I saw a Dal on a firetruck in a 4th of July parade and thought he was SO beautiful!!! We had just purchased our first house and decided it was time for a dog so we got a Dal. His name, of course, was "Sparky" and we registered him as Glyndon's Country Gentleman. He was a great dog and I thought very beautiful. I ran across Chris Jackson from long Last kennels who did not live very far from me and decided to have Chris look at him for a "show evaluation". I did show him for awhile but I started to get an "eye" and decided I wanted something better for the show ring. The rest is history!!!!!!!!
After showing "Sparky" for awhile, I decided that I wanted something better to show. So, I continued to take "Sparky" to handling class so I could learn the "ins and outs" of handling while I waited for another dog. As it happened, Chris just got back a black and white show female from a divorce situation and asked me if I wanted her. I didn't really want a female but she said I could show her so I thought it was a good opportunity. Chris told me to watch her movement and I could "see" how nice she was. Well, I couldn't "see" back then but took a chance anyway. I got her in good condition and started to show her instead of "Sparky". She flew through the classes and finished in no time---my first Champion!!!!! Ch. Long Last Living Doll. Her call name was "Spirit". I was "hooked". As above, the rest is history as I just got more and more involved. I learned through Chris and through my own observations how to "see" movement and I got better and better at showing!!!!
That is such a hard question because they were ALL so different but so very special in their own way. Each had something wonderful for which I loved them and each contributed to my life in so many positive ways. They were the best teachers and the best companions, through thick and thin, and I hope I was able to give back to them at least half of what they gave to me. But, I think my absolute favorite was Ch. Esquire's Layla Neu of Croatia. I adopted Layla at the age of seven. I never even showed her. She was already finished when I got her but we were soul mates. She was the greatest dog and you could tell, she thought I was great, too. We had a special bond; we were just so close. It's hard to describe but to this day, I miss her. She went to wait for me at the Bridge at age 11. She was sooooo beautiful and soooo sweet and everything I could have ever asked for in a pet and companion. We could read each other's minds. It was just a "thing". I miss her very much!!!!
My favorite dog (to look at) that Chris and I bred was Champion Long Last 'N Talismans Leth'l Weap'n (Saber). He was so nicely put together and though his markings were not everyone's cup of tea, I loved the pigment and the black eyes!!! And that dog could move!!!! What a clean, straight front!!!
My most favorite Dal ever, though, was "Spotty". I'll never forget the first time I saw him. It was at the National in St. Louis---quite some time ago. He took my breath away----just the way he moved. I think to this day, I keep him in the back of my mind as to what I think a Dal should look like!!!!
This is a tough question because I am more into the "showing" than I am the "breeding". I know that appropriate breeding is the backbone to any good bloodline, but honestly, it never held all that much appeal to me. So much work!!! Just give me the puppy, let me evaluate and train him or her and let's get into the showring!!! But, I had my hand in many breedings. Chris Jackson and I became really good friends over the years and we co-bred many, many litters together in the past 22 years!!!! Temperament and conformation are probably the two most important things for us; and, health issues, as well. I tend to look at phenotype and Chris looks at the pedigrees. She is much stronger in that area than me. Then, together we come up with several choices and discuss each of them and what they might contribute to our bitch. We also discuss the negatives, too, and then hopefully, make an educated decision.
Probably the one that produced our Champion "Slider" (Long Last "N Talismans Top Gun). His mom was Ch. Long Last Solar Flare ("Shasta") and his dad was Paisley's Best Bet Yet. The consistency in looks, conformation and temperament was astounding!!!!
What, really, is success???? I have been so blessed in my acquaintance with Chris and the time she took to be my mentor and teacher and friend. I have been blessed because I was given the ability to show a dog well and many, many people entrusted me with the care and management of their show dogs. I've been blessed to have had some of the most wonderful dogs share my life and I've been blessed to have had the opportunity and health to pursue my hobby. I've been blessed with friends over the years that would never have been mine to know if it hadn't been for my association with this breed. I've been blessed, not successful!!!
You certainly ask some tough questions!!!! Personally, I think it's really hard to put my finger on one thing, specifically. To me, the "look" or "style" of the Dal has changed from when I started in 1982. From my perspective, there seems to be a more obvious consistency in looks---more open marked, squarish types. Of course, this affects movement to a degree but the positive or negative of that effect is truly up to the breeder or the one on the end of the leash.
Not any more than what I expressed above.
Yes, I had a mentor. As I said earlier, it was Chris Jackson of Long Last Kennels. Chris was mentored by Lorraine Donohue who originally owned Long Last. Chris took what she learned from Lorraine and shared it with me. She introduced me to the show world and taught me the ropes. But, Chris was also confident enough to let me "fly free". By that, I mean that she never dismissed my comments or thoughts or questions as I was learning to show and evaluate a dog. And, she never poo-pooed a statement or suggestion I made about any breeding we did. She gave me respect, encouragement, confidence and friendship and you can't ask for much more than that. She even loves my Weims!!!! And, she has shared my enthusiasm for them by going to Weim Nationals with me, coming to watch me show my dogs, coming to watch me judge and sharing in my grief when they leave me. To this day, I learn from her and I hope that she knows how grateful I am for all that she has taught me during the last 22 years. She's not just a mentor; she's my friend!!!
Thank you for all the associations and opportunities I have had over the years with judging and showing. My involvement has been an experience that I will forever cherish and for which I will always be grateful. I am looking forward to many, many more years of the same types of adventures!!!
Thank you for you friendships and for your love of this wonderful breed. Your diligence as protector of this breed is so commendable. Though there are issues where people disagree, there is no disagreement in the responsibility we share for the well-being of the Dalmatian. That's a given. Congratulations!!!
I am now retired from teaching and loving life!!!!!!!! I hope to see many of my "old' friends and I hope to make many "new" ones as I get more opportunity to travel. See you in the ring!!!!!! :-)