Ashley Silver
1. My husband and I live in Goochland, Virginia, and I have been in dogs since I was a Junior Handler, where I began showing Beagles and Great Danes. My husband was a complete novice when we met, but he fell in love with the Hamiltonstovare breed and came on this wild ride with me. We have been in the breed since it became FSS recognized, and I was the person who started the process to get the breed FSS recognized. Our kennel name is Oceania as a connection to my hometown of Virginia Beach and a combination of special animals from the past.
2. The breed is stable, but there are some concerns about any breed that has a population that is isolated in one particular region globally. The Hamiltonstovare Club of America and the Hamiltonstovare Club of Great Britain work together on a lot of health initiatives, and the current one is DNA testing. We have worked with numerous universities in the US and they are working with the breed club in the UK to continue research on breed-related issues like PRA, epilepsy, and DM.
3. The sport today needs to embrace the youth and inclusion as much as possible and as fast as possible. I am seeing social media trends of people desperately wanting to learn more about well-bred dogs but not having the access to the information, or it being too closed off. Judging of my breed, in particular, is starting to trend towards flashy, and if that flash goes against breed hallmarks, such as tail carriage and size, then it does a disservice to such a rare breed. I adore my breed. It is stunning and elegant on its own. Just let it shine.
My biggest issue regarding the number of shows is going to lead by example. Every single all-breed show should host AKC FSS Open Shows because it is the right thing to do. Clubs should do their very best to be welcoming to all aspects of Conformation, especially the title-earning ones. However, I don’t see that changing until the prestigious shows are welcoming FSS breeds with open arms. Currently, FSS breeds aren’t allowed to show in Conformation at Westminster, AKC National Championship, and Morris & Essex. FSS breeds desperately need AKC FSS Open Shows because they are the only way that FSS breeds can earn points towards their CM titles. In order for breeds to advance to full recognition, breeds need to have a certain number of CM titles, so we need these shows in order for our breeds to continue on.
4. The biggest issue is around getting people to give FSS breeds equal chance. FSS breeds are usually older than the AKC, national treasures in their country, and deal with unbelievable diplomatic issues overseas. Then we feel “less than” by the AKC itself because we are excluded from events like Westminster, AKC National Championship, Morris & Essex, and even full Field Trial championships. It continues to perpetuate the belief that we are less than and we are treated as such. The biggest challenge we face is the pressure. I have had so many breeding failures that it is just part of who I am now. I have vet horror stories and complete heartbreak. I keep continuing on because I love this breed and I would do anything for this breed. This breed is a national treasure in Sweden and I never forget that for a second.
5. Social media used properly can be amazing for the sport, but it takes the right people to properly educate and entertain the general public. What it is being used for right now is not that. Social media currently is doing far more harm than good for the sport.
6. Social media behavior needs to be addressed, as we are the stewards of our breeds and the sport as a whole. The level of negative behavior that seems to be increasing in severity is driving more people away from the sport than we realize.
7. The emphasis on the protection of our youth in our sport has been amazing. That program did not exist when I was a Junior Handler and it is just starting out now. I am hopeful that this discussion can continue on to include safe reporting for women and other marginalized groups.
