Alyssa Almazan | Nightside Nordics

Interview with Alyssa Almazan, Breeder of Nightside Nordics

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
4. What are some of the challenges encountered along the road to full AKC recognition? What are some of the challenges as a preservation breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Alyssa Almazan

1. Hi, I’m Alyssa of Nightside Nordics. I’ve been breeding for about 12 years now and have owned Yakutian Laikas for five years. It has been a wild ride!

2. Overall, I think our breed is in decent shape. We have to be careful about selecting dogs with good hips and good rear angulation, and an appropriately thick coat. These dogs come from the coldest inhabited place in the world—a wispy coat won’t do!

3. As a sport, I think we have to be welcoming to new people. We should be less concerned about what they look like or how many mistakes they make, and applaud that they’ve shown up at all, particularly in rare breeds with exceptionally low entries! I’ve personally advocated for more Open Shows and encouraged several new people to the sport who have since finished their dogs, even if they aren’t from me. If you show up with a good attitude, we are here for you!

4. Moving up to Miscellaneous is a numbers game. And since Yakutian Laikas are striking dogs, finding people interested in them isn’t too much of a challenge. Finding people interested in them beyond pets is a bit harder! I do my best to make showing accessible, through videos demonstrating my training, what goes on in a day at a show, and grooming pointers. There are no secrets here!

5. Social media can be a great tool for reaching the younger demographics, and it will be the youth that we need to inspire to carry the torch forward.

6. People seem to be under the impression that Conformation is only for the social elite, and I can see how they come to that conclusion. Big RVs, designer show clothes, expensive grooming products, tables, procedures… it can all seem daunting! But showing dogs on a budget is completely doable. Don’t let those with more resources discourage you from starting out! At the end of the day, may the best dog win, not the biggest bank account or the most well-known handler.

7. I’ve been met with a lot of kindness on my journey through dog shows. Sure, there is always going to be a negative person, but all it takes is a stranger offering a comforting smile and a knowing look to dust yourself off and try again, and the friends you make from all walks of life along the way.