A WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY

When you campaign a top dog, it’s easy to forget that most dog fanciers lose more than they win. However, true that may be, I’m sure that it is no solace to the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, who Friday for a second day in a row failed to get noticed in the Hound Group in Fitchburg MA. Judge Monica Canestrini passed over Coda and chose four other dogs, including the Pharaoh Hound, CH Hallam's Bekenkhons Ra Qena as number one Hound at the 2008 Souhegan KC show. Bek, the nation’s number one Pharaoh Hound, was bred by Dominic Carota & Dr Stephen Sipperly, and owned by the breeders and Nancy Sowerbutts of Selkirk NY, and handled by Stacy Snyder-Work. Carota and Sipperly’s Hallam Hall Kennels have produced the US’ number one Pharaoh Hound for the past six years. However, Group 1 was as far as Bek got on Friday. Judge Dr. Robert A. Indeglia awarded the BIS to the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe s Hidalgo At Goodspice.

CH Hallam's Bekenkhons Ra Qena

Charmin’s win was made a tad easier by the absence of the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, who had won the BIS the day before. Likewise The country’s number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, Galilee's Pure Of Spirit decided to move, this time from Thursday’s Alabaman venue and try her luck at the Maryland shore. It proved a profitable choice as Spirit managed to catch the eye of Judge Sandra M. Lex and garner another top prize. I sometimes wonder how these handlers manage to move from one location to another so rapidly. As I mapped out this weekend shows, I noted that almost all were, to be polite, off the beaten path. If I were to try to pack up my SUV after a final seven in Priceville AL and overnight it to Salisbury MD, I’m sure I would get lost and end up in the clutches of banjo pickin’ hillbillies. Hey, that’s just part of the adventure that is dog shows.