Kristy got her first Malamute almost twelve years ago. She and husband Daryl
had moved to Minneapolis and built their first home. A home is not a home without
a dog, so Kristy started on a search for a Malamute puppy. Not knowing where else
to look, she called the only listing for Malamutes in the local newspaper. That
listing turned out to be club member Karen Taylor, and Kristy became the proud
owner of her first Malamute, a puppy she named Shannah. Things just kind of snowballed
from there. Karen introduced Kristy to fellow club members Dave and Shilon Bedford, of
Black Ice Kennel. From the start a bond developed between Kristy and Shilon.
Every one of her Mals since Shannah has in some way been connected with Black Ice.
Dave and Shilon became Kristy's mentors, taking the time to explain structure and
movement to her and giving her hands-on training in both the working and showing
aspects of their Mals. Through the years Kristy has shown four Black Ice Mals to
their championships and has also finished several home-bred champions as well.
Kristy is pictured winning Best of Breed with Ch. Black Ice's Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,
aka "Zip", currently a top ten Group Sysems winner in the U.S. After living in Minneapolis for three years, Kristy and Daryl moved back to
their home town of Kansas City. She chose her kennel name of Prairie Snow
to reflect their home in the wide open prairies of Kansas. Kristy and Daryl
live in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City. They live on 15 acres, with lots of
room for their nine Mals and two horses. Kristy's main focus is on showing her Mals in the conformation show ring.
However she has also done obedience and agility. She works her Mals in harness
and has run as many as four Mals in a team. Most of her training has to be done
utilizing a wheeled rig, and she depends on periodic treks to Minnesota to do
most of her sled work. Husband Daryl also loves the Mals and is actively
involved in training them to shake, speak, and play ball. He also teaches them
to catch food treats in the air, a skill Kristy finds invaluable in the show ring. I asked Kristy why she chose Mals over another breed. After some reflection,
she replied that she thought it was the challenge they bring. They test you,
challenge you, and force you to stay one step ahead of them. Kristy added that
she loved their unique combination of gentleness and strength, their traits of
being wonderful companions yet also displaying independence and aloofness. She
also considers them to be the most beautiful of breeds and said "At times they
can take my breath away." Kristy can be reached at SchraadK@aol.com .
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Home Page
Copyright © 2001 Linda Dowdy, last revision 010922
It's easy to spot Kristy Schraad at a show or any other Malamute
related event. She's the dazzling blonde woman with the 1000-watt smile, talking
about Mals.
Linda Dowdy
P.O. Box 137
Bethel, Minnesota 55005
Comments or questions?
E-mail me at lindowdy@visi.com