Interview with Dawne Deeley, Breeder of TsarShadow Norwegian Buhunds
- 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?
- In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
- As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
- How important are Performance Events to you as a Preservation Breeder? As an Exhibitor?
- In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
- What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?
Dawne Deeley
1. I currently live in Chillwack, B.C., Canada, and have been in purebred dog sports since 1990. I bred my first litter (Carelian Bear Dogs) in 1996; my kennel name, ‘TsarShadow’ (CKC Perm Reg’d) reflects their history in that their country of origin—Finland—was a Russian Grand Duchy from 1809 to 1917. Following the Russian Revolution that year, Finland gained full autonomy, and thus came out from “under the Tsar’s Shadow.”
2. In general, our breed, (Norwegian Buhund) is doing well, particularly abroad, although here in North American I see definite areas where improvement could still be made. Judges must NEVER lose sight of the fact that the Buhund is a SQUARE dog! Height is another factor, although the days of “Too Small/Too Tall” seem to thankfully be diminishing. Lastly, while the Buhund shares a number of similar characteristics to the Norwegian Elkhound (square build, tail “sitting in a basket” curled over the back, DARK eyes, and a clean, wedge-shaped head), he should never be so coarse as to be mistaken for one. The Norwegian Buhund may be a strong working dog, but he should also possess a degree of elegance, and be beautifully pleasing to the eye.
3. As a Canadian I might see things from a different perspective, but overall, I would say our sport is in trouble. Declining entries, the passing of many long-time judges and fanciers, the lack of new people coming in as preservation breeders (that alone bears special mention), clubs struggling to find volunteers and grounds—all of these bring unwanted pressure on the sport. As a judge, I would offer that exhibitors sometimes forget we can be both subjective *AND* objective; the responsibilities imposed on us are weighty, and we can’t please everyone. It would be wonderful if everyone was an expert in everything, but it’s not an exact science. As far as the number of shows, that’s a multi-layered question. Shows need entries, entries are falling, fewer people are entering the game and many are impatient with the time it takes to learn “ the ropes.” Clubs of all stripes must deal with member attrition, venues are becoming harder to find, and we’re right back to Square One.
4. Performance events are a great way to involve owners who might not enjoy the Conformation ring. So many outlets have appeared since I began showing over three decades ago; today there really is something for almost everyone. However, as a breeder, nothing makes me happier than to hear from an owner who delights in their dog as a family member, because that is where the Buhund truly excels.
5. I see very few instances where social media has been anything but harmful. Winston Churchill once said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on,” and I believe we see this far more than the other way ‘round. It is far too easy to be influenced by the word of an unseen “keyboard warrior,” and in the event of disagreement or conflict, escalation can be swift. This is embarrassing at best, destructive and debilitating at worst. Remember, if you say something to two friends… and they tell two friends… and they tell two friends? The farther you go, the greater the possibility of error and distortion, whether deliberate or accidental. Certainly, social media has its uses “for good,” but sadly, I am seeing far less of that than one would hope.
6. So many challenges! As I mentioned in my previous SHOWSIGHT interview, we are in trouble. The growing trend to “Adopt/Don’t Shop” is perhaps the biggest body punch, given it casts a pall over any-and-everything that is “bought” instead of “rescued.” However, the purebred world is often seen as sitting in an inaccessible “Ivory Tower,” and we need to be cognizant of that viewpoint. In our efforts to preserve what we love, we sometimes become our own worst enemies, driving away potential fanciers by virtue of extensive contracts and restrictive obligations. Social media can help or hinder those looking to join Conformation ranks, but sadly, far too often I see people swayed by the comments of others. If unseen writers can convince a newcomer that show results are foregone conclusions, who could blame them for never trying?
7. Greater recognition and acceptance of different breeds would top my list of positive changes! It is wonderful to see the interest and curiosity of exhibitors and judges alike when it comes to varieties that may be commonplace in other parts of the world, but have been relatively unknown here.
