Robin & Tony Miller | The Breeder/owner Handler

Interview with Robin & Tony Miller, Breeders/owner Handler

Robin & Tony Miller 

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

Our love affair with Kuvasz began in 1992, when Miller’s Rebel Yell CGC, TDI, THPA, our very first Kuvasz, joined our family. With him we would earn our first titles. It was the beginning of our 32 years in this special, independent breed, the Kuvasz, the ancient Hungarian breed of shepherds and kings. “Rebel” became the namesake of our kennel, Rebel Ridge.

2. How many years in dogs? How many as Owner Handlers? As Breeders?

We have been in the breed since 1992, Owner Handlers since 1994, and Breeders since 2005.

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

Yes, we attend show handling classes and in-person handling seminars.

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

Not really. We find that in-person and hands-on is best.

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

Yes. We have bred and/or owned many of the top-ranked NOHS Kuvasz. We were the first to go BIS with a Kuvasz in the NOHS! In AKC NOHS Lifetime rankings, dogs we bred, GCHS Rebel Ridge Blue Moon FDC TKI, “Mani,” and his granddaughter, GCH Rebel-Ridge Taliszman Heart Of The South FDC TKI CGC, “Scarlett,” are the top-ranked dog and bitch. GCHB Double Ring Tarees Dream Machine, “Diesel,” owned by ourselves and Kathy and Chuck Ringering, is ranked No. 4 in NOHS Lifetime rankings and is the sire of Mani and the great-grandfather of Scarlett.

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

We believe that the Bred-By Class is very important in the sport of purebred dogs. This is a class where breeders SHOULD be exhibiting the best specimens of their breeding program. Attending National Specialties is also very important, as this is generally the one opportunity, especially in a low entry breed like ours, where we can meet up with breeders and exhibitors from across the county for not only competition and camaraderie but also to attend seminars, give judges education seminars, and have our club’s annual meeting.

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

No, it is not a challenge to compete with our breed as a Breeder/Owner Handler.

8. Who have been your mentor(s) as Owner Handlers? As Breeders?

Our first mentors were Dore Engstrom and Linda Lloyd. As breeders, we had mentors from across the country,

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

We believe that Breeder/Owner Handlers are the backbone of the sport.

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

Find a good mentor. Know the Standard. Know your dogs’ strengths and weaknesses and what you need to improve in your lines and/or the particular dog or bitch that you are wanting to breed. Do all the necessary health testing applicable to this breed. Utilize contracts and screen your potential homes well.

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

Our goal is to continue to showcase the breed to the best of our ability. While we have gone BIS at our National Specialty, and multiple BIS in the NOHS, we have yet to go BIS in an all-breed show, although we have had many Group Ones.

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

A long-deceased dog we co-owned, CH Double Ring Peterbilt, COAA, HOF, “Cargo,” was widely known for his enthusiastic “leaps” at the end of the down and back in the ring, (which always ended in a perfect free-stack)! However, at one show Robin was exhibiting him at, his foot caught in her skirt and pulled it down!