Life History by Julie Moreno (Originally written in 1992, Updated 1999):

Being born under the sign of Libra, I try to balance everything. This is my opportunity to tell it all, and I hope to be able to balance out my story into three parts, the beginning, the present and the future, with some of my personal thoughts and philosophies on breeding and judging.

To be recognized by one's peers means, "you've come a long way, baby". To be respected by fellow breeders and exhibitors, in my opinion, is one of the ultimate goals of any serious breeder. By the end of this story, I hope to have achieved both, thus creating a balance of me for you. My love and interest in canines goes back as far as I can remember. Perhaps it is an inherited gene from my dad who adored and respected all kinds of animals for what they were. As a young man he was an exercise boy for polo and race horses in Italy, earning money to attend a French Cooking School. His dream was to travel to the US and build a restaurant in the shape of castle. His dream was indeed fulfilled high on the top of Telegraph Hill in the City By The Bay, San Francisco. His restaurant was the world famous, Julius Castle.

For the first ten years of my life I lived in the penthouse on top of the restaurant overlooking the Bay. I watched the building of the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and the construction of Treasure Island, which became the site for the 1939 World Fair. About as soon as I can recall, I discovered that I had non-human baby sitters at my side watching over me most of the time - my dad's Collies, Sandy and Jay. My dad even had his rumble seat converted so they could ride with him everywhere. They became a well-known sight in the city in the early 30's.

I attended my first dog show with my dad at the age of eight. He explained to me it was the showcase for the breeders to show off their breeding results, and to be rewarded for their success. It was at that first show that a seed was planted and I knew that some day I would breed and show dogs. My dad passed away when I was only ten, but not without leaving me with some wonderful and cherished memories. Together we had all kinds of creatures, from fish to horses (minus the snakes, however). The last gift my dad gave to me was a little Pekingese we called Chou Chee, Chinese for "little white gotee, "which he had. Sadly I was only able to keep him for about a year, for after my dad passed away, my mother moved us to Carmel By The Sea on the Monterey Peninsula. The house we were renting did not allow any pets. I was grateful to the breeder who took Chou back and promised to keep him for her own. He lived to be 12 years.

After six years in Carmel, we moved back to the city. In 1955 I met Mr. Moreno. We were married a year later and soon our first born was on its way. My first real involvement with dogs again came when our daughter Vicky was about a year old. I was itching to have a family pet and finally decided on Toy Poodles. I spent many years developing a line of spirited, outgoing chocolate poodles. It was some time in 1958 or 1959 that I met Dolly Trauner. We seemed to share the same serious interest in dogs and their breeding. We became good friends and our husbands hit it off also. Dolly, along with other serious breeders, became my guiding light on much of the information and knowledge that I gleaned. I wanted to fully understand what went into making serious breeding decisions. Logical as it may seem, there was a big difference then (as now) in those who just breed dogs, and responsible dog breeders. Commitment and responsibility are the cornerstones of a successful breeding program, insuring the best result for the dogs as well as the people involved.

I purchased a small miniature dark chocolate female for my foundation, to breed her down and produce toys (a common practice in those early days of toy poodles). Francie was bred to a champion cafe toy poodle and one pup - a dark chocolate female remained within toy size. We called her Moreno's Demi Tasse and the Moreno's name was launched into the dog fancy. In Spanish "Moreno" - our last name - means "the darkest of brown." That is what we were striving for in our poodles. We bred Demi to a honey beige toy male, known for producing pretty heads, soundness, size reduction and chocolate color. We got our wish - a single puppy, male, and dark chocolate. Moreno's Demi Toy Man became our first homebred show dog. We bred several throughout the years that were shown, even though we did not personally finish any to their championships. Toy Man left his paw print however, for even today, many years later, he can still be found In many of the chocolate lines.

We bred on a very small and selective scale, as we do our Poms today. Numbers do not make quality, just more dogs to care for. We were pleased with our Poodle accomplishments and for the many wonderful breeders/friends who gave freely of their time and knowledge. At the shows I was exposed to other toy breeds. One day I found myself staring at little balls of fluff In the ring. My heart began to pound. What style and bounce these little creatures possessed. Such attitudes in small size. That was the start for me into what has been a most exciting time in my years in dogs. What a grand day that was for me when I met Pom breeders, Wanda and Dudley Roach. No two people could have been more willing to share their knowledge or interest in the breed and its welfare. Unfortunately, they did not have anything available, as they too were just starting to establish their stock and lines. I of course, was looking for that magic combination of a foundation brood and show female. She was just as difficult to obtain then as today. Some things never change.

It was in 1967 that Wanda and Dudley invited me to attend a Northern California Pom Club meeting. Shortly after opening, Dudley was elected president and I became secretary. Both of us were slightly uneasy about holding office but we managed to get through it. Since then I have held most offices and have been an active participant in all the club's activities. In 1968 or so I became a member of the Parent Club.

One morning in 1967, my phone rang and it was a darling little lady who bred her poodles to my studs. She explained how sorry she was that she couldn't keep her morning appointment to breed her bitch, as she was whelping her Pom. I was stunned, for I didn't know she had Poms. I asked if I could come down and see them wet and try to learn something first hand, as I knew this was an opportunity I should not pass up. I ended up (big surprise) selecting a little female, knowing little of what I had done. I hadn't done badly, as it turned out, because that little pup became our first champion. Ch. Moreno's What's New Pussy Kat "Kitten" was extra special to me, born in 1967, not finished until 1969, taking time out to have two little boy puppies. That same darling lady had another red sable female which I convinced her to breed to Ch. Van Hoozer's Lucky Dandy Kitch, then owned by the Roaches. Again I selected a little female, our Moreno's Orange Sand Pebble. We bred Pebbles to Ch. Oueenaire Scotch N Soda. I can still remember how concerned Dudley was at such tight breeding. His worry vanished when that litter was born, as they became our first homebred champions, Ch. Moreno's Mouse In A Muff and Ch. Moreno's Gin Rickey. Much to my surprise (and Dudley's excitement) Pee Wee (Mouse in a Muff) won her first 5 points from the Bred By class at the Bill Hoffman Memorial Show, held In conjunction with the Golden Gate, and Rickey went reserve. The third puppy in that litter, Bubbles, was bred to Ch. Creider's Ebbtide of Oueenaire, then owned by Irene Weltz, and we got our first really big winner, Ch. Moreno's Special Edition, "Buck." Buck possessed a huge, thick, harsh coat and feet to die for. He was a successful sire with champion and pointed get. Rickey also produced well for us with our outstanding female, Ch. Moreno's Lady B Good, who was sold as a puppy to Sheila Marion, becoming her first champion. We purchased a little red female from Irene Weltz sired by Ch. Oueenaire Scotch N Soda, called Blossom View's Red Jewel. Jewel was bred to our Buck, producing Ch. Moreno's Hot Off the Press, the sire of Ch. Phyner Night Editor, "Gordo." Gordo was the real beginning of the line of Phyner blacks and was the top winning black in the country for several years. Gordo was also the grand sire of Ch. Starlight Legacy Choco Bear and the introduction of the brown gene was established. Petey (Hot Off The Press) must have carried it, but where it originated, we don't know for sure. It became evident in his first litter, when we got a chocolate sable female. Dolly and I made slow progress in the chocolates, as It takes time to establish a family in one certain color, reproducing all the good parts in one dog. Unfortunately Petey died of a heat stroke before we discovered his value to the chocolate family.

Moreno's Sugar N Spice, "Spicey" was the result of Creider's Navajo Bitches, also a Ch. Soda son, out of our Jewel. Spicey was bred to Ch. Oueenaire Double Scotch, giving us Moleno's Sugar N Scotch Mist. Misty was bred to Jestom's Red Robin, producing Moreno's Summer Rose. Rosie bred to Ch. Model's Bit O Whiz resulted in our Moreno's Mr. G Whizz. GW sired Moreno's Blossom Elegance, dam of Ch. Moreno's Buttercup Blossom. We bred Buttercup to Ch. Sweetheart's Forever Bravo and our Am/Can Ch. Moreno's Perri Winkle resulted. Perri did fantastically well in his how career and was the #3 Pom in the nation and in the top 20 in all toy systems in 1993. He won numerous group firsts and made us very proud - especially as he was a single litter pup.

As you have no doubt noticed, we have bred mostly from a few select studs, closely bred within themselves. We use only the best females for our breeding. In looking at photographs of our Poms through the years, you will notice many different types or looks in their appearance. However, their genetic qualities all stem back to a few. The nucleus, the basic stock, is there in the blood. Only the outer furnishings appear to be different. This does not bother me. By breeding only for certain attributes, we can throw the baby out with the bath water. We must take the entire Pom into consideration, understanding that"balance" is the combined parts, making up the entire model, as close to the ideal as possible. Herein lies the key to the continuation of the breeding program. There is no substitute for soundness and to lose sight of it in a breeding program or in judging is not only detrimental, but destructive to a breed's worthiness. The standard must be our guide, regardless of fads that cross the ring, win or lose. If the dog is anatomically correct it will move properly. All parts must blend. Realistic evaluations of your stock must prevail, not just, "Which one can I show?"

I believe that 50% or more of each litter is due to the quality of the bitch - no offense boys. Strength and overall soundness are vital to the correctness of our Poms. This was and Is an Arctic breed. Poms must go across snow without falling in, pull a wagon in proportion to his size, have the correct head and neck carriage, allowing him to be I free from the front of the wagon and the I reins. His tail carriage must be sufficient to I remain over his back. His roots to his Arctic I ancestors must not be in his coat type alone. Temperaments are critical In my breeding program. Proper tail set, thick cat-like padded feet, small ears set well on the head are all essentials. Absolutely unacceptable are monorchids, improper bites, and stifle defects. You only fool yourself if you think you can get away with allowing such detects to perpetuate. Chance is a very big part of any breeding program, so why use something you know is defective? There is no magic formula for successful breeding program. It seems to take a combination of high ethics, honesty to yourself and your fellow breeders and a realistic evaluation of your breeding stock, especially your breeding/show bitches. Your males should be able to hold their own in stiff show competition, or they don't belong in your breeding program.

We bear a tremendous responsibility for the well-being of our Poms. Breeding is very personal and dear to me, and a privilege. Maintaining a good reputation is most important. Keeping proper records of ail your dog activities is required by AKC, but more importantly reflects your dedication to your hobby. Protect yourself in every way and be known for fairness, accuracy and sound Poms. It takes only one tiny incident to damage an otherwise admirable breeding career and it can be most difficult to repair. The dog grapevine is a fast moving circle, and the risks are enormous. Your ultimate success depends greatly on how you conduct your business. Be considerate of your fellow breeders. Study and learn continually.

Your motivation for breeding in the first place must be considered. The responsibility for the puppies you create is tremendous. It can be very difficult to tell a potential buyer that a Pom puppy is not right for them; reconsider and then call back. It is horrifying to see a puppy frustrated when the new owner is not longer Interested, and instead of calling the breeder back and admitting failure, the puppy is taken to the local humane society. This pattern continues to happen, just as it did before any of the new dog ordinances "controlled" our activities. By taking responsibility from the day you make the breeding throughout the life of the dog, you become a resource for the owner, there for them to turn to. You are the most qualified person for them to rely on. It you have done your job well, they will have no hesitation in doing so and your Poms will not become a rescue statistic.

When approached by novices about the breed, share your knowledge freely. One of the best things you can do to help your "students" and yourself is document every detail about a breeding (how the bitch received the stud, type of heat, etc.) through the gestation, to delivery (breech easy or difficult delivery of each pup, c-section, nursing) and take pictures whenever possible. Keep notes on the development of each puppy in the litter. This information can be terrifically valuable in later years, after memory has failed. Detail weights, coat development, first out of the box and exploring, how they play, how they ate from mothers dish, etc. These details could help determine show winners. It is also helpful to include colors from birth on as Pom coat color changes greatly within the first year. While you are writing, outline your goals and how you'll get there, setting some sort of timetable. Set aside at least a half hour each day for your own creative thinking. Pay attention to gut feelings. Draw on the advice of experts and apply every bit of knowledge you can gain, realizing that you can learn something from everyone. This outline, placed in the proper perspective, will become a part of you.

As I approach the end of my story, I wish to address the subject of judging. Breeding and showing dogs is my hobby; judging them is my avocation. In 1970 when I was judging matches a close friend and licensed judge for many years told me 'We are friends, Julie, but that will not hold any water when you step into my ring." It gave me food for thought. How I place dogs every time I judge determines much of what the future will hold for that breed. It is serious business. I love judging and consider It fun, but handing out championship points is really stressful. A judge is hired to make these decisions and I go into the assignment knowing that I will not please everyone.

Sure I want a stunning example of the breed representing my choice as the winner, but not if it means I have to lower my standards as a judge to do so. l also do not worry about what I am sending to the Group ring, for that usually takes care of itself. Most judges can recognize quality in a breed, even if it is not one of their favorites. As an exhibitor, try to put yourself into the place of the judge. It is not the easiest business. Criticism is always present, the weather may not cooperate, lunch breaks may be too short, interrupted by photo sessions, etc. We must be cheerful, greeting all with a smile, even if it doesn't come from the heart. But, as they say, that's show biz.

Breeding dogs is far from an exact science. Mother Nature holds most of the cards and we can only do our best. One of the greatest rewards of being in the dog business is the ever widening circle of friends I have gained. My sincere thanks to all of you who have enriched my life. I feel truly blessed to have made an impression on Pomeranians through my breeding program. Most of all, I know that two heads are usually better than one. If you are fortunate to have a friend for a side-kick like I did in Dolly, cherish your times together. The common love of Poms you share Is a rare connection indeed. Dolly can never be replaced in my eyes. People like her are few and far between, like that Best in Show winner you get once in a lifetime. She had the highest of principals in every part of her life and we shared the same serious goals in our breeding programs. We have shared many wonderful wins, great litters, darling puppies, and of course, many heartaches. Our connection is something that I value beyond words and I know it's the same for her. This doesn't mean that we always agree on everything. We have good, healthy discussions and from them we always learn.

Julie and Annette, August 1996
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With great sadness, we announce that our dear friend and partner Julie Moreno passed away on August 25, 1999. Julie gave over thirty years of her life to the Pomeranian breed as hobby breeder and toy judge. We will remember her always with fondness and strive to carry on her life's work.  She will be sorely missed by her friends. Click here for information on her book: A New Owner's Guide to Pomeranians