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Black Feather Tibetan Mastiffs, Chippewa Falls, WI (2026)

10/08/2026

SAVE THE DATE! THE TIBETAN MASTIFF NATIONAL SPECIALTY IS COMING TO WISCONSIN! 🐾

Mark your calendars for February 25–28, 2027, because this is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular events for our breed!

The American Tibetan Mastiff Association (ATMA) will celebrate its 20th Annual National Specialty on Saturday, February 27, 2027, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin!

For those of us in the Midwest, this is especially exciting! With the National Specialty having been held on the East Coast in recent years, bringing this event to a more central location in the United States creates an incredible opportunity for exhibitors who may not have been able to attend in the past.

We anticipate a LARGE entry of Tibetan Mastiffs from across the country! And what better time to showcase our magnificent breed than in February, when these dogs should be sporting their glorious FULL WINTER COATS! 🦁❄️

Just imagine a ring filled with beautiful Tibetan Mastiffs, representing different bloodlines, breeding programs, and generations. What an incredible opportunity to celebrate our breed!

🏆 SEVEN SHOWS IN FOUR DAYS!

This event promises something for everyone, including:

🐾 National Specialty Conformation

🐾 Additional ATMA Concurrent Specialties

🐾 Four All-Breed Conformation Shows

🐾 Puppy Sweepstakes

🐾 Veteran Sweepstakes

🐾 Brood Dog & Brood Bitch

🐾 Brace Competition

🐾 Parade of Rescues

And so much more!

🚨 IMPORTANT — DON’T WAIT TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS!

Host hotel accommodations, RV reservations, and reserved grooming spaces officially opened TODAY, October 8th!

According to the show chairman, these accommodations and spaces are expected to fill VERY quickly, with the possibility of everything being reserved by December!

Don’t wait until January to start making plans!

Visit the Renaissance Cluster website NOW to secure your accommodations and grooming reservations:

👉 https://renaissancecluster.org/

And exhibitors, start planning your entries now! Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for this incredible event.

❤️ NOT AN EXHIBITOR? YOU SHOULD STILL COME!

Whether you’re a longtime Tibetan Mastiff enthusiast, someone researching the breed, considering adding one to your family, or simply fascinated by these magnificent dogs, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!

Imagine having the chance to meet numerous Tibetan Mastiff breeders from across the country, see their dogs in person, observe different styles and bloodlines, and learn firsthand about the breed’s temperament, structure, movement, and history.

Come watch, cheer on your favorites, meet fellow enthusiasts, and celebrate everything that makes the Tibetan Mastiff so extraordinary!

At Black Feather Tibetan Mastiffs, we couldn’t be more excited to have this prestigious event practically in our backyard! We look forward to welcoming friends, fellow breeders, exhibitors, and spectators from near and far.

Let’s make the 20th Annual ATMA National Specialty one of the largest and most memorable celebrations of our breed yet!

Please SHARE this announcement and help spread the word! We would love to see an incredible turnout of Tibetan Mastiffs from all across the country.

FEBRUARY 25–28, 2027 | MADISON, WISCONSIN

This is going to be an event you do NOT want to miss! 🏔️🐾

Black Feather Tibetan Mastiffs

“Ribbons fade, but temperament lasts a lifetime.”

10/03/2026

Some dogs become part of your story. Others are where the story begins. ❤️

GCH CH Noble Legacy’s Virtuous One ATT — Sage.

The original. The one and only. The best boy. And the dog who began our journey into this incredible breed that we have been so blessed to know, love, and dedicate so much of our lives to.

I decided it was finally time for HIM to have a permanent place on our wall.

But not just any photograph.

I wanted something timeless. Something worthy of the dog who started it all. A true work of art — a masterpiece that captures him as we know and love him, and something we will cherish for the rest of our lives… even long after he is no longer here beside us.

And then I thought, why wait?

As Nicholas and I celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary, there really couldn’t be a more meaningful time to add something so special to our home — a portrait of the boy who has become such an important part of our life together and who changed its course in ways we never could have imagined.

Sage is only five, turning six this December, and hopefully we have many, many more years of memories still ahead of us. But sometimes we wait for a “someday” to celebrate the ones who mean the most to us. This felt like the perfect reminder that there is no reason to wait.

Without Sage, there would be no Black Feather as we know it today. There would be no Musical Icon litter, no Adele, Prince or Koda, and none of the incredible experiences, friendships, travels, victories, heartbreaks, lessons, and memories this breed has brought into our lives.

Before all of that, there was simply Sage.

Our first Tibetan Mastiff.
Our foundation.
Our constant.
Our best boy. ❤️

The ribbons will eventually fade. The titles will become names written in pedigrees. But the dogs who change our lives leave something behind that time can never take away.

So while he is here for us to love, spoil, and celebrate, his portrait will take its rightful place on our wall — a reminder of where this incredible journey began and of the dog who made it all possible.

The original. The one and only. Our Sage. ❤️

“Ribbons fade, but temperament lasts a lifetime.”

09/21/2026

WHAT A GREAT TWO DAYS!

We had a wonderful time at the Lake Minnetonka Kennel Club shows in Superior, Wisconsin, on Thursday and Friday!

✨ CH Black Feather’s Noble Heir Apparent CGC — “Prince” ✨

🏆 Thursday, under judge Ms. Mary Anne Brocious, Prince was awarded Best of Opposite S*x!

🏆 Friday, under judge John P. Wade, Prince had an incredible day, earning:

⭐ Best of Breed
⭐ Owner-Handled Best of Breed
⭐ 5-Point Grand Championship Major
⭐ Champion Defeat

We couldn’t be more proud of this young boy! At just 20 months old, Prince continues to make us proud both in and out of the ring. Watching a dog we bred grow, mature, and continue to achieve new milestones is incredibly rewarding.

A very special congratulations and thank you to Laura, who loves our boy so much and continues to put in the time, effort, and expense that it takes to compete with him. We are so grateful for everything you do for Prince and so happy to share these accomplishments with you! ❤️

Thank you to both judges for recognizing Prince, and to the Lake Minnetonka Kennel Club and its many volunteers for putting on a wonderful event.

And, of course, congratulations to all of the other exhibitors and winners! It’s always a pleasure sharing the ring with you.

Onward we go toward that Grand Championship! 🏆🐾

“Ribbons fade, but temperament lasts a lifetime.”

*x

09/12/2026

STRUCTURE IN MOTION

A beautiful Tibetan Mastiff standing perfectly stacked can certainly catch your eye—but a photograph of a dog in motion can tell us something a stack cannot.

Movement is structure brought to life.

The American Tibetan Mastiff Association breed standard describes the Tibetan Mastiff as an athletic and substantial dog—large, but not a giant breed. The body should be slightly longer than tall, with substantial bone and muscle, a muscular back and loin, well-laid-back shoulders, and moderate angulation in both the front and rear.

That word moderate is important.

The Tibetan Mastiff is not supposed to be an exaggerated breed. More angulation does not automatically mean better structure, and a spectacularly long or flashy stride is not necessarily correct movement for a TM. Structure should be balanced so that the front and rear assemblies work together efficiently.

What should Tibetan Mastiff movement look like?

The official standard describes the gait as athletic, powerful, steady and balanced, while remaining light-footed and agile. From the side, the dog’s reach in front and drive from behind should reflect the maximum efficient use of its moderate angulation. Most importantly, the back should remain level and firm while the dog moves.

There is another particularly important statement in the standard:

“Sound and powerful movement [is] more important than speed.”

We think that is an important distinction when evaluating this breed.

A Tibetan Mastiff should not have to race around the ring to look impressive. Correct movement should appear purposeful, balanced and efficient. The hindquarters provide propulsion while the forequarters receive and carry the body forward. AKC educational material explains that the hindquarters are the primary source of propulsion, while the front assembly bears much of the dog’s weight and plays an important role in absorbing impact, steering and braking.

When viewed from the side, we want to see the front reaching forward and the rear driving underneath and behind the dog in balance with one another. When front and rear construction are mismatched, movement can reveal it through shortened stride, inefficient reach, interference or compensatory movement. This is one reason AKC emphasizes that watching a dog trot can provide valuable information about its underlying construction.

What about movement coming and going?

As speed increases, the Tibetan Mastiff should naturally tend toward single-tracking.

That does not mean the dog’s legs are crossing over one another. Rather, the feet gradually converge toward the dog’s center line as speed increases. AKC describes single-tracking as a normal consequence of efficient movement in many working breeds.

And then there is the tail—one of the hallmarks of our breed. When the Tibetan Mastiff is alert or moving, the standard calls for the well-feathered tail to be carried curled over the back, helping create that unmistakable Tibetan Mastiff silhouette.

Why does all of this matter to a preservation breeder?

Because conformation is about much more than producing a beautiful dog.

Breed standards exist as a blueprint describing the physical characteristics, movement and temperament that allow a breed to remain recognizable and capable of performing its historic purpose. AKC specifically notes that preservation breeders use the standard as a blueprint when planning future generations.

For us at Black Feather Tibetan Mastiffs, evaluating our dogs standing still is only part of the picture. We also want to watch them move. Does the structure we see in a stack translate into balanced movement? Does the topline remain firm? Are reach and drive complementary? Is the dog moving efficiently rather than simply moving fast?

A spectacular coat can catch your attention. A beautiful head can make an unforgettable first impression. But underneath all of that must be a sound, functional Tibetan Mastiff capable of moving comfortably and efficiently.

That is part of preservation breeding: not simply preserving what a Tibetan Mastiff looks like, but preserving how a Tibetan Mastiff is built and moves.

After all, our goal should never be exaggeration. It should be balance, soundness, type, temperament and function.

“Ribbons fade, but temperament lasts a lifetime.”
And sound structure helps carry that temperament through one.

— Black Feather Tibetan Mastiffs

Sources: American Tibetan Mastiff Association Tibetan Mastiff Breed Standard; AKC Tibetan Mastiff Judges Study Guide; American Kennel Club educational resources on canine gait, anatomy and breed standards.

09/07/2026

Keira
GCHB CH Noble Legacy’s Dark Goddess of Rain ATT
Mother of our planned fall 2026 breeding with Azul.

OFA:
Hips Good
Elbows Normal
Thyroid Normal
Heart Normal
Eyes Normal

09/01/2026

Preservation Breeding With Purpose 🖤

Preservation breeding should never simply be about producing puppies. Every planned litter should begin with a vision and specific goals for what the breeder hopes to preserve, strengthen, or improve in the next generation.

Without a goal, you are simply breeding dogs to breed dogs—and that isn’t the kind of breeding program we believe deserves support.

A responsible breeder should be able to look critically at the dogs they have, recognize both their strengths and the areas they would like to improve, study pedigrees and potential pairings, and make thoughtful decisions about how they hope the next generation will move the breed forward.

But there is an important word in that sentence: hope.

Breeding is never a guarantee.

We can study pedigrees. We can evaluate structure, type, temperament, health, movement, coat, size, and generations of dogs behind a pairing. We can health test, plan, calculate, discuss, second-guess ourselves, and probably pray a little too.

And then genetics gets the final say.

Even the most carefully planned breeding can produce unexpected results. Sometimes a pairing accomplishes exactly what we hoped. Sometimes it teaches us something entirely different. That uncertainty is part of breeding living animals—and why every litter should have purpose behind it.

When those goals are achieved, however, we believe they should be celebrated.

Our Musical Icon litter, produced from Sage (GCH CH Noble Legacy’s Virtuous One ATT) and Keira (GCHB CH Noble Legacy’s Dark Goddess of Rain ATT), was planned with several goals in mind.

One of those goals was very specific: we wanted to increase the size of our females while also improving the amount and quality of coat.

Those were among the reasons we believed Sage and Keira complemented one another and could make a strong pairing.

Recently, we had the opportunity to see their daughter Koda — CH Black Feather’s Spirit of Friendship — standing beside her mother, Keira.

At only 19 months old, Koda is already larger than her four-year-old mother, with the substantial coat we had hoped to bring forward into the next generation.

It was one of those moments when you stop, look at the two generations standing together, and realize:

We accomplished what we set out to do.

That doesn’t mean Koda is “better” simply because she is bigger. Preservation breeding is never about chasing one exaggerated trait. It is about looking at the whole dog and making deliberate choices while remaining true to the breed and its standard.

And while structure, size, coat, movement, and breed type are all important pieces of our breeding decisions, temperament will always remain at the heart of what we do.

As we often say at Black Feather:

“Ribbons fade, but temperament lasts a lifetime.”

There will always be more to evaluate, more to learn, and new goals for the generations that follow. That is exactly how a thoughtful breeding program should work.

Preserve what is good. Improve where you can. Learn from what you produce. And always breed with a purpose.

Because producing puppies is easy.

Building generations is the goal. 🖤

08/30/2026

Prince’s New Champion win photo from a few weeks ago seen in summer coat. I look forward to watching him continue to mature. The last two weekends of shows he has attended, so many compliments were given ringside by fellow competitors, spectators, and judges about his movement in the ring. One that I’ll cherish forever is while in the working group, the judge leaned forward, holding his head in her hands and looked into his eyes then whispered to him… “your time will come and it’s going to be beautiful”. ❤️

We can’t wait to see what this boy accomplishes with continued time in the ring and maturity.

CH Black Feather’s Noble Heir Apparent CGC
(GCH CH Noble Legacy’s Virtuous One ATT X GCHB CH Dark Goddess of Rain ATT)

Owned by Laura Sostak, Jason Stabenow-Schneider, and Nicholas Stabenow-Schneider

Bred by Jason Stabenow-Schneider and Nicholas Stabenow-Schneider @ Black Feather Tibetan Mastiffs

08/27/2026

🐾 MEET THE BREED — TIBETAN MASTIFFS! 🐾

Are you in the Upper Midwest—or planning a trip to Wisconsin—and have always wanted the opportunity to meet a Tibetan Mastiff in person? Here’s your chance!

We are excited and honored to announce that Black Feather Tibetan Mastiffs has once again been selected to represent the Tibetan Mastiff at the 2026 Wisconsin Dog Fair, presented by the Badger Kennel Club!

📅 Sunday, November 8, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Alliant Energy Center | Madison, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Dog Fair is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in dogs to meet more than 100 breeds, speak directly with knowledgeable breed representatives, watch live demonstrations, connect with rescue organizations, and shop a variety of dog-related vendors.

At our Tibetan Mastiff booth, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our dogs up close, learn about the breed’s fascinating history and origins, ask questions about temperament, grooming, training, showing, and responsible ownership, and learn what life with one of these ancient guardian dogs is really like.

✨ And there’s another reason we’re especially excited about the location! The Alliant Energy Center will also host the Tibetan Mastiff National Specialty in February 2027, when Tibetan Mastiffs and their owners from around the country will gather right here in Madison.

Whether you’ve been researching Tibetan Mastiffs for years, have only recently discovered the breed, or simply want to meet one in person, we would love to see you and say hello!

Come spend the day celebrating dogs, learning about the breeds you love, and perhaps discovering a new favorite. ❤️🐾

We’ll see you at the Wisconsin Dog Fair!

08/21/2026

WHAT A DAY FOR PRINCE! 👑🐾

Today we attended the Northstar Working Dog Association Show in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, and Prince gave us plenty to celebrate!

Under judge Mrs. Nancy Ridgeway, Prince was awarded:

🏆 Best of Breed
🏆 Owner-Handled Best of Breed
⭐ His first point toward his Grand Championship!

But he wasn’t finished yet! Prince went on to the Owner-Handled Working Group, where he earned an incredible Owner-Handled Group 3rd, under judge Mrs. Chris Ann Moore! 🎉

What an accomplishment, especially at a Working Dog Specialty surrounded by so many beautiful and accomplished working breeds. We are incredibly proud of this young boy and all that he continues to achieve. ❤️

A huge thank you to the judges, the Northstar Working Dog Association and all of its hardworking volunteers for putting on such a wonderful event.

Congratulations to all of the other exhibitors on their wins and accomplishments today! It’s always a pleasure sharing the rings with so many beautiful dogs and dedicated exhibitors.

And, of course, a very special thank you and congratulations to Laura! Your love, dedication, and commitment to Prince continue to shine through every time we go into the ring together. We couldn’t be more proud of you both! ❤️

CH Black Feather’s Noble Heir Apparent CGC 👑
Onward toward that Grand Championship!

08/16/2026

🏆 IT’S A WRAP — AND WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION! 🏆

We just finished a fantastic weekend at the Indianhead Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin — our local “home show” — and what a weekend it was for Black Feather! ❤️🐾

Saturday, under Judge Debra Thornton, Prince started the weekend in a big way:

🥇 1st in Bred-By-Exhibitor
🏆 Winners Dog
🏆 Best of Breed
🏆 Owner-Handled Best of Breed
⭐ 4-POINT MAJOR!

Prince’s mother, Keira, was awarded Best of Opposite S*x for 2 points toward her Grand Champion Silver, while his sister Adele was awarded Select Bitch for 1 point.

And then came Sunday…

Under Judge Ed Fojtik, Prince DID IT AGAIN! He repeated his wins from Saturday and, with that, finished his AKC Championship, pending AKC verification! 🎉🏆

We are incredibly proud to introduce our newest homebred champion:

✨ CH Black Feather’s Noble Heir Apparent CGC✨
(pending AKC verification)

Even more special, Prince becomes the THIRD CHAMPION from our “Musical Icon” litter, produced by:

❤️ GCH CH Noble Legacy’s Virtuous One ATT — “Sage”
×
❤️ GCHB CH Noble Legacy’s Dark Goddess of Rain ATT — “Keira”

Watching the puppies we bred and raised grow into beautiful representatives of the Tibetan Mastiff breed is something that never gets old. Having three champions from one litter makes this accomplishment especially meaningful to us.

And a HUGE congratulations to Laura on her very first Champion! 🥹❤️ Your love, commitment, and dedication to Prince have been such an important part of his journey, and we are so happy to celebrate this milestone with you!

Prince wasn’t the only Black Feather dog bringing home ribbons today:

🏆 Adele — Best of Opposite S*x, earning 2 points toward her Grand Championship
🏆 Koda — Select Bitch, earning 1 point toward her Grand Championship

What a way to finish our hometown weekend!

A heartfelt thank you to Judges Debra Thornton and Ed Fojtik for recognizing our dogs; to the Indianhead Kennel Club and all of its hardworking volunteers for putting together another wonderful show; and to our family and friends who came out to sit ringside, cheer us on, and share these moments with us. ❤️

We are heading home tired, grateful, and incredibly proud of our Black Feather Family.

Black Feather Tibetan Mastiffs

10/08/2026

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