Memorial Day Weekend

"I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day.  I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it.  We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did."  ~Benjamin Harrison


On this Memorial Day weekend, Kimmi, Greta, Jenna, and I will be at a dog show. There will not be many Lhasas there. Jenna will make her ring debut this afternoon. There are no other Lhasas entered in the regular classes, so this debut will be one of Jenna in the ring by herself and me hoping she holds her tail up. Jenna will show again tomorrow. There is be one other class bitch entered. Little Kimmi will have competition from two other bitch specials. Greta won't show until Sunday. Mostly, it will be a practice weekend for all, and that is "apsolutely" okay!

We did not go to any shows last weekend but our Lhasa family members did. Josh's litter sister, Cinder, earned two points. Cinder is owned by LaVonne Bennett and co-owned by me.

At the same show, Kimmi's half brother Stewie and half sister Penny, took Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex, respectively, on Saturday. On Sunday, roles reversed, and Penny took Best of Breed and went on to win third place in the Non-Sporting Group. Stewie and Penny were bred by co-owners Jan Graunke and Karen Schlais. Congrats to all for a great weekend! (Photos below courtesy of Facebook postings by Karen and Jan.)

Stewie and Penny with Saturday's ribbons

Penny after winning Group 3

Life is Better When You Have A Lhasa to Love You!

Joyce

 

Catching Up!

It has been a while since I wrote. I apologize, but the days have sped by so quickly and I've had so much to write about that .... well, same old excuses! We've all used them many times.

To start with, I did not get to wish all of you who are moms "Happy Mother's Day!" So here is a belated wish that each of you moms had a wonderful Mother's Day and received meaningful cards and phone calls from your children.

Here is the image I had intended to post prior to Mother's Day. Lest it be wasted, here it is now!

I spent Mother's Day the way I have spent Mother's Day for the past (I don't know how many) years, but it has been a lot. You guessed it. I was at a dog show!

 Couch Potato?

As you know, Josh is not being shown. I am hoping to take him to a few shows again this summer. I think he needed a rest from the ring as he was shown steadily from the time he was five months old. Granted, he's only two years old now, but he needed a rest and an attitude adjustment. He is taking advantage of the "rest" part. The attitude part remains to be seen.

 Show Results 

Kimmi and Greta, along with a special guest named Riley, went to Jefferson, WI, for shows on May 6, 7, and 8. These were Greta's first shows, and I am very sad to report that she was quite unhappy about being in the ring. Her tail was down and she was shivering from fear. It was sad for me to see her that way, but the only way to begin is to begin. So we did. Better luck next time, right?

I have heard it said that dog shows are much like gambling. You win just enough to keep you coming back.

Kimmi was awarded Select Bitch each day, earning her the three majors required for a Grand Championship. She has other requirements to fulfill, but at least the majors are out of the way. Check those off the list. Kimmi also was awarded Best Owner Handled in Breed each day. She took a third place in the Friday OH group, a fourth place on Saturday, and did not place on Sunday.  

I am sorry to report that Kimmi decided she did not like to show in the group ring! On Saturday we ended up going in at the end of the line-up. Then as the judge started his exam of each dog, Kimmi was spooked by a Shar Pei, as it came around the ring at full speed and stopped right behind her! She'd never seen such a dog!

Who me? Act up in the ring?  You must have me mixed up with someone else.

Riley, known to AKC as Joyslyn's Spirit of the Wind,  joined us for that weekend because her owner, Mary Kaufmann, had prior commitments. Mary purchased Riley from me. Some of you have her siblings, born late December 2014, sired by Duncan out of Windy. Riley is fun to show and the judges appreciated her movement.

Riley was the star of the weekend. She won two of the three days, earning a 5 point major on Friday, and a 3 point major on Sunday, giving her her first 8 points. This is a photo of Riley and me after her win on Friday. Thanks, Karen Schlais, for taking the photo.

After a few days at home to catch up on laundry and grooming—oh, and to go to work at the office—we also went to shows this past weekend in Rock Island, IL. Since Rock Island is only an hour and a half away, it was nice to drive back and forth and sleep in my own bed instead of a motel room.

Greta disliked this show and the show ring as much as she disliked it all the previous week. Darn! I have to learn patience. She'll get it one of these days!

Here are some pictures taken of Miss Greta. By the way, Greta is a full sister, albeit a younger sister, of Riley.

Riley had a great day at the show on Saturday. I showed her in the Open class and she took Winners Bitch. That gave her another 3 point major. Since I took Kimmi in for the Best of Breed judging, Mary, Riley's owner, showed Riley in that class. To Mary's surprise, indeed to the surprise of us all, the judge chose Riley as his Best of Breed. Because Riley had defeated the champions competing for Best of Breed, three of them being bitches, the 3 point major became a 5 point major. Now Riley needs just two single points to become a champion. We are very proud of her.

Here is a photo of Riley, taken back at the grooming set up. You can see Kimmi and Greta in their crates in the background. Thanks, LaVonne Bennett, for the photo.

Here is a photo of Jenna (left) and Greta (right) as I was carrying them outside to the ex-pen. Jenna will be old enough to show soon. Her first shows will be in Bloomington, IL, on Memorial Day weekend. If you live near Bloomington, come by to see us! There are fun matches after the Friday and Saturday Best in Show judging, so they will provide the two girls with some extra ring experience.

Notes and Photos from Others

Marilyn and Kathy are friends who have Joyslyn's puppies. Every so often Maci and Sophie get together for a play day. After one such day, Marilyn sent photos and wrote, "Hi Joyce, the girls had a great time playing this am. Here are the after pics. They even lie on the same side. We are so blessed to have a Joyslyn's pure-bred Lhasa…"

And she sent these photos of the girls resting after their day together! I think they wore each other out!

Maci

Sophie

Cindy wrote a note about her Jethro: "…I can't believe Jethro will be 3 years old this week. Time really flies. I know you were not thrilled with the name Jethro but it has turned out to be the perfect name.  Jethro is a big boy around 19 lbs. He has a huge head, is broad across the shoulders and haunches, and is very athletic. His eyes are so soulful and so full of mischief. Everyone he meets says his eyes are beautiful, and he has never known a stranger. Jethro's groomer always gives him a gold star and is amazed by his long, full tail. It really is an amazing tail and always in motion.  He spends a lot of time in the building helping with the show cars.  He likes to drag tools over to his bed so he now has a doggie wrench. This spring he has started walking by the Mississippi and thinks the Canadian Geese should play with him.  He is all boy and is truly a whirlwind of motion always looking for a new adventure.  He keeps us on our toes.  I am not sure he will ever mellow out to be a couch potato!  He is a jewel and one we are very grateful to have in our lives!  Take care and I hope you have an excellent show season!"

Jethro

Denise send a photo of her Duncan (named after his sire). He's a cutie too!

Violet sent photos of her Joyslyn's Lhasa, Yogi. He is getting up there in years and enjoys napping in the sun.

Judy adopted Raven (Ch. Joyslyn's Midnight Enchantment) from me a year ago. Raven recently accompanied Judy on a trip from CA to OK. I received many photos and wonderful descriptions of Raven and the trip. Here is one excerpt and photo. "...The airports were a crack up. Raven walked on leash and one would think she had been traveling for years and years. I could see that many of the passengers were watching Raven and smiling. I also heard people commenting on her. Several people stopped me and asked if they could pet Raven. Raven was very gracious and allowed them to do so. Passengers on all of the flights commented on how well behaved Raven was, even when we had a lot of turbulence. Not a peep out of her."

Raven enjoying the deck at Judy's mom's home

Raven at the airport. She travels with the blanket and big plush bone I sent with her when she went to Judy

This next note is not a happy one.

Gail adopted Piper (Ch. Joyslyn's The Charmed One) from us about nine years ago. If I recall, Piper was about 5 years old when Gail bought her. Gail recently wrote that Piper had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. My heart goes out to Gail who loved Piper so very much. Gail wrote, "Hello Joyce, I have some very sad news to share. I lost my sweet Piper yesterday. I am heartbroken but I know I made the right decision.  I miss her.  The house is so quiet and still without her. She made me very happy. I must tell you that she is the best dog I have ever had. Even my Vet said she was the "complete package" - beautiful, smart, well-behaved and sweet as could be.  Even her slightly crooked nose made her more endearing. She was also quite a little fighter. She fought her own battle with diabetes and helped me battle a year of breast cancer.  During that time, she was my reason for getting up every morning. Thank you Joyce for the love and the Expertise you put into breeding these wonderful little dogs.  You are able to create additional loving family members for us.  What a wonderful gift you have. Thank you again"



Now you must indulge me while I share some photos of the beautiful Piper.

Piper winning her first points - 2003

Piper winning a major - 2003

Piper the day she became a champion - 2004

Piper in her later years

Rest in Peace Piper. You were well loved and gave such love in return. I know Gail misses you so very much.

Life is Better When You Have a Lhasa to Love You!

Please love them in return. They are with us for such a short time.

Joyce

Life Is Better When You Have A Lhasa to Love You!

High, high amongst the mighty Himalayas

A small guardian stands, listening in sacred places;

Eyes dark and wise, an elegant sentinel;

Undaunted in a harsh and forbidden land

Stand you, ancient guard, Lion Dog...

Lhasa Apso

Cherished Bearer of Good Fortune

Now, if I knew who wrote that, I'd give him/her credit. But I don't. All I can tell you is that I did not write it, although I wish I had!

Show Photos

I have many photos to share with you this week. When I last wrote, we had recently returned from a Wisconsin show. I have since received the photos from that show. This first one is of Kimmi when she won the major on Thursday, March 31. The judge is James Brown.

Kimmi went on to win her fifth major on April 1. The judge was Susan St. John Brown. This win changed Kimmi's name to Ch. Joyslyn's Heart Song.

 

Josh is now a multiple Owner-Handled Group winner. Here he is pictured after his Group 1 win at Manitowoc under judge Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna on April 1.

May will be a busy show month for us. We have shows every weekend and, yes, I am spending Mothers Day at a dog show. It's "my" day and that is where I want to be!

Greta and Jenna have been going to some classes and are making progress. We held the last practice session in my driveway. I would not say they are ready for the upcoming shows, but at least they are lead broken and walk with tails up. There's time for the rest to come. Greta will be in shows all four weekends. Jenna will be old enough to show after May 22, so she will get in two shows before the month is over.

 Emails and Photos from Others

I love receiving photos and updates from people who have purchased our puppies. Here are some I'd like to share with you. First, those of you who have puppies out of Windy (Ch. MLS Dakota Dancing in the Wind at Joyslyn) or out of Charli (Ch. MLS Desiderata Flight O' Fancy) might be interested in the news from Marsha Susag. (Marsha is the MLS and the MLS Dakota in the dog's names.) Marsha wrote last week: "It is with great pride that I report that AM/CAN CH Desiderata Mustang Sally ROM, RA, NAJ, RATI, RATN, ALAC Versatility finished her Barn Hunt Novice title today with a first place finish!"

Sally is Windy's grandmother and Charli's mother. Here are Sally, Marsha, and the judge after Sally's big accomplishment.

 LaVonne sent a photo of our puppy bitch Misty with the Non-Sporting Puppy Group 3 ribbon Misty won on April 24th. Misty is Mon Ami N Joyslyn's Shades of Summer.

 Mary wrote that Belle earned a new title. She is now Joyslyn's Beauty Secret RN NJP.  I had to ask what all that meant. RN = Rally Novice and NJP = Novice Jumpers Preferred.

Mary's advice to anyone training a Lhasa is this: "Harsh correction doesn't go well; positive reward or no reward is the best."

Kathy shared a quotation from Erma Bombeck: "I know that you sometimes like to start your blogs with a quote, and I found one you might like.  I know that you are extremely well-read, so you may have come across this one already.  It is from the late Erma Bombeck.  Actually, she was referring to her youngest child, but it reminded me so much of life with a Lhasa, that I wanted to pass it along to you: 'You quicken our steps, square our shoulders, restore our vision, and give us humor that security, maturity, and endurity can’t give us.'” 

Thanks Kathy, because that Bombeck quotation really does reflect what Lhasas bring to our lives.

They also, like children, bring us some frustration, as hinted at in Marilyn's message about her Maci.

"Maci had her check-up and shots last week. She weighs 12lbs. 6oz. and the vet said she is full grown and very healthy. Here is a pic after grooming yesterday. I worked and Dennis took her. When I asked how she was, he said Vicki didn't say she was bad, but there were no gold stars on her crate!!! You can read that any way you want."

Maci

I heard from Barbara about her Daisy: "She just gets more Precious everyday - just when you think her personality cannot get better, it does.  Everyone still wants to steal her from me.  Like Tom called her his "PP - Precious Puppy" she will remain that forever!!!!  Last December I took her to a professional groomer who has been grooming for 25 yrs….She said she has NEVER had a dog like her nor a coat like hers.  She asked me how I wanted her groomed and told her, like a stuffed animal, and that is exactly what I got...She absolutely loves her grooming.  We still walk our 2.2 miles everyday, weather permitting.  In winter she still wears her red latex boots and sweater and lets me put her boots on with NO crabbing.  She lays on her back on the sofa and gives me one paw at a time.  Friends tell me that if they did not see it with their own eyes, they would think I was crazy!…thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart, for my Precious Daisy.  Oh, forgot - took her to a nursing home and the patients went absolutely crazy over her.  Going to try to do that once a month. My three neighbors are there. Took us 45 minutes to get from entrance door to the friend we went there to visit cause everyone wanted to pet her and put her on their lap.  Another example of the love she gives.  If she could only talk but her eyes do all the talking for her.  She still does NOT bark - only when she and I roughhouse with her toy!…Who ever said you cannot accent a daffodil garden with a "Daisy" !!!!!  Miss Daisy Mae is definitely my  precious big helper.!"

 

Kristi wrote, "Hello Joyce, I hope this email finds you well. Kimmi is stunning and a huge congrats to you both!  Vader is doing amazing!  I decided to cut his long beautiful coat. I might say I regret it, but he is a licker. Tricki is short, and Vader was just licking matts into his coat daily. It broke my heart but it was becoming a burden on us both...Good luck on the shows this spring and summer I know you and your babies will do amazing. "

Vader is the dark Lhasa in front, Tricki is the gold Lhasa

Cindy wrote, "Charlie is all Lhasa, independent and likes running things but is very sweet and loving.  He is playing well with Maizen and it is amusing seeing their continual chases and tug of wars." 

Charlie strutting his stuff

 

Links of Interest

"The War Dog Who Inspired Change for Canine Soldiers"
In November 2015, President Barack Obama signed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, which included language to allow military working dogs to return to the United States and live as pets with their service-member handlers.  Read more ...

"The Outdated Vet Vaccination Advice That Can Harm Your Pet"
Two years ago, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) canine vaccination task force updated their vaccination guidelines. The task force changed the previous annual protocol for core vaccines to an every 3-year protocol, with the exception of 1-year rabies shots. Read more...

 

 Check out the website of the American Lhasa Apso Club.

Don't forget to check out the articles, links, and many Lhasa photos on the Joyslyn's Lhasa Apsos website.

Life Is Better When You Have A Lhasa to Love You!

Joyce

 

Spring is Here! Right??

The first week of April has brought an interesting array of weather! Josh, Kimmi, and I went to a show in Manitowoc, WI, leaving warm spring weather in Illinois and arriving to wind, rain, cold, and snow over the four day stay. Back at home on Sunday, the temps were a wonderfully warm 76 degrees -- and the temps went down, down, down from there! Ah April!

Show Results

The show in Manitowoc was our second show of 2016. In spite of the weather, we had a great time at the show with our friends. The great news of the weekend for me was that Kimmi (10 months old) came home a champion. I am so proud of her. She was shown only 2 weekends, the first being in December 2015 when she was just 7 months old. She was shown a total of 5 times under 5 judges and they each awarded her a major. Of course, we took a picture after each win. I'll post them once the photographer gets them to me. Kimmi is now Ch. Joyslyn's Heart Song!

In the meantime, here are a couple pictures of Kimmi.

Generally we take some photos after a win when we are back at our grooming set up. We did that for all of our dogs except Kimmi! I suppose that was because we had the show photographer take the photos.




GCh. Joyslyn MLS Dakota Wind Breaker (aka Josh) took Best Opposite Sex, and Best of Breed Owner-Handled at Thursday's show and went on to take a 3rd place in the Non-Sporting Owner-Handled Group. Here is a photo of me (with my eyes closed!) and Josh after the Group. (That is Bob Alexander in the background.)

On Friday, Josh took Select Dog and Best of Breed Owner Handled. He went on to take Group 1 in the Non-Sporting Owner-Handled Group. Thanks, Karen Schlais, for taking the pictures. Saturday he also took Best of Breed Owner Handled, in spite of how awful he was showing! It was embarrassing, to say the least! We did nothing in the Owner-Handled group that day. He was just not into it! Since he was not showing well and since Kimmi was finished, we skipped the Sunday show and arrived back in Macomb about 6:00 PM, instead of the "closer to midnight" arrival time if we had stayed.

Kimmi's half brother and half sister, Stewie and Penny, also earned points toward their championships. Both were bred and are owned by Karen Schlais and Jan Graunke. Stewie took Winners Dog and Best of Winners on Saturday and Sunday, and Penny took Winners Bitch on Saturday and Sunday. Each just needs a few single points to finish.

Here is Penny (Karlyn Golden Tu Sing Soft Kitty To Me) after taking the Owner-Handled Group 3 on Sunday.

And here is Stewie (Golden Tu Karlyn Tattle Tail), after winning Winners Dog, Best of Winners, Best Puppy in Breed, and Non-Sporting Puppy Group 3 on Saturday.

Pictured below is Mon Ami 'N Joyslyn's Shades of Summer (Misty). This was her first show weekend at age 7 months, and we were proud of her showmanship and attitude in the ring. Misty took Reserve Winners Bitch on Sunday. She is owned by LaVonne Bennett and co-owned by me.

Other winners that weekend included Orlane's Blowin' My Mind, Winners Dog and Best of Winners on Thursday and Friday. He is owned by Linda Kendall Smith and Bob Alexander. He also finished his championship that weekend. GCh. Black Boots Pardon Me Boyz won Best of Breed on Thursday and Sunday. She is owned by Polly Naumann. GCh. Shoyu Blowin' My Horn at Orlane won Best of Breed on Friday. He is owned by Bob Alexander and Melissa Papke. Mike Reinke's male, Ch. Oakwynd Paint By Number won Best of Breed on Saturday.

Greta and Jenna Update

Little Greta accompanied Kimmi, Josh, and me to the show. She is a shy girl and did not really come out of her shock at the sights, sounds, and smells of a dog show the entire weekend. It was a bit disheartening since she will be old enough to show late this month, and I intend to enter her in some May shows. She was a good girl in her crate at the show and in the hotel room, and she did not mind using the exercise pen. She just was unhappy and had her tail down most of the time. However, she was not so unhappy as to skip eating! She is a food inhaler! Greta's registered name is Joyslyn's No Regrets. I am hoping not to have any!!

Greta relaxing on the bed in our hotel room.

Greta and our other puppy, Jenna (Joyslyn MLS Dakota Je Na Sais Quoi) are doing okay with their lead breaking as we practice being "show dogs" up and down our street. I'm hoping all this transitions to walking on the mats in the rings at the shows. One step at a time...

We currently have some construction going on in our utility room, so all the dogs are getting used to hearing the unusual sounds of hammers and drills and saws. I am eager to see the results of the contractor's work. I've wanted that room updated for 26 years (that would be since the day we moved in!)

Notes and Photos from Others

Denise wrote this about Duncan (Greta's litter brother): "Hi Joyce, Duncan got his first grooming last Saturday! Look how beautiful he is. They said he was a very good customer."

From Judy L: "Joyce, I just opened the front door and Raven/Whisper were playing and fake growling at each other, and Raven was hopping while doing this. Cracked me up…Raven adores Whisper, and can't wait to be with her. She goes to the kitchen gate to nose-to-nose with her, and when I let Raven out the front door, she races around to where the doggie door is, hoping Whisper will be there…The Whisper and Raven reuniting has been wonderful for both of the girls. As you witnessed when Whisper was still there, both of them love to antagonize the other one. When they run and walk, they appear to be glued together. What a fabulous brace they would have been... Thank you again for allowing these two beautiful, loving, and awesome sisters to share their lives with me. I love them both so much and love them equally. They have such different personalities and each personality fits into my life in different ways. Whisper is my bouncy kissy cuddly girl, and Raven is my stoic, calm, and watchful companion."


From Judy G about her two Joyslyn's Lhasas, Ty and Izzy:  "Ty, our golden boy, isn't enjoying going to class by himself yet. I have thought about bringing Izzy back to class, but she now has decided she is above such lowly activity as agility.  I am back at Rush for another series of shots and IZ doesn't like the bandages. Rush is beginning to ask patients about 'healers' just as the University of Chicago does. Rush began this program when they found out about what dogs can do for their nurses and patients in the hospital. Dogs help lower blood pressure, heart rate, etc., and like Izzy, some can find where the pain is located. I was asked last Monday if I had a dog who knows where the facial pain is. Our Izzy is now registered at 2 hospitals as a healer. Unfortunately, no one has been able to prove this in a scientific study.  Ty, practices agility daily with me and runs several times a week with Odie and John on his bike. He knows left and right.  He is also visiting 2 homes on my 'Meals on Wheels' route."


 From Kathy: "Attached is a picture of our community college co-ed Sophie at her graduation ceremony for receiving her AKC S.T.A.R. award.  When not attending classes, Sophie enjoys Mountain Goat Leaping, Ironman Twig Relay, and Olympic Puppy Wrestling Competitions.  After a brief sabbatical to see the beach and get the “big operation,” she will return to school for the Basic Skills and Manners curriculum. She is guarding the neighborhood from a front bedroom window as I write this.  We love her to pieces, and she certainly has become part of the family."

The following is a note from Carol about a terrible experience she had when she took Sadie to a new groomer last summer. Carol keeps Sadie's coat long and mat-free. She had problems with groomers who only wanted to shave Sadie bald, even when all Carol wanted was for Sadie to be bathed and get her feet and nails trimmed.

Carol wrote: "Sadie was still in her full coat so I asked her Vet for a recommendation for a groomer that didn't just want to shave all dogs.  He gave me the name and number of the groomer who does his Yorkie and 2 Golden Retrievers, all in full coats.  I made the appt and Jack & I took her for a bath, nail trim, clean up feet & make her beautiful because I didn't have the time to do it myself with Mom in such bad shape in the hospital.  Well, when Jack and I went to pick Sadie up 3 hrs later we didn't know it was Sadie!  That awful woman shaved her to the skin.  To the point she was bleeding.  Jack burst into tears and I was livid.  She had No Explanation as to why she did that to Sadie.  She never had a single mat on her.  I refused to pay her and went immediately to the Vet to have Sadie's chip scanned to make sure it was her.  He didn't know what to say.  Gave her an antibiotic injection and sent us home with more antibiotics and shampoo to bath her in 3 times a week.  That so called groomer must have bathed her in a sewer.  She ended up with skin infection, eye and ear infection, staph infection.  Even her feet were infected.  I had just had her to her Vet the week before for her yearly exam and shots.  He could hardly believe it was the same dog that he had seen 5 days before."

I don't even know what to say about that except that I am glad she waited so long to tell me or I'd have been tempted to track down that groomer!

Sad News for the Lhasa World

Marilyn Lucas, a long time Lhasa breeder and exhibitor, passed away in late March. She was a friend and a respected Lhasa breeder. Her kennel name was Cozmos, and she produced many champions and noteworthy Lhasas. You might remember seeing photos and reading my blog posts about Luna. Luna was the result of a breeding that Marilyn and I did between her male, Logan, and my female, Raven. And Luna is only one of many beautiful dogs resulting from Marilyn's Cozmos dogs. She will be greatly missed, as will be her contributions to the welfare and preservation of our breed.

Puppy News

Sadly, there is no news! We are just waiting, waiting, waiting...for the girls to come in season. If you are on the waiting list and grew tired of waiting and found a puppy from another breeder, please send me a quick email message to let me know.

If anyone is interested in purchasing one of our retired champion adults, we will have adults (male and female) available to pet homes toward the end of 2016. These dogs will be available only to people who have owned a Lhasa Apso in the past.

National Specialty News

The 2016 American Lhasa Apso Club National Specialty will be held in Loveland, CO, October 24-28. I've attached the flyer with the preliminary schedule of events. If you live nearby or are looking for something to do in October, make plans to be there, even for a day. The dogs are beautiful and the event is fun and interesting.

 Purebred Breeders Are Such Snobs!

Seriously?? Yes, I was accused of being a "snob" because I breed purebred Lhasas. But, you know what, if that's the appellation, then I will wear it proudly. I am proud to be a purebred Lhasa Apso breeder of long standing and good repute. I am proud to be, as the new term for breeders such as I labels us, a "preserver" of the breed.

The Lhasa Apso has a long history and is certainly a breed that deserves careful preservation and appreciation. This is an ancient breed whose DNA has been traced back to the ancestral wolf. It deserves preservation by breeders who appreciate its roots and the culture from which it came. It deserves breeders who read the standard and breed to it. It deserves appreciation for its uniqueness and its history.

Those "breeders" who bastardize the breed by mixing it with Poodles or Cocker Spaniels or Shih Tzu, Maltese, or heaven knows what other kooky combination they can come up with and slap on a cute sounding "designer" label are doing no favors to the breed and are "in it for the money."  Do you see the asking prices? These breeders are not creating a healthier, sounder, better dog. Call it what you will, a mixed breed is just that. If you buy one, love it and take good care of it, but understand what it really is. A designer dog by any other name is just a mixed breed, a mutt.

Breeders who breed two Lhasas simply because "little Cha-Cha is so cute and everyone loves her and wants a puppy just like her," or because "the kids would love to see puppies born and experience raising a litter," or because "we need some extra money and the dog is our ticket" are doing the breed no favors. Breeders who breed without careful consideration of the potential sire and dam's pedigrees, their physical qualities and those of their ancestors, and their temperaments and those of their ancestors are doing the breed no favors.

So, yeah, you can call me a snob about my dogs. I've invested 43 years of my life studying and loving the Lhasa Apso and, as I and the majority of other members of the American Lhasa Apso Club get older and the end of our time as breeders and exhibitors draws nearer, the future of the breed becomes even more important to me. Who will take up the torch?

Life is Better When You Have A Lhasa to Love You!

Joyce