The purpose of the 2006 Breeder Education Panel was to bring together a
group of well-known Lhasa breeders who earned their ALAC Register of
Merit Awards prior to 1981. Attempts were made, either directly or
through friends or relatives, to contact all who fell into that
category. Many could not be found; some did not respond to the
invitation; some were unable to participate because of conflicting
schedules, travel distance to Olympia, and/or poor health.
Panelists included Dorothy Joan Kendall (Orlane), Marianne Nixon (San
Jo), and Cassandra de la Rosa (Suntory), who earned their ALAC Register
of Merit Awards in 1974, 1977, and 1980, respectively.
Larry Bruton videotaped the panel presentation. Those interested in
obtaining a copy of the video should contact Larry at 503-297-7267 or
jandlbruton@hotmail.com.
Panelists were given the option of writing and submitting a summary of
their responses for publication on the ALAC website. The verbal
responses were more detailed, and panelists, encouraged by the
enthralled audience, expanded and illustrated their points with some
interesting stories and details not found in the summaries. However,
the summaries will give those unable to attend an overview of
panelists' responses. To read the summaries that were submitted, click
the panelist's name:
Dorothy Joan Kendall
Marianne Nixon
Cassandra de la Rosa
Dorothy's
Summary
Comments: It was hard learning a new breed in the
early sixties—there were no Lhasa breeders around me, and I
had to go to Georgia Palmer (who lived 5 hours away in Chicago) for
advice and help. It was Georgia who advised me to go to Gloria Fowler,
and I'm so grateful for being less than knowledgeable about the breed
when I got Sparky and Flame.
I might have passed these dogs by had I realized they were not
"pure"
or "straight" Hamilton lines…all I knew was they were happy,
showy, and beautiful in my eyes! When they began winning, I received a
lot of vilification about my "mongrels"—which only made me
the more determined to show these people what they could do.
When Sparky had produced several champions, I began to really learn
about the breed—and how to care for the coats…and
it became increasingly obvious that this dog was a one-in-a-million
animal! I've been so lucky through the years—Sparky, Avenger,
Rah-Kieh, Gusto, and finally Intrepid! What a ride this has been! Now
my daughter carries on the tradition with her newest Best in Show
dog,
Irish and Am. Ch. Showa Fantastic with Pantulf…and his kids
are already winning. I'm not breeding Lhasas anymore, but I do have the
No. One all-systems Toy Fox Terrier being shown—BISS Ch.
Valcopy Penelope Pit Stop. A lot easier to groom, and fun to
show—you may see her in a ring near you!
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Marianne's Summary
Comments: My summary is really a series of questions
for those present in the audience. Judges are required to educate
themselves. They attend seminars and educational programs on the
various breeds they hope to judge. They study canine anatomy, structure
and motion, terminology, breed standards and observe various breeds at
the shows. Hopefully, breeders are doing the same thing. If not, get
busy!
When did you last attend a breed seminar on Lhasas? What about our flanking breeds? Have you read/studied the breed standards for the Tibetan Terrier and Shih Tzu or attended a seminar on either of them? Do you observe these breeds at the shows? How can you hope to appraise our own Lhasa stock if you don't have an understanding of what makes your Lhasa a Lhasa, rather than a TT or a Shih Tzu? How are all three breeds alike? How do they differ?
I assume you have all read your Lhasa Standard. Do you know what it mean, or are they just words on a page? What does our Standard say about gait? What does it call for in head? Can you tell me the differences in the head of your Lhasa as compared to the Shih Tzu?
Have you read the Illustrated Guide?
Does your library at home contain copies of books by authors
McDowell
Lyons, Rachel Page Elliot, Van Hollenbeck, and Curtis Brown? What other
books on structure and motion have you researched for answers as to why
your dog moves the way it does? Please remember that your canine
expertise is advanced through
education. Books, seminars, discussion groups, and mentorship all
await. This is the path that leads to your understanding and
professionalism as responsible breeders.
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Cassandra's Summary Comments:I’ve spent
about 35 years living with Lhasa Apsos, raising
them, showing them, enjoying
them. I consider them my friends. It has grown from a whim to a passion
in my life. The dogs are very much a part of me, an expression of my
creativity, an
expression of my competitive pride. Above all, they’re my
friends. I treat
them as I treat my human friends. I care about their needs. I care
about what’s important to
them. I care about making their lives – and, in this case,
not just my individual dogs, but
the breed - fulfilling. Because it’s a passion it’s
important to me beyond belief.
It’s a very personal thing. I don’t want to impose
it on other people I think everybody has to find their
passion. It’s not something anybody can impose upon you. But,
if your spouse enjoys it,
it helps! So, that’s basically the effect Lhasa Apsos have
had on my life.
It’s an important responsibility. It’s an awesome
responsibility to give back
to the dogs, to be able to enjoy the dogs.
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Sparked by the interested generated by the 2006 National Specialty's
Breeder Education Panel,
the ALAC Breeder Education Committee has begun to contact ROM breeders,
beginning with those from 1973, and asking them to respond to the same
questions that
the panel members answered. We want to save some of the memories,
thoughts, and history
of our ROM breeders. The interviews will be posted here as they are
completed. If any ALAC
member has contact with some of the older ROM breeders listed in the
handbook and would like to
assist with this effort, please contact Joyce Johanson, Co-chair of the
Breeder Education
Committee, at jk-johanson@wiu.edu.
KeKe Blumberg Khan, Potala Lhasa
Apsos, ROM 1973
Ellen Lonigro, Kinderland Lhasa Apsos,
ROM 1973
Onnie Martin, Pandan Lhasa Apsos, ROM 1973
Interview with KeKe Blumberg Khan ROM 1973
Question: What initially attracted you to the breed?
KeKe: Loved the shaggy dog look.
Question: How has your "eye" for the breed changed/developed over the
years?
KeKe: So far and so much – and hard to explain, but
I
appreciate my breed and all it has done for me through the years.
Question: When you look at a ring full of Lhasas, what catches your eye
first?
KeKe: They are beautifully presented. When I began, they all
looked
like unmade beds!
Question: What year did you enter the fancy and who was your mentor?
KeKe: 1960. Dorthy Benitiz, Marie Stillman, and the Griffings
Question: What is one thing you learned from that person that you
try/tried to pass on to others?
KeKe: A dog show is a beauty contest. A dog show is for
healthy dogs
– physically and mentally.
Question: What is one mistake (if any) that you made early in your
breeding/showing career that you warned newcomers not to make?
KeKe: Thinking the whole litter was show quality when perhaps
one might
be!
Question: What were the most important traits a Lhasa Apso had to have
to be part of your breeding program?
KeKe: True breed type and a lot of soundness too.
Question: At what age did you first evaluate the puppies?
KeKe: (1) The day and minute they were born, (2) at 6 weeks, (3) at 3-4
months, (4) at 10 months
Question: What breed health problems (if any) were of concern
to you
when you were breeding?
KeKe: The kidney problem called in the '70s – "water
drinkers." Hip, knee, and elbow dysplasia
Question: What do you think breeders can do today to
collaborate to
reduce health issues in the breed?
KeKe: There are new studies, medicines, and foods today and
knowledgeable vets to help breeders.
Question: What are the most significant changes you've seen in the
breed and in the fancy?
KeKe: The breed has gone through stages. Right now we have
correct size
and coats and better legs.
Question: What would you like to see happen in the future with the
breed?
KeKe: I hope we keep the oriental look and improve on health
issues.
Question: What do you consider your most significant
contribution to
the breed?
KeKe: Producing 58 AKC champions of correct type with minimum
health
problems and with wonderful, correct, slightly undershot bites.
Question: Who was your favorite Lhasa? Why?
KeKe: Ch. Potala KeKe's Yum Yum and her son Ch. Potala Keke's
Tomba Tu.
They were both truly magnificent.
Question: Would you like to add anything else?
KeKe: Thanks for asking me to participate. As an "old" Lhasa
person, I
appreciate all the breeders of today and wish them better and better
specimens our breed
throughout time immemorial.
Interview
with Ellen Lonigro
Kinderland Lhasa Apsos ROM 1973
Question: What initially attracted you to the breed?
Ellen: My daughter wanted a little fuzzy dog.
Question: How did your "eye" for the breed change/develop over the
years?
Ellen: Originally liked a longer back dog with shorter legs
but as I
spent more time in the breed I wanted a more moderate/shorter
back,
longer legs and more neck.
Question: When you looked at a ring full of Lhasas, what caught your
eye first?
Ellen: Basic outline, pretty long necks and long flowing
coats.
Question: What year did you enter the fancy and who was your
mentor?
Ellen: 1956 – Georgia Palmer
Question: What is one thing you learned from that person that you
try/tried to pass on to others?
Ellen: Genetics and role they play in breeding dogs.
Question: What is one mistake (if any) that you made early in your
breeding/showing career that you warned newcomers not to make?
Ellen: I never made any mistakes. LOL
Question: What were the most important traits a Lhasa Apso had to have
to be part of your breeding program?
Ellen: Straight fronts legs, good temperament, pleasing outline, good
length of neck fitting well into the shoulders.
Question: What did you look for when choosing a show potential puppy?
At what age did you first evaluate the puppies?
Ellen: Oh, at about 2 years of age. Actually, I began at 8
weeks and
again at 12 weeks. Looked for outgoing puppies and the attributes
mentioned above.
Question: What breed health problems (if any) were of concern to you
when you were breeding?
Ellen: Kidney disease was the biggest problem back then and we
had to
be very careful to try to stay away from any dogs producing these
problems. Tested specific gravity, BUNs etc., on all puppies.
Question: What do you think breeders can do today to collaborate to
reduce health issues in the breed?
Ellen: Share information and keep records on your dogs.
Question: What are the most significant changes you've seen
in the
breed and in the fancy?
Ellen: They got big and course. Whatever happened to the nice
11” dog?
Question: What would you like to see happen in the future
with the
breed?
Ellen: I’d like to see more young people interested
in our
breed because Lhasas will be extinct without them.
Question: What do you consider your most significant
contribution to
the breed?
Ellen: I had lots of fun. My bitches, Sang Po (Ch Kinderland
Sang Po),
Isis (Kinderland’s Ta Sen Isis, ROM*****) and Seneca (Ch
Kinderland’s Choks Seneca)
Question: Who was your favorite Lhasa? Why?
Ellen: Not mine – Ch Frosty Night of Everglo
–
elegant, like the way he moved around the ring and his long flowing
coat and proper size.
Mine – Patrick (Ch Ruffway Patrick) he was a challenge to
lead train but I liked the way he presented himself in the ring.
and Rocks (Ch Orlane’s Scirocco,ROM****) loved the way he
went around the ring looking spectacular and then said okay
that’s enough.. Liked him from the time he was a puppy. And
his ability to stamp his look on his puppies.
Interview with Onnie (Ruth T.) Martin
Pandan Lhasa Apsos ROM 1973
Question: What initially attracted you to the breed? How has your "eye"
for the breed changed/developed over the years? Today, when you look at
a ring full
of Lhasas, what catches your eye first?
Onnie: Our first look at an 8 week-old Lhasa puppy began what has
been a fifty-year love affair with the sport of purebred dogs. My "eye"
has progressed from doting
pet owner to critical judge as a result of countless hours of hands-on
involvement of every facet
of breeding, exhibiting, training (and loving) the breed. What I see in
the ring today often
disappoints me by being too>
large, clumsy, and lacking true Lhasa type.
Question: What year did you enter the fancy and who was your mentor?
What is one thing you learned from that person that you try to pass on
to others? What is one
mistake that you made early in your breeding career that you warn
newcomers not to make?
Onnie: I don't remember the exact year, but it was in the early
60's, soon after Lhasas were recognized. I was fortunate in knowing
Marie Stillman, Grace Licos, and
Dorothy Cohen, all of whom were generous with help and advice. All
three taught me to
appreciate type. I honestly can't think of any significant mistakes.
Question: What are the most important traits an Apso must have to be
part of your breeding program? What do you look for when choosing a
show potential puppy? At
what age are puppies when you make your initial choices? How old are
they when you
make the final cut?
Onnie: I am no longer active in breeding, but my criteria remain the
same: soundness, adherence to the breed standard and good common sense.
Question: What are the most significant changes you've seen in the
breed and in the fancy?
What would you like to see happen in the future with the breed?
Onnie: I see a lamentable tendency toward breeding less important
traits (color, heavy coat, etc.) and less attention to correct
movement, size, correct conformation as
set forth in the breed standard.
Question: What do you consider your most significant contribution to
the breed?
Onnie: My breeding program (Pandan Lhasa Apsos, Reg.) has proved to
be a positive influence on the breed and a source of great pride. I am
also proud to remember that judgments I made in the show ring had a
positive influence on a good many breeding programs.