Where did you grow up?

Joanne Reed: I was born in Chicago, way too many years ago, then moved to California where I was raised.

Do you come from a doggie family? And, if not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin?

Joanne Reed: My family always had dogs. We had Collies and Boxers. When I married, we bought an ILP German Shepherd Dog. That’s when I began Obedience training. I loved it so much that I purchased another Shepherd to show in Obedience and Conformation. After two tries in the Conformation ring, I realized she wasn’t show quality. FYI: Don’t always believe a breeder when they say you have the pick of the litter.

Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their influence.

Joanne Reed: While doing Obedience training, I met Sandy Krueger. We both saw our first Keeshond and fell in love with the breed. We then bought a Keeshond bitch, Zeedrift Carioca. She eventually became a champion and we decided to breed her. I bred her to Porter and Dickey Washington’s Ch. Flakkee Jackpot. In her first and my first litter, she produced the top-winning Keeshond of all time, Ch. Flakkee Instant Replay. I fell in love with showing, worked for a Standard Poodle kennel, and bought my first Poodle. This led me into serious Conformation events. I eventually worked for Ric Chashoudian. Because of him, I was involved with some of the greats in our sport: Peter Green, George Ward, Anne Rogers Clark, Edd Bivin, and Mike Billings, to name a few.

The Windrift dogs are highly successful and well respected. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to?

Joanne Reed: Learn your Breed Standard and breed to it the best you can. Know the faults and the pluses when you choose your breeding stock. Do all the health testing that is required and do not breed to dogs that are not tested and verified by OFA. Do not double up on faults. Know your pedigrees. Research! Breed to the best dog you can even if it’s owned by your worst enemy. Do not breed to your best friend’s dog unless it is a perfect match and meets all the criteria listed above. Again, know and study your pedigrees. Make sure when you breed or sell a dog that you have a signed contract of your agreement with all other parties involved.

How many dogs do you typically house? Tell us about your current facilities and how the dogs are maintained.

Joanne Reed: I currently have around 10 dogs. I have a basement kennel and a kennel building. Both have indoor/outdoor runs. The basement kennel has 10 crates, a bathing station, and two runs. This is where I raise my puppies. Both facilities are equipped with 24/7 cameras. The kennel building has three indoor/outdoor runs, grooming room, and is air-conditioned. I also have two large outside paddocks that are completely shaded by trees. My property is on a seven-acre hillside, which allows me to keep my dogs in excellent shape. My two male dogs are allowed to have the run of the property and house. They sleep on my bed every night and I cook for them in the morning.

Please comment positively on the present condition of your breed, and what trends might bear watching.

Joanne Reed: I believe at present the Keeshond breed is improving. Last year, we had five male Keeshonds that achieved a Best in Show. It seems that our bitches are overlooked in that lineup. Our bitches blow their coats when they come in and out of season, so they don’t always look as well as the males do. It should be noted that we are a sub-Arctic breed and our dogs aren’t in full bloom in summer.

Why is it important for you to be a breeder/owner-handler?

Joanne Reed: Being a breeder/owner-handler has given me the knowledge in all aspects of the show ring to be successful. As a former professional handler, this has given me the experience in many breeds which has helped me excel in my own breed. I have owned German Shepherds, Airedale Terriers, Papillons, Pomeranians, and Rottweilers. As a handler, I showed many breeds and carried 10 to 15 dogs.

The sport has changed greatly since you first began as an exhibitor and breeder. What are your thoughts on the current state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?

Joanne Reed: The expense of showing and breeding dogs continues to rise, and many cannot afford it. I believe that the show-giving clubs have a hard time with what it costs to put on a show. Also, with so many choices of shows to go to every weekend it depletes the entries for each show. I remember shows that reached 2,000 entries every weekend. Now we’re lucky to have 800 entries.

To encourage newcomers, we must have excellent mentors not only in showing but in breeding and protecting our Breed Standards. Mentors must be willing to take the time and effort to share their expertise with new people, teaching them the basics of breeding, dog show rules and regulations; teaching them how to groom and exhibit their breed. I believe that studying other breeds and handlers will enrich their knowledge in handling and showing.

Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?

Joanne Reed: God willing, at my age, I hope to be around for the next decade. I am still trying to improve my bloodlines and share my knowledge with others. I have dedicated my life to the Keeshond breed, and feel that I have improved the breed and produced some of the all-time greats.

Finally, tell us a little about Joanne outside of dogs… your occupation, your hobbies.

Joanne Reed: Here are some things of interest:

I was a ballet dancer and performed at Carnegie Hall;

I bred, trained, and showed Arabian horses;

I was a cheerleader and led the Rose Bowl Parade;

I was also a finalist in the Rose Bowl Queen competition;

I was a volleyball coach for a grade school;

I had a hole in one;

I adopted my granddaughter when she was three;

I was AKC Non-Sporting Breeder of the Year in 2010;

My current Keeshond has won 65 Group Firsts and 12 Bests in Show. I have bred many Best in Show Keeshonds and have more than 300 Champions to my credit.