Interview with Kelsey Keefe, Breeder of Gestalt Eurasiers
- 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?
- In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
- As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days?
- What are some of the challenges encountered along the road to full AKC recognition? What are some of the challenges as a preservation breeder? As an Exhibitor?
- In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
- What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?
Kelsey Keefe
1. Hello! I’m Kelsey Keefe. My kennel is Gestalt Eurasiers and I’m based out of Massachusetts. In the grand scheme of dogs, I’m really quite new; my oldest Eurasier isn’t six years old yet. I became involved with my parent club at the outset when I brought home my puppy, and I love any opportunity to help if it aligns with my hobbies. So, I joined the Board as an Officer in 2019 and just began my second term as a Director. My main role within the scope of the club is Communications Coordinator and AKC Liaison. I work quite a lot with the folks at AKC and aim to roadmap our path to full recognition, while also digesting that information and disseminating it out to the membership. I have two Eurasiers; my adult, Rhu (Braxena Apple Rhubarb CM3 CGCA CGCU TKI VHMA ATT) was the second Eurasier to earn her CM. She’s the mother of my 10-month-old puppy, Rylli (Gestalt First Things First Amaryllis VHMP). Rylli took home her first Best in Open Show at 4 months old and is just a darling little dog. Her three siblings are all off and running, and as my first litter I’m especially proud that their owners have all begun to dabble in dog sports to varying degrees. I’m really treasuring this time of having just one litter on the ground and watching these puppies grow as I continue to find my legs in “all of this.”
2. Overall, Eurasiers are doing well. The community emphasizes the breed’s role as a family companion, with breeders committed to ethical practices and home-raising puppies. Our shared focus on health and longevity is a strength, though continued education on health and husbandry is always a priority.
3. The AKC FSS/MISC community has been very welcoming. Conformation can feel intimidating, but it’s encouraging to connect with enthusiasts from breeds other than my own who are dedicated to their breeds. While judge familiarity with rare breeds varies, the experience is generally positive. I enjoy exhibiting my dogs and discussing my breed with the judges, stewards, exhibitors, and other attendees, but the challenges lay not in the actual exhibition (as the dogs love the game of it), but rather being ready and approachable enough in a way that invites folks into conversation to discuss the breed with me.
4. Speaking as someone who is involved in their parent club, balancing the breed’s purpose as a companion and bridging a connection with the dog fancy, Conformation exhibition and various sports are a key focus, as small decisions can have a lasting impact. As a breeder, working within a small gene pool requires thoughtful pairings to maintain both health and type. Exhibiting is enjoyable and educational for me as a newer breeder, as I focus on presenting our breed and engaging with others.
5. Social media is a double-edged sword—it can foster networking, but it can also lead to misunderstandings. It’s vital to approach online interactions thoughtfully, knowing they mirror our ethics. Used responsibly, it’s a great tool for promoting ethical breeding and connecting with others.
6. The dog show community faces complex issues that vary by breed, as each has unique priorities and Standards. A major challenge is balancing the preservation of breed traits with the health of the dogs themselves—where diversity of breeder goals, selective breeding practices, and health considerations must come into play. Achieving this balance requires that breeders and judges keep the breed’s essence intact while supporting the natural variation within those Standards.
Fostering positive community relationships in an environment that can sometimes feel competitive and divisive is challenging. Acknowledging that this is the challenge, and pushing onward with integrity, is really the only way to truly meet the issue head-on. With growing online criticism and misunderstanding, we need to create a supportive space where experienced breeders can mentor, and new exhibitors feel welcomed. Building this strong, collaborative culture within and across breed communities is key to addressing the dog show community’s shared challenges and moving in the right direction together.
7. Video-based platforms like TikTok and Instagram allow us to share the joy of our breeds widely, making it easier for newcomers to feel connected. The presence of different online magazines like SHOWSIGHT, in conjunction with a higher emphasis from breeders and parent clubs to educate the “lay person” where they are—casually scrolling—does quite a lot to make the sport feel approachable, especially when stepping foot into a “real” class for the first time can be so intimidating
