THE LAST POST OF 2008

That is unless something interesting happens in the world of dogs in the next 21 hours.

DC Sun-Yak Spellbnd Heaven Scent

For fans of the underdog the place to be yesterday was the Oakland Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA. As reported here, the country’s number one Sporting Dog, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, lost the chance to compete for the Number One All Breed Ranking when Judge Honey Glendinning, placed her a disappointing Group Three behind two California dogs, the country’s number one Vizla, CH Koppertone's Classical Minuet, and the multi-group winning Gordon Setter, DC Sun-Yak Spellbnd Heaven Scent.

CH Just-Wright The Full Monty

Hound Group Judge Joe Tacker also raised some eyebrows when he gave the 15 inch Beagle, CH Just-Wright The Full Monty, his second Group One this year at the expense of the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, who finished second, and the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, who was left out of the ribbons. However, the reliable Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, took the Terrier Group, courtesy of Judge Ekarat Sangkunakup, and joined the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, in the final ring. Rounding out the final seven were a Pomeranian import from Thailand, Starlight’s Smile From Siam (This is a dog to watch, from a Thai breeder to watch, Suradej Ekviriyakit), the Keeshond, CH Windrifts Non-Negotiable Asset, and the Border Collie, CH Hitop’s Whiz Kid.

Starlight’s Smile From Siam

Well, you know how it all turned out. Just like 70 times earlier this year, the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit, the Number One Dog in 2008, went Best In Show. What a year it’s been.

SPIRIT FINISHES WITH A BIS

A reader has just told us that the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, has finished 2008 with a BIS at today's Oakland Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA. Just icing on the cake for this year's top dog.

SPIRIT IS 2008 TOP DOG

The AKC 2008 highest scoring dog in conformation is CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, a four year old Giant Schnauzer bitch bred by Maryann Bisceglia & Mary Hayes, owned by Mary Hayes & Joe & Carla Sanchez, and handled by Taffee McFadden. Spirit started the year winning the 3000 plus Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon show and never looked back, amassing 71 Best In Shows and nearly 120,000 points, 25,000 more than 2007 top dog, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Win A Victory.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and Handler Taffe McFadden

The win was assured today at the Oakland Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA when Sporting Group Judge Honey Glendinning placed the number two dog, a three year old Pointer bitch, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, Group Three. Holly, as she is known, was bred by Cheryl S. Laduc, A Cantor, A Walker, is owned by Sean & Tammy McCarthy & Helyne Medeiros, and is handled by Michael E. Scott, PHA. Holly capped the year with a win at the 2008 Eukanuba National Championship over an all champion field. She finishes the year with 96 Best in Shows and almost 120,000 points, just a few hundred shy of the top spot.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

Our congratulations to Taffe McFadden and the entire Spirit team. They have completed a courageous and exhausting 2008 campaign and have given all of us in the dog fancy a thrilling year. We also extend our congratulations and thanks to Michael Scott and Holly’s owners and breeders. They engineered one of the most electrifying finishes in our lengthy memory.

We will have more details as more results come in.

FINAL COUNTDOWN

I’m sure when Robert R. Frost signed his judging contract for yesterday’s Santa Cruz Kennel Club show he didn’t think he would have the opportunity to crown the dog world’s Queen, the 2008 top dog. He had judged neither of the two top dogs this year, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, nor the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. In fact, he is not yet approved to judge either Giant Schnauzers or Pointers. A judge with fewer preconceived opinions would be hard to find. However, familiarity would not have made it easier for the Greenville IN resident as he went over two nearly perfect specimens.

CH Kimro's Soldier Boy

In the end Judge Frost side stepped the issue by reminding us that an AKC dog show always has seven dogs in contention for Best In Show and choosing the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, as his best dog of the day. In addition to the Pointer, the Giant, and the Sealie, Judge Frost had the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, the Miniature Pinscher, CH Kimro's Soldier Boy, the Keeshond, CH Windrifts Non-Negotiable Asset, and the Bouvier des Flandres CH Voodoo Slam Dunks Susant's, to consider. The Deerhound had left the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, back in Judge Monica Canestrini’s ring with a Hound Group Four ribbon.

CH Windrifts Non-Negotiable Asset

So here we are. It’s the last show of the year. Our top two dogs have amassed nearly 120,000 points each and are currently separated by a handful of points. Today the burden of proof is on the Pointer, Holly. Anything less than a Best In Show win will leave the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit in first place. Dog fanciers could not have asked for a more dramatic end to the year.

CH Voodoo Slam Dunks Susant's

One editorial note…much has been made of the assignment of today’s Sporting Group judge, Honey Anne Glendinning. As previously reported here, Mrs. Glendinning is the sister of Taffe McFadden, handler of the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. While the coincidence makes for an interesting subplot, no one should read anything more into the situation.

A LESS THAN TIMELY CORRECTION

We've just had a reader point out a misleading post we made on 1 December regarding the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot. In a play on words concerning the warm weather, we said that Sadie got the "cold shoulder", failing to place in the Terrier Group at the Imperial Valley Kennel Club show in Yuma AZ on 30 November.

While it is true that Sadie did fail to get a group placement, it wasn't because Judge Judith Franklin passed her over. For reasons unknown to us, Sadie skipped the group after winning the breed that day. As Scottie owners we are huge fans of Sadie and would not want to leave the impression with our readers that we were selling her short. Our thanks to the anonymous reader that brought this to our attention.

CHARMIN PLAYS SPOILER

While we were all focused on the rivalry between the the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, another great dog, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, ran away with Judge Robert Frost's heart and the BIS title at today's Santa Cruz Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA, proving once again that no one can predict the ourcome of an AKC dog show.

The win complicates the race for number one. If either the Giant or the Pointer wins tomorrow's Oakland Kennel Club show, she will be the 2008 number one dog. However, if neither wins, the Giant may win the national title by the slimmest of margins, 200 to 300 points.

LAST WEEKEND OF THE YEAR

This last weekend of the year was billed as the clash of the titans and it did not disapoint. Eight of the top ten dogs were entered at the San Mateo CA venue. Only the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot had decided to stay home. Unfortunately, the Salinas Kennel Club’s Saturday main event was cancelled when the number one dog in the country, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, failed to make it out of Judge Joe Tacker’s Sporting Group, who tapped the country‘s number one Vizla, CH Koppertone's Classical Minuet, as his number one Sporting Dog. Show goers were further disappointed when the top two Toy dogs, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, and the number one Herding dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry’s Vanity Fair, who were entered, all failed to show.

CH Koppertone's Classical Minuet

Nonetheless, there was drama to spare in the preliminary as the number one Hound in the nation, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, squared off against the number two Hound, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija. The deerhound, Ouija, advanced to Judge Stephen Hurt’s final seven, hoping to garner a BIS to take over the top Hound spot, but it was not to be. Her kennelmate, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, was on a mission to take back the number one dog slot and she took a major step in that direction by taking the top prize. Also on hand to witness the win was the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice.

CH Pupukearidge Ikaika O Sprngvly

However, spectators at Sunday’s San Mateo Kennel Club final failed to get a look at either of the top Hounds, as Judge Robert R. Frost gave the Deerhound a Group Two, gave the Harrier a wave good bye, and advanced the BIS winning Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Pupukearidge Ikaika O Sprngvly, to Judge Peter Baynes final. However, they did get a chance to tell other doggy folks, that they saw two of the greats of the canine world go toe to toe and, on that day, the Giant Schnauzer prevailed. Once again, the reliable Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice was also present.

While, Spirit has regained her number one position, Holly is still within striking distance as we come down the backstretch. Today's results will determine if we have a photo finish or a win by a cold, wet nose.

SPIRIT REGAINS NUMBER ONE SPOT

The lucky spectators at today's San Mateo Kennel Club in San Mateo CA saw two of the highest scoring dogs in history face off in judge Peter Baynes's BIS ring, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry. The Giant, Spirit, had held the top spot in the rankings most of the year, but had been passed by the Pointer, Holly, earlier in December, but today, after what surely must have been the longest three weeks ever for her team, Spirit and handler Taffe McFadden regained the number one spot with a BIS win today. Congratulations to all. Now the question is, can they win one more to hold off the Pointer?

SPIRIT TAKES ROUND ONE

The Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, has won Best In Show at today's Salinas Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA. The win put Spirit 1500 points closer to regaining the number one spot in the 2008 rankings. We also have reports that the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, were entered, but absent and the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, managed a Hound Group first over the country;s numbr one Hound, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition. More details to follow.

FLYING FICKLE FINGER OF FATE

For those of you who are old enough to remember the old comedy show, LAUGH IN, we revive the "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate" award for those who experience an extraordinary reversal of fortune. Just two weeks ago, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, was on top of the dog world, winning the 2008 Eukanuba National Championship over an all champion field. Today, Holly, finished third in the Sporting Group at the Salinas Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA, her worst finish since Westminster. We will have a full report later.

2009 FIRST SHOWS

In the end of the year frenzy around the race for number one, we have neglected to draw your attention to the upcoming shows the first weekend of the new year. I’ve never been able to understand exactly why the Kennel Club of Palm Springs draws such a huge entry. Sure, the weather is just about the best on the planet, a perfect 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of winter. Sure, the place exudes celebrity glamour, still haunted by the ghosts of Sinatra and the Rat Pack.

But a Mecca of dogdom? That eludes us. The actual show is at the polo field in Indio CA, some 125 miles due east of Los Angeles. However alluring the setting, it’s still out of the way for most people. Nonetheless, the counts are in and it looks as if Palm Springs may hold onto it’s number one ranking as the US’ largest dog show venue, with 3,131 dogs entered in the regular classes on Saturday, 3 January and 3,097 on Sunday. The entries are down substantially over the last two years, but we are still impressed. And you will be too if you decide to make the drive. Do you know how Californians tan the backs of their ears? They put the top down and drive away from the sun.

St. Paul MN in Winter

There are smaller, but substantial, entries in Florida, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. There’s the Florida New Year Classic, a four day cluster beginning Friday in Deland FL hosted by the Greater Daytona and Jacksonville Dog Fanciers' Associations and a three day cluster, the Northern Ohio Winter Classic, in Tallmadge OH, sponsored by the Columbiana and Rubber City Kennel Clubs. There are two day shows in St. Paul MN, Glen Rose TX (about 75 miles SW of Dallas), and Pendleton SC. The Land O’Lakes Kennel Club (MN) shows will be the largest with entries of 1804 on Saturday. The Clemson Kennel Club (SC) shows will be the smallest with 1120 on Sunday.

And we will be here reporting it all, with new rankings and lots of new dogs to showcase!

ANIMAL RIGHTS EXTREMISTS CONVICTED

From the Associated Press:

A jury in Winchester, southern England, convicted Gerrah Selby, Daniel Wadham, Gavin Medd-Hall and Heather Nicholson of orchestrating a campaign against suppliers of Huntingdon Life Sciences between 2001 and 2007. They will be sentenced on Jan. 19 along with three people who earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail. Huntingdon Life Sciences has been a long-standing target of animal rights extremists.

The members of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, used threats such as claiming that company managers were pedophiles, sending hoax bombs, dumping paint stripper on an executive's car and making threatening telephone calls. Campaigners also mailed used sanitary towels to a company, claiming they were infected with the AIDS virus, and homes of company managers were daubed with slogans including "puppy killer" and "Bill the murderer."

The harassment would stop only when a company put out a "capitulation statement" to SHAC promising not to supply Huntingdon Life Sciences, which conducts animal testing for the pharmaceutical industry. Targeted companies included GlaxoSmithKline, Astellas, F2 Chemicals and Biocair, prosecutors said.

And you thought that they were just sweet little own ladies.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

FROM BILLY WHEELER & THE DOG SHOW POOP FAMILY

CRUFTS NO, AHMADINEJAD YES

A Young Charles II with his Spaniels

OK, this is not exactly dog related, but there is a tie in to the BBC’s boycott of next year’s Cruft’s dog show. You may recall that we reported here that the BBC had cancelled the broadcast of the next Cruft’s dog show in a continuation of the BBC’s campaign against the purebred dog. Now we read here that Britain’s Channel Four will offer an alternative to Queen Elizabeth’s annual Christmas broadcast, a practice begun in 1993. This year’s alternative message will be provided by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. I have my own thoughts on the subject, but I defer to Ron Prosor, Israel’s Ambassador to Great Britain, who said, "In Iran, converts to Christianity face the death penalty. It is perverse that this despot is allowed to speculate on the views of Jesus, while his government leads Christ's followers to the gallows." But they can’t show the Cavalier King Charles (that’s Charles II, English monarch 1660-1685) Spaniel on TV. Now that’s perverse.

REGIONAL RANKINGS

We have decided to maintain a list of regional winners based on the location of the show. Now, that means a dog owned by a New Yorker and shown by a Californian handler could possibly be a regional winner in the Midwest, but we have a problem in identifying a dog’s legal address given how many multiple owners there are out there. Regions are identified as follows:

Region 1: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (East of the 77th meridian), Pennsylvania (East of the 77th meridian), Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Region 2: Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee (East of the Tennessee River), the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Virginia.
Region 3: Kentucky. Michigan, New York (West of the 77th meridian), Ohio, Pennsylvania (West of the 77th meridian), and West Virginia.
Region 4: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas (North of the 38th parallel), Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.



Region 5: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee (West of the Tennessee River), Texas and Wyoming.
Region 6: Alaska, California (North of the 36th parallel), Idaho, Montana, Nevada (North of the 37th parallel), Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Region 7: Arizona, California (South of the 36th parallel), Hawaii, Nevada (South of the 37th parallel).

A dog will only receive an award in the region in which he/she has the most points. I want to make sure we recognize 70 separate dogs. The whole idea is to recognize as many of the great dogs around the country as we can. This will definitely be a work in progress. Though not identical to, it is based on the regions as drawn by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). Regional titles in CFA are highly coveted and assure that the maximum number of exhibitors are recognized for participating in sanctioned shows. Once again, this is all for fun. Don’t take it too seriously. We are open to suggestions for improvement, but don’t promise to incorporate all recommendations. So start looking for your dog’s name here in 2009!

JUDGING CHANGE

We have a judging change in one of our San Mateo BIS judges. Dorothy M. MacDonald of Carmel Valley CA will replace Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna for the Oakland Kennel Club show on 30 December. You may recall that Ms Meredith-Cavanna was the one judge this coming weekend who had frequently seen our top ten dogs this year. In five BIS assignments this year, Ms MacDonald has encountered our top ten only once, at the Greater Fredericksburg Kennel Club show last April 4th in Fredericksburg VA. At that show she put up the Pekingese, CH Pequest Match Point in a final that included the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberryand, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. As we get closer to the dramatic end of the year shows, the suspense just keeps building and you will read about it here first.

ANNOUNCING THE DOG SHOW POOP RANKINGS

All of our readers know that we are fans of dog show rankings. We wouldn’t have dog shows if we weren’t interested in competition. It appeals to our sense of order and fairness. It is that latter characteristic that prompts us to announce the Dog Show Poop Rankings.



Starting in 2009 we will post our own rankings based on performance at AKC dog shows. We do this for a number of reasons. We want to recognize some of those dogs owned by the average dog show exhibitor, the exhibitor who doesn’t have a trust fund, the exhibitor who has a regular job and can’t make it to 150 shows a year, the exhibitor who doesn’t have access to a corporate jet to show in four cities in four days. Bottom line, we think if you give the average exhibitor (our version of Plumber Joe) some recognition, we might encourage more people to enter an AKC dog show.

We have developed a ranking system that tries to correct some of the inequities inherent in the current system.

1. We will count only all breed shows. 
2. We will score each group win equal to the win in the other groups. Said another way, a Group One in the Working Group will count the same as the Group One In the Herding Group at the same show. The current rankings count all the dogs that competed in the breeds that day. Therefore, a dog, unopposed in a breed, can go forward to the group and get credit for defeating dogs he/she never faced. To illustrate the inequity, consider this; the average Working Group winner gets 21 percent of the points at a show, while the average Terrier Group Winner gets eight percent, even though the former has faced 25 opponents in the group and the latter has faced 26. Group winners will be awarded four points. Group Two gets three points, Group Three two, and Group Four one. BIS will get the sum of the group wins, 28 points (Seven Groups at four points each) because a Best In Show is really, really special.
3. We will give extra points for big shows. Shows up to 1,000 dogs will score as out lined above. One additional point will be added to each win for every additional 250 dogs showing, i.e., BIS at a show with 1,000 dogs is worth 28, 1,250 is worth 35, 1,500 42, etc.

Now, we will still track and report the traditional rankings. We are not populist extremists wishing to overthrow the dog world elite nor do we harbor any delusions about who we are. The traditional rankings are important and we respect that. However, remember, these lists, like dog shows, are recreation. So don’t take them too seriously. Have fun with them. Our intent is to encourage you out there to get enthusiastic about dog shows.

MORE ON SAN MATEO JUDGES

OK, I have known about this for some time, but I have not posted it because I did not want the simple facts of the situation to become a commentary. However, my mission is to keep the dog show going public informed. I, am therefore, just putting this out to all of you as an interesting coincidence.

Honey Glendinning
Sporting Group Judge, Oakland Kennel Club

Digging deeper into the judges slated for the San Mateo shows, I noticed that Honey Glendinning of Delta, British Columbia, Canada, is scheduled to judge the Sporting Group at the Oakland Kennel Club show on 30 December. She, along with husband, Rick, also an AKC judge, are owners of Fantail Kennels (English Setters). Honey is also the sister of Taffe McFadden, handler of the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. Honey, in all likelihood, will be placed in the thankless position of deciding if the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, will advance to face her sister’s charge in a final seven that could possibly decide who is the AKC’s 2008 Number One Dog.

After 40 years following AKC dogs, I am confident that all the judges will behave professionally and all the handlers will act graciously. Call me naïve, but it’s just the way I like to see it.

BBC PULLS THE PLUG ON CRUFTS

Once again the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has capitulated to the animal rights wackadoodles. The BBC, that venerable institution of all things British, has announced that it will not broadcast the Crufts Dog Show, a British institution since 1886, long before the BBC. The BBC had demanded that the British Kennel Club, the equivalent of our AKC, ban twelve “at risk” breeds from competition at Crufts: the Clumber Spaniel, the Basset Hound, the Bloodhound, the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Mastiff, the Neapolitan Mastiff, the Pekingese, the Shar-Pei, the Chow Chow, the German Shepherd Dog, the Bulldog, the Saint Bernard, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The Kennel Club admirably refused to ban the named breeds and the BBC pulled the plug.


For those who don’t know, Crufts is the world’s largest dog show with a remarkable 22,000 dogs competing. That’s seven times the size of our largest show. Last year the British TV audience alone was over 14 million. You would think that alone would let you know on which side the British people are on this debate. Yet, the PETA thugs run about pretending they represent the public. The British are legendarily reserved, but they better get off their butts before there is not a dog left in England. Ban the Bulldog? Churchill must be turning over in his grave.

For all of you isolationists out there that think we here in the US are exempt from such extreme interference in our lives, visit the PETA site and read the lies and slander these anti pure bred dog trolls spread after the 2008 Westminster broadcast, alleging that the winner, the Beagle, Uno, and the other finalists were carriers of multiple life threatening congenital defects. I can remember one Westminster show in the 1970s where they invited several previous BIS and Group winners back including the Miniature Pinscher, Ch Rebel Rod's Casanova Von Kurt, the 1963 Toy Group winner. He was 14 years old at the time and still covered the big ring without missing a step. It is simply a myth that pure bred dogs are less healthy than mixed breeds. Making dogs better is what we breeders do. That includes breeding out health problems.

SAN MATEO JUDGES

We thought you might want to know a little about the Best In Show judges slated for the San Mateo shows. As always, we are bringing you the facts, we are not implying, inferring, or predicting anything. Nonetheless, you have my permission to speculate and have fun.

One of our judges, Peter Baynes from Lyman SC, has not judged a Best In Show since November 2007 and will do the Sunday San Mateo KC event. Another, Stephen Hurt from Louisville KY, has judged one final this year, the San Mateo KC show on 22 March in Vallejo CA. At that show he chose the Giant Schnauzer, CH Gaililee’s Pure of Spirit in a final that included the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, and the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug. Mr. Hurt is scheduled to do BIS at Saturday’s event hosted by the Kennel Club of Salinas. Scheduled to judge Monday’s Santa Cruz Kennel Club final is the poetically named Robert R. Frost. He has been in the big ring twice this year, where he tapped the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Torquay Demitrio, and the English Springer Spaniel, CH Tara’s Master of D Game. Neither of the shows included a top ten dog.

Robert R. Frost

Santa Cruz KC BIS Judge

By far the most interesting is Kimberly Anne Meredith-Cavanna, a local from Pleasant Hill CA. She has done six finals this year and in every one she saw one or more of our top ten dogs. At her first show of the year, on 13 January in Dallas TX, she gave the top prize to the Gordon Setter, Ch. Brodruggan Black Knight over the Affenpinscher, Taser. Two weeks later, at one of the country’s last benched shows, the Golden Gate KC, show at San Francisco’s Cow Palace, She chose the Deerhound, Ouija, over kennelmate, the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit. In March she was in the Midwest in Columbia MO and found the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry‘s Vanity Fair in a final without any other top ten dogs.

Kimberly Anne Meredith-Cavanna

Oakland KC BIS Judge

A month later, she was back in California for the Sierra-Tuolumne KC show in Merced. The Corgi, Carly, also made the trip, hoping for another big piece of silverware., as did Spirit and Ouija. However, it was the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, runing away with the big rosette that day. Three weeks later, Judge Meredith-Cavanna was in Delaware for the Wilmington KC show and the area’s two most prominent dogs were there, the Pointer, Ch Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s Hidalgo of Goodspice, and the Pointer prevailed on that day. At her most recent BIS assignment in Eugene OR on 4 September, she surprised some choosing the Affenpinscher over the Giant Schnauzer and the Scottish Deerhound.

What can one make of all this? Just one thing, you can never predict who’s going to win an AKC dog show.

MORE BREEDERS OF THE YEAR

One of our readers wants to know more about the AKC Breeder of the Year awards. This award recognizes breeders who have made outstanding contributions to the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs. For every Best In Show winner we enjoy, there is a breeder who has spent years working on the improvement of their chosen breed. Last Sunday, at the glamorous venue of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, Joan Savage of Banks OR was named the 2008 AKC Breeder of the Year Award.

Joan Savage
2008 AKC Breeder of the Year

Joan Savage has produced eight generations of more than 60 AKC champions with her Stagedoor English Setters. The latest was CH Stagedoor Rock It Man, the number one English Setter for 2006 and 2007. Among his most prestigious wins was Best in Show at the 2007 World Show in Mexico.

In addition to the previously mentioned Lilian Ostermiller, other breeders recognized by the AKC for 2008 are:

Kathy and Julie Jones

2008 AKC Breeder of the Year, Hound Group

In the Hound Group the winners are Kathy and Julie Jones, aka "The Basenji Sisters", of Reseda CA, who established their Jasiri – Sukari Basenjis in 1983. To date, they have bred 74 AKC champions and have champions in seven countries who have won BIS in four countries.

Miriam Stamm
2008 AKC Breeder of the Year, Terrier Group

In the Terrier Group the award went to Miriam Stamm of Kalamazoo MI, of Anstamm Scottish Terriers, the oldest Scottish Terrier Kennel in the US. The first Anstamm champion was produced a remarkable 60 years ago, Anstamm Scotties include the top Scottish Terrier sire in history, CH Anstamm Happy Venture, who has 90 champion offspring to his credit.

Luke and Diane Ehricht
2008 AKC Breeder of the Year, Toy Group

In the Toy Group, Luke and Diane Ehricht of Monclova OH were recognized. Although Luke and Diane had separately owned Shih Tzus since the mid 1970s, they didn’t establish Hallmark Jolei brand until their marriage in 1992. A Hallmark Jolei has been AKC’s number one Shih Tzu for each of the last five years, including 2008’s number one Shih Tzu, CH Hallmark Jolei Surfer Girl.

Eleanor and Bob Candland
2008 AKC Breeder of the Year, Non-Sporting Group

The Non-Sporting Group winners are Eleanor and Bob Candland of Lake Elsinore CA. The authors of the ubiquitous book, A New Owner’s Guide to Boston Terriers, have operated El-Bo Boston Terriers since the mid-1960s, producing over 100 champions, including the top Boston Terrier in history, CH El Bo Rudy Is A Dandy.

James and Sheree Moses
2008 AKC Breeder of the Year, Herding Group

In the Herding Group, the AKC recognized James and Sheree Moses of Carrollton GA. James Moses is the most recognized face in German Shepherds, winning over 1000 total BIS including 201 by CH Covy Tucker Hill's Manhattan, the 1987 Westminster BIS winner. Jim and Sheree, as Kaleef German Shepherd Dogs, are the breeders/owners of the top-producing dam in the history of the breed, Kaleef's Valle ROM.

We all owe our gratitude to these remarkable people who have given our beloved sport so much. They have our admiration and thanks for giving us some of the best dogs we have ever seen.

OBAMA APPOINTEES

Deb, over at DOGS, DOLLARS & SENSE, writes:

“Billy, I am really concerned about the Peta supported Obama appointee. I know you worked in Gov't.I live in Nashville and wondered if you could suggest a starting point to complain to.”

Another blogger I follow is Robin of THE ENDANGERED OWNER. She devotes her entire blog to protecting our rights to keep dogs as pets. She does an excellent job of laying out the case against the threat that the animal rights extremists represent. She has a lot of detailed information about Obama appointees for Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of the Interior, and Head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Tom Vilsack, Ken Salazar, and Lisa Jackson, are all supported by the insidious Humane Society of the United States.

Harp Seal Pup

HSUS Poster Child

Just two days ago, I had written Robin about my strategy for dealing with this. I had intended to wait until that leisure time between Christmas and New Year’s Day to share that with all of you in hopes of gaining maximum attention and, frankly, to take a little more time to gather my thoughts about the best way to attack this. However, Deb and Robin have kind of given me a sense of urgency here.

First, every dog lover needs to wake up and educate themselves about the threat these people represent to our way of life. Make no mistake, the intent is to deprive you of the right to keep pets. Robin’s blog is an excellent place to begin your education. The AKC’s legislative column on it’s website does a good job of posting alerts on pending legislation.

Second, develop a focus. Turn the Animal Rights tactics back on them. Believe me SAVE THE FAMILY DOG is much more compelling than SAVE THE WHALES.

• My personal strategy is the preservation of rare breeds. Our elected officials need to understand the connection between restrictions on hobby breeders and the impending extinction of rare breeds. I am going to make the American Foxhound, the breed developed by George Washington, the poster child for our right to breed pure bred dogs. I want to see if Vilsak has the nerve to tell the US Senate that he’s OK with loosing this iconic symbol of the beginning of our nation. I also think that there’s got to be at least one Senator out there who grew up hunting with a rare breed. Find just one guy who had a gun dog sleep on the foot of his bed and you have an advocate that will go to the mat for us.
  

• Another strategy that’s worth pursuing is the economic one. There’s two parts to this one. Restrictions on breeders will cause people to lose jobs and it costs money to enforce these types of laws. It’s not as compelling to us dog owners, but it resonates with elected officials who are don’t want to be seen as focusing on minor problems (that’s us) in these tough economic times. What you gonna do? Save the auto workers’ jobs or confiscate the family pet?

Third, share your anger with everyone. Boil down your argument to a single succinct paragraph and then send it to every government official you can think of. As Deb mentioned, I am a former Congressional Liaison with experience lobbying for the rights of dog and cat owners. Elected officials in the US really do listen to their constituents and the website, CONGRESS.ORG makes it really easy to contact them. However, don’t limit your contacts to a single website accessed from your armchair. Share your frustration with the members of your church, your coworkers, your hairdresser, or anyone else that likes to gossip. I’m serious here. In political circles, it’s called “grassroots”. Remember, you want to leave people with a visual image similar that of the baby seal in the snow that the HSUS used so effectively. Find me a photo of a little boy crying over his lost dog or a little old lady in a rocking chair with a dog in her lap. I want every person that ever shared their home with a dog to fear these animal rights people the way a parent fears pedophiles.

Honestly, I think our chances of stopping these appointments are slim to nil. However, by expressing our concerns we are putting our elected officials on notice that we are watching them and even though the elections are over, they are still nervous about holding on to their jobs.

Now go tell the girl at the check out counter that these guys are trying to take your dog away from you.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Lilian Ostermiller of De-Li Kennels

Lost in the press releases proclaiming the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the 2008 Eukanuba National Champion, was this fact. Michael Scott was not the only member of the family that won a 2008 top award. Michael’s mother-in-law, Lilian Ostermiller, was named AKC 2008 Breeder of the Year (Working Group). Mrs. Ostermiller, a native of Switzerland, has been raising Bernese Mountain Dogs under the De-Li kennel name for over 20 years. She has produced 50 champions, multiple BIS and specialty winners, but without a doubt her most successful production, is her daughter, Michelle, Michael’s wife. As taken as we are by Michael's and Michelle’s in-the-ring accomplishments, we are savvy enough to know that this sport is built on the foundation of breeders like Lilian. Congratulations to Lilian Ostermiller for the recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the sport of pure bred dogs.

SAN MATEO COUNTS

A reader has advised us that the numbers for the San Mateo shows are out. These are entries and rankings are based on dogs actually showing, but the numbers are interesting. Our quick review confirms our suspicion, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, must win three of the four shows to catch the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry. We're assuming, of course that the Pointer, Holly, will at least place in all of the groups. Here are the numbers:

MORE EUKANUBA VIDEO

Bev, over at MY FIRE HYDRANT, has graciously provided this You Tube Play List for all of us to enjoy. If you haven't marked her blog as one of your favorites (I have), you should do so.

HOLLY TO GO TO SAN MATEO

We have it from a very, very reliable source, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, will be in San Mateo 27-30 December. It has come down to the last four shows of the year. In past years, these shows would have been post script, alternatives to Hollywood’s Christmas releases. However, this year a national title is on the line. Starting on Saturday, 27 December with the Kennel Club of Salinas all eyes will focus on San Mateo CA just south of San Francisco. Three additional shows, hosted by San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Oakland Kennel Clubs will follow at the same local.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

San Mateo is home to some of the priciest real estate and oldest money in California. (the iconic mansion featured on the old night time soap, Dynasty, is there) There is also a delicious irony in the location. San Mateo is also the site of one of PETA’s earliest major victories, a 1990 campaign to pass a draconian spay-neuter law. Read here about how that ordinance has been an abject failure. But enough soapbox.

Filoli aka The Carrington Mansion on Dynasty

These four shows should draw substantial entries, with the Saturday and Sunday shows hitting around 1500 competing. It is the first time for the Monday and Tuesday shows, but we predict that there will be at least 1000 dogs present. OK, I’m going to step into this phone booth for a moment an emerge as…Numbers Man, able to generate multiple spreadsheets and color charts & graphs, in a single key stroke, so pay close attention.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and handler Taffe McFadden

Our number one and number two dogs have amassed a staggering number of points this year. The Pointer, Holly, and the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, each have over 115,000 points. To illustrate how dominant these two have been, last year’s number one dog, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Win A Victory, finished the year with 95,534 points. Currently we have the Holly in the lead by a scant 1500 points. We estimate that 5,000 points are up for grabs in the four San Mateo shows. At first glance, it would seem that the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit, would need to win three of the fours shows to regain first place. However, based on average entries, Group wins in the Working Group are worth more points than wins in the Sporting Group. Last year’s Working Group winner was awarded 297 points at the San Mateo KC show. The Sporting Group winner got 250. That means that Spirit could win the two larger shows and groups at the smaller shows and still win depending on the size of the working group entries, but it would be close…very, very close.

San Mateo Expo Center

Site of 2008's Last Four Shows

When I get access to actual entries numbers, in about a week, we will look at this again. In the meantime, we have something to look forward to other than Aunt Edna’s fruit cake.

EUKANUBA VIDEO

We just found this on You Tube. I know there are some errors in the text portion of the video, but I thought everyone would enjoy seeing this. It's not half bad for an amateur effort.

TO RANK OR NOT TO RANK

We just got this “anonymous” comment in and we thought we would share it prominently with all of you.

“In my opinion, you really shouldn't be calling Holly the #1 dog since, according to all the official counts, Spirit is still #1. When the official stats come out, then you have a point. But the race is still on my friends, and to call Holly #1 when she technically isn't, is kind of being rude to the hard effort Taffe McFadden has done to retain that position.”

Well, we have said from the beginning, that these numbers are our numbers and ours alone. We will make these observations:

Nothing we have posted should be construed as diminishing the efforts of the dedicated and hard working people behind any of these dogs. Having shown against them in the 1980s, we have the greatest respect for Taffe and Bill McFadden and what they have brought to this sport to which these pages are dedicated. We applaud them and all the other hard working pros that handle the dogs we promote here. We have been around this sport long enough to know what it takes to campaign a dog at this level. Make no mistake, we started this blog to pay homage to all AKC dog breeders, owners, handlers, and lovers.

We’re not sure what Anonymous means by “official” or “technically”, but we do know this, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, has defeated more dogs that CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit has this year and we think that everyone in the game appreciates knowing that as soon as possible. If those competing waited for the “official” results it would be too late to do anything about it.

And that’s OUR opinion. As always, we welcome yours.

CHRISTMAS LIST

OK, I’ve inundated you with hard core show reporting. It’s now time for some seasonal fun. I’ve already bought the gifts for my wife, daughter, granddaughter, and mother. Now it’s time to focus on the dogs. Oh, yes, we’re serious here. While I do not have a stocking hanging from the mantle, our four dogs do, red stockings for the girls, Fannie and Dee Dee, and green ones for the boys, Bernie and Scooter.

As you have probably surmised, I pretty much never leave my computer. Therefore, I do most of my shopping on line. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for doggie gifts.


The Dolce Vita Oval Cushion Heated Dog Bed (available on Amazon) provides a warm, snuggly place for your dog that he might prefer over your side of the bed.


Easy Step Dog Steps (from Posh Pet Glamor Boutique) help the older or smaller dog gain easy access to your bed, sofa, or any other place that your wife wants to keep him off.



GoDogGo Automatic Fetch System (BuyGoDogGo.Com) is for the lazy dog owner that has an active dog. This ingenious device allows your dog to fetch and return while you read my blog.

Party Animal Organic Gourmet Dog Food (PartyAnimalPetFood.Com) is a total extravagance as evidenced by its endorsement by Paris Hilton, but you can’t beat it for sheer indulgence except with the following.

The Amour Amour Diamond Dog Collar (I Love Dogs Diamonds) is a one-of-a-kind, 52-carat diamond dog collar that features over 1600 hand-set diamonds in a chandelier design that includes a 7-carat, D-IF, brilliant-shape centerpiece diamond. While you have to call for a price, I’ve been told that it is $1.8M. Know any Affenpinshcer owners that might be interested?

DEJA VU

CH Efbe’s Merci Pour Le Povire

“Déjà vu” was the perfect term for the Terrier Group winner at the Eukanuba National Championship. The Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s Merci Pour Le Povire, from the French speaking city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada is the litter brother of last year’s BIS winner, CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice. “Merci”, the number one dog in Canada, is another great Sealie from Frances Bergeron, who made the unlikely switch from Great Danes to Sealyham Terrier 30 years ago. If two BIS Sealies from one litter isn’t impressive enough, consider this, CH Efbe’s Seabiscuit, another litter brother, is also a multiple BIS winner.

As a former Sealie owner, I am eternally thankful to Frances for helping to keep this rare breed in the public eye. Remember to tell your elected officials to protect the rigths of the endangered species we keep in our homes.

MONDAYS ARE A BITCH

Conspicuously absent from yesterday’s Eukanuba National Championship was the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. Spirit and handler Taffe McFadden were in Long Beach CA on Friday for the Long Beach Kennel Club show, the last of a week long group of warm up shows before the Eukanuba event.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

This show turned out to be the most competitive and dramatic show this year since Westminster. For the first time in recent history, six of the finalists were the top ranked dog in their respective groups. Number One Sporting Dog, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, Number One Working Dog, Spirit, Number One Terrier, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, Number One Toy Dog, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, Number One Non-Sporting Dog, the Standard Poodle,CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Number One Herding Dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, all stood for examination for lucky BIS Judge Virginia Lyne. In one of the few meetings between the top two dogs, Spirit prevailed.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and handler Taffe McFadden

It what at first seemed a clever bit of strategy, Spirit and Taffe jetted off to Bethlehem PA to pick up a BIS Saturday at the Lehigh Valley Kennel Club Show. The split format of the Eukanuba show forced participants to forgo one day of showing in order to participate. Spirit and Taffe hoped to take advantage of the Pointer’s situation to pick up enough points to regain the lead in the national rankings. However, a winter storm paralyzed the Northeast this weekend, causing many flights to be cancelled and Taffe and Spirit ended up staying in Bethlehem to compete Sunday at the Delaware Water Gap Kennel Club show. We don’t know if they planned to be back in California for Sunday’s Eukanuba judging, but sitting at the airport with a group one rosette in your luggage after watching the Irish Setter, CH Beaubriar Premier Event, take BIS, must have been a let down.

CH Beaubriar Premier Event

There are only four shows left his year for Spirit to gather points in an attempt to overtake Holly in the race for the national title. Those four shows, sponsored by the kennel clubs of Salinas, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and Oakland, are all in San Mateo in Northern California, right in Spirit’s backyard. If Holly, who is based on the East Coast, sits out these shows, she could forfeit the title.

EUKANUBA ROUNDUP

This past two weeks have been one thrilling roller coaster ride leading up to last night’s Best In Show final at the Eukanuba National Championship. After eight local shows leading up to the big dance, all of dogdom was whipped into a frenzy of anticipation. In the end, the country’s number one dog, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, was crowned National Champion by Judge Dr. Robert D. Smith. Our hearty congratulations to breeders Cheryl S. LaDuc, A Cantor, A Walker, owners Sean & Tammy McCarthy, Helyne E. Medeiros, and handler, Michael Scott, with special thanks for giving us thrill after thrill this year.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

In a bit of anticlimax, the number two dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, failed to make it back to the west coast after jetting off to pick up a BIS at the Lehigh Valley Kennel Clunb show in Bethlehem on Saturday. We still do not know if Spirit’s absence was intentional or victim of the vagaries of air travel. Nonetheless, there was plenty of drama for all who did make it to Sunday. The nation’s number two Toy Dog, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, had to fight his way out of a group that included AKC’s top three Toys.

CH Efbe Merci Pour Le Poivre

The Terrier Group winner, was a Sealyham Terrier, from the same breeder as last year’s Best In Show winner, the country‘s current top Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. CH Efbe Merci Pour Le Poivre bested the country’s second best Terrier, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot to get to the final. The final seven included five of the country’s top ten dogs. In addition to Holly and Lincoln, the final included, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair. The Alaskan Malamute, CH Silverice’s Dancing In The Dark, rounded out the seven.

Our thanks to all of you who contributed reports, helped us correct our errors, and who just dropped by to read our posts. Our readership was up threefold this week! While Holly and her team may be celebrating tonight, we are all winners because we get to participate in the wonderful world of AKC dog shows.

HOLLY IS BEST IN SHOW AT EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The country's number one dog, the Pointer, CH, Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, has won Best In Show at the Eukanuba National Championship.

EUKANUBA HERDING GROUP RESULTS

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, has won the Herding Group at the Eukanuba National Championship. Carly was bred by B Shelton S Leverly B Williams L weissNolchek, and owned by D Salow K Kirtley K Foist B Shelton. The Puli, CH Lajosmegyi Singin’ In The Rain was second, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, was third and the Briard, CH K’Instant Succes Moravia Campanella, was fourth.

EUKANUBA WORKING GROUP PLACEMENTS

To complete the working group, the Akita, CH Mojo’s Rock’n Your World, was second, the Newfoundland, CH Fleur De Lis Platinum Grandeur, was third, and the Tibetan Mastiff, CH Shanghai’s Sachi, was fourth

EUKANUBA TERRIER GROUP UPSET

TJ was first in with the news of a major upset in the Terrier Group. The Sealyham Terrier (No, not that one), CH Efbe Merci Pour Le Poivre has won the Terrier Group. This new comer hails from the same kennel as his more famous relative. Congratulations to Frances Bergeron on another great Terrier and congratulations to owners June & Tom Fraser. Anyone know who is handling this dog?

The country’s number two Terrier, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, was second, the Irish Terrier, CH Fleet ST Fenway Fan was third, and the English importm the White Bull Terrier, CH Action Chaos And Charisma, was fourth

WORKING GROUP WINNER

TJ tells us that the Alaskan Malmute, CH Silverice’s Dancing In The Dark, has just won the Working Group at the Eukanuba National Champiionship. Congratulations to owner Alisa Syar, and her co-breeder Michelle Ing DVM

EUKANUBA WORLD CHALLENGE WINNER

This just in, the Saluki, CH Dakira Swamin, has just won the Eukanuba World Challenge. Congratulations to breeder/owner Dagmar Mintzenberg-Freislebon and our entry from Germany.