Sandra L. Hoesel
1. I’ve been addicted to dogs and horses for as long as I can remember. When I was very young, my dad purchased a gorgeous Black Lab puppy and I sat in the very back part of the family’s VW Bug with that puppy, “Soot,” who I made my dog. Eventually, I would get into 4-H, but in the interim we did everything from dog shows to SAR to AKC Tracking and Obedience. It was always a thrill to go to the big shows and watch everything from Conformation to water retrieves. Some of my best memories were in the field with my dad, either training pointers and retrievers and/or bringing home pheasants. As an AKC Field Judge for Pointing Breeds, I still love watching dogs run down a treeline, spin, and slam point. I love the versatile breeds and always enjoyed hounds, hence my quest for a
beautiful Porcelaine.
My kennel name for the Sporting dogs is SandStorm, which is my name, Sandra, and an old, much loved dog, “Stormy,” combined. However, I wanted to separate the Porcelaines from the Sporting dogs and named my Porcelaine kennel “Aria” because they love to do a little operatic Aria every afternoon. I absolutely fell in love with “Margeaux,” my first Porcelaine who I acquired in 2018. She was bred domestically, out of two imports. She surprised me with her intelligence, presence, versatile ability—and what a sweet dog! Naturally, I wanted another. After Margeaux’s health and genetic testing was successfully completed and she had proven her outstanding temperament and ability, I knew I wanted to help this breed.
I imported a gorgeous male Porcelaine from Poland from the Nova Espera Kennel. After titling him and performing all health and genetic testing at the age of two, I bred him to Margeaux and we had seven beautiful, healthy Porcelaine pups on September 2, 2023. Ewa Pilich at Nova Espera has been a great and invaluable mentor for me in the Porcelaine breed. Even though I have had many dogs and been very successful with them, there is always something to learn, particularly about a rare breed such as the Porcelaine. The puppies from my litter are all in fantastic homes and I keep in regular contact with them. I am proud to say those pups and their owners have accomplished so much, including the first Tracking Dog title in the breed. Others are doing an awesome job blood tracking in Deer Recovery and have earned UBT titles, and others are showing and have Scent Work along with Fast CAT titles. They are cherished members of their families and I couldn’t be happier.
At this time, I do not have anything to breed to here in the states due to a very small gene pool. I expect versatility from my Porcelaines and we do everything from Conformation shows (AKC FSS, UKC, and IABCA), Obedience, Tracking, and Barn Hunt. My first two Porcelaines are the first and second in the breed to have RATN Barn Hunt titles. Porcelaines are first and foremost true hunting hounds. They are trailing scenthounds and not a coonhound of a different color.
2. I think overall the breed is in good condition. However, it is imperative that the few breeders we have here in the states do everything they can to accomplish all the health testing, verify temperaments are solid, and the chosen breeding stock have the right breed type, ability, and health behind them prior to making those decisions. Knowledge is power, and even though I always say “the only guarantee is that there is no guarantee,” we can strive to eliminate variables and only use the best of the best when adding to the gene pool. There is no perfect dog, but this breed is a versatile, true hunting hound and that purpose always needs to be top of mind.
3. I am lucky to participate in a few different dog sports, but I love to show my dogs and educate the public about the Porcelaine breed. Fortunately, I have had quite a bit of success with the Porcelaines in the ring and it’s been my experience that judges do take the time to read our Breed Standard prior to their assignment, as well as ask questions. I am grateful that the clubs are creating more opportunities for the FSS and Open Shows.
4. The Porcelaine Hound is very limited in numbers and will probably never make it to Miscellaneous. Honestly, that is fine, as I’d rather have a smaller number of the breed that are high quality here than vast numbers of mediocre dogs. Judges, exhibitors, and the public should see Porcelaines that exhibit true breed type to the Standard (and we have a very specific Standard, including color) and those exhibits should be able to exemplify movement indicative of a true hunting hound, along with temperament and ability.
Challenges for Porcelaines are a limited gene pool. I will not repeat breedings just to have more pups on the ground; it is more important to me to cultivate the breed in a sensible way for the long term. Those breeders who are just repeating breeding after breeding are painting themselves into a corner genetically. We have many challenges these days as exhibitors and dog owners, one of the first being a change in veterinary care. And on an equal par with that is cost; the cost of everything, from entries to what we feed our dogs. Still, I wouldn’t trade it for the world, and my “dog life” brings me many gifts that are impossible to put a monetary value on.
5. I think social media has merit in some ways and not others. It’s great to be able to share wins or accomplishments, but the downside is people may not be looking at the whole truth about a particular animal. Pretty photos, and people being kind about this, that, or the other thing, are a bonus.
6. I see people saying they do not know how or where to begin in the sport, how to acquire or develop a “show dog,” or even how to get the right puppy. We need to have a culture of inclusiveness for new folks (and old folks, frankly). The younger generation seems to have gotten away from the concept of mentoring. Without it, understanding pedigrees, health testing results, breed structure, and desired ability all go by the wayside. And that knowledge is extremely valuable. I would recommend people seek a qualified mentor and it probably will be the breeder of their puppy.
7. AKC has done a great job of bringing dog shows and performance sports to the masses via television and media. I think it’s important to correct the thoughts of people who think show dogs live in a kennel or hunting dogs live in a kennel. They are often one in the same (at least in my breeds) and dogs that have a job are generally happiest. I want to know every nuance of temperament and behavior with my dogs; therefore, they live with us in the house. It’s a nice house with nice things, therefore I expect good behavior and boundaries with my dogs. Overall, I’ve been lucky with my dogs, but I also put in the work. I provide top-quality nutrition, training, fenced acreage for conditioning, and the right presentation when at shows. I feel extremely lucky to be surrounded by these wonderful dogs and am pleased to have become known for a high caliber of Porcelaine.
