good-Natured and Versatile Hunter appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
4. What are some of the challenges encountered along the road to full AKC recognition? What are some of the challenges as a preservation breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Patricia Cummins

1. I have owned Samoyeds since 1975, and bred Samoyeds since 1982, along with the support of my husband Paul. We have produced 87 Champions, including top-ranked dogs that have won Best in Show and multiple Group Placements. I am a Life Member of the Samoyed Association of Canada, the Samoyed Club of America, the CKC and a CKC judge, and I am licensed for six Groups (1, 2, 3, 5, 6 & 7). We have owned Samoyeds, several Pembroke Welsh Corgis, a Norwegian Elkhound, and most recently, Yakutian Laika.

2. My interest in the Yakutian Laika began back in 2015, when I first saw pictures of them showing up on the Internet. After chatting with my friend, Dawne Deeley, and finding she was similarly intrigued, we decided to import first a female in February 2016, and shortly thereafter, a male. Thus, the first pair of Yakutian Laika came to Canada, to found the breed here. We decided to pursue recognition of this breed in Canada, even though they were not yet FCI recognized at the time, as we knew that recognition was pending.

The breed has since been added to AKC Foundation Stock Service in August 2017, and was moved to the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Miscellaneous Class on June 26, 2024. The FCI provisionally recognized the YL in September 2019. There are now breeders of Yakutian Laika all around the world, and they have now been recognized in many other countries throughout Europe, in South and Central American countries, and in Australia, and they are on their way to recognition in many more!

3. Things I have noticed since I first began? There seems to have been more of an interest, and much more opportunity for beginners, to learn at the knee of the more experienced, through benched shows and mentoring. Lectures on the importance of structure and soundness were more frequently offered in the past and, I believe, novice breeders had more opportunity and more encouragement to learn that breeding and showing was about so much more than just winning fancy ribbons!

Too many shows have led to smaller shows, and smaller entries have led, in my opinion, to poorer quality Champions overall. There are still great dogs out there, but the pool is watered down somewhat. Just because a dog earns a Championship does not necessarily mean it is quality enough to be bred!

4. One of the greatest concerns is a trend ALREADY by some breeders to “fancy” colors. The Breed Standard does not include Merle or Brindle within acceptable colors. In January 2024, the Russian National Breed club for YLs went so far as to issue a statement that these should not be considered as purebred, as the colors did not originally occur in the breed. Dilutes are also to be considered unacceptable. Even though the breed is rare already, apparently some felt that these “even more rare” colors should be offered, and are going against the Russian National Breed Club’s wishes to promote them.

One of the greatest challenges of any rare breed is to remain within the requirements of the Standard and yet still produce quality dogs, from very limited foundation stock, now made even more limited by border and shipping restrictions popping up around the world.

5. Social media can do infinite harm to individuals, as we have seen. And yet, used well, it can give so much more of a global viewpoint in breeds through sharing and learning from what is shared; where a breed is at, all around the world. In the case of my new love, the Yakutian Laika, it was only through social media that the rest of the world learned of this breed—and this is now often the case for uncommon breeds. These platforms could become the savior for not just breeds that are newly recognized and uncommon, but also for older breeds whose numbers are dropping to the point of becoming endangered!

6. One of the greatest difficulties in breeds with low numbers is the difficulty in importing new breeding stock, with so many new import restrictions occurring all around the world. Further impacts are felt with so many countries succumbing to AR agendas and restricting breeding for various scientifically unfounded reasons. These are the greatest dangers to our sport and our hobby.

7. All we can do is continue to publicize the heritage and history of our purebred dogs, and promote ethical and healthy breeding practices as an alternative to volume breeding and pop-culture trend-buying, for a lifelong, healthy companion.

The post Patricia Cummins | Sancha (permanently CKC reg’d) appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
4. What are some of the challenges encountered along the road to full AKC recognition? What are some of the challenges as a preservation breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Barbara Dubois

1. My name is Barbara Dubois, and I am currently the only Breeder of Merit for Peruvian Inca Orchids. I never thought I would be here, but owning this breed is a passion. I got into the breed after a mission trip to Peru where I saw my first hairless dogs in a park in a small town in the country’s coffee-growing region. It was love at first sight! When I returned to Peru two years later and encountered so many Peruvian dogs in Cusco, I knew I was going to make one mine. After a couple years of research, I decided to import my foundation bitch from Peru, as the breed was extremely rare in the States at that time. What started out as a family dog grew into family weekends at shows. My four children, some now grown, have learned responsibility and good sportsmanship by being involved as well. They are involved in every step.

I have lived with and owned dogs my whole life. My first “adult” dog was a hairless Chinese Crested, but I have had various rescues, Chihuahuas, and a Dachshund previous to the Peruvians. I was in the breed for four years before I bred my first litter. I wanted to make sure I learned what I could from my mentors, taking the time to research health issues that can arise. My first litter was born five and a half years ago, and I am glad I took the time I did beforehand. And I would still do it the same all over again.

I am enjoying living in the South, outside Augusta, Georgia. We have a couple acres, so the dogs have a lot of space to run and enjoy the outdoors.

I chose Calypso for my kennel name for a couple of reasons. I love the laid-back vibe of the islands and being at the beach. My soul is at peace at the ocean, and having a Peruvian next to you, just relaxing when you are home after a hard day at work, gives you the same sense of calm.

2. Overall, I think the ethical breeders are doing a fine job at keeping our breed in good condition through health testing and making sure they use dogs with sound temperaments.

Like most breeds, a trend that warrants concern is breeding for color. In our case, it would be breeding specifically for spotted dogs. While beautiful and flashy, dogs with more than 20 percent white are more prone to sunburn, skin cancer, allergies, and other health issues.

3. Being that our breed is still in Miscellaneous, I find that many folks are very welcoming to newcomers. There is a huge camaraderie among the different exhibitors to help each other, and most are really pretty friendly. Showing is enjoyable. I think that this has to happen overall in all areas of the sport.

In the Miscellaneous ring, many of the judges have never encountered a Peruvian before. So, many times, we will see them referencing the Breed Standard in the ring. I appreciate the time they take to refresh their memories on our Standard while judging.

I am pleased with the number of shows and the opportunities we have to showcase our dogs. It would always be great to see more clubs include Open Shows to their all-breed events.

4. Membership is a challenge, for sure. We definitely need people who want to see this 3,000-plus-year-old breed finally get recognized here in this country! I always hear, “Oh, I want one of those… after you get recognized.” While I am glad the breed has won their heart, we still need interested parties now to help make that happen.

With a relatively small gene pool, the new rules on imports are definitely not helping preservation breeders. Also, the availability of fully health-tested breeding partners in this country. Importing semen does get a little pricy over time.

As an exhibitor with multiple dogs showing, making sure I have enough hands on deck to get everyone in the ring is a challenge. I am very lucky that my fellow exhibitors do step up, and we do try to help each other when at all possible.

5. Social media can be good for the sport. It can be so uplifting and encouraging. It can show people what is possible with hard work and determination. It has the possibility to show that anyone can join this sport and have fun with their dog. Unfortunately, the flip side of social media is that folks can hide behind their keyboard and spout negativity at every turn. This is detrimental to the sport.

6. The biggest challenges, I think, could be a whole article on its own. But in reference to my breed, I would really like to see the Miscellaneous and FSS breeds be welcomed like our fully recognized counterparts. We are not new breeds. We are just new to AKC.

7. I have seen more judges take their time to learn more about our breed and take time in the ring to engage with exhibitors. And ask questions after judging is complete.

The post Barbara Dubois | Calypso Kennel appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
4. What are some of the challenges encountered along the road to full AKC recognition? What are some of the challenges as a preservation breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Alexis Chism

1. I am the third generation of Afterhours Kennel, German Wirehaired Pointers and Basset Fauve de Bretagne. My grandparents acquired their first German Wirehaired Pointer nearly 50 years ago and have been very successful in the breed over the years. I live in Reddick, Florida, and I was born into the sport, essentially growing up at dog shows and in the whelping box. I began showing dogs when I was six years old. My sister, Allison Chism, and I are very proud to be continuing the legacy of Afterhours that my grandparents, Christine “Tina” and Walt Whitmore, and my mom, Christi Chism, have dedicated their lives to.

2. Overall, I would say the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is in good condition. However, there are a few areas that we need to work on, such as coat quality, level toplines, straighter fronts, and length of back. Fauves are a hunting breed, bred to work in rough terrain to track down the scent of rabbits. Their coat should be tight, coarse, and never wooly, as a correct coat is essential for them to perform their job in the field effectively. An incorrect coat can significantly hinder their performance. Additionally, while Fauves are allowed a slight turn in their front legs, I’ve noticed that many dogs have excessively turned-out feet. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is the shortest-backed of the French hounds, meaning they are never to be long and low. They need the right amount of leg underneath them to be able to cover ground and work for hours. It is essential for breeders to focus on improving coat quality and breeding for straighter fronts to preserve the working abilities of the breed.

3. When showing in the Miscellaneous Class, I feel that there are not many judges who are familiar with the Basset Fauve de Bretagne. In most cases, it is only their first or second time going over a Fauve, which makes it challenging for them. To address this, I always make an effort to bring a quality example of the breed to any show I attend, ensuring that judges have the opportunity to put their hands on a good representative of the breed. One of my imports, Clark, has his Certificate of Merit 14, and I continue to show him and many others even after completing their CM title to give judges more exposure to the breed. Although it can be costly to continue entering shows after finishing a title, it is crucial to provide this exposure while the breed is still on its path to full recognition.

4. The road to full AKC recognition for the Basset Fauve de Bretagne has had its ups and downs, with challenges related to gaining enough recognition and participation to meet AKC requirements. One challenge is ensuring that enough dogs are shown across different parts of the country, which can be logistically challenging and costly for breeders and exhibitors. Additionally, educating judges about the Breed Standard is essential to ensure a fair and accurate evaluation, especially since it is a relatively rare breed. As a Preservation Breeder, the challenge lies in maintaining genetic diversity while also working towards improving specific traits like coat, structure, and movement. We must be careful not to sacrifice health or temperament in pursuit of a specific look. As an exhibitor, competing in Miscellaneous or Foundation Stock Service (FSS) can sometimes feel isolating because these breeds do not yet have the same visibility or competition as fully recognized breeds.

5. Social media is good for the sport in terms of educating the public about different breeds, especially those in the Miscellaneous and FSS that are lesser-known. It allows breeders and exhibitors to share information, highlight breed characteristics, and showcase accomplishments, which helps to generate interest and awareness. However, social media can also be harmful. As breeders, we need to strive to use social media as a tool for education and connection rather than competition.

6. One of the biggest challenges facing the dog show community is the declining participation in Conformation events. Many people are unaware of the purpose and value of dog shows; a means of evaluating breeding stock. To address this, we need to improve public outreach and education, explaining the importance of preserving Breed Standards and encouraging new participants to get involved. Another challenge is the cost associated with showing dogs, which can be prohibitive for many. Fostering a positive and inclusive environment is key to ensuring that people want to stay involved in the sport, whether they are Juniors, newcomers, or long-time exhibitors.

7. Over the past decade, I’ve seen a greater focus on encouraging Juniors to participate in the sport. There are now more Junior workshops, fantastic prizes, and numerous opportunities for Juniors to learn and grow, which is essential for the future of dog shows. These initiatives help to keep young people engaged and foster a love for the sport from an early age.

The post Alexis Chism | Afterhours Kennel appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
4. What are some of the challenges encountered along the road to full AKC recognition? What are some of the challenges as a preservation breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Kevin Carroll

1. Hello, my name is Kevin Carroll and I am the owner of “Yakumo Sou” Japanese Akitainu (JAI) kennel in Buffalo, New York. I have solely dedicated myself to the JAI for 20-plus years, both here and in Europe. In 2013, I moved to the US from Ireland where I was also an owner/breeder/handler. Before moving, I was actively involved in the Irish and European dog show scene and had started my FCI judge’s license. I was also a co-founder of the Akita Association of Ireland.

2. The breed has some unique struggles that are evident here in North America. As the breed’s country of origin (COO) is Japan, it can be difficult to build relationships with breeders there. There are also cultural differences that pose a threat to the breed such as the Japanese breeders not health testing, which is considered essential here. As a result, importing from the COO can be risky when attempting to build a healthy and stable breeding program. Considering the breed is relatively “new” to the US, many “breeders” and fanciers are also new, so that creates the issue with many of them needing to educate themselves on conformation and what it means to be a dog breeder.

3. As a preservation breeder and active dog show judge myself, I am forever reminded of the disconnect between the two. As we see a societal shift that limits dog kennels and an increase in restricted suburban living, it makes it increasingly difficult to find true dog breeders with influential breeding programs. We’re seeing a rise in pet people taking up dog showing as a fun sport, which can be a positive thing as long as they remind themselves of the purpose of a dog show. That is to evaluate breeding stock. If you attend dog shows with little to no intention to breed, take the results with a grain of salt and realize that you are the one asking for feedback in a venue that wasn’t made for you. These challenges contribute to the root cause of a decline in dog shows nationwide.

4. The AKC recognition process is polarizing. Other owner/breeder/handlers from AKC-established breeds tend to stigmatize FSS or Miscellaneous as breeds that just landed from outer space into a show ring. Most of the breeds going through the recognition process are older than the registries that are forcing them into their system. As a result, the breeds should be met with the same level of respect as the AKC fully-recognized ones. As an exhibitor, we see the same negative issues in dog shows as a whole. Professional handlers putting their name on an FSS/MISC dog to bypass the rule of no professional handlers in FSS/MISC. This can be discouraging for the true breed ambassadors who are showing up at the event to introduce the breed to the AKC show world.

5. Social media is the double-edged sword of the dog world. The online dog world can leave us feeling like we are impacting the real world without actually going out in the real world and having an impact. This mindset, for some, is having an effect on their progress in dogs.

6. Some of the issues facing the dog show community of late include lack of mentorship, corrupt breed clubs, and a complete unwillingness to accept the results of dog shows. Mentorship is a two-way street and you must approach it with respect and patience. Our egos need to be put aside and we need to see more newcomers take a chance and send a message to someone they admire in their breed and ask for help. Breed clubs can be a massively beneficial segment of a dog breed’s success. However, sometimes it is seen in the dog world that people utilize clubs to manipulate, corrupt, and control. Some even use their status in clubs to sell puppies. We need to elect members based on their resume and not on who they are friends with. Far too many times I’ve seen breed parent clubs that have Board and Committee members who have never owned or bred the breed. Lastly, the issue of accepting results at shows is a difficult one, especially in the case of an FSS/MISC breed where we are fully aware that the judges don’t understand the breed and how to judge it yet. In that case, see dog shows as an opportunity to get people talking and asking questions about your breed. As previously stated, if you’re not a dedicated breeder with a breeding program you’re actively working on, don’t get offended when the results don’t go your way and the judge upholds the Breed Standard with what they believe to be breeding stock presented to them.

7. A positive thing I’ve seen in the sport of dogs lately is the work being put in by some to shift the stereotype around purebred dog breeders and dog shows. We need to do more as a community to educate the public about the differences between good breeders and bad. It’s wonderful to see dog folks advocate for themselves as they deserve to with the dedication they’ve shown to their breeds. I want to live to see the day when the general public understand the process involved in finding good breeders and seeing them realize that by supporting those breeders they are doing their part to reduce animals in rescue.

Thank you for giving us the voice to educate the dog show world on these wonderful breeds!

The post Kevin Carroll | Yakumo Sou appeared first on Showsight Magazine.