Janis Rosenthal
1. Our kennel, Chevaliers du Roland, is located in Brooksville, Florida. I have been involved in dogs for almost 60 years, following in my parents’ footsteps. I have been personally breeding for close to 20 years, owning and breeding top dogs in Conformation and Performance in multiple breeds.
2. My breed is a livestock guardian. They must be fast, agile, and able to think independently in order to assess whether anything is, or could be, a threat to their charges. This means they must be large enough to take on predators, yet compact enough to not be awkward or clumsy in doing so. Aloof, yet confident, vigilant and watchful, they take their task seriously.
3. Yes. We have a waiting list for guardians. Due to the high price of food, many people are starting their homesteads with livestock and poultry.
4. Although we are “old school,” we have incorporated digital media into our world. However, we avoid having websites in order to avoid the issue of selling dogs online. Social media is a fabulous tool to highlight our breeding program.
5. Sadly, we have noticed a change. County ordinances throughout the country have incorporated anti-breeder language, influenced by those who have no concept of the difference between preservation breeding of purebred dogs and puppy mills.
6. Yes, I have noticed a trend. I started in the dog show world decades ago, when people were polite ladies and gentlemen, and no one had to be reminded of the meaning of sportsmanship. No one had written handler, breeding, or puppy contracts because their word was their bond. The fact that there is, or has to be, sportsmanlike conduct in writing is concerning. That should be inherent in the sport, as it was in the past. It should not require written rules.
7. Junior mentoring by handlers is a positive change. That a Junior could be taken under the wing of a specific handler for mentoring is heartwarming. I love to encourage and support the Juniors as the future of our sport.
