1. I live in Georgia, USA. I’ve been in dogs as long as I can remember and have been a breeder for 31 years. My kennel name is Wallylama.
In 1991, I purchased my first English Springer Spaniel. I have successfully bred dogs that have become champions in the US, Canada, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and India. Across these countries, our dogs have won a total of 60 BIS awards at all-breed dog shows, including a couple of BISs in Canada, as well as more than a hundred BIGs. I became an ESS FCI judge in 1998. I have judged in South America, Canada, the US, and Australia.
In 2005, I bought my first ESS female from the world-famous kennel, Mompesson (UK), and have been working with European bloodlines for the last 19 years. In 2016, I won BOS at Westminster and Select Bitch at the National Specialty with GCH Wallyama’s Behind The Scenes. In 2022, while being a Board Member of the parent club, I proposed a motion to change the Breed Standard to include natural tails, which was approved by AKC in 2023.
In 2023, I won the CESSGA Specialty in Georgia with GCH Wallylama’s I’ve Got The Look. At the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2023, I won Best of Breed (GCH Wallylama’s I’ve Got The Look) and Select Dog (GCH Wallylama’s I’m All In), both being the first English Springers with a natural tail to win BOB and Select Dog. We have won several OH BIS and ranked our dogs in the Top 20 ESS.
2. We believe form follows function and concentrate our breeding on dogs with correct structure that are capable of doing the job they were bred for. Our show puppy selection occurs between weeks 7 and 12. We evaluate conformation, breed type, temperament, and movement. All my breeding choices are made to improve each generation of dogs.
3. As in many Sporting breeds, it is lacking soundness. There is too much emphasis on what is popular, and there is not enough on what is correct.
4. We need to attract the younger generation to showing and breeding through mentorship and support. How’s the judging these days? There are several good ones! We should continue to support the judges by offering more quality education that includes breed type, anatomy, and movement. Continuing education for judges is very important. The number of shows depends on the region you live in. I believe there are plenty of shows to attend.
5. Social media is great to connect with breeders worldwide. It does have a downside in that it does not always accurately reflect the dog.
6. Our challenge is to bring younger people to the sport. It is difficult for a young breeder to get started and we need to work harder at supporting them, as well as supporting Junior Handlers. They are the future.
7. The AKC ESS Standard changed last year to allow for full natural tails. As a result, there are more opportunities for breeders to look abroad and import quality bloodlines to complement their lines. Also, there are more performance opportunities like Dock Diving (2014) and Fast CAT (2016) for new owners who are not necessarily interested in Conformation. This year will be the 100th Anniversary Field Trial for the ESSFTA, where our dogs can display their potential.
It is difficult for a young breeder to get started and we need to work harder at supporting them, as well as supporting Junior Handlers.
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