Janina Laurin | Chateau Blanc Kennels

Interview with Janina Laurin, Breeder of Chateau Blanc Kennels

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. How important are Performance Events to you 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?

Janina Laurin

1. I’m a second-generation dog breeder, owner, exhibitor, and judge. Our family has been involved in the sport since the early 1960s. My mother, Edeltraud Laurin, started Chateau Blanc Kennels, noted for its Belgian Tervurens, which has been active for over 60 years. My aunt, Gerlinde Hockla, was a professional handler and bred/showed German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, the Belgian breeds, and showed many Rottweilers & BIS Newfoundlands. Both my sister, Darlene Laurin, and I co-own our dogs and co-breed all our litters. We’ve owned GSDs, Labs, Newfoundlands, and Rottweilers. A share of rescue Malinois have graced our home for rehab before placing them in their forever homes. Currently, I have two Tervurens and one bossy Schipperke, and I co-own a few other Belgian Tervurens. My sister also owns a Belgian Laekenois.

2. The Belgian Tervuren has come to a crossroads and breeders now need to determine their focus on producing an elegant, square dog with structure that will allow it to do what it is bred to do if asked. We are plagued by much of the same issues as other breeds. Our long-time breeders and serious competitors are aging out and the “newer,” although not necessarily younger, exhibitors haven’t yet embraced the challenge of breeding and showing with the fervent passion of some of our early breeders. We do have many reasons to be very hopeful, particularly after attending this year’s national where we met some very excited and determined young people. By and large, temperaments are good, heads are variable but generally more pleasant, and body shape is trending towards more square. But producing a square dog that has height at the withers, correct proportions with appropriate reach and drive, AND sustainable, proper, effortless side gait remains a challenge.

3. I worry about many of the same issues as preservation breeders worldwide—who’s carrying the torch forward? The incredible pressure on the sport, both financial and cultural, makes it very difficult for newcomers to take their time to actually learn, develop a line, and compete at the same time. I enjoy judging as it is very rewarding. I wish entries would rebound sooner rather than later. Good competitive competition makes everyone better, including judges. We are blessed in the Northeast/Southeast that 4-6 hours in any direction gives you a plethora of shows to attend. This does, however, thin out the competition considerably at times. Between the additional registries which have sprung up and the explosion of various performance events, we have plenty to offer anyone interested in the sport.

4. Since I own a breed which likes a job, and our Breed Standard is pretty clear that
the qualities valued are those which make the breed a good herding dog among other things, performance events are important. I always say, the dogs may not herd on a regular basis but they should have the quality and structure to perform if asked. Performance events are where many first-time owners start out. They are gateway events to becoming involved in Conformation and breeding. As an exhibitor, I have personally found that dogs which are cross-trained in something other than just Conformation showing are better for it all around.

5. This is a loaded question. Social Media has been good as it has brought our community together. We can easily reach other breeders, judges, and exhibitors worldwide to discuss common issues. Conversely, it is an absolute nightmare where rumors and falsehoods can catch hold and are almost impossible to dispel. Yes, the latter is harmful. Like anything else, it’s a marketing tool and the buyer should be beware. Nothing beats talking to individuals in person, on the phone, and going to your National Specialty or to shows. Actually, talking to people, I fear, is becoming a lost art.

6. Apathy and negativity are the biggest challenges. Find the joy in competing and being among those who value this sport. Reach out to those you have admired or want to emulate, and have a conversation. By all means, set some realistic, progressive goals. Some other challenges include encouraging those interested to become involved in volunteering to steward, join a club, or chair an event. We really need people interested in putting on events, not just showing, breeding, or exhibiting. It takes a village.

7. I think some of the non-traditional events the AKC has developed have certainly started to reach segments of the population that may have never thought about going to a formal dog event. The ability to access health information, and the development of better testing to make wise breeding decisions, has been a boom, in my opinion.