Kay Novotny | Casa Del Rey

Interview with Kay Novotny, Breeder of Casa Del Rey

1. 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?
2. What are the hallmarks of your breed and why are they important for maintaining breed type?
3. In your opinion, are there enough puppy homes to support breeding a litter this year?
4. How have you implemented new technologies in science and communications as a breeder?
5. In your community, have you noticed a change in the public’s perception of purebred dogs?
6. Have you noticed any trends in the sport? Anything to be concerned about?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport in recent years?

Kay Novotny

1. My name is Kay Novotny. I currently live in Reno, Nevada. I showed my first Shetland Sheepdog in Obedience and Conformation in 1972. My mother and I bred and showed Shelties until about 1987, when I switched over to showing Borzoi. Our kennel name was/is Casa Del Rey. Mom has passed away, but I have kept the kennel name.

2. In my opinion, the hallmarks of the Borzoi breed are the athletic build and the aerodynamic qualities of the head and frame. They are a huge part of what it means to be a large sighthound, which is what the Borzoi is. Borzoi are built for extreme speed in short bursts. They are not Sporting or Herding dogs, nor are they endurance racers like a Saluki.

3. I believe there is a good demand for Borzoi puppies at this time. Screening puppy buyers is extremely important. Many folks have no realistic expectation of what owning a Borzoi is like.

4. The main technological advance that I use as a breeder is the Internet and social media, to let puppy buyers know that I have puppies available. In the “olden days,” a newspaper or magazine advertisement was pretty much the only way to find puppy homes.

5. The biggest change I see in the public’s perception of purebred dogs is the notion that they (dogs) can be a replacement for children in the family. From the point of view of advancing the human population, this is concerning.

6. I have noticed a trend in the sport of showing dogs in the US toward more, smaller shows, which changes the dynamic of finishing a Champion. I also see far fewer young people involved in the sport, as time spent with animals in a rural setting is eclipsed by spending time watching TikTok videos and posting pictures on Instagram. I am concerned that the sport may not recover from the lack of interest by young people.

7. Positive changes I have seen in the sport in recent years include better overall care for the animals in general, including ingredients for the food, bedding, toys, etc. The pet accessory industry is booming. Also, I have observed a stronger commitment on the part of breeders to complete health testing on their breeding stock.