In the Field with Kona
By: Thea Steele
As I reflect on my experiences in dogs, it is difficult for me to
say what has had the greatest influence on me. Competition, breeding,
and training have all been a part of my life since I can remember,
and even more important since I got a dog of my own eight years ago.
The combination of all these things, and the roles they have played
in my life, is what makes me so sure that my future will hold continued
involvements in the sport of dogs.
Certainly a great amount of my time and energy has been devoted to
competition in Junior Handling, Conformation, Obedience, Tracking,
Agility, Hunt Tests, and most recently, Rally. From each, I gained
an increased understanding of dogs, their relationships to us, and
the richness they can bring to our lives. In Junior Showmanship, I
learned sensitivity to my English Cocker, Kona’s, mood- I had
to in order to keep her attention and interest in classes that lasted
two hours! In obedience, I learned that if you expect precision from
your dog, you must first demand it from yourself, and the amazing
leaps that can occur when you discover how to communicate a behavior
to your dog in a way they understand. From hunt tests, and from watching
field trials, I gained an awe of what our dogs are capable of, and
the powerful instinct we can sometimes forget they have. Even though
Kona is now retired from hunt tests, it brings a tear to my eye to
watch her really run in the field. Her joy is palpable, and unbelievably
beautiful to behold.
The wonder I feel at watching Kona, and other English Cockers far
more talented than she, in the field has greatly influenced me as
a breeder. I admire the breeders of Brittanys and Pointers, for example,
who still produce dogs that excel in both the field and the breed
ring. My long term goal is to produce dual purpose dogs, and to work
towards an English Cocker dual champion. I believe it is crucial that
even those of us who have shown breed dogs go to field trials, so
that we can truly understand the function of this breed. On a more
basic level, I love being a breeder because it reminds me of how stunning
it is that our domesticated dogs trust us so fully, and why we have
this trust. Each of Kona’s three litters were raised in my bedroom,
cuddled and talked to from the day they were born. As a result, I
saw their temperaments and behaviors from their first hour until they
went to their new homes at ten weeks old. Because we knew each one
so well, we could be confident that they were well suited to their
new homes. It is sad to see them go, and yet at the same time gratifying
to know they will be so well loved.
Although I expect to be involved in the sport of dogs for the rest
of my life, I don’t anticipate a career in dogs. But when I
think about what prompted my interest in science, it was originally
my interest in dogs. When I was 11, I went backpacking with my mother
for two weeks. As we hiked, she taught me genetics, as it related
to coat color in English Cocker Spaniels. Although of course genetics
isn’t involved in my academic passion, physics, this was definitely
what encouraged my interest in the sciences.
The influence that dogs and dog shows have had on my life makes this
more than a hobby or sport. It is a love and a commitment to repay
the trust and companionship that we are given so freely. In my future
in dogs, I hope to give back what I have treasure in my own life:
by breeding the best English Cockers that I can, and by teaching and
sharing what I have learned. I plan to apply for my judging license
this year. I think judging would be a great way to stay involved in
dogs while I can’t have a breeding program myself, and to contribute
as much as I can to English Cockers specifically and the sport of
dogs in general.
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