Douglas & Michaelanne Johnson
1. Michaelanne and I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We were high school sweethearts and have been married for 53 years. We have been blessed with five wonderful children who are involved in our family business of pet care, grooming, daycare, and training facilities. We have been named AKC (American Kennel Club) Breeders of the Year in 2006, Winkie Award Winner of Breeders of the Year in 2016, and recently, both Colton and Heather were named Breeders of the Year for 2024. We have been fortunate enough to be involved in a business that deals with dogs on a daily basis. I often share with my customers that if you spell “Dog” backwards, you get “God,” a beautiful reflection of the most unconditional love and loyalty one will ever experience—owning a dog.
Our first Old English Sheepdog was purchased in 1973. We obtained our first Bouvier des Flandres in 1976. We breed under the prefix of “Bugaboo” OES and “Rocheuses” Bouviers des Flandres. Both prefixes are registered through the AKC.
Today, we are proud to watch our children and grandchildren continue in our breeding programs as they exhibit the Old English Sheepdogs, Bouviers des Flandres, Havanese, Bullmastiffs, and PBGVs (Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens).
2. Our Old English Sheepdog breed has a minimum for height. Dogs are to be 22 inches and upwards and the bitches are 21 inches and upwards. Type, character, and balance are of greatest importances and are not to be sacrificed to size alone. Having an opinion about a dog being too big when there is no DQ in our Breed Standard is not the correct approach. Descriptions in our Breed Standard should not be ignored: truncated muzzle, capacious skull, amble and roll gait, pacing, textured coat, as well as our most important hallmark, the topline. The Old English Sheepdog’s topline is a distinguishing characteristic of the breed and should be gone over properly.
The Bouvier is a powerfully built, agile, bold, compact, and fearless character. The hallmarks of this breed are the head, being a square dog with a level topline, and a proper tail set. A rough appearance in its coat is desirable as well. I also like to watch the foot timing, as a balanced dog will move effortlessly.
3. Yes! We have waiting lists on our breeding programs for puppies. We generally have two litters a year.
4. Testing by parentage has helped eliminate serious issues and diseases in our breeds. Science has helped us to understand disease better and make wiser decisions in our breeding programs. “Boyfriend in a Box” and semen tanks are our main ways to bring in new blood to our breeding programs from dogs across the pond or from our Canadian friends. I believe in health testing and using it to help make responsible choices in a breeding program. However, I do not believe that breedings should be based upon testing only. We have a responsibility to help preserve the breed and its breed type.
5. In my business and community, I have seen a decline in purebred dog ownership. The majority of the pets we see are some type of mixed breed, “designer breed,” or a purposely bred doodle. I have seen them all, and with some, I have to ask myself, “How did that breeding even happen?” What I find interesting is that people feel good in “rescuing” a dog that they believe has come from a bad situation. People feel that a purebred dog is inbred, and prone to illnesses and diseases. They believe that a “mutt” is a healthier way to go as a pet for their family dog.
I want to share something that I know AKC breeders and owners do not want to hear. When a breeder sells a puppy on a “ limited registration” and has no contract with its new owners, they can use that bitch or dog in a breeding program of their own. They can be used to produce doodles, if it is not spayed or neutered. Goldendoodles have their own registries through the CKC (Continental Kennel Club), as well as the American Doodle Registry. We have to do better in education and promotion of our AKC purebred dogs.
6. I feel we have too many dog shows; many times, with the same judges.
I also see judges on a fast track to get their paperwork signed, and not really understanding the hallmarks of our breeds or the Standards.
In a Best in Show line-up (seven breed representatives), a judge is able to judge a Group winner without any experience or knowledge of its Breed Standard.
I also feel the AKC needs to do more to promote and encourage the purebred dog breeder. Today, we have almost half of our AKC recognized breeds on the low entry list. When we started showing dogs in the late 1970s and ‘80s, we always had majors and large entry numbers within our breeds. Today, we struggle to have majors, let alone single points. We have to travel great distances either to the West Coast or Midwest to obtain majors. Sometimes it’s not until a National or Regional show that we obtain major competition.
7. The involvement in our Junior Showmanship programs and competition is very positive; I believe the Juniors program is the future of the AKC and our breeding programs. Mari-Beth O’Neill, as well as other Juniors’ coordinators, have dedicated their efforts and time to promote the AKC Juniors programs. Today, we have more Juniors participation in our dog shows and reap the benefits of not only their experiences but also their friendships in the sport of purebred dogs. They also have the opportunity to earn scholarships that can be used in furthering education or trade schools. More and more clubs are holding special activities that involve educational programs, pizza parties, and ice cream socials. Make being a Junior fun!
Not everyone wants to participate in Conformation. I feel that the AKC has allowed the pet owner to be involved in other special events programs, such as Fast CAT, Carting, Barn Hunt, Trick Dog, as well as other Obedience and Performance events. More and more exhibitors are enjoying the camaraderie that these events bring.
