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by Pat Hastings and Erin Ann Rouse
Many people work their way into the dog show world — a slow, steady progression that yields caring, conscientious breeders. This is very true of Pat Turner and Ann Quigley. Pat Turner got involved with Rough Collies in the late 1960s.  She bought her first Collie from a breeder who was very active in the show world. Ann Quigley started in Collies in 1973 and became involved in showing after she met Pat.
"Pat saw her first Komondor in 1973 and fell in love," says Quigley. "She had little knowledge of the breed but in that same year purchased her first one. We quickly became involved with Komondorok and slowly gave up the Collies.
"I purchased my first Puli in 1976. He did not turn out to be a show dog, but since that time, we have always had at least one Puli."
I met Ann and Pat many years ago at the shows. We learned a little about their breeds and watched them grow as breeders and exhibitors, but we didn't get well acquainted until they started bringing litters for evaluation. We learned about Komondorok from them; they learned about litter evaluations from us, and our friendship went from there. I've watched their development as dog fanciers and as breeders with great respect and admiration. They are two of the best.
What made Ann and Pat's situation different from many of their contemporaries was the fact that the Komondor, although registered with the AKC since 1937, was a rarity after World War II. During the war, breeding and importation both came to a halt. Add to it that the Komondorok in Hungary were decimated by war conditions. According to the Komondor Club of America, contact between the American Kennel Club and the Hungarian Kennel Club was re-established in 1962. Only after contact was re-established did importation resume.
"Our main thrust in the past 33 years has been the Komondorok. We had our first Komondor litter in 1976," Quigley recalls, "and soon found out it was a breed that needed good folks to preserve it and create new lines. There were less than 10 breedable Komondorok after World War II, so when we first got involved, one of the rules of the Komondor Club of America was that you would not breed any closer than three generations.
"I think in a rare breed with a limited gene pool, you have to set limits or draw lines . . . that you personally will not cross over," Quigley continues.  "Through the years we have acquired an eye for what we like in our breeds and have worked to get that type, along with working toward a good, sound dog.
"We have bred show dogs for ourselves. It is not our goal to create show animals for others. We do, however, want to produce animals that will live long, healthy lives with the families that take them home. We do not have many litters; we simply try to stay on top of health issues and avoid breeding animals that might create them. We do not breed more than we can bring home, because breeding a litter means we are responsible for the life of each puppy.
Like all of the best breeders, Pat and Ann have sought out knowledge at every opportunity and pursued it from within the Komondor breed and from the dog world at large.
"Within the breed, our mentor was Dorothy Collier, who had a great knowledge of the breed and what it needed. She also sold us our foundation male. Outside of the breed were Bob and Pat Hastings. They were our idea of truly great dog people and taught us so much about evaluating our breeding stock and puppies.
"It was Pat and Bob who told us to watch Dobermans in the show ring. Since then, we have 'undressed' our breeds and worked for the same soundness that breeders in other breeds need in order to be successful," Quigley says. "I recently made a comment to a fellow Komondor owner that I want my dogs to look better clipped than in coat."
When something is important, you make time for it. Ann and Pat have always made time for their breed clubs.
"We have been very active in the Komondor Club of America since the early '70s. Both of us have held offices and served on the board," says Quigley. "We are members of the Puli Club of America, too. Currently, I'm serving on the board of both clubs.
"We are also very active in our local club, Timberland Valley Dog Fanciers (Timberland). I am serving as both President and Show Chair. We feel strongly that since we exhibit at shows every weekend that we can, we should work to put on shows as well, which we do in Timberland."
 The Komondor and Puli can draw quite a few curiosity seekers at shows; Ann and Pat have had their share of enquiries about their breeds. So what do they tell people about the Komondor and Puli?
"We mainly let them know about the coat and the unique temperaments," says Quigley. "The Hungarian breeds are very independent, as are the Hungarians. The Komondor is a very tough dog with a soft heart. The Puli is a busy dog who will rule the house if you don't set limits. In fact, Pulik are just way too smart to put up with boredom, so we recommend Agility or Herding as a way to keep them busy."
Pat and Ann are just as conscientious with prospective puppy buyers as they are with their puppies:
"Mainly we try to find out why they want either breed. We ask them what kind of fence they have. If they live in town they must have a privacy fence unless there is a stay-at-home adult. We do have a contract and . . . if things don't work out, the puppy or dog must come back to us. We provide guarantees for disqualifications and health issues on show prospects. If a pet-quality animal acquires a health issue that will make it unsuitable as a pet, we will replace it. We also require clients to notify us of any moves, so we always have current contact information for them. We have many folks who have come back for another dog after the first one is gone. It's a small 'community' and we all tend to stay in touch."
All breeders understand that even though we may strive for perfection, nothing is ever perfect. A good breeder, then, is also a source of support for her or his puppy buyers.
"We always let buyers know that many problems can be stopped by a phone call," Quigley says. "Most likely, we have experienced the problem and can offer solutions.  If it is a problem they have created, we do all we can to help them get past it. For instance, we are always concerned about nutrition and what has been fed. Also, we caution buyers about the wrong kind of exercise for a young dog.
"If it is a problem that we created, we own up to it and work with the buyer to reach a mutually satisfactory solution."
Having been involved in Komondorok and Pulik for over 30 years and having proven themselves as first-rate fanciers, Ann and Pat are now looked to for guidance and mentoring.
"Study the breed you wish to get involved in," Quigley advises. "Buy the very best bitch you can find for your foundation; get health clearances, and then breed to the best male for the line you have chosen. Always remember that just because a dog wins doesn't mean it is automatically the best animal for your line.
"Outstanding breeders are forged from years of dedication to the sport of dogs and make progress through the ability to stand back and evaluate their breeding stock objectively. Acknowledge the weaknesses you have in your lines and work to correct them," Quigley counsels. "Work with people and always realize you can learn more."
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