How did you come up with your kennel name, Melrose Siberians?
I had it in my mind when we bought our first Siberian, Ice, that I wanted to get involved in confirmation with the dream of some day competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Jody thought I was crazy but look where he is now. With the guidance, friendship and patience of Ice’s breeder, Belinda Yager, we were able to learn conformation ring etiquette.
Yes, Belinda Yager of Camton Kennels. Belinda taught us everything we needed to know to succeed from how to correctly hold a leash to grooming expertise.
Jim and Lynne Dagan – Seeonee - We were close friends with the Dagan's for many years when they were at the top and learned so much from them about structure, type and movement. We also admired Brenda Valletta’s lines. We found it fascinating that they looked as good out of coat as in coat.
Ch Camton’s Ice Ice Baby (Ice) - everything we own and show goes back to Ice. We are on the fourth generation of Siberians directly descending from Ice.
Both are important factors in a breeding, although we tend to lean towards phenotype vs pedigree.
Due to we are rather small and don't produce a lot of litters most of our breeding's have been successful out crosses.
Ch Melrose Street Car Named Desire. Stella produced a line of Siberians that have been very successful in the show ring as well as obedience, rally and agility. They all resemble her in some way. Each time I see one I see Stella. Which breeding's have you done that you are most proud of? And why? The breeding that produced Stella (BISS Ch Chrisdon’s Distant Thunder/Ch Camton’s Ice Ice Baby). We bred Stella to BIS, BISS Ch Noatak’s Party of One, to date out of the first breeding three are champions two of them BISS winners and a fourth pointed still competing. Out of the repeat breeding two are champions with two still competing. Additionally out of the second litter two are owned by a junior handler who competes in obedience, rally and agility. Both also run on a sled. When you want to breed a bitch, what is the criteria in selecting the stud dog? What we look for in a stud dog is a sound, moderate, clean moving Siberian with a great temperament and a documented health background. I use the OFA site to research hips and eyes generations back. Great resource I wish more individuals used it to record hips and eyes. One should always keep in mind not to go backwards in any way. If you had just one Siberian to incorporate into your breeding program, past or present, who would it be and why? BISS Ch Melrose Walk The Line – I never tire of watching Carter in the ring. His movement is effortless, his body toned and refined. He’s clean coming and going and moves with incredible grace. His offspring have the same body type and movement.
Structurally speaking Carter is probably the Siberian we have bred that most closely meets the standard. Carter has so many of the qualities the standard portrays. Qualitites that we strive for with each breeding. He is a medium-sized dog, light on his feet, is able to cover ground with little effort in a graceful manner. He is in great condition, well muscled and developed something that comes natural for him. Reading the summary of the Siberian standard - the first sentence in our eyes describes Carter. The most important breed characteristics of the Siberian Husky are medium size, moderate bone, well balanced proportions, ease and freedom of movement, proper coat, pleasing head and ears, correct tail, and good disposition.
How do you feel that your breeding program has evolved? We have evolved through each breeding whether it be a better eye shape, movement, correct rear, more athletic or nicer coat. Although we are satisfied with the direction we are headed there is always room for improvement. How many litters do you have a year? One if that. What do you think is the most common error when breeding?
Always look past that one breeding. It’s extremely hard to try and fix everything so you have to plan ahead to what you see as the “perfect” Siberian and analyze how to get there generation to generation.
Find a type or style you like and stick with it – thrive each breeding to improve on your faults without loosing the correct portions you have established.
We have never campaigned a Siberian although we have made it our goal this year to in an essence campaign Carter by taking him to as many shows as we are able to go to without sacrificing our jobs. We plan to compete in several Specialties, the National, the Eukanuba National Championship and for the first time ever the Westminster Dog Show in 2011. Hopefully everything falls into place and after fifteen years the dream of competing at Westminster will become a reality.
Anyone that has competed at the breed or group level knows there are politics involved. It’s part of the sport. The best you can do is have confidence in the dog you are showing and hope the judge sees the quality you are presenting and judges accordingly. If not it’s a reflection on him/her not you or your dog.
The same advice I would give anyone purchasing a Siberian, research health issues, know the standard, ask for videos, know the temperaments of the lines and pay a reasonable price.
To continue to produce the type of Siberian we love. This is our year to “campaign” BISS Ch Melrose Walk The Line. We also have two new additions to Melrose – a Siberian puppy Isabel - Melrose Isabella Swan and a smooth coated Chow Chow puppy Ella – Paramount Smooth Cashmere. We plan to have some fun with the class dogs and try to achieve success with our Special. Thank you for all your time and your participation. It's been a pleasure.
Kennel Name: Melrose Siberians 
BISS CH Melrose Walk The Line 
CH Camton's Ice Ice Baby
BISS CH Melrose Legally Blond
CH Melrose Street Car Named Desire
CH Melrose McDreamy
CH Melrose Vin Diesel
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