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Breed Protector

A breed is a heritage entrusted to us to preserve.

Each breed has its own history, purpose, and essence, shaped over many generations. My job is to understand it, protect it, and pass it on to future generations with respect, knowledge, and responsibility.

Janita Janušauskaitė-Plungė International Dog Show Judge · Breeder · Founder of Tauro Kennel
Janita with "Tauro Kennel" dogs
Responsibility

Breeding isn't just raising pretty dogs

First and foremost, I consider myself a breeder and a guardian of the gene pool. For me, breeding is not just the beginning of new life. It is a long-term endeavor that combines genetics, experience, analysis, intuition, and responsibility.

A guardian of the breed does not create a dog based on short-term trends. They understand the breed's history, purpose, and standard, analyze past generations, and assess health, anatomy, movement, coat structure, and temperament. Every decision can affect not only one litter but several future generations.

A breed is a heritage accumulated over decades, even centuries. My responsibility is not to change its essence, but to help it remain healthy, harmonious, and recognizable.

Archival photo of Janita with her dog

Exhibitions are a game, and breeding is an art.

A title shows the result of a single day. Generations show breeding quality.

The beginning

The first teacher was
Kika

My journey began with Kika, a silver poodle. She encouraged me to delve into dog care, coat preparation, anatomy, behaviour, and breeding. As a teenager, I started working as a groomer, later managed a poodle club, participated in shows, and became an international dog show judge.

Poodles taught me to see a dog as a whole—not just its appearance, but also how its body structure, movement, character, coat, health, and daily care are interconnected.

In 1994, I founded "Tauro Kennel". Today, the kennel purposefully nurtures Bichon Frises, Maltese, and Pomeranians.
Archival: Janita with Kika the poodle
Archived: Working as a dog groomer
Archival: Poodle Club and Shows
Archival: "Tauras Kennel" started in 1994
Breeds

Three breeds – three different responsibilities

Bichon Frise · Tauro Kennel

Bichon Frise

Joy, harmony, and proper structure

A Bichon Frise should not only have an impressive appearance. It is important for me to preserve a harmonious body structure, free movement, correct coat texture, good health, and the breed's characteristic cheerful, open temperament.

This is a dog that should feel equally comfortable in a family setting and in the show ring. A beautiful silhouette should not be created at the expense of health, movement, or a stable temperament.

What we protect

Health · movement · coat quality · cheerful and and stable character

Breeding process

One lead starts well before the puppies are born

01

Analysis of origins and lines

I don't just evaluate the prospective parents. I analyze several previous generations, their strengths, recurring traits, health history, and potential risks.

02

Health and genetic compatibility

Breeding dogs are screened, and pairs are selected not only by appearance. Health, genetics, temperament, pedigree, anatomy, and the long-term goal of the program are important.

03

Responsible partner selection

Each pair must complement the other. The aim is not a short-term effect, but a healthier, more stable, and breed-essential next generation.

04

Cultivation and daily care

Proper nutrition, veterinary care, hygiene, physical activity, a safe environment, and continuous human attention are crucial for a puppy's development.

05

Temperament Observation and Socialization

From an early age, a puppy's character, reactions, and ability to adapt are observed. Socialization helps raise a confident and emotionally stable dog.

06

Finding the Right Home

Not every puppy is destined for the same path. One might have show potential, another might be best suited for a family. The goal is to choose an environment that matches the dog's character.

A puppy's departure to a new home is not the end of our work. Tauro Kennel advises and supports owners throughout the dog's life.

Daily life at the kennel: care, puppies, teamwork
Everyday well-being

A champion is not raised solely in the show ring

The outcome of breeding depends not only on genetic decisions. A puppy's health, character, and readiness for life are shaped by daily care and environment.

The work of a breeder, veterinarians, groomers, behavior specialists, trainers, and a daily care team comes together in "Tauro Kennel." Each of them sees a different side of the dog, but all strive for the same goal.

Veterinary care

Health monitoring, examinations, and assessment of individual needs.

Socialization and Behavior

Development of trust, adaptability, and a stable character.

Fur and Leather Care

Knowledge of the breed's coat structure, skin condition, and daily routine.

Individual attention

Monitoring each puppy's development, character, and strengths.

35+ years of breeding experience
1994 founded "Tauro Kennel"
2,000+ world championship titles
100+ American Champions (until 2026)
65+ countries where "Tauro" dogs live
2023 Geneva is home to the world’s number one Bichon Frise kennel.
2024–25 The best Pomeranian breeder in the USA.
2024 "Tauro Burgundia" – the best Pomeranian in the USA.
2025 "Tauro Da Vinci" – the best Pomeranian in the USA.
2025 Helsinki is home to the world's number one Pomeranian kennel.
2025 The best Lithuanian kennel of all time, recognized for lifetime achievement.
2026 Top 2 kennel in the world.

These figures are not the ultimate breeding goal. They are confirmation that consistent selection, health assessment, daily care, and respect for the breed yield results in different countries and evaluation systems worldwide.

When the world affirms your focused work

Exhibition moment: Geneva 2023
Exhibition moment: Madrid 2022
An Exhibition Moment: The US and Helsinki
2018–2019 · Shanghai

In 2018 and 2019, "Tauro Da Vinci" was a World Winner and one of the kennel's most outstanding Bichon Frises.

2019 · Šanchajus

In 2019, "Tauro Kennel" was ranked among the top four kennels in the world in Shanghai.

2022 · Madrid

At the World Dog Show, "Tauro Kennel" was among the top four best breeders' groups.

2023 · Geneva

In 2023 in Geneva, "Tauro Kennel" was recognized as the world's best kennel across all dog breeds for its Bichon Frises.

2023, Geneva – World's No. 1 kennel for Bichon Frises.

2024–2025 · USA

In 2024 and 2025, Janita was recognized as the best Pomeranian breeder in the USA.

2024: "Tauro Burgundia" – Best Pomeranian in the USA.

2025: "Tauro Da Vinci" – Best Pomeranian in the USA.

2025 · Europe and Helsinki

In 2025 in Helsinki, "Tauro Kennel" was recognized as the world's best kennel across all dog breeds for its Pomeranians.

2025, Helsinki – World's No. 1 kennel for Pomeranians.

2025

2025 – Lithuania’s all-time best kennel, recognized for lifetime achievement.

2026 · Bolonija

In 2026, "Tauro Kennel" took second place among the world's best kennels in Bologna.

2026

2026 – Top 2 kennel in the world.

Behind every title is a different story

Tauras Misokas

Tauras Miskinis

World Champion 2018 and 2019

One of the most prominent "Tauro Kennel" Bichon Frises and an international symbol of the kennel's work. His results reflect not only show preparation but also many years of developing breeding lines.

Taurus Burgundy

Taurus Burgundy

2024 No. 1 Pomeranian US

This evaluation showed that lines bred in Lithuania can meet the highest international criteria and be noticed in one of the most competitive cynology markets in the world.

Taurus Da Vinci

Tauro Da Vinci

2025 No. 1 Pomeranian in the USA

Another record high the following year confirmed the consistency of the breeding program. A one-off victory may be a fluke, but results across multiple generations show a system.

Refereeing

Evaluate the whole, not the detail

At 23, I became an international dog show judge. Judging taught me to see even more precisely how breed standard, anatomy, movement, temperament, and a dog's preparation are interconnected.

In the ring, I evaluate more than just a beautiful expression or coat. It's important whether the dog is harmonious, whether its movement matches its structure, whether it maintains the character typical of its breed, and whether each element functions as a whole.

Titles are a consequence. The cause is knowledge, discipline, and respect for the breed.

Janita is judging in the ring

Why is breed conservation important to everyone?

To the host

Responsible breeding directly impacts a dog's health, character, adaptability, and quality of life. A puppy's pedigree is not just a document; it's also information about previous generations and the breeder's decisions.

For the groomer

The coat cannot be evaluated separately from the skin, anatomy, diet, and the breed's purpose. Understanding the breed helps not only with the procedure but also with noticing changes and choosing appropriate care.

To the breeder

Every choice of a breeding pair leaves a mark on future generations. A breeder's responsibility does not end with the birth of a litter – it encompasses health, socialization, the selection of new homes, and the ability to take responsibility for the consequences of their decisions.

An animal cannot choose who will make decisions for its health, future, and quality of life. Therefore, all responsibility falls on us.

Janita Janušauskaitė-Plungė
Janita with a dog
Today and tomorrow

To preserve means not only to continue, but also to share.

Today, my work involves more than just breeding and participating in shows. I share my accumulated knowledge with breeders, groomers, and owners, contribute to the development of animal care products, and continue to learn from every dog.

I want responsible breeding to be understood not as a pursuit of titles or appearance, but as a long-term commitment to health, temperament, breed identity, and the well-being of every animal.

We inherit the breed from previous generations, but we create its future today.