Patriot Farm Boston Terriers | Lorraine Chapman

Interview with Lorraine Chapman, Breeder of Patriot Farm Boston Terriers

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Lori Chapman: My name is Lori Chapman. I grew up on Long Island, New York, but now I live in Weirsdale, Florida. I have been involved with dogs my entire life. I started out showing Miniature Pinchers in the 1990s and currently have been breeding and showing Boston Terriers since 2018.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Lori Chapman: We have an 18-acre horse farm we named Patriot Farm. We only breed and show Boston Terriers. Typically, we have 2-4 boys and 8-10 girls that we raise and show.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Lori Chapman: Currently, our most influential dam was “Grace” and our most influential sires are “Baxter” and “Rocky.”

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Lori Chapman: Our climate-controlled kennel is 625 sq. ft. with 13 individual kennels on three sides with covered runs; enough room for all of our adults and an interior pen for our weaned puppies. We have a 160 sq. ft. Florida room off our living room in the main house which has four kennels with attached runs; these are inside our lanai. This room is our ICU/Nursery set-up with all the required equipment for labor and delivery (incubator, oxygen, nebulizer, etc.) and caring for post-c-section mothers and pups.

Our puppies are raised with attention to early neurological stimulation, and we use Pat Hastings’ Puppy Development and Puppy Culture.

What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?

Lori Chapman: We use Pat Hastings Puppy Puzzle techniques to evaluate our puppies. We also grade temperaments. When choosing our next generation, our final selections are made at the vet’s office when they are eight weeks of age. We take a two-view set of x-rays of the spinal column, VENTRODORSAL and LATERAL, and we choose to keep the puppies whose preliminary exams show us that they have a NORMAL SPINE – FREE OF ALL NON-TAIL HEMIVERTEBRA.

Does my breed require any special preparation for competing in Conformance? In Performance Events?

Lori Chapman: As with any show dog, they have to be kept in the proper weight, and they have to have their nails trimmed. I like trimming the whiskers and brightening their white markings with a little cornstarch, then also trimming the edges of the white collar to give a polished look. Otherwise, our breed is wash-and-wear, very easy to live with and very easy to put into shape for dog showing.

In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

Lori Chapman: The Boston Terrier breed is in good overall condition, but I would highly recommend all breeders to use preliminary x-rays as part of their selection process for future breeding stock. The prevalence of non-tail hemivertebra is unsatisfactory in the breed as a whole. Currently, I have eight Boston Terriers with normal spines and I’ve only been in it for five years. There are some who’ve been breeding for 30-plus years who’ve never had one; this is proof that x-raying as part of your selection process is worth its weight in gold.

Other concerns that breeders still need to be aware of are stenotic nares and elongated soft pallets, which affect the quality of life of the dogs. Still more areas of focus as described by the parent club are routine examination of eyes and patellas.

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Lori Chapman: Boston Terriers are well suited to be family dogs and are adaptable to most situations and owners, making them right for many.

What is the biggest misconception about y breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret?

Lori Chapman: Boston Terriers are quiet; they are not big barkers. The Boston Terrier is a very special dog. They are very loving and empathic.

As a Preservation Breeder, can I share my thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do I think about the number of shows?

Lori Chapman: There are 10 times more people breeding dogs than showing dogs, and I believe that all people who breed dogs should show dogs. Dog showing is intimidating to newcomers, having to get into the ring with seasoned competitors and professional handlers is not an easy task for people who are not used to doing stuff like that. It’s good that there are more shows to attend, but it may dilute the entries. Judges are very kind to newcomers, so I encourage new people to come give it
a try.

In my opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?

Lori Chapman: Social media is a great place for breeder/owner-handlers or professional handlers to be their own cheerleader. I love seeing all of my friends’ achievements and their puppies. It gives me so much motivation.

However, social media has a dark side. It is also a place where people go to spread gossip with the intent of provoking others into displaying emotional responses to gain traction with their story; to make themselves feel justified for their misplaced hatred. People need to avoid gossip and focus on themselves.

What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?

Lori Chapman: People need to love one another more!

What are some of the positive changes I’ve seen in the dog show community over the past decade?

Lori Chapman: Some of the positive changes I have seen in the dog show community is the allowance of a major for Reserve during a Specialty.

If I could share one suggestion with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them about my breed? If I could share one suggestion with the judges on my breed, I would say Boston Terriers are not just a pretty face. We want the whole package, including movement.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Non-Sporting Dog?

Lori Chapman: Our Bostons are so loving and playful.