Lynne Lozano | Iron Gate

Interview with Lynne Lozano, Breeder of Iron Gate

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?

Lynne Lozano

1. My name is Lynne Lozano, and I have worn many professional hats over the years; the one I have yet to hang up is the one that has me still running around Conformation rings. I currently reside just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, though Texas is home. I have been showing dogs for 27 years and have been breeding for 25 of those. My kennel name is Iron Gate.

2. The Scottish Deerhound is a breed with a history synonymous with timeless fairytales and romance. Their gentle and dignified appearance is second only to their grace while in motion, in the ring or the coursing field.

3. I am fortunate to have a lengthy list of homes waiting for their Deerhound to join them. As an endangered breed worldwide, the breeders, not the homes, are what we need most.

4. I have been blessed to connect my many puppy buyers over various forms of media so that knowledge and antics can be freely shared. I love the community that has been built as a result.

5. I believe we are starting to see a return to purebred breeders as a reliable place to acquire a well-bred dog. I believe that the “adopt don’t shop” slogan has lost its luster in light of the number of corrupt rescues coming to the forefront. I believe people are looking for risk mitigation, and a purebred dog certainly has a much more reliable track record.

6. Honestly, the sport is ever the same… at the heart of it. While our numbers have changed and new titles have emerged, I believe the fervor that most breeders carry into the ring is unchanged. The trends and challenges are much the same as they were 20 years ago. My one concern is our ever-shrinking entries; whether that is from the decline of the sport or an abundance of overlapping shows, I am uncertain.

7. I believe the American Kennel Club (AKC) is trying to draw in and retain more competitors in the sport with the inclusion of the National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS), and now, the Regional events for that system. As a breeder of a low entry breed, I also greatly appreciate the ability to pick up majors in the Group ring.