Dreamland
Q: First can you give us some background on yourself? When and how did you start to breed Chow Chows?
A: My parents bred and showed Pekingese in the 50s and got their first chow in 1961 from one of the top breeders of the time, Mr. Hal Allen. My interest came from theirs and as I grew up showing our Chows it just continued.
Q: What is the story behind your kennel and your kennel name? When did you bred your first litter? How many litters have you had so far?
A: My parents kennel name was Ken Chi and I bred a few dogs under that prefix, but in 1988 I married Linda, whom I had met due to her breeding of the first chow I won a best in show on named Dream Weaver, and from that our name of Dreamland came about.
Q: Where did your first dogs come from?
A: Hal Allen of Tsang Po kennels was the breeder I grew up with and learned from, but When Linda and I married we decided to go in a different direction and used dogs from the lines she was working with, which go back to some of the same dogs as my parents, but with some different lines mixed in.
Q: What is your breeding policy? Do you work with other kennels, have you bought or leased dogs from other kennels? Or do you prefer to have your stud dogs for yourself?
A: We have been very fortunate to have several breeders around the world in China, and Brazil that co-breed and work with the same lines as we do which gives us a much larger gene pool to work with. We also will co-own dogs with other breeders to have access to them as stud dogs, or trade puppies from time to time. I think it is important to have a larger number of combinations to work with as a breeder to truly make a line of dogs that improve with each generation, and working with other like-minded people allows us to do that.
Q: Which dog do you consider the foundation of your own breeding?
A: Both Linda and I fell in love with a dog named Ch. Teabears Cheese Whiz and have tried to base many of our original breedings on him. He was a beautifully balanced dog with tremendous bone, beautiful head, and ring presence to boot.
Q: What kind of selection do you prefer in your breeding program line breeding, inbreeding or out-cross?
A: Definitely line breeding, and sometimes tightly. Even when breeding to an outcross it will be for the next generation that we take back into our line. To us the best way to solidify a line of dogs with the look and consistency you want is to breed closely.
Q: What would you say was your greatest achievement as a breeder so far?
A: Consistently producing healthy dogs that fit my view of the standard. Winning has always been secondary and is just a byproduct of breeding good dogs.
ABOUT THE BREED
Q: What do you consider should be the most important attribute of the Chow, type, movement, head?
A: The Chow is a breed of balance, there is not one part or another that is more important to me. It is the harmony of all the parts together, movement is a part of type, head is a part of type, etc.
Q: What three qualities do you think are the most important when you look at a Chow?
A: The proper profile standing or moving, (square, balance of leg to body, head carried proudly above the topline). Stilted rear movement, and correct head.
Q: Which faults would you not tolerate in your breed?
A: Short legged, long bodied dogs!
Q: How has the breed changed over the years? Would you say it has gone to better or worse?
A: We have come a long way from the heavy overdone dogs of the 70s and have returned somewhat to more of what the breed was meant to be, an athletic short coupled upstanding dog that could go all day. So, I would say better in that respect, but there are very few breeders with the resources and drive to have a large kennel and do the work to make a consistent line of dogs in their breed. It is a full-time commitment and really a labor of love to do so. In that aspect I would say we have not fared as well.
Q: Please name three of your all-time favorite winners bred by you and three not owned nor bred by you.
A: Bred by us: Ch. Dreamlands Wanna Be A Billionaire, GHCG CH Dreamlands Game Changer, Ch. Dreamlands American Revolution. Others: Ch. Xi Shans Guardian Angel, Ch. Eastern Magic Fly Me Safe, and a wonderful dog from England Ukwong King Soloman.
Q: What homebred dog of yours comes closest to your ideal?
A: Ch. Dreamlands Thrill of the Chase (Rush)
Q: What would you say is the secret to continued success in breeding Chow?
A: Having a complete picture in your mind of your ideal dog and understanding basic canine structure, and the most important is having someone who shares your passion!
Q: What advice would you give to the younger generations in the breed?
A: Learn and listen to the old timers, understand that you don’t know everything, and be willing to try.
