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AdIorabull Havanese By Jane Chavez
was first intrigued by this breed by way of the Bichon Frise. I had a Bichon and thought that was what I wanted to pursue in the show ring,
but the grooming was more than I wanted to deal with. The ‘Bichon People’ that I became good friends with, Dave and Darlene Scheir- is, had some beautiful Havanese as well, and I was hooked. My first Havanese and ‘kennel’ name came from them. Bull, my first Ha- vanese was totally adorable and his mother was Dora, so he became Adorabull. It fol- lowed that since Havanese were so adorable, that Adorabull would have to be in all of my dog’s names. My teenage daughter, Jessica, and my niece Ashley, participate in Junior Showmanship, and I am involved in my lo- cal club in Wichita as well as a regional Ha- vanese Club. I do not breed very often but am very proud of what I have accomplished, with my current brag - Roché, MBISS AM GCH CAN CH Adorabull That’s Better Than Sex, named after the totally decadent chocolates Ferrero Rochér.
1. When and where did you first become interested in your breed? At the Lincoln, Nebraska dog show in 2003.
2. What attracted you to the breed? At first glance is was the beautiful silky coat but as I got to know the breed, it was the playfulness and loyalty. I had never met a breed that was so joyful and loving. They are truly uncondi- tionally committed to their people.
3. Do you inbreed, linebreed or outcross? Why? I line breed, and do so carefully with the intention of improving the qualities I love of my particular bloodline. I do not inbreed as this can cause a multitude of health issues. Outcrossing is just too much of a gamble be- cause you really don’t know what you will produce.
4. How do you house your dogs? (together, separate, runs or pens) All of my dogs have a crate in a dog room next to my bedroom. They sleep in a crate until they are house trained, then they hardly see the inside of a crate again. My dogs are a part of my house- hold. My adult dogs sleep in bed with me, yes all of them. They all go out together to use the rest room and play in the yard. The only time they are separated is at meal time and when someone is in season.
5. Do you feed supplements? Yes, as needed. One of my dogs is on Kelp and the others have been on supplements at times but are not currently.
6. Where do you whelp your bitches? In my bedroom, in a large whelping crate.
7. How and when do you determine a show quality puppy? At eight weeks of age using an evaluation of structure and confirmation to the breed standards. I utilize the assistance of other reliable breeders when evaluating.
8. At what age do you begin training? Please share training tips. I start house training at about four weeks of age. I begin leash train- ing at about ten weeks and table training a week or so later. I think training a puppy to a grooming table is essential. We start this with the first nail clipping and continue it every time there is a need. I talk to the puppies and praise them when they tolerate the grooming. I teach a key word to a puppy when giving them a treat. This word is used to get them to look at the judge later on.
9. Do you think your current standard is adequate? If not, what changes would im- prove it? I think it is correct as is.
10. What is the greatest health concern to breeders today? Hips and elbows are a big concern because of the cost associated with them. Our breed is essentially healthy but oc- casionally there are issues.
11. Is dental care important? Yes, because it can cause other health issues and prevent the dogs from being able to eat adequately.
12. What do you enjoy most about own- ing this breed? These dogs are so human like. They are affectionate, playful and most of all very intelligent. They greet me every time I come home with such enthusiasm.
13. What grooming tips or hints would you like to share? Condition, condition, condition. Use a blow dryer and slicker brush to gently remove a mat from the dog.
14. What makes this breed a great show dog as well as a companion? These dogs present themselves with such enthusiasm. They are incredibly excited about showing and learning to “perform”.
15. What tips for advice would you offer the newcomer? Make sure your dog is breed by a reputable breeder who is health testing and socializing the puppies. Avoid dogs that are not raised in the home environment and handled daily from the time they are born. For those who are starting to show their dogs, ask for help, listen and have fun.
16. How do you determine the stud dog you will select to breed to your bitch? Usually by the pedigree and qualities that I want to improve on. I also insist that they are Champions and health tested.
17. If you were starting a kennel would you buy a bitch first or a dog? Explain I wouldn’t have a kennel but I did buy a male first.
18. What three words best describe your breed? Fun, affectionate and amazing.
19. What is the single biggest misconcep- tion about your breed? That they shed be- cause they have long hair.
20. What is the most defining physical characteristic of your breed? Silky coat.
By David Scheiris
orn in Eastern Canada, I lived most of my adult life in Cal- gary, and am now living with the Love of My Life near Kan-
sas City, Missouri. My journey in dogs began in the spring of 1980 with the purchase of my first purebred dog, a GSD. From there I was hooked. I trained and competed in obedi- ence, tracking and Schutzhund. Conforma- tion came around with my second GSD and in the next few years I was handling our pup- pies as well as helping others out in the ring, then with people hiring me to show their dogs, I made the jump and ‘turned pro’ show- ing dogs professionally across Canada, the US and Mexico, ever since. In 1984 we added a Bichon Frise puppy to the mix and I learned the art of grooming from the iconic Brenda Combs. From Bichons I moved on to learn to groom other breeds as well, Poodles, Portu- guese Water Dogs, Irish Water Spaniels, Chi- nese Cresteds, etc. In 1989 I fell in love with the Bouvier des Flandres and set my sights on that breed (and more grooming). In the early to mid 1990’s I saw my first Havanese at a Rare Breed Show in Canada. They stole my heart and have never let go. I showed extensively for Grace Westerson, Sunberry Kennels, Alberta, Canada and was fortunate to show Buster, the first Havanese Champion and the first #1 Havanese in Canada AM CAN MEX FCI CH Starkette Pride of Wincroft, with numer- ous Group Wins, being the first Havanese to win a Group 1. I also showed Buster for his owners, Michele and Barb Johannes, at the 1st US Havanese Nationals. One of my foun- dation bitches was a Buster daughter, AM CAN CH Sunberry’s Pandora’s Box, multiple Group Winner and Best Puppy In Show. The other was AM CAN CH Sunberry’s 911 in Manhattan, Best of Opposite at Westminster 2003. To date I have bred or co-bred over
HAVANESE
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