PHOTO FINISH

CH Monkham's Famous Grouse

It was a dramatic end to a dramatic week. Five of the country’s top dogs showed up one more time in West Springfield MA for the Holyoke Kennel Club show, three of which would make it to the final ring. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition was bested in the Hound Group by the Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens, CH Monkham's Famous Grouse. “Fabio” was bred by Jenna Skerritt & Linda Skerritt who co-own the dog with Jill Neuschaefer, Donna Bruce and handler Julie Lacey-Black. CH Cilleine Masquerade fell once again to AKC’s toy dog, the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu. The other three, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice joined the PBGV, the Pug, the Chow Chow, CH Kelin's There Can Be Only One TT, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins, in Judge Karen S. McFarlane’s BIS ring. The Pointer, Holly was capping a phenomenal week with four BIS in four outing’s including one over the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit. Spirit had struggled, failing to make the final seven twice in the last four days. However, today was Spirit’s day and she would leave Reading with another notch in her BIS belt and a 2,001 point lead over Holly.

CH Kelin's There Can Be Only One TT

The last final of the weekend was in Stockton CA and five of our top ten were there, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair and the frequently flying Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug. Unfortunately the Corgi failed to make it into the herding group placings, but the other four all made it to Judge Suzanne Dillin’s BIS ring. And the last dog to win a BIS this long, long weekend was the Scottie, Sadie. It was her second Best this weeeknd.

It is still too close to call a projected 2008 winner for AKC’s top dog, but when it happens, you will read it here first.