QUEEN OF THE NIGHT & YEAR

It was not unexpected, but it was not predetermined or without challenge. The 2009 AKC/Eucanuba National Championship went to the undistuped number one dog in America, the Scottish Terrier, CH Rountwon Mercedes Of Maryscot.

CH Roundtwon Mercedes Of Maryscot

Giving Sadie and handler Gabriel Rangel fierce competition were the Irish Setter, CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed, the Grey Hound, CH Grandcru Clos Erasmus, the Boxer, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash Jp Moon Walk, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Simply Irrestible. Judge Robert J Moore was given a Herculean task to decide the Best In Show. We’ve been lucky enough to see all of these dogs prior to last night’s ultimate event. We have never seen any of them look better. We witnessed no missteps, no dropped ears or tails. It was a formidable display of magnificent dogs, superbly presented.

Four of the finalists had a days rest prior to the event, having competed for their Group wins the night before, the Irish Setter, Emily, the Grey Hound, Era, Toy Poodle, Walker, and the Standard Poodle, Jetta. However the remaining three had to battle through Groups with excellent specimens from almost every registered breed represented.

CH Sylvan Simply Irrestible

The Herding breeds were the first in the Long Beach Convention Center Arena. Dr Lee Anthony Reasin chose the Rough Collie, Sax, a clear crowd favorite and placed the Shetland Sheepdog, CH PaRay Cirque Du Soleil, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog, CH Sasquehanna Malinnik Ponadto, and our DOG2WATCH, the puppy Briard prodigy, Eastbay déjà vu Enjoy The Ride, second, third, & fourth, respectively. Sax is testament to team work, with more co-owners than space allowed in the catalog. Sax was bred by Cindi Bossart, Connie Dubois (who also are owners) & James Efron. Additional owners are Nancy Comparato, Debbie Green, Jennifer Mosing, Dr. Stacy Smith and Leah Warner. Sax was flawlessly handled by Brian Livingston.

The Terrier Group was judged by Jane Forsyth, who’s own professional handling career was surely inspiring, and maybe a little intimidating, to last night’s exhibitors. In addition to Sadie, her second, third, & fourth place were the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Sly Fox Sneaks A Peek, the Airedale Terrier, CH Sterling’s Cool Hand Luke, and the Norwich Terrier, CH Skyscots Poker Chip.

CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy

While the evening’s festivities and special events (more on those in another post) were skillfully orchestrated, it must have seemed like an excruciatingly long wait for the Working Group competitors. Nonetheless, Group judge Keke Kahn was as fresh and commanding as ever and capped the Best In Show preliminaries with the Boxer, Bosco, followed by the imposing Tibetan Mastiff, CH Seng Khri Bartok Of Dawa, the Akita, CH Mojo’s Rock’N Your World, and the Newfoundland, CH Oceano’s Reflection On Sundust. Bosco has been on a tear lately, racking up Groups & BIS working up to last noight’s performance. Bosco was bred by Lynn Jansson, is owned lynn, Charles Vose, & Wendy Bettis, who wowed both the crowd with walking Bosco into a picture perfect stack.

Without a doubt, the evening belonged to dogdom’s queen, the Scottie, Sadie. Few have dominated the scene like she and handler Gabriel Rangel. Together they have defeated nearly 120,000 dogs this year and have accumulated more than 50,000 points more than any other dog. Sadie was bred by Mary O’Neal & Anstamm Kennels and is owned by Amelia Musser. Our congratulations to Team Sadie and our thanks for giving us a year to remember.

This was our first AKC/EUKANUBA National Championship. Last year we stayed home and followed all the fun on line, with updates from readers throughout the weekend. While that allowed us some flexibilities in technology, not present on site, there is simply no substitue for being there. We give our heartfelt thank yous to all the AKC and Eukanuba staff that did everything they could possibly do to make our job easier. A special thnks to Eukanuba Representive, Emily Thomas, for going the extra mile. We’ll see you all next year.

(All photos Courtesy of the American Kennel Club)