Meet the Breeder/Owner Handler: Leona Sibo

Meet the Breeder/Owner Handler: Leona Sibo

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

Leona Sibo: I started working with friends who were already showing dogs, and that’s what pulled me into the sport. I got my first Doberman Pinscher as a pet back in the early 1980s, and that’s when I really fell for the breed.

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

Leona Sibo: I’ve been in dogs since 1989. I’ve always handled my own dogs, but I’ve only been seriously competitive as an Owner Handler over the last year and a half. I started breeding French Bulldogs and Rottweilers in 1994, but I got my first show Doberman in 2009. I did Obedience and other activities with her, and in 2014, she had my first Doberman litter that produced my first bred-by, owner-handled Champion.

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

Leona Sibo: I used to attend handling classes years ago. More recently, I’ve been going to in-person handling seminars with my Junior Handler, Veronica Chaille. It’s been a great way for both of us to keep learning. One of my biggest goals right now is helping to guide and shape her into the best handler she can be.

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

Leona Sibo: Yes, definitely. There’s a lot of good information out there if you’re willing to look for it. I think tools like that are great, especially for people just getting started or trying to improve on their own.

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

Leona Sibo: Yes, I do compete in the NOHS (National Owner-Handled Series). Rankings are fun to follow, and of course, it’s always nice to be recognized. Right now, my bitch, GCHB Denalli’s The Heat Is On, aka “Camaro,” has her NOHS Gold, and she is the No. 1 Doberman in NOHS. But we’re really in it because we enjoy it.

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

Leona Sibo: Both are very important to me. The Bred-By class is a direct reflection of your breeding program. It’s an opportunity to stand behind the dogs you’ve produced and say, “This is mine. I did this.” Specialties are just as important. They’re where you compete alongside some of the best dogs in the country, and that level of competition is good for the breed and the sport.

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

Leona Sibo: Absolutely. Dobermans are an incredibly competitive breed, and the rings are tough. You’re often going up against big-name Professional Handlers, but that just makes it more rewarding. Everything I’ve achieved has been on my own merit—my dogs, my work, my time. There’s a lot of pride in knowing that what you’ve built and shown is truly yours.

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

Leona Sibo: I’m mostly self-taught, but I’ve had plenty of Breeder/Owner Handlers from various breeds, as well as people in Dobermans, offer guidance along the way. I’ve always believed in asking questions, doing the work, and learning as much as I can through experience.

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

Leona Sibo: They’re essential. Breeder/Owner Handlers help keep the sport alive, from breeding and raising the dogs to training and showing them. It’s a lot of work, but it’s work that matters, especially when you’re trying to preserve the integrity and future of a breed like the Doberman.

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

Leona Sibo: Get a mentor you trust—someone with experience, strong dogs, and a solid understanding of the Breed Standard. The DPCA’s (Doberman Pinscher Club of America) website is a great resource for someone looking to breed, and other parent clubs offer similar support in their respective breeds.

Do the health testing, understand your dog’s strengths and weaknesses, and make sure your breeding choices are thoughtful and responsible. Don’t just breed anything to anything.

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

Leona Sibo: My goal is to produce healthy, correct Dobermans with strong temperaments. I want my dogs to succeed in both the ring and at home. I’ve been fortunate to breed a Grand Futurity winner, which is something I’m very proud of. One of my biggest dreams, and a victory that has eluded me so far, is to win the Top 20 with my bitch Camaro, who’s currently ranked No. 7 in the DPCA Top 20 rankings.

But just as important to me is mentoring my Junior Handler, Veronica Chaille. Helping her grow, improve, and chase her own success in the ring is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. I want her to not just be great—I want her to be one of the best.

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

Leona Sibo: After a long day of traveling and several days of showing, we were loading the dogs into the van and accidentally swapped our two black male Dobermans, Asher and Nelson. Nelson belonged to Peggy, and Asher was Chris’ dog. I had bred Nelson and trained both of them, and I had just handled both of them. We put them in each other’s crates without realizing it, and each person took “their” dog back to the hotel.

Peggy went to take a nap for a few hours, and Chris went out to work with what she thought was Asher. Later, Chris told me how weird it was that her dog was suddenly so active and playful. Meanwhile, Peggy woke up, looked at the dog next to her, and realized that it wasn’t her dog. She came to our room and said, “His scrape is healed, he’s put on weight, and his eyes are different!” I said, “That’s nice, Peggy…” At that point, I was thinking Peggy had lost it, so I asked Chris to double-check the dog in her crate. Chris goes, “That’s Nelson?!” and we all realized what had happened. Chris laughed and said, “No wonder he was jumping around like crazy, my dog never does that!” Asher, her dog, was trained in German—and Nelson had apparently picked it up fast, because he was doing everything right and she didn’t even realize it. We were in a total dog show haze, but at the end of the day, the dogs were well taken care of… even if it wasn’t by the right person for a little while!