Tim Terella | Snoebear Siberian Huskies

Breeder Interview by Allan Reznik

Where did you grow up?

Tim Terella: Born, raised, and currently reside in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, 15 minutes south of Lake Erie, in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Do you come from a doggie family? And, if not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin?

Tim Terella: I am a third-generation AKC dog show exhibitor. My mother’s parents were AKC Obedience and Agility enthusiasts. They dabbled in Conformation, but mostly did Performance Sports with their Shetland Sheepdogs. My parents bred and showed Siberian Huskies under the Snoebear prefix, which I maintain today. They mostly competed in sled racing, but did some showing in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their influence.

Tim Terella: I have had so many mentors in the sport, as I have journeyed from starting in Junior Showmanship to developing a successful breeding program and a full-time career as a professional handler. My parents would be first, teaching me the basics of hard work, accountability, responsibility, and animal husbandry. Sam and Karen Mammano took me on as a full-time apprentice, teaching me all the ins and outs of a career in handling. I feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity, as it laid a solid foundation for what I do today. I couldn’t have been luckier to find such amazing, responsible, hardworking, good human beings to mentor my career. As a breeder, the Siberian Husky community as a whole really embraced me at a young age. So many breeders worldwide are responsible in mentoring me, and continue to do so. People such as Anne and Brian Palmer of Highlander Siberians; Trish, Sheila, and Kathleen Kanzler of Innisfree Kennels; and Kim Leblanc of Snowmist Siberians have provided me with a benchmark of responsible and ethical breeding as well as maintaining the Siberian Husky, not just as a beautiful show dog but an athlete in harness as well.

The Snoebear Siberian Huskies are successful and well known. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to?

Tim Terella: At Snoebear Siberians, we believe in linebreeding for enhanced health, longevity, and maintaining a type that not only exemplifies beauty and balance but also athleticism in harness and soundness. Our breeding partner, Hiroyo Shimizu of Crystal Fountain Siberians in Tokyo, Japan, further contributes to our program with outcrosses and fresh insight from another perspective. She is invaluable to our success.

How many dogs do you typically house? Tell us about your current facilities and how the dogs are maintained.

Tim Terella: My wife, Megan, and I maintain a breeding kennel of about 20 dogs. We generally have two litters a year. All litters are born and raised in a designated area in our home until they are around six to seven weeks old. We have two large buildings, one housing puppies and youngsters as well as females in season. The main kennel holds the general population as well as our grooming facility. We have three large run yards for the dogs to get daily turnouts to free-run and strengthen their bodies and minds. Siberians need time to burn off steam, so this is imperative to their physical and mental health. Of course, the old-timers retire inside our house, on the couch and in our bed.

Please comment positively on the present condition of your breed, and what trends might bear watching.

Tim Terella: Overall, the Siberian Husky has been managed very well by our fellow breeders, and in a positive manner. I tend to see proper length of leg and athleticism at shows across the US. However, I feel balance is a major problem. So many roll in the topline, pound in front, or have exaggerated kick in the rear. The Siberian Husky is a moderately built working dog, made to travel for long distances, at a moderate pace, carrying a light load. They should not be so heavy as to suggest a freighting or draft animal, nor as slight as to suggest a sprint racing dog. The breed should be shown at a MODERATE pace on a loose lead, never raced around to promote speed and a flying trot—which accentuates the imbalance and can mask faults. The Siberian should be easy and light on its feet, and should never look like it is working to get around the ring.

The sport has changed greatly since you first began as an exhibitor and breeder. What are your thoughts on the current state of the fancy, and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?

Tim Terella: The sport overall is declining, not just in the US but worldwide. The number of actual breeders is diminishing. Of course, society and the underlying “anti-breeder” mentality are contributing to that situation, as well as the cost of dog-related expenses, showing, and veterinary care. We need larger kennels to maintain a healthy breeding population. The exhibitors showing the same dog for five years, and never breeding but once or twice, will not get us enough genetic diversity, nor options for breeders to choose from. We need to not put such constraints on others to breed to our dogs. Don’t be selfish, and allow others to avail themselves of your breeding program. Yes, we will all run across a few bad apples who will try to exploit our hard work and vision, but if we can reach at least one or two others, to develop an eye and a product that envelopes your standard, that success will diminish the negative experiences. Good breeders took a chance on me, and I will do the same for new people. We all need to promote that attitude.

Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?

Tim Terella: I hope to continue Snoebear Siberians for generations to come. My children, Trevor and Maddie, are very involved with the dogs. At 9 and 5 years of age, they help with the puppy raising and evaluations, and daily dog chores, as well as loving to go dog sledding. We are just reaching some of our most coveted goals with our current dog, “Gin,” MBIS/MBISS GCHG Crystal Fountain Tanqueray At Snoebear. He currently has 39 BIS, 35 RBIS, and 117 Working Group Firsts in just a year and a couple months of campaigning. He is four generations of our breeding, and we hope to continue that legacy over the next decade or two.

Finally, tell us a little about Tim outside of dogs… your occupation, your hobbies.

Tim Terella: Outside of dogs, I am grateful to be the father of two amazing kids. They are my greatest joys on the planet. I also spend most of my time outside of dogs as an avid fisherman and hunter, and, of course, dog sledding.