Photograph by Vincent Zuniaga/Dogpostdaily.com
Kathy Weichert’s a beagle breeder in Belleville, which is more than a tongue twister. She co-bred Uno, who in 2008 became the first beagle to win Best in Show in The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s 135 years. This year, Uno’s half-sister, Allie, was named Best of Opposite Sex at Westminster—and Weichert flew home to the news that another of her beagles, Vegas, had won Best in Show in India.
Now Weichert’s waiting for a litter from Avie, a gorgeous beagle who “rocks the wicket” (used to measure a beagle’s height at the withers). “She’s a big girl,” says Weichert, who carefully chose a stud that would keep the litter’s size within the breed standard. She also looked for dark eyes (Avie has “a light eye,” medium instead of dark brown) and a heavy coat, and she did not want “the blue gene.” Avie’s a classic tricolor—black, white, and tan—but she carries a blue gene that can produce slate instead of black. “It seems to be the rage among some breeders,” says Weichert, who’s not a fan.
Avie’s feet are even better than Uno’s: “She has a tighter little foot. They both have great ankles. And you always want a pretty head.” What about temperament? “It should be a given. The standard calls for a merry little hound.” If a beagle’s not merry,
in other words, it shouldn’t be bred.
Weichert did plenty of bloodline research for the other traits—which is all she can do. “Every breeding’s a crapshoot,” she says cheerfully. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that. I’ve had litters that on paper should have been the best and sold the whole litter as pets.” How does she feel about all the recent criticism of purebred dogs and dog shows? “If you walk through any shelter, you’re not going to see a show beagle. It’s not us reputable breeders that are populating the shelters. We’re responsible for these dogs for their entire lives.”
For more photos, visit k-runbeagles.com.
