WHO'S NUMBER ONE?

We have one show to report on tonight. The results from the Eastern Dog Club show in Boston MA are in. Once again three of our top ten dogs showed up to compete, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. The Harrier, failed to make it to Peter Green’s BIS ring, falling to the country’s number five hound, Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche.

CH Rokeena Carte Blanche

Peter Green is arguably the greatest terrier man alive, but today he gave the Best In Show to the Pointer, Holly, over the Sealie, Charmin. This makes the Pointer three for three this weekend and puts her within striking distance of the number one position. Unless, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, answers today with a Best In Show of her own, Holly will take over the number one ranking if only for a day. Anyone out there have the results from today’s show in Costa Mesa?

AND THIS JUST IN FROM THE WEST COAST

One of our readers sends us in this late report from the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association Of Orange County show in Costa Mesa CA. The Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, took a hound group three, while the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, joined the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot in the final seven. Surprisingly (at least to the Giant) the Scottie took home the big rosette. That's six BIS for Sadie in the last month. She isn’t shown with the same intensity as some of the other top dogs, but never count this Scottie out. We can expect some real fireworks from these California shows. By the way, have I mentioned I own a Scottie?

KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERS COMING

From one of our readers taking advantage of the sun and fun on the Gulf, comes the report of a major upset at the Slidell Dog Fanciers Association Show in Bilox MS. The sixteen month old Chinese Shar Pei bitch, CH Elite’s By Design, went BIS over the previous day’s winner, the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino. Congratulations to breeder/owner/handler Sandy Woodall and her co breeder/owner Jerry Doka. Having even a worse day was the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, who failed to place in the Toy Group. Thanks again to all of you who help us get the news out to our readers. Anyone have results from Costa Mesa show? ;-)

CH Smash JP Moon Walk, "Walker"

Up at the Ladies Dog Club in Boston MA, where tradition in revered and social position matters, things went more to script. All three ranked dogs made it to Judge Cindy Vogels, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. Joining them was the white hot Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk. “Walker” was responsible for a bit of an upset, defeating the country’s number 11 dog, the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, but then again, we expect Walker to be one of our 2009 dogs to watch. Once again, it was the Pointer, Holly, receiving the BIS win. Holly is steadily closing the gap between her and number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, making the showdown at the Eukanuba National Championship even more dramatic.

EARLY WEEKEND RESULTS

The first of the weekend’s results are in from the Middlesex Kennel Club show up in Boston MA. We have been concentrating on the nation’s top ten dogs, but as we often have stated there are always good dogs at an AKC event. This show drew three top ten dogs and an additional two from the top twenty. Not all made it to Judge Charles Foley’s Best In Show ring. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition was the most notable victim of the day’s extreme competition, failing to place in the Hound Group.

CH Dramatic Story Of Sherry Shoot Jp

The remaining four all gathered for the final festivities, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Boxer, CH Dramatic Story Of Sherry Shoot Jp, the SealyhamTerrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, and the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu. The Pointer walked away with the best silver and 834 points to get just a little closer to the number one ranking.

CH Woodside Pacino

Finally, we have this just in from a reader, two of our top ten dogs were at the Northlake Kennel Club Of Greater Covington in Biloxi MS today. the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, and the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug were duking it out in the Toy Group. Taser’s been on a streak lately, but today was Lincoln’s day, as he took the top Toy award. However,it was the country’s number 20 dog, the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino, who went Best In Show. “Tony”, who is handled by Shepherd legend James Moses, is one of our picks for dogs to watch in 2009. Thanks to all you readers who help us keep up to the minute.

THE WEEKEND BEGINS

I admit to having a fascination with the state of California (who doesn’t), but I have to admit I went to more shows when I lived on the east coast. After all, it’s 800 miles from one end of California to the other, the same distance between New York NY and Savannah GA. So now the price of gas is lower, you can afford to drive a little further to a dog show.

Boston's Paul Revere Monument and the Old North Church

The Bay Colony Cluster is an impressive group of shows in Boston MA starting tomorrow with the Middlesex County Kennel Club and culminating Sunday with the Eastern Dog Club. These four shows will have entries ranging up to 1600 dogs and should draw some of the country’s top dogs. If you fancy gumbo and gambling, come on down to our Redneck Riviera where the Gulf States Holiday Classic will host four shows in Biloxi MS starting tomorrow. The entries will be larger than last year and the locals will be friendly as ever. Visit Winston-Salem NC for the Christmas Classic cluster, a trifecta hosted by Greater Hickory and Forsyth Kennel Clubs and drawing as many as 1600 dogs, starting Friday.

Miami's South Beach

There are traditional weekend events in both northern Florida and Southern Florida, Lake City (due east of Jacksonville) and Miami, to be specific. Lake City will draw entries of about 1300 and Miami has South Beach. St Cloud MN and Belleville IL will also draw over 1000 dogs for Saturday/Sunday events. Two shows in Ridgefield WA, just north of Portland OR, will draw entries of 1600 to 1700. Out in middle America you will find smaller entries and warmer weather in Amarillo TX and Fayettevill AR. Finally we have a one day show in Gettysburg PA. Must be a special show for football fans and Civil War enthusiasts. Whatever excuse you need, get out to your local show this weekend and see the endangered species we keep in our homes before they disappear.

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

My Momma says. “Nothing great was every done by a moderate.” If you’ve ever spent any time in California, you know that most of its natives practice that philosophy. When I lived in New York, I subscribed to the Woody Allen observation that the only cultural advantage to living in California was being able to turn right on a red light. However, after living in California for 21 years, I now believe that Neil Simon had it right when he penned, “New York isn’t Mecca. It only smells like it.”

Angelyne, Sunset Strip Billboard Perennial

So from the land that of excess that gave us Paris Hilton and five Rocky movies, comes the ultimate dog show gluttony, nine days of all breed shows starting on Friday, 5 December, culminating in the Best In Show at the Eukanuba National Championship on 14 December. That’s right, dog lovers, nine out of ten days of every purebred dog in the AKC registry, nine days of celebrity watching in and out of the ring, nine days of shopping at the ultimate doggie boutiques, nine days to abuse the silly PETA people that dare show up.

Rodeo Drive

All of this will take place in just two locations only 19 miles apart. The first four days will be at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa with shows sponsored by the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association Of Orange County and the Malibu Kennel Club. Then the action heads up the Pacific Coast Highway to the Long Beach Convention Center, for three shows sponsored by three kennel clubs, Beverly Hills, Los Encinos, and Long Beach. It all wraps up with the Eukanuba National Championship, by invitation show, which brings dogs in from all over the world for conformation, obedience, and agility. While I am among the traditionalists that believe that Westminster is really our National Championship, the Eukanuba show has captured the public’s imagination and is an extravaganza worthy of it’s host state.

RETURN TO YUMA

Four of the nation’s top ten dogs made it to the weekend’s last event, the Imperial Valley Kennel Club show in Yuma, AZ. The Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, finished second in the Hound Group behind the country’s number one Ibzan Hound, CH Harehill's Love On The Run. “Zipper” has been the top Ibzan for the last three years, ably handled by Linda Mattson. She is owned by Glen Brand & Wendy Anderson and was bred by Glen, Wendy, and L. D. Lucas & C. T. Woods.

CH Harehill's Love On The Run

The three remaining, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry’s Vanity Fair, all gathered in Judge Faye Strauss’ BIS ring. Taser had started the weekend in Yuma on Friday with a win over Spirit and had just returned from Michigan where he had collected another Best In Show. On this day, however, this canine version of the Energizer Bunny would fall to the Giant. Spirit’s win puts her securely in the number one spot, 2500 points ahead of the number two dog, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry.

There is still a slim chance that Holly could overtake Spirit before the end of the year. A dramatic showdown at the Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach CA on 13 & 14 December is anticipated. The show will be televised on the Animal Planet. Check your local listings for times and join us here for a live play by play, where all can comment and get in on the fun.

DON'T FOOL WITH MOTHER NATURE

It’s Monday morning and there is lots of news to report. First the bad news…Mother Nature has intervened in Savannah GA causing the cancellation of Sunday’s and today’s Beaufort Kennel Club shows in Savannah GA. The rain flooded the show grounds leaving the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, high and dry with no points for the two days. We extend our condolences to the club and all the disappointed competitors.

Go Here for Savannah Dog Show Photos

Up in New England the weather was kinder to the Worcester Kennel Club, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, and the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition. The Harrier, Coda, won a Group One and Judge Michael Faulkner gave the Pointer, Holly, a BIS. It’s snowing in East Lansing MI, but it was warm and toasty inside the show hall for the country’s number 19 dog, the English Setter, CH Chebaco Blames It On Trabeiz, who went Best In Show under Judge Robert Vandiver over the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, at the Ingham County Kennel Club event.

CH Chebaco Blames It On Trabeiz

Out in Yuma AZ it was warm and sunny at the Imperial Valley Kennel Club show, though two of our top dogs got the cold shoulder from judges. Both the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, and the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija failed to get a group placement. However, the country‘s number ten dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry‘s Vanity Fair, collected a Group One win and a spot in Judge Lee Anthony Reasin’s final seven. Joining Carly in the final was the country’s number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, who romped to another Best In Show.

Conspicuously absent from the weekend’s festivities were the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, allowing the Affenpinscher, Taser, to move into the number three spot, with almost as many points as frequent flier miles. Thanks goes out to all of you who have been sending in reports from the shows. It helps us be the first to give you all the dog show news.

SUNDAY AT THE AKC

Thanks to an anonymous tipster, we have been notified that some poor little AKC computer nerd spent his/her Sunday morning uploading dog show results and here they are!

First, we play catchup. On Friday, four of our top ten gathered in Yuma AZ for the first day of a four day weekend, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, her kennel mate, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, and the Affenpischer, CH Tamarin Tug. All four won their respective groups, giving Judge Susan St. John Brown one of the toughest finals this year. When it was all over, it was the Affenpinscher posing for the photographer. No sooner was he done than he was off to the airport for the flight to East Lansing MI where there more points and less competition. Those left behind had another go at it on Saturday, but only two made it to the final seven. The Deerhound, Ouija, finished third in the Hound Group, failing to make it to Judge Zell Von Pohlman’s ring. Judge Pohlman also went for a toy dog, the Pomeranian, CH CR Tuff Guy of Isabella. “Macho“, a multiple BIS winner, was bred by Robert & Celeste Solano and Lori Drew, is co owned by the Solanos, R & M Smith and P&B Pongsak and handled by Curtiss G Smith.

CH CR Tuff Guy of Isabella

The Affenpinscher, Taser, made it to East Lansing Saturday and the final ring of the Ingham County Kennel Club show and Judge Gareth Morgan-Jones liked him well enough to give him the big rosette and the 1907 points that went with the BIS. Up in New England two of our top ten are in Fitchburg MA at the Worcester Kennel Club show, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, and the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition. The Pointer, Holly, made it through the Sporting Group Saturday to take part in Judge Richard William Powell’s BIS ring, but the Harrier, Coda, finished second in the Hound Group behind the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorian Gray JC, and Holly made the most of it, adding yet another top prize to her resume.

We are stilling waiting to hear from our last three ranked dogs, the Standard Poodle, the Brussels Griffon, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. If anyone has seen them, let us all know.