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My love of movement came from
showing horses. I was fortunate enough to have owned a big, stout
Thoroughbred that went on to compete in the Olympics as well as
the first Appaloosa stallion that was imported to Australia. As I
grew older, the thrill of competition was still in my blood and I
began to think about downsizing and perhaps showing dogs. I was
immediately drawn to the Miniature Pinscher.
While attending local dog shows, I accumulated the various
publications that were being distributed and I took a great
interest in the elegance and grace of the Sunbrook Miniature
Pinschers. They seemed to possess a style and presents in the ring
that was hard to miss! I knew I had to have one of them! I never
regretted the bloodline I choose to work with and I never swayed
from it. The mating of Ch. Sanbrook Smooth Operator to Ch.
Redwings Above Suspicion will go down in history. The bitches that
resulted from those matings went on to Best In Show and Hall of
Fame status. In other words, not only were they pretty, but they
could produce as well!
I am a real believer in careful line- breeding . I breed back to
the Sunbrook dogs, trying trying to incorporate all of the famous
old bitches, for they each had something to contribute to the gene
pool. If you study my pedigrees, you will see the use of half
brothers, half sisters as well as aunts and uncles. I have locked
in a type and style - and the movement my dogs possess cannot be
denied: "they are what they were".
My bitches are whelped in my office. I am often seen "online"
in the wee hours of the morning while on "whelp watch." I
practically live in the office and it allows me the chance to
observe the whelps throughout their gestation to the time they are
weaned. Pups and moms welcome the sound of "You've Got Mail" and
get totally excited and know they will be going outside when they
hear "Good Bye." |
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Evaluation of
puppies is an ongoing process from the moment they are born. The
first thing I look for in a puppy is that "look at me" attitude
and confidence that I desire. I like the "bad kids" that
want to get into everything and won't back down from anything in
their path! My son, Justin, made a comment to me that will stay
with me a lifetime. He told me that I raise my puppies to be free
thinkers just like I did with him. It gives them the confidence
they need later in life.
As soon as they are old enough, they are
introduced to the rest of the Wannabees. All of my dogs run
together at exercise time. My stud dogs are often seen laying of
the ground being mutilated by the puppies that are
determined to ride motorcycles and leap from tall buildings. I
will not tolerate a bad tempered dog . Everyone must get along. I
respect their "pecking order" and I do not interrupt when they
establish their order in the pack. |
I strongly
believe that a show quality dog should not leave its original home
until it is pointed and has proved its worth in the ring. This
gives the new owner the added confidence that the dog has been
socialized in the ring and has the ability to win.
I owe my success to the famous Thoroughbred breeders
who refused to breed to my mares. They sent out a clear message
that I needed to upgrade my program if I planned to succeed. I
hope the new people that are getting involved in Miniature
Pinschers will be as open to criticism as a person needs to be.
The breeders that have created these dogs we love so dearly have
given us much to be thankful for. Take the time to study their
breeding programs. Everything we need to know is in a pedigree. It
is up to us to continue where they left off!
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Top Notch Toy Magazine,
October, 2003 Issue. |
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