Monday, March 23, 2009

CCA elections


The Chinook Club of America is holding elections and I have decided to throw my hat in the ring, running for Chair of the Standard and Judges Education Committee. I would love to give back to the breed that has given me so much. I have served on committees in the Chinook Club of America ( CCA), the Chinook Owners Association ( COA) and the former Chinook Dog Club of America (CDCA). The biography for the ballots needed to be quite short so I am going to use this post to talk a bit about myself. For those non CCA members and those uninterested in the election, my previous Current Events posts start at the bottom of this page

Chinooks have been in my life since 1999, after finding out about them on the internet. There was a local Chinook gathering near my house and I instantly fell in love with the breed. I acquired my first Chinook in 2000 and never looked back. I have bred 4 litters under the Moonsong Chinook name as well as standing several wonderful males at stud. I have owned and bred Champions, Grand Champions, and Top Ten finishers. My dogs also have Weight Pull titles and compete in Obedience as well as sledding, biking, and scooter races. I love to show but my passion is sledding. It is so peaceful to run down the trail with a team of Chinooks and I enjoy having dogs that excel in the ring but also excel in harness. My goal for breeding is to produce triple purpose sledding and show dogs that are, above all healthy and happy family pets.

My goal for this election is to serve as chair for the Standards and Judges Education committee. I work very well with others and look forward to helping the club complete a new standard that will serve this breed well as we move into AKC. I feel Judges Education is also very important as the Chinook is a rare breed and not known to many in the AKC world. I have met many AKC judges and breeders in the course of my work at the Academy of Canine Behavior and also at AKC shows where I have handled my Irish Water Spaniel and Saluki. I have been lucky enough to attend many great seminars over the years, including the K9 College Cruise, which I try to do every year or so. I have studied Canine conformation and movement, breeding, history, nutrition, training, behavior, showing, judging, genetics, and health. I attended Kansas State University and I have a degree in Animal Science from the State University of New York. I currently serve on the Standard and Judges Education committee as well as the Show, Trial, and Trail committee. I have been mentored by several longtime Chinook breeders and I also have a good relationship with many of the newer Chinook owners/breeders. I would enjoy the opportunity to contribute to the Chinook breed as we enter these exciting times.

AKC Sanction B Match

In March 2009, there was a sanction B match in Enumclaw. It was the first time Chinooks were able to show in an AKC match in Washington. It was a fun day as 9 Chinook fanciers and 15 Chinooks enjoyed a day of showing and comraderie. Some pictures of the day are below.
Best puppy was PR Moonsong the Tin Man ( Watson)

Best Adult and Best of breed was the very handsome Meadowbrook Ranger

Ranger and Oscar look for treats. Ranger and Oscar are half brothers, sired by CH Channahon's Northern Kodiak. The best puppy, Watson, is also a Kodiak pup. There are only three pups by Kodiak in Washington but they look to be three very nice boys who should do well in the ring this year.
Moonsong Rosie shows off her sulky harness. She was giving rides to 4H students at the show
Brett also gave rides at the show.
Moonsong Cornelia and Dutch checked out their very first show








Welcome to the family

Sugar River Jackjumper Song joined the Moonsong pack on the same day my Deadliest catch pups were leaving for new homes. He was sent by his breeder to the west coast in order to maximize genetic diversity in the breed. I am looking forward to showing him in the ring and hopefully, someday, see him produce pups that are as nice as his parents, Taz and Kaya. Jacks blog is http://sugarriverjack.blogspot.com


Recent Breedings

On December 13th 2008, Chili gave birth to 9 wonderful pups. Their blog can be seen at http://moonsongcatchlitter.blogspot.com
After almost 2 years off of breeding, Moonsong Chinooks was estatic over the arrival of my first ever Singleton pup- PR Moonsong the Tin Man. His blog can be seen at http://moonsonglitter.blogspot.com


Introduction

This blog was created to share the current events going on at Moonsong Chinooks. Shows, breedings, club activities, sledding trips, races, and playdates will be among the news I will share. Keep checking in to see what's new!