ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER TOP DOG

This just in, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit has just reclaimed her number one spot in the national rankings with a Best In Show win at the Lima Kennel Club show in Columbus OH. Spirit picked up 2031 points raising her total dogs defeated in 2008 to a staggering 102,290. Newly number two, formerly number one, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, got the consolation prize and 338 points, bringing her to an almost equally astounding total of 100,798. Once again the number four dog, the top toy dog, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, was there to watch Judge James E. Noe make the call. Taser and we are nervously awaiting the results from the Oklahoma Sooner Circuit in Chickasha OK where the number two toy dog, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, has been trying to close the 171 point separating the two. Check back tomorrow for more results.

TOP TWO TUSSLE

We are two days into this dog show weekend and already we have seen the lead in the national rankings change hands. The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, started the weekend on Thursday as the number one dog in the US. However, by the end of the day Holly would lose her top ranking to the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. On Friday, the two faced off again in the final ring at the Dayton Kennel Club show in Columbus OH. Joining the top two dogs was the number four dog, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug. Once Judge Kenneth McDermott finished his deliberations and marked his book, we had a new number one dog. Gathering 1615 point’s to Spirit’s 337 for the day, Holly retired to the motor home with the BIS trophy and the crown as Number One Dog in the US. However, there are still two more days and two more chances to crown a new top dog.

CH Casbar s Hart To Hart

We do have one other ranked dog to report on. At the Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club show, in West Friendship MD, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, lost in the last ring of the day to the Labrador Retriever, CH Casbar s Hart To Hart, the country‘s number two Lab. This jet black beauty was bred by D. Mahoney, is owned by Diane Ammerman of Mahwah NJ, and handled by Joy Quallenberg. Congratulations to all.

QUEEN FOR A DAY

It’s only Friday morning and we already have results from four all breed shows and two changes in our national rankings. With the title of Number One Dog up for grabs, the big prize Thursday was the trophy for BIS at the Sandusky Kennel Club show in Columbus OH with 1549 dogs showing. Three top ten dogs were there and all three were in Judge Mareth K. Kipp’s final seven: the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug. At the end of the day it was Spirit walking away with the top prize, retrieving the title of Number One Dog in the nation from Holly. Oh, well. It’s good to be Queen, if only for a day.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit

Three more top ten dogs were in competition on Thursday. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, was in Syracuse NY watching Judge James Covey give the BIS to the Norfolk Terrier, CH Cause For Celebration, at the North Country Kennel Club event. The Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, had to get past the number eleven dog, the Pug, Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, in the Toy Group, to take the Best In Show trophy from Judge Pamela Peat at the Town And Country Kennel Club show in Chickasha, OK. Lincoln picked up 698 points pulling within 171 points of Taser and the title of Top Toy Dog.

The National Capital Kennel Club show, in West Friendship MD, produced a very respectable Thursday entry with 962 present and competing. The one top ten dog present, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, caught the eye of Judge Allen M. Buckner and took home another BIS. The win was good enough for Charmin to bolt past Taser into the number four spot in our ranking. What will today bring? Check back tomorrow and find out.

NEW NUMBER ONE

Before you start to read this post, a disclaimer. These are our numbers. They are based on unofficial show reports and may be revised when official numbers are available. However, in the spirit of 24/7 electronic journalism and all out doggy fun, here they are.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

For the first time since we began publishing, we have a new Number One Dog all breeds. The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, has taken over the top ranking from the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. By our numbers, through 9 November 2008, Holly leads Spirit by a scant 270 points, with 98,644 to 98,374 dogs defeated. Holly has always lead Spirit in number of Best In Shows won and currently leads 81 to 58. The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, remains in third place with 63,914 and 47 top prizes.

CH Tamarin Tug

The next three spots are so close it boggles the mind. The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, picked up three BIS this past weekend and the fourth spot in the ranking, with 62,763 points and 38 Bests. The Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, who has struggled since Montgomery County in early October, clings to the number five spot, with 62,262 dogs defeated and 39 big trophies, only 74 points ahead of number six, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, who has 62,188 and 38 BIS.

CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot

The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, has picked up two Bests in November and momentarily has a comfortable hold on the number seven spot, with 38,621 dogs defeated and 20 BIS. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, has been shown aggressively of late and it has paid off with two BIS this month and a move into the number eight spot, with a total of 36,498 points and 21 big rosettes. The Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, has not won a Best In Show since 4 October and now sits in the ninth spot with 35,270 points and 19 Bests. Finally sitting at number ten, the Pembroke Welsh Corgo, CH Conventry Vanity Fair, hasn’t been shown as much as some of our other top ten, but she has managed to top all dogs 22 times and accumulate 32,944 points.

Congratulations to all our top ten. They are truly the royalty of dogdom.

HERO DOG

We all know our dogs are heroes, but here’s a story from Paducah KY about a chow/pitbull mix breed who dragged a toddler from a burning home. Yesterday, the Paducah Kennel Club recognized Buddy as ”Hero Dog of the Year” for rescuing 18 month old Samara Breiding during a fire at her home on October. For his heroic deed, Buddy was awarded a certificate, a commemorative plaque, and a gift basket of doggy treats and toys.

Buddy, Paducah KY Kennel Club "Hero Dog pf the Year"

Reportedly, Samara’s parents each thought the other had taken the child from her room during the fire. However, it was Buddy who went to the child’s room and pulled the child from the house. It should be noted that this product of two breeds much maligned as “vicious”, gently pulled the child to safety by her diaper, without harming the child. For all of you clamoring out there to ban these breeds, remember “Buddy” who save a human life and know he is the representative of these breeds we want you to know.

PRE-HOLIDAY FUN

As we head into the holiday season we have a few more important shows to get to before we are inundated with weekend guests and green bean casseroles. There are four day clusters in four different locations. There’s the Maryland Turkey Cluster (Wow, that sounds like an unnatural act) in West Friendship MD, Oklahoma Sooner Circuit in Chickasha OK south of Oklahoma City, the Leatherstocking Cluster in Syracuse NY, and the Mid-Ohio Cluster shows in Columbus OH.

There are threesomes in two locations, the Coyote Classics (You know that took a couple of Margaritas to come up with) in Tucson AZ and three shows hosted by the Greater Monroe and Fayetteville Kennel Clubs (No clever cluster name…apparently they don’t have Margaritas in North Carolina). For the working stiffs, there are traditional two day weekends in Ocala FL, Houston TX, Lincoln NE, Paso Robles CA, and Monroe WA. Finally there are shows on Thursday and Friday in Mobile AL (Don’t ask us why…maybe they have blue laws)

All of the four day clusters will be sizable shows with the Ohio shows approaching 2000 dogs. The three day shows will also have respectable entries of around 1500. Of the two day shows expect the Florida and Washington events to be in the 1600 to 1700 range. So put off turkey shopping until Monday and see a dog show this weekend!

DOWN TO THE WIRE

With a scant six weeks to the end of the year, our top ten race couldn’t be tighter. There are a few things we know for sure. Our top ten will remain our top ten. No dog is close enough to overtake the number ten dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Conventry Vanity Fair. However, that is pretty much all the certainty we can offer you. Although number one Spirit has amassed almost 100,000 points, she leads number two Holly by just over 500 points (that’s 0.5%, folks). This finish is shaping up like an Olympic swimming event final. Less than 2,000 points separates positions three through six. Especially tense is the fight for number one Toy Dog with less than 300 points separating the two. Finally we have a new number one Hound. On the strength of a BIS award Sunday, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, has overtaken the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, and has moved into the number eight all breed spot.

HIDE AND SEEK

Every week we set up a list of the coming week’s shows and attempt to find out where our top ten dogs will be. It is largely a guessing game as many of our top dog enter two or even three shows on the same day and then wait until the last moment to decide where to go. It leaves us to play a game of hide and seek. This week was especially challenging with several of our ranked dogs showing in more than one location this week. So read on, but be prepared to get confused, we did.

First we promised to catch you up on the number ten dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair. Carly spent the weekend in Pueblo CO attending the Southern Colorado KC two show event, the largest shows this weekend with 1,695 entries on Saturday and 1,624 on Sunday. Carly made it to the BIS ring both days, only to watch other dogs get the top prize. Saturday it was the Petit Bassett Griffon Vendeen, CH Afterglow Ebeneezer and Sunday it was the Welsh Terrier, CH Cambrian Four Star General.

Back in Fitchburg MA, number nine, the Harrier, CH Downhome Tradition, finished a four day weekend with a bang. After being left out of the awards on Thursday and Friday and receiving a Group 2 consolation prize on Saturday, Coda broke through to the final seven and walked away with the Souhegan KC top prize from Judge James Covey. Standing by to watch was number four, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. Charmin finished the week with two BIS and four Group bests.

CH Chebaco Blames It On Trabeiz

Number two, the Pointer, Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, started the weekend with Coda and Charmin, taking a BIS Thursday at the Cheshire KC show, but took her trophy and traveled to Grand Rapids MI where the number two all breed dog would go Group two behind the number two sporting dog in the country, the English Setter, CH Chebaco Blames It On Trabeiz. The setter went on to take the BIS at the Greater Muskegon KC. However, Holly rebounded Saturday and Sunday taking BIS at the Kalamazoo KC and Grand Rapids KC events.

As previously reported, number five, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug started the weekend on Thursday in Priceville AL with a BIS over number one, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee’s Pure Of Spirit and number six, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade. Forsaking his frequent flier status, Taser decided to spend the entire weekend in Alabama and was rewarded with three of four BIS. His lone loss came on Saturday to the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams.

CH Smash JP Moon Walk

Number one dog Spirit, wasn’t there to watch Taser gloat, opting for a weekend at the Maryland shore, where she took BIS Friday and Saturday, but was ambushed Sunday by the latest iteration of Poodle perfection, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, sure to be a top ten dog in 2009. The Brussels Griffon, Lincoln, decided to take one more shot at Taser on Friday, but again came up short. However, on his way home to Cameron MO he stopped in on the Ozarks KC double header and picked up a pair of Best In Show trophies to take home.

Our remaining three top ten dogs decided to spend two days in Paradise, or as close as it gets to Paradise here in the US, Northern California’s wine country. Number three, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn TriStar Affirmation, looking like she might be owned by a Chardonnay drinker, danced to two BIS. Number eight dog, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, was there to watch on Saturday, but Sunday finished Group two behind the Saluki, CH Jamora High Society SC. Number seven, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, never made it to the final ring, on Saturday or Sunday, losing both days to the Lakeland Terrier, CH Delzar Hi-Kel Terrydale Miss Madison.

This weekend started with two toy dogs and the two hounds just a few points apart. Now that we have found out where everyone was this week, we can start compiling points. Visit us tomorrow to see who’s moved up in the standings.

SHOW RESULTS AND CELEBRITY CHAT

I have noticed that a lot of top contenders are quick to cut their losses and move on to more promising surroundings. It is common for competitors to make multiple entries on a weekend and once the shows are closed cherry pick their shows based on the points, judges, and competition. For exmple, there were six top ten dogs entered at Saturday’s Framingham District KC show in Fitchburg MA, but only two competed. One dog that has stood his ground this weekend is the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition. After two days of being passed over in the Hound group, Coda finally was recognized by Judge Betty Anne Stenmark, getting a Hound Group 2 . Once again it was the Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, advancing to Judge Rick Gshwender’s BIS ring to watch the remaining ranked dog, the Sealhyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice, get yet another top prize.

Meanwhile the country’s number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee’s Pure Of Spirit, demonstrated how to pick a agreeable venue, taking her second BIS of the weekend at the Salisbury Maryland KC in, guess where, Salisbury MD, under Judge Donavon Thompson. Do not think that Spirit had a cake walk to the win. All but one of her six challengers were multiple BIS winners. including the country’s number one Irish Setter, CH Beaubriar Premiere Event, and number one Norfolk Terrier, CH Cause For Celebration.

Spirit was also entered in the Wine Country KC show in Napa CA, along with four other top ten dogs. Three of the four competed and two made it into Judge Gareth Morgan-Jones final seven, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, and the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation.

Actor/Philanthropist/Show Dog Owner, Bill Cosby

The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, finished second in the Terrier Group behind the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Warfox Double Exposure and Group winner Lakeland Terrier, CH Delzar Hi-Kel Terrydale Miss Madison, who is yet another collaboration by famous funny man, William H. Cosby Jr., PhD, and Jean L. Heath Capt USN (ret). Jean and Bill first met in the Navy, but began their doggy partnership in 1972 after Cosby had left the Navy and become a well known comic actor. (For an interview with Jean Heath go here) This pretty little bitch is bred by and co-owned with Tracy Szaras-Deloria and handled by Bill McFadden. But I digress, it was the Standard Poodle, Yes, who took home the big trophy on Saturday.

So far this weekend we have heard from nine of our top ten dogs. I am awaiting results from Pueblo CO on the tenth, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair. Check back tomorrow for news on Carly and all of Sunday’s shows.