FINGER LAKE FIVE

Well, even our show dogs like a little fall foliage. Five of our top ten dogs are in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, in the lovely little burg of Romulus, NY. Romulus is 250 miles northwest of Manhattan, in between Syracuse and Rochester. Forty years ago, I went to school at the University of Rochester expecting to find the entire state of New York to be concrete canyons. Three things stick in my mind about that area. It is incredibly cold in the winter, there are more rednecks in upstate New York than there are in the South, and when the snow melts, the landscape is amazingly beautiful.

Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes

Kanadasaga Kennel Club hosted yesterday’s event, which was remarkable for two things. The entry was very large, 1638 dogs, on a Thursday yet, and there were no surprises. The routine began in the Toy Group with the number five dog, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade taking GP one and the number six dog, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug going GP two. Joining Lincoln in the BIS ring were the number ten dog, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija; the number two dog, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry; and the number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. And it was the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit, who got the nod from judge Dr. Donald A. Gill.

This series has the potential to really shake up the top ten rankings. While the top two dogs have a firm grasp on their respective positions, look for the current number three dog, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, to fall to number six. Also look for the deerhound, Ouija, to move up two spots to number eight. Gone are the days when you can work a regular job and just attend shows on Saturday and Sunday. Being a top ten dog is getting to be a full time job.

What a great weekend in store for those living in upstate New York. They have a chance to see the fall foliage, visit the Finger Lakes wineries, and see some of the countries finest purebred dogs.