ELECTION EVE

On the eve of our Presidential election, Americans eyes are on the swing states of Virginia and Indiana. However, it was dog lovers watching these two states, where most of the countries top 20 dogs gathered for the weekend. As we reported, the weekend began early In Virginia Beach VA on Wednesday with a limited breed show for Hounds won by the country’s number two Hound, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition. Coda started off the all breed competition with a Group 1 on Thursday, followed by a BISs on Friday and Saturday. Sunday Coda did not make it to the final seven to watch the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, accept the top prize from Judge Madison Weeks, finishing Group 2 behind the Basenji, CH Klassics Ms Mata Hauri.

Back in Indiana, there were four shows and lots of surprises. They started off predictably enough with all four of the top ten dogs represented in the BIS ring. The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, and the Brussels Griffon, CH Celleine Masquerade were all there to watch Judge Ralph Lemcke give the BIS to the country’s number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee’s Pure of Spirit. However, on Friday the weekend started going off script. First, the Pointer, Holly and the Scottie, Sadie, would finish second in their respective groups and number one dog, Spirit, would watch number six dog, the Brussels Griffon, Lincoln receive the the big rosette from Judge Ed Bivin. Saturday Holly would seek greener pastures in Knoxville TN and leave Spirit, Sadie and Lincoln to sort things out in Fort Wayne. All three would make it to Judge Norman Kenney’s BIS ring and once again Lincoln would prevail. Sunday, Spirit would take a disappointing Group 3 and Lincoln would be flying under the radar with no group placement, and Sadie made the most of it taking the BIS from Judge Robert Filburn.

CH Westwood Aladdin

Down in Tennessee Holly’s long drive paid off with Saturday’s top prize, but Sunday Holly watched Judge James Frederickson give the nod to the Rough Collie, CH Westwood Aladdin. Congratulations to breeder/owner/handler Kathy Drabik of Lebanon, VA. The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, celebrated Halloween in Bloomsburg, PA, with a BIS at the Bald Eagle KC show. However, the Sealhyam Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, did not make it to Judge Jacqueline Rayner’s final ring, finishing second in the Terrier Group ring. Saturday, the Affenpischer, Taser, would jet off to California (didn’t anyone tell him there’s an energy crisis?) and leave the Sealie, Charmin, another shot at the top award. However, Judge Bernard Schwartz was impressed by the impressively large Irish Wolhound, CH Dun Myrica Speaker Of Eagle. Judge Levi Marsman would also tap the giant hound for his best on Sunday, leaving Charmin back in the Terrier Group with another second place ribbon.

CH Silveroaks First & Foremost

Meanwhile, our jet lagged Affenpinscher, finishing second in the Toy Group, would also fail to make it into the final seven to watch the American Eskimo Dog, CH Silveroaks First & Foremost, take the Best In Show from Judge Robert Stein at the San Gabriel Valley KC in Irwindale CA. “Primo” was bred by and is owned by Ruth Sampson and handled by Randy Benns. Taser did make it to the final on Sunday in Irwindale, but it was the Boxer, CH Ein Von’s Just A Rumor who took the title from Judge Tomas J. Tracy. Oh well, there’s always the frequent flyer miles.

CH Yings Miss Congeniality

There was another cluster of dog shows this weekend, in Tulsa, OK, and there were top ten dogs present. The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair showed for Friday’s Tri-States KC event to watch the Shih Tzu, CH Yings Miss Congeniality win a BIS from Judge Donelle Richards. The Poodle, Yes, and the PWC, Carly, both took Group 1. Yes would go Missing In Action for the rest of the weekend, while Carly collected two more Group 1s. Another MIA dog this weekend was the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija. We’ll try to track her down and give you skinny on the slender hound as well as more show results and the current standings when we return tomorrow.