RINJAN
Ch. Birchdell's Ragmop of Sunwood (daughter) and Ch. Rinjan's Holy Moses (father)
From Becky Van Houten: I don't know how many times I’ve looked at my dogs' pedigrees and saw the Kennel name of Rinjan probably like some of you. I felt honored and privileged to have the opportunity to interview Jan Farinon about her experience as a breeder of many years. Based on the pictures I had seen, I admired Rinjan’s Jovial Jean and her offspring and that enhanced my interest in learning more about where she came from. I was rewarded with rich and enjoyable stories.
Jan and Rinaldo Farinon were introduced to the Otterhound breed when they got a rough coated hound they thought was an Otterhound. They lived not far from one of the first Otterhound breeders in the United States, Dr. Hugh Mouat (Adruicha) and they called him to ask about potentially breeding to one of his dogs. When they went to visit him and met his dogs, they quickly realized that the bitch they had was not really an Otterhound but they were intrigued by the dogs living with him, much larger than the bitch they had. At that time, like many dog breeders, Dr. Mouat was looking for someone to step up and replace him and he saw potential in the Farinons. It was not long before Dr. Mouat offered them a bitch to breed--Ch. Jole of Adruicha that he had bred several times previously. Jole was very laid back and happy and was six year old when she went to live with them. She was a great mother and easy whelper. From Jole, the Farinons were hooked on the breed!
Jan and Rinaldo Farinon were introduced to the Otterhound breed when they got a rough coated hound they thought was an Otterhound. They lived not far from one of the first Otterhound breeders in the United States, Dr. Hugh Mouat (Adruicha) and they called him to ask about potentially breeding to one of his dogs. When they went to visit him and met his dogs, they quickly realized that the bitch they had was not really an Otterhound but they were intrigued by the dogs living with him, much larger than the bitch they had. At that time, like many dog breeders, Dr. Mouat was looking for someone to step up and replace him and he saw potential in the Farinons. It was not long before Dr. Mouat offered them a bitch to breed--Ch. Jole of Adruicha that he had bred several times previously. Jole was very laid back and happy and was six year old when she went to live with them. She was a great mother and easy whelper. From Jole, the Farinons were hooked on the breed!
Jole, Yogi and Katie.
Yogi was the course haired beagle that got us into dogs!
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Adriucha's Jole and her puppy
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How do you determine if a dog should be bred?
For me, 85% of a decision about breeding should be movement. If a dog can't move, it can't do the job of running down the quarry and we would lose the breed if it can't move correctly. In a big dog, it is really important that a dog have a great temperament. We trained all of our puppies in this way, you should be able to take a bone out of his mouth at any time and there should not be a mean bone in his body. Third, I think the dog should have a hard outer coat. To me, the length of the coat doesn't matter. We were fortunate enough to import a bitch from the Kendall and District pack, Kendal Dahlia. The huntmaster considered her optimal because she was an excellent hunter. Her coat was "ready for the ring" in minutes.
Kendal Dahlia
Ear set is another thing I look at when breeding. Some dogs have a higher or lower ear set. In past years, you could sometimes tell who a dog was and what kennel they came from by their look. Each breeder should have a picture of what they are looking for in their mind's eye. In the UK, they culled out dogs by their hunting ability. We do not do that in the US.
How do you select a dog or bitch to be used?
First of all I would select the best of what I had available. A friend of mine, Ruth Christopher, a Rhodesian breeder was very encouraging. She pointed out things I needed to learn as a new breeder. She would ask if 85% about a dog or bitch was to my liking. If so, breed the animal! We traveled together to a lot of shows and she shared many of her experiences.
I was breeding between 1966 through about 1985 and was unaware of any problems with seizures at that time. Neither Doc nor Shirley Dodge (Skytop) mentioned seizures. I was interested in checking hips but was skeptical about the hip x-rays done at that time. Some breeders (of other breeds) would brag that they could arrange the dogs for a successful hip x-ray when they might not actually have good hips. I was fortunate to have Dr. Mouat's relationship with Dr. Jean Dodds. When I began breeding, she would to come to the house and check for possible carriers for what turned out to be Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia. At that time, Jean was still studying this bleeding disorder in Otterhounds. I was able to place a couple of dogs with her that were potential carriers. New breeders need to read a lot and always try to learn more.
I was breeding between 1966 through about 1985 and was unaware of any problems with seizures at that time. Neither Doc nor Shirley Dodge (Skytop) mentioned seizures. I was interested in checking hips but was skeptical about the hip x-rays done at that time. Some breeders (of other breeds) would brag that they could arrange the dogs for a successful hip x-ray when they might not actually have good hips. I was fortunate to have Dr. Mouat's relationship with Dr. Jean Dodds. When I began breeding, she would to come to the house and check for possible carriers for what turned out to be Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia. At that time, Jean was still studying this bleeding disorder in Otterhounds. I was able to place a couple of dogs with her that were potential carriers. New breeders need to read a lot and always try to learn more.
Beautiful Jovial Jean, "Gina"
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Rinjan's Jovial Jean
Named for Jean Dodds
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From Bev Biren: Gina, (AKA Rinjan's Jovial Jean) (my foundation girl) came to Canada when she was 3 months old. I drove down to pick her up & had the privilege to meet both Jan & Rinaldo.
Gina’s only trip to the States was at the first Otterhound Nationals (1981) where she was awarded RWB.
Gina’s only trip to the States was at the first Otterhound Nationals (1981) where she was awarded RWB.
What breeding system do you use?
When we had Dahlia, we were able to breed without getting too close and had quite a few options. We usually went on gut instincts and then studied the litter to see if our instincts were correct. We usually had one litter per year in the spring.
How much emphasis do you place on the pedigree when planning a breeding?
When you are looking at pedigrees, you need to know what the dogs visually looked like. It's important to know those dogs in the background and if you don't know them, you need someone that does really know the pedigrees-it's a godsend when you are so green as a new breeder! Doc (Mouat) thought the Otterhound should be outcrossed to an Airedale or a Plotthound for the qualities they could bring. The problem with that is that there would need to be some culling and would take some money and time to do. I felt blessed as a new breeder to have great guidance from Mouat. Study 3 generations of the pedigree. Even if you don't have genetics training, develop your instincts and let results confirm your thoughts.
Plotthound
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Airedale Terrier
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In addition to learning about pedigrees, it's really important for a breeder to educate themselves about dogs generally. You can see problems in other breeds - learn about them. I encourage breeders to spend some time ring stewarding and watching other breeds. Converse with handlers and judges to educate yourself. Most handlers will give you a hand. Watch how they are dressed, how well the dog is trained and get people to tape you when you are handling your own dog. Open yourself up to learning! Realize that showing dogs should not be about "dog eat dog" but should be dignified and comradely.
How do you evaluate puppies?
Our breeding program included 11 litters A--K bred between 1966 and 1985. Our smallest litter was 2 puppies and largest was 12. I say study the puppies at 8 weeks. There will be some that will really draw your eye but don't try to make any decisions before 8 weeks. Look for a level topline. If they have it at eight weeks, they will have it as an adult. It's ridiculous to think that all puppies in a litter will finish. It is important to have other people come and help you evaluate your litter--people that you respect A friend, Gaye Sherman, in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, came to help evaluate puppies. She lived nearby and taught me lots of things.
We whelped our litters in the basement and then kept them in an outside pen by the kitchen when they were older. It was a great place for them to play. Begin to have people come to visit to look but not to touch. Many bitches don't want people getting too close.
We whelped our litters in the basement and then kept them in an outside pen by the kitchen when they were older. It was a great place for them to play. Begin to have people come to visit to look but not to touch. Many bitches don't want people getting too close.
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What are the 3 biggest mistakes you can make as a new breeder?
I can't emphasize too much that you should not keep too many puppies. It is really important to have a great relationship with your dogs and if there are too many, it isn't possible. If you are no longer breeding a bitch, it is good to consider placing her in a home where she can be the center of attention. She won't forget you-Otterhounds never forget! |
Rinjan puppies chow time!
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It's so important to have a great relationship with your vet. It's frightening to whelp. Be sure to have someone to help especially in your first few litters. I benefited from having a father and son vet practice to work with. I knew the son from when he was just a kid and they worked well together. Issues can come up as the litter develops-don't be afraid to call your vet and rely on other experienced breeders even if they don't have the same breed.
Doc Mouat taught me that you must never name a dog something you don't want it to be. He once named a dog "Careless" and she shut him in a walk-in cooler! We named one "Ardent" and she was THAT! Had a cat named "Besom" which means "brat" in Scottish and she totally lived up to her name!
Doc Mouat taught me that you must never name a dog something you don't want it to be. He once named a dog "Careless" and she shut him in a walk-in cooler! We named one "Ardent" and she was THAT! Had a cat named "Besom" which means "brat" in Scottish and she totally lived up to her name!
A contemporary of Dr. Mouat, Jules McClelland with 2 otterhounds he imported. The tri-color hound was the source of tris in Mouat's lines.
What were the best qualities of your foundation bitch and her line?
Jole (Ch. Jole of Adriucha) was our first bitch and she was well put together, a slightly doggy bitch. She was a good whelper and great mother. Her Daughter, Ginger (Adriucha's Ginger ROM) was a clown even having a slightly clownish look.
Ginger howling (7/70)
Which were your favorite dogs you have bred or that made a big impact on your breeding program?
Ch. Rinjan's Dandelion Whine, "Boo"
We named this dog for the Dandelion Wine that we made. He was from our "D" litter. To make Dandelion wine, we used oranges, lemons, dandelion blossoms and sugar. The neighborhood kids would pick dandelions for us and they were so happy that we paid them! In those days, it was the sports reporter that would report results from dog shows and I will never forget when a New York Times reporter called in to the paper to report Boo's Group 1 win and he had a hard time getting the paper to understand the dog's name was Dandelion "Whine", not Wine!
Another dog I really liked was Arundel (Arundel of Rinjin). He was a beautiful tri but he would get carsick and didn't like showing. He had a beautiful head. He also had a great body but was a little short on leg. We decided to place him and he lived happily ever after! It's better if you consider the dog and what is best for him even if it's hard.
From our last litter we kept Ch. Rinjan's Kassandra, "Casey". She was a beautiful mover and went to her first show at 6 months. While there, Dr. Joel Schnure offered to co-own and help campaign her.
Another dog I really liked was Arundel (Arundel of Rinjin). He was a beautiful tri but he would get carsick and didn't like showing. He had a beautiful head. He also had a great body but was a little short on leg. We decided to place him and he lived happily ever after! It's better if you consider the dog and what is best for him even if it's hard.
From our last litter we kept Ch. Rinjan's Kassandra, "Casey". She was a beautiful mover and went to her first show at 6 months. While there, Dr. Joel Schnure offered to co-own and help campaign her.
Ch. Rinjan's Kassandra "Casey"
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Ch. Rinjan's Kassandra BIS winning G3 at Westminster 1990
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Kasey's mother was Avitar's Bold Beauty "Bridget" who we obtained from Bev Biren in Canada. Bridget was a daughter of our Rinjan's Jovial Jean, "Gina" that we had placed with Bev. Bridget was a gorgeous mover but hated to show. If she decided to show, she'd almost always get a group placement.
Am. Can. Ch. Avitar's Bold Beauty of Rinjan, "Bridget"
Ch. Rinjan's Knight de Mon Plaisir, "Winston"
