Jolanta Schubert is at the beginning of her breeding journey. However, she has been preparing and learning for years by interacting with many breeders, training as a veterinary technician, becoming a dog trainer, and learning puppy raising skills. In 2022, Schubert, a resident of Lake Barrington, Illinois, became the first person in North America to naturally raise and birth a litter of seven Bohemian Shepherds. This year, she welcomed a second litter of six puppies. Jolanta has worked tirelessly to put this breed on the path to full recognition in the United States.
AKC: How did you get started in dog breeding?
Jolante: After losing our previous dog to an enlarged heart, I spent two years searching for healthy, intelligent dogs with unique traits. When I discovered this wonderful breed from the Czech Republic, I sent over a hundred emails to find a well-respected Czech breeder. In 2017, my husband and I brought two females back in the cabin of a plane with us to the United States. I immediately fell in love with their temperament, agility and athletic ability. That’s when my passion for bringing these brilliant dogs to North America began.
AKC: What is the most important thing to know about your breed?
Jolante: Bohemian Shepherds are incredibly affectionate and loyal dogs with exceptional trainability, making them ideal as companions as well as working and service animals. Their curious and positive attitude makes them an absolute pleasure to train, even for first-time owners. However, this is a working breed that requires a daily routine and close contact with humans.
AKC: What is your favorite question to ask potential puppy buyers?
Jolante: The most important question I ask potential puppy buyers is for what purpose they wish to acquire the dog. I choose buyers who understand that these dogs need to remain mentally and physically stimulated in order to live happy, healthy lives, whether as pets or working/service animals.
AKC: What are the main qualities you look for in potential owners?
Jolante: The main qualities I look for in potential owners are a willingness to devote quality resources to the well-being of their new companion – this includes diet, exercise, organized sporting events, veterinary care and perhaps more importantly, lots of time and attention. Another aspect that is very important to me is that the new owners stay in contact with me. So not only do I know how each puppy is growing, but I can also offer training advice and answer any questions that might arise.
AKC: What is the best advice you would give to beginning breeders?
Jolante: The main advice I can give you is to thoroughly research the breed as well as the entire breeding, whelping and weaning processes so that you can be well prepared. At the same time, know that no education will teach you more than experiencing the miracle of raising puppies. Don’t be afraid and remember that nature knows best!
Make sure you have the necessary medical equipment, resources, and emergency phone numbers on hand. You will need to actively control the temperature, lighting, sound and make the birthing process comfortable. Be prepared to stay awake 24 hours a day, sleep near the puppies for the first few weeks, wake up every two hours to care for the mother/puppies, and work 17 hours a day. Plan to expand from a small whelping box to a larger enclosure, then to a larger fenced yard protected from predators as the puppies grow quickly. Good, high-quality nutrition is a top priority for parents and puppies to achieve 100% survival.
AKC: Do your dogs participate in AKC sports?
Jolante: All of my adult dogs participate in AKC sports – CAT, Fast CAT, scent work, agility, tracking and obedience. We all have fun every time we go, whether we’re learning or competing!
AKC: What is your favorite thing about breeding dogs?
Jolante: The aspect that amazes me the most and finds the most rewarding is experiencing the transformation of puppies from the fragile little nuggets they are the day they are born into curious, fluffy balls of joy ready to explore the world when they are ready to unite. their new families.
AKC: Do you have a favorite breeding story?
Jolante: Nothing can replace the true joy and elation of the first whine of the first puppy of the first litter. I am very grateful that most of the owners of the puppies from our first litter are active on the Facebook group I created so that we can share and enjoy photos of the dogs, celebrating birthdays and other milestones together!