Sheryl Bradbury breeds Grand Bassets Griffon Vendéen (GBGV) and Lancashire Heelers, a breed in the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS).
“My Lancashire Heeler kennel, Mashury, is devoted first to health, temperament, and conformation and to breeding dogs that can work hard, play hard, and love their shepherd.”
“I imported my first GBGV in 2012 from a young breeder in Europe. Iva Raic and I were invited to be a part of the Black Majesty Cooperation with others all over the world. Since then I have imported five Grands and absolutely love GBGV puppies,” Sheryl said. “Grands are a wonderful breed. I had Petits for a while, but I have found that my Grands are more interested in hanging out on the sofa or lying in the sun on the porch.”
Sheryl joined the U.S. Lancashire Heeler Club in 2017. The club needed someone to focus on the FSS checklist, and she ran for the board and was elected president. “The Board of Directors have accomplished so much since then and have just a few more things to get done before the club can request to move forward,” she said.
She has lived in the Omaha, Nebraska area all her life, and in 2001 she and her husband moved to a large peaceful property south of Omaha. At the time, they had Great Danes, Vizslas, Mastiffs, and a Beagle that her daughter showed in Junior Showmanship. Dogs were always a family activity and part of teaching their children responsibility and confidence. “I love all breeds of dogs,” Sheryl said.
AKC: How did you get started in breeding dogs?
Sheryl: My dad had German Shorthaired Pointers for as long as I can remember. I got into trouble when I was a little girl because I would climb into the horse tank with Buttons and her puppies. There was a big round horse tank that we would swim in all summer and then use as a whelping bed for the GSP females to have puppies in. I would sneak in there and fall asleep. My mom did not want me sleeping there, so I sneaked them into my bed. I got busted when one of the puppies got poop on my pillowcase.
I bred my first litter in 1993 – Great Danes. I learned how to show and be a great breeder from an amazing mentor, Linda Cain. She was so very patient with me, and I have the utmost respect for her. Over the years I have learned so much about breeding and the right way to do things. Healthy dogs result in healthy puppies. If you do it right and focus on high-quality, healthy puppies, good families will come. I have never been in a hurry to place a puppy. I spend a lot of time learning each puppy’s personality and about each family so I can match the puppy to the best home for success.
AKC: What are the most important things to know about your breeds?
Sheryl: GBGVs are great companions. They want to be with you and please you. The grooming is challenging and meticulous and therapy for me. They love to hunt, and many GBGV people have great success in performance and companion events. Showing in conformation can be a challenge as there are not many of them being shown. They are great show dogs, very flashy.
The Lancashire Heelers are a kick! They are a very happy breed: Robust, versatile, and hardy. A very big dog in a small package. Living on a large property comes with a lot of work and the need to manage the various rodents, varmints, and wildlife. The heelers have been excellent mousers and raccoon flushers and in a blink of an eye they are on your lap keeping you company and warm. Lancashire Heelers are very trainable and are hard workers who absolutely have to have a job and need to be socialized. If not, they can get into trouble and be a bit snippy. They can do just about anything, from scent work to dock diving. They love you with all their being.
AKC: How has AKC Marketplace helped you find puppy buyers?
Sheryl: AKC Marketplace has provided a platform that helps potential puppy buyers find the right puppy for their specific situation. It matches people to puppies. It educates the buyers in making the right choice based on the standard, temperament and breed traits. It also helps connect them to the parent club, so they continue to learn about the breed after they take the puppy home. Often times buyers have done their research, and you can spend the time getting to know them and match the puppy to them better.
AKC: What is your favorite question to ask of potential puppy buyers?
Sheryl: What are you looking for with this puppy? For GBGVs, are you able to groom this dog as needed? Lancashire Heelers: Do you have a job for this dog to do?
AKC: What are the main qualities you look for in potential owners
Sheryl: Commitment, tenacity and the willingness to be a part of my pack.
AKC: What is the best advice you would give to novice breeders?
Sheryl: Do the work to breed the best dogs that contribute to the breed as a whole and know that science changes constantly so stay up to date on new breeding practices and genetics and learn something new about your breed every day.
AKC: Do your dogs participate in AKC sports?
Sheryl: I have been showing in conformation for almost 30 years. I enjoy barn hunt and watching dogs do a job.
AKC: What do you like best about breeding dogs?
Sheryl: I work for Revival Animal Health in Product Development and Brand Management. I apply my breeding experience to develop products to help breeders raise healthy puppies and pet owners care for their dogs for the rest of their lives. I am blessed to be able to raise healthy happy dogs and do everything I can to set them up for success through training and love, so they have long healthy lives with their forever families.
AKC: Do you have a favorite breeding story?
Sheryl: I have been blessed all these years and I have many stories, but I think the best one is about my first litter of GBGVs. Eleven puppies: healthy, chubby and so sweet. They were so much fun and what a wonderful experience. One morning in week three, after they had finished nursing, Neeni (CH Black Majesty Chatty Dita Neeni) was sleeping, and the puppies were all snuggled up on her. Neeni is a talker. I love to talk to her because she talks back, and that morning as she talked to me, the next thing we heard was one puppy letting out “voice” and then the song began. We were so surprised to hear all the puppies singing to us; we could hardly get our cell phone going to record it. I had no idea I would see that in a 3-week-old litter of puppies. It was a hound symphony. Every day I can plan on a song or two from my GBGVs. It is very soothing.