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Hobbies and interests
Rock Climbing
Hiking And Backpacking
Horseback Riding
Dog Training
Reading
Writing
Katerina Slaughter
185
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Finalist![user profile avatar](/_next/static/media/default-profile.039849c4.png)
Katerina Slaughter
185
Bold Points1x
FinalistEducation
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)Majors:
- Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Animal Sciences
Green Hope High School
High SchoolCareer
Dream career field:
Veterinary
Dream career goals:
Greater Hickory Kennel Club Future Veterinarian Education Scholarship
Purebred dogs are critical for their role in service and working dogs as well as to the enjoyment and safety of people. I have been involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind since 2018. Many guide dog agencies, including Guiding Eyes, choose to maintain colonies of Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and other breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs. These breeds are preferred due to their trainability, loyalty, size, temperament, drive, and intelligence. The same goes for many other fields of work. Many detection dog agencies (TSA, accelerant detection, search and rescue) choose to utilize breeds like German Shorthair Pointers, Labradors, and Bloodhounds. These dogs have an amazing sense of smell and are easy to train and work with. Herding dogs are often Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Australian Cattle Dogs are preferred due to their strong instinct to herd, without harming the flock or herd. In the world of hunting many purebred dogs exhibit traits valuable to the hunter from tollers, pointers, and retrievers.
Additionally, people have specific preferences in different breeds they choose to keep as companions. While some are purely aesthetic, some people prefer breed characteristics that might not be found as reliably in a mixed-breed dog. Families with small children might choose a Labrador or Golden Retriever due to their gentle and calm temperament. An avid hiker or runner might choose an active breed like a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd that can keep up with their active lifestyle. Others with a less active lifestyle prefer the temperament and relaxed nature of the french bulldog or cavalier king charles spaniel.
While mixed-breed dogs can exhibit these characteristics people desire, the traits can become more diluted or nonexistent. The desired characteristics are often included in the breed standard and by breeding these dogs we ensure a foundational stock to form the next generation of working and family dogs. Because we rely on these dogs for independence, work, and enjoyment it is important that we preserve their health and avoid congenital and breed-specific diseases. This will ensure a healthy stock to form our next generation of service, working, and hunting dogs. Work can be done with breeders and veterinarians to ensure the continued improvement of purebred dogs