Karen Winters of Aria Bolognese shares her journey, health testing, Puppy Culture, and why the Bolognese excels as a companion dog.
The Weekly Brief
The best of SHOWSIGHT editorials, weekly wins, and breeder commentary — delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning.
Karen Winters: I reside in Prophetstown, Illinois. I began breeding Standard Poodles under the Winters Wind kennel name. From 2013 to 2022, I bred Poodles. After facing a chronic health issue, I transitioned to a smaller, non-shedding breed known as the Bolognese. I started breeding the Bolognese in 2022, under the kennel name Aria.
Karen Winters: I was drawn to this breed because they were bred solely as companions. They did not come from a hunting background, and retrieving skills were not essential for them to be cherished pets. The hallmark of the breed is affected by its relatively stable genetics. I conduct genetic testing on all my dogs to ensure that we don’t have any undesirable traits in our lines. In my opinion, health testing is the only reliable way to determine if our breeding stock should be bred.
Karen Winters: Absolutely, we have ample support. I usually sell all of my litters before they are born. Additionally, I have enough puppy buyers on my list for 2026 to cover the entire year.
I believe the success of this approach lies in my commitment to both health testing and Puppy Culture. We engage in various interactive activities with our puppies to enhance their brain and overall health. This includes ENS training, crate training, health testing, and a range of other programs that contribute to the development of well-rounded dogs. I believe that this breed has the potential to excel in Service Dog work for senior citizens or children. The hypoallergenic coat also makes it an ideal family companion for individuals with allergies.
Karen Winters: As a Breeder of Merit, it’s crucial for me to stay informed about the latest advancements in the field. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does an excellent job of providing valuable resources, such as notices, tutorials, and videos, that we can leverage to enhance our breeding practices. I firmly believe that breeders should embrace and incorporate all available technologies to stay competitive in the market.
It’s impossible to remain stagnant and expect to thrive in the future. We must embrace the changes we witness and be open to experimenting with new methods that may not have been previously explored.
Karen Winters: In my community, I’ve noticed a shift in public perception of purebred dogs. Surprisingly, even at the Meet the Breeds event in New York City, which attracted 32,000 participants, I encountered very few individuals who were familiar with the Bolognese. While they were well-acquainted with breeds like the Bichon Frise and Havanese, they had never had the opportunity to meet or see a Bolognese. This experience served as a significant eye-opener for me.
Recognizing the importance of educating the public about our breed, our club, the American Bolognese Club, actively participates in Meet the Breeds events to provide people with a first-hand experience of this wonderful companion dog.
Karen Winters: In terms of trends in the sport, I’ve noticed a growing interest in Agility, particularly among our club members. One of our members, who is highly involved in Agility, has achieved remarkable success by winning several titles with her Bolognese. This versatile breed’s intelligence and eagerness to please make it an excellent choice for family-friendly sports.
Karen Winters: On a positive note, I’ve witnessed several positive changes in the sport over the past few years. These changes have contributed to the growth and development of the Bolognese breed, making it a more popular and beloved companion dog.
I believe the AKC is doing a commendable job of bringing families together at events. Through these gatherings, I think we foster an interest in exploring new activities that we might not have considered for our dogs. This could include Rally, Obedience, Agility, Conformation, and many other exciting options! Ultimately, we are limited only by our own imagination. We have the opportunity to be proactive and embrace all the resources available to breeders. In my opinion, a responsible breeder should be at the forefront of research for their breed, utilizing DNA testing and other advanced technologies whenever possible.
Recently, I came across an insightful article that discussed health testing. It highlighted the fact that we can no longer rely solely on parentage to determine a dog’s health status. To be considered healthy, a dog must have undergone health testing by its parents, and this assessment only applies to the next generation.
Meet the Breeders
Breeder Adam Levy discusses Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, dual-purpose breeding, mentorship, and preserving the breed's working ability.
