Where
did you get your first Siberian?
From
a Belgian breeder. The dog’s name is “ Just My Love“, what all
Siberians mean to me. The logo of my kennel represents him when he was a puppy
(as you can see just above).
How
did you come up with your kennel name?
I
just looked at geographic maps and I found "Chefornak »: it is a town
located in Alaska. It sounds nice and I like it.
How
many litters did you have?
I
bred 13 litters since 1988.
What
do you generally do, inbreeding, linebreeding or outcrossing?
When
I started with my first litters it was outcrossing then I did some linebreeding
and I was quite happy with it because the quality of the dogs improved. But now
that I have this quality I will do outcrossing again to bring new genes in my
lines.
About
how many champions have you produced?
1999
came up with the 36th
champion-title in eleven different countries.
Nine champions were born at my kennel. As you can see I do not produce a
lot but each time it seems that my judgement is quite right because I pick the
puppy with a very promising show quality. I
always started to show the dog from the junior class up to the champion class.
“Norton” is the best example. Most of the champions were shown by me as I
also own them; I like to find good homes for my puppies even if it is not a show
home, the welfare of the dog matters a lot to me, going to shows is just an
extra.
Is
there one litter that you would consider to be your best?
Considering
the quality of all the litter I would say that the first one was the best: three
out of four puppies became multi champions: Moonlight is from that litter,
she was FCI World Winner in
1991. It’s the highest award you
can get!
Each
litter brings something different and I am very lucky with the ones I had so
far.
What
dog has been your biggest winner over the years?
“ CH. Chefornak’s Norton Snow Sky ” is
definitely the best one. He has
been shown more than 45 times and proudly owns seven Champion-titles; he also
won 7 speciality shows and two best in show.
“ Norton ” went all around Europe and was very successful
in Canada.
From now on he is the ambassador of my kennel; he is 10 years
old and deserves a peaceful retirement at home.
Have
all your dogs been owned/handled?
Yes
they are. I love to show my dogs. When
I was in Canada somebody else showed them for me but I did not like it at all.
Everything
was new for me overthere and as soon as I was used to the rules of the show, I
showed my dogs myself, with the same success.
Was
there a certain look that you wanted?
I
think you are talking about clothes? Well
I always try to wear the colour that matches the colour of the dog I show but
not necessarily to be flashy. I believe that the judge is supposed to look at
the dog and not at me. Dog and
handler should be a team and look nice together.
How
do you think type, temperament and soundness fit in the order of their
importance?
The
type is very important because the dog grows up with it; soundness and
temperament can improve or get worse depending on environmental situations.
The care and socialisation of the puppies should be a main goal for each
breeder but it’s also important to explain to the buyer the way they have to
raise their puppies to keep on with the good behaviour.
I
usually see the dog as a whole and I look
at individual parts for the final decision.
Will
you tell us more specifically about you ”ideal ” Siberian?
That’s
a very difficult question because to be honest with you I did not see my ideal
Siberian in the rings yet. That’s
the reason I want to go on with the breeding.
My ideal Siberian is first of all a sweet companion to live with.
His conformity to the standard, as a moderate and balanced dog, is a must
to become a champion in the rings and at work also.
What
are you looking for in the head?
The
expression is very important: intelligent and sweet. I do appreciate a feminine head for a female and a masculine
one for the males. That seems
obvious of course but pay more attention to the dogs next time at shows and you
will see what I mean.
The
almond shape of the eyes brings a lot to the quality of the look and is also
useful in the Arctic cold weather. I prefer brown eyes because they come up with
a nicer expression. The ear set is
supposed to be high on the top of the head to complete the picture.
Muzzle and a good stop need to match with harmony.
Good bites are very important because our standard calls for it; I do not
pay particular attention to missing teeth but I try not to breed dogs that have
the same defaults.
What
about croup drop-off?
The
rear assembly has to be in balance with the front and needs to present a good
angulation with a slope of the pelvis, which will transmit, through the limb of
the femur, the adequate power to the spine. In any case it should not be steep.
Can
you describe the correct top-line?
The
top-line is very important and functional in the dog's movement. I appreciate a
strong topline that neither rolls from side to side or goes up and down which
spends too much effort. It also has
to be level from the withers to the croup then slope the croup away from the
spine as mentioned before.
What
about the ideal tail length and set?
The
tip of the tail should not be longer than the hock and set up just below the
level of the topline.
What
is the ideal temperament for a Siberian?
As
I said before, the Siberian should have a sweet personality with sparkling
attitudes. He should be social with people, children and dogs especially the
ones he lives with as a pack. Shyness
or aggressively have to be treated as soon as possible. The proper socialisation
of the puppies will avoid a lot of bad attitudes dogs can get.
As a breeder, we do have the responsibility to prevent any accident.
Could
you describe how you like a Siberian to move?
The
Siberian movement is fluid and graceful showing good reach and drive.
In the show ring the dog should be presented in a moderate trot -
remember that the Siberian is a dog built for endurance and not speed. The
muscle tone and the joints mobility improve the efficiency of the movement.
It also means that to lose as less energy as possible, the feet should
tend to single-track under the centerline of the body.
It's almost impossible in the show ring because there is no space enough
and the dog cannot reach the correct speed to do so.
Showing outdoors is in that case much better.
What
are the most serious faults in the breed today?
First
of all I would say the balance “ height-length-of the body”.
The topline is often too long, which contributes to its softness.
I would also like to see more angulations front and rear but I do know
from my own breeding how difficult it is to get it.
But with the knowledge of structure you can see it in the early years of
a puppy.
Is
the standard a good one today and there is anything you would like to see
changed?
I
think the standard is a good one and very well written.
The specifications of what is correct or not is quite precise, you just
have to interpret it in the right way!
Did
you ever do any sledding with your dogs?
When
I was in Canada, yes I did and it was funny for my dogs and myself.
In Belgium we do not have enough snow so I train them sometimes with a 2
wheel-roller. It’s a good
exercise for them and they really love it.
What
was your favourite part of the
breeding?
What
I like the most is to socialise the puppies.
I usually spend a lot of time with them trying to give them as much
experiences as possible before they go to their new homes.
In my house there is a room where the puppies can play with different
type of toys and noises. With my
last litter born in April 1999 I went to the training classes when they were
seven weeks old (after vaccinations of course ! !).
They loved to investigate in another context and now that I see them
older and mature, I definitely think that it was a good idea.
I
also like to read pedigrees or magazines to pick up the best for my breeding
program. To be with my dogs is a special gift every day.
Do
you help your bitch whelp?
If
needed, yes I do. But most of the
time there is no problem; I stand by just in case and to clean up after each
puppy’s birth.
When
do you start training with your puppies?
I
start very early to touch them as often as possible. They have to know what human beings are all about.
It helps after to train them: when they are four weeks old I start to
stack them so I can feel their bones and their angulations. At six weeks old I
put a collar around their neck for a little walk. When they leave my kennel for
their new homes, my puppies are used to the leash, to the car, to behave as well
as possible for young dog that still have to learn a lot of things.
Did
you ever use any supplements in your dogs’ diet?
No.
I feed Eukanuba, as you know a complete dried food. I just add water,
sometimes a little bit of fresh meat in the winter when I run the dogs.
For a healthy coat, I groom them at least once a week with a conditioner
and a few baths along the year.
For
the rest, nature does it right!
Do
you check your dogs for hips and eye problems, and do most responsible breeders
in USA?
I
do it and I think it's very important. A
dog has to be healthy in his mind and body especially the ones who are used for
the breeding. I did not really pay
attention to it before my trip to Canada and to the States.
Over there most of breeders do the inquiries and I think it's fair to the
buyers. In Europe, it's definitely
a must because most of the breeders do not check their dogs.
In Germany, it's a rule in the breeding program and there is now another
program, which tries to decrease the rate of the pathologies. All countries
should be aware of the problems; we are here talking about the health of our
dogs.
Have
you some advice for the Italian breeders?
I
haven't been in Italy for a few years now but I am sure the breeders of your
country are doing a good job and try to improve the overall qualities of the
Siberians. Next time I come to Italy I will see what has been done since my last
visit; it's very important to share our experiences (good and bad one) because
it's the best way to get better. That
is also what I learned in the States where people are always willing to talk to
you with kindness and honesty.
When
you where showing, did you prefer to put your dog under an all breed-judge or a
breeder-judge?
I
would say that the all-breed judge has a better view of the overall dog but may
not pay attention to some particularities of the breed. On the other hand, a
breeder-judge has his own type and then you have to know if it matches your type
of dog.
There
are a few judges that I appreciate a lot; they are all breed-judges but they
also breed on their own and it's the best way to keep up with your knowledge
about what a dog should look like.
Is
judging fair and what can be done to improve it?
It
should be fair but unfortunately it isn't always the case because judges pay
more attention to the end of leash; a good handler is of course important but
the dog has to remain the focus point.
I
think judges should be invited to seminars about the breeds they are supposed to
judge unless they are members of a club where they can get information.
Some judges go to show as they go to a party, to meet other judges or
friends which is ok but they should not forget that exhibitors spend money and
time at the shows and they deserve to get a fair judgement and a kind welcome.
To all of you, judges, exhibitors and visitors, be courteous.
Thank
you for asking me these questions and I hope to meet you soon in Italy.
Christine
De Bondt