Meet the Breeder/Owner Handler: Kathleen (Kay) Novotny

Meet the Breeder/Owner Handler: Kathleen (Kay) Novotny

My name is Kathleen (Kay) Novotny. I have been exhibiting in AKC shows since I was about 11 years old, starting with Shetland Sheepdogs, and purchased my first Borzoi pair in 1986. I have shown Borzoi in Conformation, Obedience, Rally, and Agility, and have participated in Lure Coursing as well.

I have produced 11 Borzoi litters, either co-bred with others or bred solely by myself, since 2011. I have bred or co-bred over 20 Champion Borzoi. I have had seven Borzoi who completed Obedience titles, including three BCOA National Specialty High in Trial winners. I have had four Borzoi who completed Agility titles.

Dogs I have owned have obtained multiple all-breed Bests in Show and Reserve Bests in Show as well as multiple Specialty Best in Show awards. I have also competed in NOHS and achieved Best in Show Owner-Handled as well as the No. 1 placement in the 2020 NOHS. I have had two Borzoi bitches complete the requirements for the BCOA Register of Merit.

1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: I was first introduced to purebred dog sports by my mom, who purchased a Sheltie originally as a family pet. The breeders encouraged us to take her to some matches, and we were hooked. That same breeder also had a Borzoi later in our acquaintance, and I developed a love for sighthounds from that dog.

2. How many years in dogs? How many as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: I have been showing dogs as an Owner Handler since 1972. My mom and I co-bred our first litter together (Shelties) in 1975. That litter produced our first Champion. I have had Borzoi since 1986, and bred my first Borzoi litter in 2011. I have shown and titled Shelties and/or Borzoi as an Owner Handler in Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Agility, and Lure Coursing.

3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: Yes, I attend show handling classes. I feel that it is the very best way to start out my puppies. I once attended an in-person Agility handling seminar.

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC Canine College?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: I enjoy keeping up with what is happening in the show dog world by following along on Facebook, and I have taken several courses in the AKC Canine College—which I have found very informative.

5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: I have competed in the National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) with my Borzoi. Rankings are important, but not as important as having a great time with my dog and my friends at the shows!

6. How important is the Bred-By Class to you? How important are Specialties?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: I have finished most of my Borzoi from the Bred-By class. It is very important to me that people see that I am the breeder of the dogs I am showing. Winning at a Specialty, whether a Breed Specialty or a Group Specialty, is very gratifying because most people bring their very best dogs to compete. One of my all-time proudest moments was when a dog I bred won the Borzoi Club of America (BCOA) National Specialty.

7. Is it a challenge to compete with your breed as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: In Borzoi, especially in the classes, most of the dogs are still being handled by their owners. It has become less so at the Best of Breed level, and therefore, more challenging.

8. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: My No. 1 mentor as an Owner Handler was my mom; she encouraged me to compete with my dog, even as a teenager, in the regular classes. As a Breeder, my No. 1 mentor, and co-breeder of many of my litters, is Janet Adams of Morozova Borzoi.

9. How important is the Breeder/Owner Handler to the future of the sport? To your breed?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: I would love to continue to see Breeder/Owner Handlers as the majority in the Borzoi breed. In order for this to happen, judges need to be comfortable with not always picking “the flavor of the month” dog shown by a “top name handler.” We see some of this bravery in judges who come from overseas and aren’t familiar with the top handlers in the region. There are many styles of dogs that are all equally correct.

10. What advice would you give to Owner Handlers who are thinking of breeding their dog(s)?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: My most sage advice for prospective breeders is that dog breeding is not for the faint of heart. Many things can and do go wrong, often with heart-wrenching results. Of course, when things go right, you can produce a beautiful show dog and also wonderful pets which bring happiness to their families.

11. What are your goals as a Breeder/Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: I have produced some wonderful dogs, and have had multiple NOHS Best in Show wins. I would still love to have an all-breed Best in Show win when I am handling.

12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Kathleen (Kay) Novotny: The funniest story I remember from my many years in Shelties and Borzoi was when I once had a friend whose two-year-old was sitting in a stroller outside the ring while her mom was showing a dog in the class. At one point, the little girl stood up in the stroller and shouted at her mom, “Mommy! Fix her foot!” And the girl was right! She went on to become an excellent Junior Handler in her own right.