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Name:
Laurie Schmidt
flcnhrst@telus.net
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How
did your involvement begin in Boxers?
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I
became involved in boxers in 1980. My sister had purchased a
very expensive boxer puppy. She was a brindle on one side and
fawn the other. I thought it was the ugliest thing. A few weeks
later she saw an ad for a 4 year old, Champion female, with
a CD title, out Can.Am. BDA CH.. Mephisto's Soldier of Fortune.
My sister was broke and asked me for the money. So I agreed,
but the dog had to stay with me until I was paid.
Well I feel in love with Flame, or Ch. Myshadow's Flame of fortune.
She was a lovely, big, elegant flashy fawn bitch, and had quite
the attitude. I only had Flame for 10 months when I lost her
to cancer, but her impression on me kept me going. So here I
am 31 years later.
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Over
all what do you think of the breed today?
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I
think our breed has come along way. I see better heads, and
overall structure. I would still like to see a bit more bone
and size but that is me. I have the body builders who still
can be models. Temperaments are way better. I think health
as well. Since we have more knowledge, and technology. As
well with internet, we have more access in terms of learning
of the breed. And with easier access to artificial insemination,
we can breed to dogs afar, with out shipping our girls so
far. All this has contributed to an over better boxer.
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Do
you believe the quality has improved or declined since your
involvement?
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| It
has improved. What I think of is us oldies showed dogs to their
Championship in the past that today we would have sold as pets.
We still have things to improve but now a days it is easier
and easier to find a pup to show. As a matter of fact more litters
of show puppies. Again, it has to do with the easier access
to bloodlines. Each year the standard in the ring improves,
thus each breeder improves. |
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Who
do you believe to be the greatest Boxer or Boxers?
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Wow,
that is a tough question and it is the eye of the beholder.
Many have caught my eye. I think in history as far as a show
dog Am.Ch. Turo's Cachet. I never seen her in person but her
photo's always caught my eye. There is so many great boxers
that added great contributions to our breed.
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If
you could incorporate one dog into your breeding program
past or present who would it be?
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| Well
again that is a tough question because my pedigrees are built
in such a way I can go in many directions to a variety of lines.
One stud I would love to use again would be Am.Can. Ch. HiTimes
North of Naughty CD, SOM. |
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Do
you believe that judges have a firm understanding of what
makes a Boxer?
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| Yes
our breeder judges do, but overall there are a lot of all breed
judges that don't. |
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In
a few words describe the essence of the Boxer.
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boxer should be a very eye catching, well balanced dog, caring
a look of regal, but with the hint of softness. |
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When
judging a Boxer what advice do you offer as
being the most important and least important?
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me what is most important is the over all look of the boxer,
and find the good qualities before looking for the faults. Then
determine if the fault out ways the best features. Also try
to remember which fault is the hardest to correct, in one breeding. |
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How
do Canadian Boxers compare to the breed abroad?
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| I
think our Canadian boxers, are very competive aboard. I feel
they in many ways they have been very successful in the ring
and breeding programs across the world. |
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What
are some of your favorite moments in the ring?
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Well
in terms of wins there are many. When Kayla went BW, Pepper
RWB, and their brother RW dog all at the same Specialty. Paige's
(even though I didn't show her, Crystal Davies did) BPISS, and
Arnie's BPIS. My most embarrassing time was in my third litter
that I breed there was a male called L.A'S San Pan Toranogo
(L.A'S was my kennel name before Falconhurst) and he did a whole
go around rolling like a ball. It was funny but embarrassing.
There was also Ch. Falconhurst's Home Town News, aka Miss Jazz
who would draw crowds because her behaviour was so bad.
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What
have been some of your contributions to the breed?
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| I
really don't know if I have made any big contributions. I have
not had a big winner used at stud to make a mark in the history
of the breed. However I feel I have stuck to my vision and I
have a Boxer I am proud to show, and say I breed. I also have
made my bloodlines so that I can go to many popular bloodlines
without out crossing. And I can out cross without hurting my
pedigrees. I did a tally of Champions I have bred and or owned.
In the 31 years of breeding I have produced 41 Champions, many
Dam of merits. And the great majority of my dogs live to be
over 10 years of age. |
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Who
where your mentors?
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| Well
I never really had anyone take me under their wing. However
there is many I watched from the side, took their advice to
heart, and admired. Some breeder's and judges that helped me
in my vision and knowledge are Sharon Berry, Monika Pinkster,
Donna Cole (whom I go my foundation bitch from, and spent a
part of a summer with learning on care and listened to a lot
of history), Elaine Mitchell (a cavalier breeder and handler),
and now this last one do not laugh Art Fischer. I did learn
a lot of history from him, handling, grooming, and whelping
tips. Most of all not to breed my bitches a lot of times or
have a lot of litters (he bred a lot and was something I disliked.) |
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Final
thoughts?
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Most
of all enjoy your Boxer. Breeding I think you should not breed
for a litter, you breed for the future. Plan for two and three
generations. For example: if you breed this bitch to that male,
and I get the pup I want, then I can breed her to so and so,
and if I get the right pup it can be breed to that dog there.
Have a vision and set goals. My goal had been to try to produce
a litter of Champions (if the bitch had enough) to make her
DOM in her first litter not to have to have a second litter.
This although limiting the program, if a health issue comes
up with the bitch you only have a litter and their pups to deal
with instead, of many litters. Have a line and Boxer you are
proud of and be honest with yourself. |
