Kim Ramey-Leblanc (CAN)
I purchased my first dog, a Siberian Husky male in 1973. He, fortunately for us, was of good enough quality to become our first champion and sired our first litter. That was the beginning of Snowmist Siberians. My timing could not have been better for getting involved in this breed as many of the most famous kennels and their founders were still in existence. My mom and I had a short-lived trial with Alaskan Malamutes and decided they were not for us. But the adventure with other breeds continued and we enjoyed a Newfoundland and a few Salukis. During this time I handled many different breeds. In 1980 my husband brought American Foxhounds into the picture, we still have them today along with the Siberians.
I am still actively showing and breeding on a small scale. Our kennel (Snowmist Siberians) has been highly successful in Canada and around the world. My husband and I competed in sled dog races winning our fair share of awards up until the fall of 1996 when family and business commitments forced us to retire. While racing, we actively participated in the Canadian Kennel Clubs Sled Dog Certificate Program earning over 90 titles. Our dogs have numbered in the top for our breed on many occasions including Top Siberian 1986 & 1987 with BIS, BISS Am/Can Ch. Snowmists Mai Tai, Top Siberian 1994 BIS Ch. Kakomas Better Than Average and topped the charts again in 2001 with BIS Ch. Snowmists Eternal Flame. In 2008 Daviks Snowmist Ice Fox in a few short months of shows made it to #4 Siberian and followed that up with an AOM at the 2009 Westminster KC show. In 1993 and 1994 the Siberian Husky Club of Canada awarded our lead dog Northstars Snowmist Birch C.D., S.D.U. the Ward Young Trophy for successfully competing in sled dog racing, showing and obedience within one club year. This was the first time any dog had won this award in back to back years.
I am a graduate of the canine course Dogs, A Hobby or Profession created by the late Casey Gardiner. Included in this educational program was a course on structure that taught structure based on a measuring process. I have used this process to improve my own knowledge, to help others understand what they see and to evaluate litters of puppies and grown dogs. I have conducted all breed measuring clinics as well as seminars on this topic.
Today I am a licensed All Breed Canadian Kennel Club judge. I began my judging career officially in 1994. Since that time I have had the honor of judging in my own country (Canada), Australia, Belgium, China, England, France, Finland at the Winner 2000 Show, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Lithuania, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States of America Specialties. I've had the pleasure of judging include the Rocky Mountain Siberian Husky Club, the Belgian Siberian Husky Club (twice), Saint Bernard Club of Ontario, Great Pyrenees Club of Central Ontario, Alaskan Malamute Club of NSW Inc., The Siberian Husky Club of NSW Inc., the first ever back to back Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Championship shows, the National Specialty for Nordic Breeds (Spain), the Briard Club of America, Inc. (regional), the Nordic Breed Club of Lithuania and the 8e Reunion Nationale d’Elevage du Siberian Husky France as well as several others.
I have been an active member for many years of the all breed club, Barrie Kennel & Obedience Club Inc. I have held such positions as President, Show Chair Person, and Judges Selection Committee. Currently I hold the position of President.
I served as the Canadian Kennel Club Director for Zone 4 - Ontario North from 2004 through 2008. My duties have included; Chair of the Canadian Kennel Club Junior Kennel Club Council, past Chair of the Club Relations Committee, member of the Breed Specific Legislation Committee, and Judges Hospitality and Transportation Chair for the Purina National CKC Charity Event.