CHARMIN STRIKES BACK

The Bedlington Terrier, CH Velvety Angel Eyes, took another run at the country’s number one Terrier in Cumberland, MD today at the Upper Potomac KC show. However, Group Judge Betsy Dale, sided with the majority opinion and placed “Loppan” second behind the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, and Charmin justified her confidence by taking the BIS from Judge Paula Hartinger. I suspect that this is a rivalry we will see repeated up to and at Westminster 2009.

WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

CH Velvety Angel Eyes

Just two weeks ago, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, won the all terrier extravaganza at the venerable Montgomery County Kennel Cub show. Yet today Terrier Group Judge Keke Kahn relegated “Charmin” to a Group 4 win behind a dazzling Swedish import, the Bedlington Terrier, CH Velvety Angel Eyes at the Laurel Highlands KA show in Cumberland, MD. It was the worst showing by Charmin in over 18 months. Also bettering the Sealie, was the Airedale Terrier, CH Sterling Cool Hand Luke, with a Group 3, and the Norfolk Terrier, CH Cause For Celebration, who garnered a Group 2.

CH Cause For Celebration

The Bedlington, call name “Loppan” (Swedish for “Flea”, no kidding), was bred by Lise Lotte Nilsson and is owned by MS Nilsson and Anki Bengtson & Joan Weiskopf of Sinking Spring, PA. Loppan did have the good manners to win BIS after defeating the country’s number three dog in the Terrier Group. Judge Leonora Riddle gave this dog in lamb drag his second AKC Best In Show. His first was just three weeks ago in Oyster Bay, NY at the Westbury KA . This is a dog to watch.

DEL VALLE KENNEL CLUB SHOW

MT DIABLO, CA

I spent over 20 years of my life living in suburban San Francisco in the area known as the Diablo Valley. It is a beautiful place that epitomizes all the best that the US has to offer: breathtaking landscapes, exceptional schools, a thriving economy, and one of the country’s largest dog shows, the Del Valle Kennel Club show in Pleasanton, CA. Last year there were almost 3,000 dogs present and competing. This year, there is a warm up act of 49, repeat 49, specialty shows on Friday and Saturday, before this Sunday’s main event. If you will be in the Bay Area this weekend, plan to make it out to the East Bay and enjoy the mountain vistas and the canine drama. It won’t be bigger this year. See http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2008016301.HTM for particulars.

COLUMBUS DAY IN MARYLAND

Ch Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

Our top three dogs decided to make the most of the long weekend and stay over in Maryland for Columbus Day and the Maryland KC show. Joining the Giant Schnauzer, the Pointer, and the Sealyham Terrier, was the number nine dog, the Harrier. All managed Group one wins and the Pointer, Holly added one more Best In Show to her record courtesy of Judge Nancy Simmons. However, no one lost or gained enough points to change their current positions in the top ten. Perhaps this weekend a win at the giant Del Valle KC show in Northern California will shake up the top ten?

STANDINGS SHUFFLE

CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot

The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, has surpassed her highlands big sister, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv's Ouija, and moved up into the seventh spot on our real time top ten. Sadie managed two BIS over the weekend while Ouija did four shows, but could not do better than Group one. For you non-math majors out there, 'tis better to get a BIS at a small show than to get a Group one at a big show. Keep that in mind when mailing off the next entry.

IDAHO? I DON'T KNOW

And we pick up where we left off on Friday, In Boise Idaho, for the second iteration of the Idaho Capital City KC show. This show would go more to form, with our Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, getting the top prize from Judge Michael J. Dougherty, while Ouija and Taser watched. Once again Lincoln would fail to make it to the final seven. Saturday, the host was the Lizard Butte KC (Come on, folks, it’s Idaho) and Lincoln would take advantage of Taser’s absence and make it into the BIS ring. Once again Yes would take the big trophy, this time from Judge Arlene Benko with Ouija and Lincon standing by. Sunday, Lincoln and handler Paul Catterson would finally break through to the top spot taking the nod from Judge Kenneth Miller, with Yes and Ouija playing bridesmaids.

So where did Taser charge off to? Taser jetted down to Tyler, TX to watch Judge Doris Cozart to give the BIS to the Doberman Pinscher, Ch. Brachmars Magic Memory. “Kaiser” was bred by Barbara Weems & Marcia Harvey and is owned by Shannon Geiszlera. Sunday Taser would go home without a group placement. Meanwhile, Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, would go two for two in Boulder City, NV. On Saturday Judge Desmond J. Murphy awarded Sadie the Best In Show to Sadie at the Black Mountain KC show. On Sunday it was Judge Peggy Beisel-Macilwaine officiating and finding Sadie in the crowd. The question is is it good enough to regain the number seven spot? The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, made the most of a leisurely two days in Enid, OK, taking a BIS from Judge Donna Buxton on Saturday at the Sooner State KC, followed by a Group one on Sunday.

Our top three dogs were on the East Coast. On Friday, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, faced off at the Catonsville KC show in West Friendship, MD with the larger dog getting the big rosette from Judge Robert Moore. At the same time, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, would have an easier go of it in Augusta, NJ getting the BIS from Judge Jean Fournier at the smaller Monticello KC show. Saturday The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, would join Spirit and Charmin in the final seven, only to find that Judge Betty Regina Leininger would see it the same and hand Spirit the win. Likewise, Holly would garner another top prize from Judge Angela Porpora on Saturday.

I guess Holly was feeling lonely, or ambitious, because Sunday she and handler Michael C. Scott decided to join the crowd in Maryland. However, she would be surprised in the group by the Weimaraner, Ch Colsidex Seabreeze Perfect Fit. Spirit suffered the same fate, getting bested by the Mastiff, Ch Lazdys Dixieland Tupelo Honey. Coda took the Hound Group, but Judge S. Candace Way couldn’t overlook the top Pekingese, CH Pequest Matchpoint. Everyone is entered in today’s Maryland KC show. Check back here tomorrow for results and the new standings.