WILD, WILD, WILDWOOD

We’ve heard all sorts of wild stories about this past weeks shows in Wildwood NJ. You may recall that the five day stop on the boardwalk was beset by a behemoth sized blizzard. Only a third of the entries stayed for Sunday’s judging.

CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind

Braving the elements and the competition to make it to Charles Trotter’s final were the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, CH Fireside’s Spontaneous Combustion, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, the Samoyed, CH Selene Of Inn Wang San KR, the Scottish Terrier, CH Blueberry’s Surely You Jest, the Havanese, CH Los Perritos-Shallowbrook Heir I Am, the Schipperke, CH De Lamer Pink Flamingo, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

It was the Deerhound picking up her third all breed Best of the year. If Hickory can make it out of the breed at Westminster, she will see Hound group judge W Everett Dean Jr, who gave her a Group one at last May’s Trumbull County Kennel Club, but that was then….

TASER TIMES THREE

In dog shows, like most sports, momentum is an elusive and powerful force. There is nothing like riding a wave of wins into Westminster week. Once again, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and handler Jorge Olivera demonstrate how it’s done, as they pack three big rosettes from this past weekend in Phoeniz AZ in their Garden bound luggage.

CH Tamarin Tug
(Photo by Miguel Betancourt)

Taser closed the four days in Phoenix with his third BIS there, the latest coming from Gay Dunlap at the second of the Lost Dutchman Kennel Club’s two shows. Also in the hunt were the Brittany, CH Gourley’s 99 Carat Diamond, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Pupukearidge Ikaika O Sprngvly, the Boxer, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, the Miniature Schnauzer, CH Alluruth Solebay Chipotgoldblok, the Boston Terrier, CH Oui’s Midnight Maverick, and the Rough Collie, CH Gentry’s Braveheart.

Taser was the breed winner at last year’s Westminster, but failed to get a Group Placement. This year’s Toy Group judge is Shirley Limoges. Last Taser saw her she gave him a Group Two at the giant Del Valle Dog Club show in October. We’ll see if he can catch her eye again.

WESTMINSTER WEEK

Most New Yorkers greet the New Year in Times Square on January 1st, but for the last 134 years dog fanciers have celebrated the past year and the coming new year in Madison Square Garden in February hosted by the Westminster Kennel Club.

2009 WKC BIS Winner
The Sussex Spaniel
CH Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee

On February 15th 2500 of the best dogs anywhere will assemble for two days before the largest audience in the canine world. Most of the dogs will come from within a tank of gas away, but once again California will send the most entries, 251. Florida will also send a large contingent, 124. There will be entries from every part of the US and several foreign nations as well. The three varieties of Dachshunds will have the most entries, 63, followed by Australian Shepherds 44, Rhodesian Ridgebacks 43, Labrador Retrievers 42, & Golden Retrievers 40.

All 173 AKC breeds & varieties will be seen including the three breeds making their Westminster debut, the Irish Red and White Setter, the Norwegian Buhund, and the Pyrenean Shepherd. We expect to see all of 2009’s top ten dogs as well as most of those dogs who are currently in the top ten. No other show all year will have as many top ranked dogs.

We will have the most Westminster coverage anywhere, with lots of Westminster facts & figures; our WWW, Whom to Watch at Westminster, group by group picks; breed winners as they happen, culminating in our Garden Party, an interactive chat room during the broadcasts February 15th & 16th, Monday & Tuesday evenings, from 8:00 PM to 11:00PM EST. Monday night’s broadcast will be on USA network for the first hour and then switch to CNBC for last two hours. USA will have all three hours on Tuesday.

Visit the Westminster Kennel Club site for an unbelievable cache of information, check with us daily for Westminster news, and don‘t forget to mark you calendar for our Garden Party, Monday & Tuesday, February 15th & 16th, 8:00PM to 11:00PM EST.

GOLDEN IN THE GOLDEN STATE

CH Gaida Of Yoshida Enterprise Jp

(Photo Courtesy of the American Kennel Club)

Finally, we make our way to Fresno CA and the Sun Maid Kennel Club Of Fresno Sunday offering and what’s more appropriate for the Golden State than a double offering of Golden, Retriever, that is as CH Gaida Of Yoshida Enterprise Jp took home his second BIS in as many days.

He was joined in Annella Cooper’s final by the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel,Tibetan Mastiff, CH Seng Khri Bartok Of Dawa, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Kathrich Maximo, the Shih Tzu, CH Amitzu China Doll, the French Bulldog, CH Highwood’s Big Shot, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Segni At Coventry.

Check back with us for today’s results from Phoenix and updated national rankings.

TASER TIMES TWO

CH Tamarin Tug

Day Three in Phoenix AZ saw another repeat performance as the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, reminded everybody that he’s the local boy made good, as he added yet another BIS to his lengthy resume.

On hand to watch Robert Salsbury make the award at the day one show of the Lost Dutchman Kennel Club were the Parti Colored Cocker Spaniel, CH Keda’s Hellz A Poppin’, the Petit Basset Griffons Vendeen, the Boxer, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Purston Spitfire Of Foxxfyre, the Dalmatian, CH Nsprd Spotsafire It’s A Wrap, and the Rough Collie, CH Gentry’s Braveheart.

They continue today with the fourth and final show in Phoenix, another from the Lost Dutchman KC.

HOBBS NM KC

CH Devon Lady Semper Fi

Moving west to the incredibly remote town of Hobbs NM, we have the results from the Hobbs New Mexico Kennel Club’s two shows where the Border Terrier, CH Devon Lady Semper Fi, posted back2back Best In Shows. Hazel had eleven Terrier Groups top prizes in limited showing in 2009. Congratulations to breeders.owners Alison Miller & Leslie Miller, co-owner Sandra Middlebrooks, and handler Erin Roberts.

Carole Esterkin chose Hazel Saturday over the Irish Setter, CH Tramore Galewinni’s Making An Impact, the Whippet, Raybar’s On the First Reflection, the Akita, CH Moonlight Celestial Sermon, the Cavalier King Charels Spaniel, CH Mondrian VH Lamslag RE, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Chaoyang Chick Magnet At Asia, and the Belgian Sheepdog, CH Takishan Black Mariah RE CD.

Sunday Arley Hussin’s options included the same Cavalier, the Golden Retriever, CH Crystal Glen’s Up Yours NA NAJ, the Longhaired Dachshund, CH Bonnfel’s Maverick Spirit Wind, the Siberian Husky, CH Unforgettable Liberty Torch, the Lhasa Apso, CH Sundancer Aleksandra, and the Old English Sheepdog, Saxen Farm’s It All Adds Up.

ROARING THROUGH ARKANSAS

CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar

Pine Bluff AR is our next stop to check in on the Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club.

Eugene Blake kicked it off with the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Bracon's Leapin Lily Pads, the 15” Beagle, CH Shadynook McDreamy At RK N'Tooker, the Doberman Pinscher, CH A'Mondes Sand & Dunes Of Sahara, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Topwyre Candy Man, the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Elite's By Design, and the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible. He went with the Peke who continues to dominate the Toy Group in her part of the world. Look for her to move into the top ten dogs all breeds as we go into Westminster.

Sunday Gloria Geringer was graced with the same Wire, Peke, & Collie, the English Springer Spaniel, CH Capulet’s Innovation, the Bloodhound, CH Ghost Hollow's Spectacular Bid, the Mastiff, Lazy D's Play It Again Sam, and the Bichon Frise, CH Risgae Miabella Sweet Georgia. Her choice was the Springer, bred by Tracy Monahan & Donald Snyder and owned by Linda Myslinski. Congratulations to them all.

ST JOE MO

CH Cedar C Barnstorm Ltd Edition

One place we have not visited this weekend was St Joseph MO where the St Joseph Kennel Club gave us a pair of shows.

Saturday it was Denny Mounce with the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH EXL’s Leather N Lace, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Tji-Waras Distant Drums, the Rottweiler, CH Cammcastles Friar Tuck, the Norwich Terrier, CH Skyscots Poker Chip, the Brussels Griffon, CH Knollands Little Devons O Luna, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Cedar C Barnstorm Ltd Edition, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Limericks Shakespeare.

BIS went to the Tibetan Terrier, DJ, as he picked up his second top prize of the year. DJ and handler Lynn Meyer finished 2009 with two all breed Bests and 22 Non-Sporting Group Ones. Congratulations to Lynn, breeder/owner Donna Ogden and co-owners Patricia Bernardo & Mary Lou Laffler.

Sunday Dr Donald Gill saw the same Cocker, Rottie, & Bouvier along with the Whippet, CH Cove Creek Minuette, the country’s number two dog all breeds, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pomeranian, CH Puffpride Somewhere In Time, and the Tibetan Terrier, CH Cedar C Barnstorm Ltd Edition. It was the first BIS this year for the Pom, who had eight Toy Group firsts in 2009. Congratulations to breeder/owner Virginia Dimick, co-owner Lavonne Beard and handler Jana Klein.

BRAVING THE BOARDWALK

CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton

This weekend’s snowstorm transformed the Wildwoods Convention Center from vacation retreat into a wintry refuge. Not surprisingly, results have been slow coming out of New Jersey. With each passing day fewer and fewer exhibitors remained. Among the dogs who stuck it out was the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton, who grabbed Saturday’s top prize.

Saturday saw the country‘s number one dog, the Irish Setter, CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed, fail to get out of the breed. The six who did see Rodney Herner were the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorter’s Mt View Lookout, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, a yet as unnamed American Staffordshire Terrier, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, the Schipperke, CH De Lamer Pink Flamingo, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

We are still waiting for full results from Sunday, and will bring them to you as soon as we have them.

FRIDAY FINALISTS IN ATLANTA

It’s been a weekend of blizzards, blackouts, & back2back BIS, and now it’s time to backfill the results we have not yet provided to you.

CH Genesis Silverado

One of the largest entries this weekend was in Atlanta GA where the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Casablanca‘s Thrilling Seduction, swept all three shows. We gave you most of this weekend’s results, but here are the Friday finalists that accompanied the Cocker, Beckham, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Boxer, CH Bravo N Sunset Stealing Time, the Skye Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, the Pug, CH Riversong’s Broadway Joe, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the Bouvier des Flandres, Obvious Rush Priority.

We’ll be right back to catch you up on the happenings in New Jersey.