Lastly, Kathryn.........how did you break in? I got very lucky the first time and had a wonderful mentor but it's been so many years ago. She was in her middle 70's over 16 years ago and I really think she is no longer with us from what I've been told.
Well, that is a bit (ok, more like a lot) of luck really. I wanted a pet puppy, had NO intentions of breeding, showing etc, etc. But I had my heart set on wanting a brindle bitch. When friends of mine (who introduced me to Cardigans) got word of a long time Cardigan breeder having a litter (with a brindle bitch in it no less) we went for a visit. The pups were 5 weeks old, and the brindle bitch was exactly what I was wanting (of course), but she wasn't available as she was pick of the litter. There was a brindle pointed black & white, but I just didn't like her as much....so I said, if the brindle wasn't available I'd wait. The breeder agreed to sell her to me....no strings attached. So, because of their generosity, I decided I could at least try showing her and see what happened!
To make a bit of a long story short....this breeder hasn't necessarily been a mentor of mine, because I greatly disagree with them on many things, but they have been my biggest supporter regardless! The puppy did very well in the ring, even with of my lack of knowledge of the show ring, so then I started thinking about breeding. Did a lot of searching, had a male picked out, and that fell through a couple of weeks before my girl came into season
Contacted another breeder about their stud dog.....and they have been my mentors and very good friends since I bred to their dog! Met another breeder a couple years ago at a Nationals, which is a funny story in itself, but they have also been mentoring me in breedings and such.
I've lucked into meeting several really nice, supportive people in the breed.....but there are many I've met along the way who have been less than kind (and that's an understatement), who have almost turned me off doing anything dog related.....I just love the dogs too much
My contact for Pemmies would be Betty Mercer, Aylesford kennel. She is here in Ontario (and I can get you her contact info). She has some very nice Pemmies. She would also be able to refer you on to someone if she doesn't have anything available. Betty is good friends with Mary de Toma, Winddancer Kennel-who breeds Pemmies and some really nice Cardis as well! Mary is located in the Eastern US...I usually see her when we trek to the Massachusetts show in Nov!
Let me know if I can help!!!
~kathryn