I adopted a pet Schipperke, many years ago. A scraggly, nearly bald little thing, with an impish furred face, she suffered from hyperthyroidism, heart, and liver disease. My husband and I adored her.

I had the good fortune of a veterinarian in the family, and together we supported her health as well as we could. She succumbed to liver disease when she was six.

Almost ten years passed before we brought another Schipperke home, our first CKC registered Schipperke, Mazeru’s Kenya. (Kaylah) Together, we ventured into the world of CKC obedience, achieving our CD and Excellent levels in Rally. We dabbled in agility a bit as well.

At 3 and a half, she suffered her first seizure. Over the next two years, I learned everything I could about epilepsy, a disease that is not unusual in Schipperkes. We worked with an excellent veterinarian, who correctly diagnosed her focal seizures and helped us manage her condition with potassium bromide, for the rest of her life. She lived until 15 and a half and ruled the household with an iron paw.
I met Pat Boggs online, in a Schipperke in Performance yahoo group. Her generosity about sharing her knowledge about breeding and training was remarkable. In 2015, I acquired my ‘retirement puppy’ from Pat’s lines.

I had by now discovered Crate Games and joined Recallers in 2012. A whole new world of behavioural science based animal training opened up. I continue to support and recommend Susan Garrett’s programs.
I raised Ruby with Recaller games and used shaping and positive reinforcement to train every skill and behaviour. She was my first conformation dog and I have jumped into learning everything I can about that world. Handling, grooming, conditioning, and training; it’s all been a fascinating journey for me.
Breeding Ruby was never my intention when I bought her, but that’s the amazing thing about life; you never know what’s around the corner. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn everything possible about canine genetics, artificial insemination, breeding, maternal health and puppy raising with Puppy Culture.