JUST IN FROM VIRGINIA

CH Downhome Family Tradition

We have partial result in from Fredericksburg VA. The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, has made it three it a row winning BIS the first day of the Northern Neck Kennel Club Of Virginia show. Also on hand in Judge Christina Hubbell’s final seven was the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition. We hope to have more results soon.

EARLY WEEKEND

It’s only Wednesday and the dog show weekend has already begun. This weekend we have shows in seven locations. Today begins the “ Celebrate Virginia” cluster in Fredericksburg VA, with five all breed shows hosted by the Northern Neck Kennel Club Of Virginia, the Greater Fredericksburg Kennel Club, and the Chesapeake Kennel Club Of Maryland. Entries in the regular classes are 606, 677, 865, 1127, and 1061.

There is another five day cluster, The Florida Classic I, beginning tomorrow in Brooksville FL, sponsored by the Manatee, Clearwater, Inverness Florida, Tampa Bay, and Pasco Florida Kennel Clubs. Entries are larger with 1531, 1729, 2139, 2134, and 1535 dogs entered. Friday we have a four day no silly name cluster in Fitchburg MA, courtesy of the Greater Lowell and Merrimack Kennel Clubs. Entries of 721, 1256, 1231, and 505 have been logged.

Also starting Friday are three day clusters starting in upstate New York, and Washington State. The Kennel Club of Buffalo and the Ashtabula Kennel Club are presenting the Nickel City Cluster in Hamburg NY and are expecting entries around 700 on Friday and 900 on Saturday and Sunday. Out in Puyallup WA the entries will be much larger, around 1600 on Friday and in the 2000 range on the weekend.

Rounding out the weekend are traditional weekend offerings in Wisconsin and Mississippi. The Winnegamie Dog Club and the Oshkosh Kennel Club will field entries of around 900 in Oshkosh WI and the Golden Triangle Kennel Club Of Mississippi will have a friendly get together In Starkville MS with entries of 466 and 460.

We hope to have results from Virginia later tonight. Among the favorites entered are the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, and the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moonwalker. Will one or more of these dogs end up on our top ten?

TWO TOP TEN TALLIES

We have the counts in from the weekend and we have our first traditional top ten list for you on the left side bar. This list is based on the more generally accepted scoring method of number of dogs defeated. As you can see the first three placings are the same on both lists.

However, we depart from the traditional scoring methods on the fourth position. Our list, puts the Pointer, CH CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry in the number four spot by virtue of her two back to back BIS in Pendleton SC this weekend. However, the traditional list has the English Setter, CH Chebaco Blame It On Trabeiz, in as number four on the strength of one BIS and one Group One at the larger St. Paul MN shows. The sixth spot on both lists goes to the Lakeland Terrier, CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Soldier of Fortune based on a Group One and BIS at the 1500 plus dog events in St, Paul.

At the number seven position is where we really distinguish ourselves. We have the Smooth Fox Terrier in at number seven based on a BIS, two Group One wins, and a Group Two at the Deland FL shows. By contrast, the traditional list number seven dog, the Samoyed, CH White Eagle's Celestial Sky finished the weekend with one BIS, one Group Two, and one Group Four. We have the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams, in at number eight with a BIS, and three group placements in Florida, while the traditional number eight goes to the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Quiche's Demetrius, for a BIS and two group wins at the slightly larger Ohio shows. However, the traditional list has their positions reversed.

The traditional number ten, the Alaskan Malamute, CH Nanuke's Still The One, comes into the top ten based on a single BIS win on Sunday, although she failed to place in the Group on Friday and was defeated in the breed on Saturday. Our list has the Sammie at number ten, three spots lower than the traditional list.

While we expect our top dogs to make both lists, we suspect that we will see more variation on the lists in future weeks. And you can only see it here.

PETA TO USA NETWORK "DON'T AIR WESTMINSTER"

Just this morning I was talking with AKC about the broadcast of the Eukanuba National Championship. Now I get this heads up from Robin over at The Endangered Owner. PETA is lobbying USA network to follow the BBC lead and dump the Westminster Broadcast.

After I ran around the house, shrieking like a mad man, swearing a blue streak, and foaming at the mouth, I asked myself what is the most effective way to deal with this. And then I thought of you all. Please, please go to the LA Times and read what people are saying. You will be stunned to see how many people think that this a good idea. The more dog people that add their comments to the LA Times site, the better. We must let everyone who reads this dribble know that the PETA supporters are the minority.

After you have explained to the LA Times readers how PETA simply wants to do away with pets in general, especially the purebred dog, go to the USA website and tell them how much you would miss the Westminster broadcast because you and everyone you know has watched it year after year after year. Then go back and hug your dog and reassure him/her that you will do everything you can to make sure the bad PETA people never take them away.

And you thought this only happened in Europe. Wake up, people!

EUKANUBA HOUSE KEEPING

We had a couple of unresolved questions from our coverage of last month's Eukanuba National Championship. Relative to the national rankings was the rumor that the show was not included in the point count. We've confirmed with the AKC that the show DOES count in tabulating the national standings. Another rumor is that prior year winner is prohibited from entering. While there is no formal prohibition, it has been customary for the prior year winner to take a role in promotions and recuse themselves from competition.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry
2008 Winner Eukanuba National Championship
(Photo Courtesy of AKC)

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the AKC, the 2009 show will depart from the invitational format and offer classes at the breed level, with championship points awarded. You can see the judging panel here. The AKC is also encouraging National Breed Clubs to support specialty entries. You can see a list here of parent clubs that have already committed. Has your breed club signed up? Why not?

We're hoping to be blogging live at the 2009 show. Come join the fun! Now can we get a live TV broadcast?

FIRST TOP TEN RANKINGS OF 2009

Because we are dedicated to giving you the most timely rankings available anywhere in the dog world, we present the inaugural 2009 Dog Show Poop Top Ten on the side bar on the right of this page. If you didn’t see our posts on how our rankings are computed you can read about it here. We will be publishing a traditional top ten as well, but are at the mercy of others for those numbers. However, we expect to have that for you in a few days.

You will notice that we have no image for the Samoyed, CH White Eagle's Celestial Sky, which is kind of unusual for dog that has been this active. If any of you know the breeders/owners/handlers, please tell them to send us a photo. We have readers from all over the globe that want to see who this dog is!

Because we haven’t had a sufficient number of shows in all of our regions to have a meaningful top ten, we are delaying the premiere of the regional rankings. We hope to bring those to you in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, these rankings will result in more dogs receiving recognition because every AKC show has some beautiful animals to see.

PUPPY POWER

Back on Saturday morning, we told you about a spectacular 21 month old Smooth Fox Terrier, Ch J'cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, who has been going head to head in Florida with last year’s top Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo at Goodspice. Now that we have in today’s results from the Jacksonville Dog Fanciers Association we return to this precocious youngster.

Ch J'cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice

“Dodger”, showing no respect for his elders, has sparred four times this weekend with one of the best Terriers ever and taken the Group three times. Today he emphasized his 2009 intentions by going Best In Show under Judge Shona Prebble. The final seven included the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible, who had gone BIS twice this weekend already.

Dodger is bred by William Dalling & Stacy Turner, and is owned by Dalling, Phil & Amy Booth and H. & S. Hoffen, and owner handled by Amy. Congratulations to the Dodger team. We will be watching this one.

ST PAUL RESULTS

Proving there are things to do in Minnesota other than count senate votes or ice fish, we have this weekend’s show report from the Land O’Lakes Kennel Club in St. Paul MN. With nearly 2000 entries, these shows draw some of the country’s top dogs despite the cold weather. On Saturday Judge Keke Kahn tapped the English Setter, CH Chebaco Blame It On Trabeiz, the 2008 Eukanuba Bred By Exhibitor BIS, as her top dog. In an interesting sideshow, Hound Group Judge Carol Spritzer included all three varieties of Dachshunds in her placements. The Smooth Dachshund, CH Pawprint Add-Sim’s Kristal Ms, took first; the Wirehaired Dachshund, Chrosethorn Unique Answer, took second; and the Longhaired Dachshund, CH Homar’s Solo Aviator SL, took fourth. You can visit Judge Spritzer’s website at www.doxie.com.

CH Chebaco Blame It On Trabeiz

On day two, Judge Judith Goodin, gave the nod to the Lakeland Terrier, CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Soldier of Fortune. The 2008 number three Terrier was bred by Maripi Wooldridge, D. Hull & K. McIndoe, is owned by Carol & Beth Dowd, Cecelia Ruggle & Terrydale Kennels. Once again Dachshunds had a field day with CH Pawprint Add-Sim’s Kristal Ms taking her second Hound Group of the weekend and the Longhaired Dachshund, CH Insight’s On The Verge, third. The judge? That would be Dr. Ronald Spritzer.

CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Soldier of Fortune

We still have one more show this weekend, today’s Jacksonville Dog Fanciers' Association in Deland FL. Check back here for those results and our first top ten of 2009!

MORE WEEKEND RESULTS

There were shows outside California in the US this weekend. As we reported last night, the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty's Treasure Island, won both BIS held in Glen Rose TX by the Nolan River Kennel Club. Also deep in the heart of Texas was the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, who won the Toy Group on Sunday.

CH Nanuke's Still The One

We’ve already reported on Friday’s and Saturday’s shows in Talmadge OH and now we have Sunday’s complete results from day two of the Rubber City Kennel Club show. It’s cold in Talmadge and it perfectly suited the Alaskan Malamute, CH Nanuke's Still The One, as she ran away with the Best In Show. Also presenting themselves to Judge Kim Ramey-LeBlanc for consideration were the Golden Retriever, CH Confetti Spin Cycle, the Afghan Hound, CH Karakush Dot Com Dot A U, the Colored Bull Terrier, CH Paradox Muse-lc To My Ears, the Miniature Pinscher, CH Altanero Barnstormer, the Standard Poodle, CH Hillwood Dassin De-Lovely, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino.

We are still awaiting results from the Land O’Lakes Kennel Club events. We know it’s winter in the Twin Cities, but dogs don’t hibernate. Fire up the snow blower and get those reports turned in!

PALM SPRINGS WRAP UP

We had an exciting first weekend this new year with a few familiar faces and a few new ones. We will start with the show that is likely to be the biggest this year, the Palm Springs Kennel Club in Indio CA, which had entries of 3376 and 3246 on Saturday and Sunday. As we reported here earlier, the Giant Schnuazer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, has grabbed the early lead in the national rankings with back to back BIS there. However, there were other 2008 holdovers in Indio this weekend.

CH Starline’s Chanel

Also getting back to back Group One honors was the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry’s Vanity Fair, who went BIS there last year. The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug was also competing, taking a Group First on Saturday, but failing to make it out of the breed on Sunday. The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, made an appearance with a Group Two on Sunday.

CH Birnam Wood’s Hoot Gibson

If you’ve been keeping track, consecutive group wins were posted by the Giant Schnauzer, the Welsh Terrier, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Additionally, the Whippet, CH Starline’s Chanel, and the Golden Retriever, CH Birnam Wood’s Hoot Gibson, both scored two Group Bests. Other Group winners were the Dalmation, CH Xanadu’s Angel Sabrina, and the aforementioned Affenpinscher on Saturday and the Papillion, Arkeno’s Ear’s To You, and the Bichon Frise, CH Paray’s Rime Time on Sunday.

MORE DOUBLE DUTY

CH Toasty's Treasure Island

We have another double duty dog to report, the 2008 top Golden Retriever, CH Toasty's Treasure Island, has put together back to back BIS Saturday and Sunday at the Nolan River Kennel Club shows in Glen Rose TX. Congratulations to “Treasure” and breeders/owners Pamela & Jerome Oxenberg.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

The good news is more and more people are reading and enjoying this blog. The bad news is that as the newcomers read our older posts, our corrections are becoming less and less timely.

One reader points out that we erroneously reported on 8 December that the Welsh Springer Spaniel, CH Royailes Hasta B A Cut Above, was the BIS winner at the 7 December Greater Clark County Kennel Club in Ridgefield WA. The actual winner was the Afghan Hound, CH Polo’s The Aviator. Our apologies to “Ace” and breeder/owner/handler Lorianne Amadeo.

CH Polo’s The Aviator

Not many of you have read our inaugural post, but we will reiterate that our first AKC show was here in Memphis some 40 years ago. The winner of that show was a spectacular Afghan Hound handled by the very striking Michelle Billings. We're not sure who impressed us more, dog or handler, but we do know we’ve been addicted to dog shows ever since. Anyway, thanks to the reader who brought our error to our attention and gave us a chance to find this photo of Ace and remember our first dog show.

TWOFER SALE

Wait, we just finished football season, I’m just gearing up for basketball, and suddenly, we have a truck load of double headers. First, I get a note that the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, has won her second BIS in Pendleton SC. Then I get an e-mail that the Welsh Terrier, CH Sanherpinc Paisa, has won her second Palm Springs Kennel Club Terrier Group this weekend. Minutes later we hear that Diane Steel has piloted the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible, to another BIS in Deland Fl, this one today at the Jacksonville Dog Fanciers' Association show. Finally, we get a message that the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, has gone two for two and won both of the Palm Springs shows, likely the two largest shows in the US this year. Well, I guess we know who three of our top ten dogs will be when we total all this weekend’s points.

FAMILY REUNION

CH Pramada's Naughty Natalie

Terri Erickson is home whelping puppies, but she still managed to get this to us. The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, was defeated in the breed today at the second show of the Palm Spring Kennel Club. The culprit was CH Pramada's Naughty Natalie, who had finished Best of Opposite Sex to Taser at last year’s Westminster. She is a joint venture of Taser’s breeder, Jackie Stacy and Pamela & David Peat, owned by Dean Gehnert & Lucy Bitz, and handled by Shea Skinner. Now that’s keeping it in the family.

CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible

An anonymous reader has alerted us to two more BIS winners. The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, has made it two in a row at the Clemson Kennel Club, winning another Best in Pendleton SC today. Also getting a BIS, at yesterday's Greater Daytona Dog Fanciers Association event in Deland FL, was the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible. “Sax” is bred by Dr Cindi Bossart, James Efron & Connie Dubois and is owned by Dr. Cindi Bossart, Connie DuBois, Nancy Comparato, Debbie Green, Dr. Stacy Smith and Leah Warner. We know handler Diane Steele has Sax on weekends. Wonder who gets her holidays and summer vacation? Well, Hillary says it takes a village and we congratulate them all.

PARTIAL PALM SPRINGS RESULTS

CH Sanherpinc Paisa

We have this in from Larisa. Our 2008 number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, won yesterday’s giant Palm Springs Kennel Club show. Larisa also reports that the Welsh Terrier, CH Sanherpinc Paisa, won the Terrier Group. You may recall that back on 11 December 2008, we designated Paisa a dog to watch in 2009. She is bred by Santiango Pinto, owned by Bruce Schwartz and Larisa Hotchin, and handled by Wood Wornall. Congratulations to Paisa's team on a very auspicious start to the 2009 campaign. Our thanks to Larisa for the report.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

There are plenty of new faces this weekend, but do not think that our old friends are all ready to retire just yet. The Pointer, Ch. Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, has returned to her east coast haunts with a BIS from Judge Dr. Alvin Krause at the Clemson Kennel Club event in Pendleton SC. Holly was joined by the Basenji, CH Klassics Ms Mata Hauri, the Akita, Cside Simply Irrestible, the West Highland White Terrier, Cunning Hams Ms. Whitley, the Pug, CH Atlantis Denim N Diamonds, the Standard Poodle, CH Anastasia Da Maya, and the Briard, CH Senderos Absolutely Irresistible. Both the Basenji and the Standard Poodle finished in the top ten of their individual groups in 2008.

CH Klassics Ms Mata Hauri

Up in Talmadge OH, there are plenty of 2008 holdovers vying to improve their finish this year. Last year’s number 11 dog, the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu made it to Judge Carl Liepmann final seven at the Rubber City Kennel Club show. The 2008 number 13 and number 20 dogs, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Cambria's Victoria Secret, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino, took home Group Two awards from their respective groups.

However, The Samoyed, CH White Eagle's Celestial Sky, was the one taking home the heavy silverware. The smiling Sammie, bred by Dr Terry Litton & Mary & Jim Augustus, is co-owned by the breeders with S. Klar & C. Montgomery, and handled by Mary Norton-Augustus. The Samoyed and Pug, were joined by Friday’s winner, the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Quiche's Demetrius, the Standard Poodle, CH Hillwood Dassin De Lovely, the Irish Terrier, CH Breezy's X Tra Top Priorty, the Afghan Hound, CH Karakush Dot Com Dot A U, and the Fla- Coated Retriever, CH Peterfield Famous Amos.

CH Karakush Dot Com Dot A U

We are still awaiting results from yesterday’s huge Palm Springs Kennel Club. We have heard that 2008 top ten finishers, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, are among those hoping to get a jump on the 2009 national rankings. Check back here for updates through out the day.

MORE NEW YEAR RESULTS

We now have results from that hard working computer nerd who comes in on Saturdays at the AKC. Judge Polly Smith awarded the four year old Bouvier des Flandres dog, CH Quiche's Demetrius, his first BIS in 2009 at the Columbiana County Kennel Club show in Talmadge OH. Demetrius, bred by sisters Louise & Elaine Paquette, is owned by Elaine Pacquette and Sondra & David Riser, and handled by Elaine. Demetrius’s memorable 2008 wins included three BIS and a Herding Group Two at Westminster.

CH Quiche's Demetrius

Also included in Judge Smith’s final were the Black Cocker Spaniel, Ch Beechwood's Expressing It Best, the Whippet, Ch Tattershall Ticket To Fly, the Giant Schnauzer, Ch Skansen's Sir August Brigs, the Colored Bull Terrier, Ch Paradox Muse-lc To My Ears, the Shih Tzu, Ch Hallmark Jolei Surfer Girl, and the Standard Poodle, Ch Hillwood Dassin De Lovely. The Standard Poodle, the latest effort of the Four Horseman of the A-Poodle-Lypse, Elaine Charles, Karen LeFrak, Wendell Sammet and Joseph Vergnetti, had eight BIS last year. The Shih Tzu, the 2008 Best Shih Tzu, is bred/owned/handled by the 2008 AKC Toy Breeders of the Year Luke and Diane Ehricht.

However much we like to believe that past is prologue, we know that every week in dogdom brings us some surprises and you will read about them here first.

FIRST BIS OF THE NEW YEAR

Out with the old. In with the new. The first all breed Best In Show of 2009 was recorded yesterday by the five year old Puli dog, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams, with Judge Robert Forsyth making the call at the Greater Daytona Dog Fanciers Association in Deland FL. “Conrad” was bred by the quartet of P Turner & A Quigley & A & S Lawrence, is owned by Susan Huebner & Jackie Beaudoin, and handled by Linda Pitts. The dog with the dreds finished 2008 as the 16th highest scoring AKC dog in conformation.

CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams

Joining the Puli in yesterday’s final seven were the ASCOB Cocker Spaniel, CH Lydgate Rise N Shine, Petis Basset Griffon Vendeen dog, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the Rottweiler, CH Loral's Number One Caesar, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J'cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pomeranian, Starfire's Kiss Me Big, and the Bulldog, CH Emerald Red Baron. The Smooth Fox, who is juat 21 months old, left last year's top Terrier, the Sealyham, CH Efbe's Hidalgo at Goodspice, back in the group with a second place rosette. He caused quite a stir when he went Best of Winners at Montgomery County back in October and already has one BIS to his credit. Will he be one of our new top ten? Stay tuned.

MEA CULPA

Those of you who have read these pages for a while know that I like old movies, good food, and a quick correction. To that end I present some updated numbers with a quote from Susan Hayward in the 1961 film, “Ada”. Hayward as the governor's First Lady, who after being snubbed by the snobby wives Of  state's upper crust ploiticians, tells a reluctant gathering of them, “I heard about the most wonderful diet. All you eat is crow.”


So it is with a mouth full of feathers I report that the latest AKC report shows that as of 26 December, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, has finished 2008 as the Fourth Highest Scoring Dog in AKC Conformation, a scant 415 points ahead of the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade. You may recall that I had reported that the Griffon, Lincoln, had finished fourth, a hand full of points ahead of the Standard Poodle, Yes. My apologies to the breeders/owners/handlers of Yes and Lincoln and to the Dog Show Poop readers.

Anyone care for a slice of four & twenty blackbird pie?

MINE'S BIGGER THAN YOURS

CH Coventry Vanity Fair
Winner 2008 Palm Springs KC

Abby asks, "What are the biggest dog shows in the country?" Well, there's big and then there's BIG. By sheer numbers of entries, this coming weekend's shows in Indio CA hosted by the Palm Springs Kennel Club are the largest with over 3000 in the regular classes on Saturday and Sunday. Those numbers are substantially down from 2008 when there were over 4000 entries.

CH Cilleine Masquerade
Winner 2008 Evansville KC

The second largest shows are the ones in Louisville KY in mid March. This year the Saturday event sponsored by the Evansville KC, the largest of a four day cluster that starts on a Thursday, drew almost 3700 entries. Next comes the Saturday event the third weekend of January in Portland OR put on by the Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon which attracted over 3400 entries, the largest show in a five day weekend that spans Thursday to Monday.

CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot
Winner 2008 DFA of Oregon

These three weekends account for eight of the ten largest shows in the US. The AKC does have a list of every show, all breed and /limited breeds/specialties, with numbers from 2007 and 2006.

CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice
Winner 2008 Montgomery County KC

However, the BIG shows, the most prestigious AKC shows, are the Eukanuba National Championship and the Granddaddy of all dog shows, Westminster. Even a breed winner at Westminster has bragging rights for life. Following closely behind is the all Terrier event, the Montgomery County Kennel Club show. Some Terrier breeders (Not this one) would rather win a Montgomery County than a Westminster.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit
AKC 2008 Highest Scoring Dog in Conformation

I also want to put in a pitch for the Eukanuba warm up events in Long Beach. The three shows hosted by the Beverly Hills, Los Encinos, and Long Beach kennel clubs prior to the big event provided us the biggest thrills of 2008. The final at the Friday Long Beach show was my favorite of the year. It was the first time in my memory that we got to see the number one ranked dog from six of the seven groups all in the same final. That show was won by the 2008 highest scoring dog in conformation, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. It may not have been a really big show, but it was damn near perfect.

FAREWELL TO OUR 2008 TOP TEN

While we entered the year late, we have become very fond of our 2008 top ten dogs. So here is our farewell top ten countdown.

photo courtesy AKC

Number 10. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry’s Vanity Fair, “Carly”, bred by Steven Leverly, Lisa Weiss-Nolechek, Bill Shelton, & Becky Williams DVM, owned by Kevin Foist, Kerry Kirtley, Deborah Salow, & Bill Shelton, and handled by Bill Shelton. Carly, this year’s Number One Herding Dog, started off 2008 with the biggest of bangs winning the over 4,000 dog Palm Spring Kennel Club show on 5 January.

photo courtesy AKC

Number 9. The Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, “Ouija”, bred by Ray & Janna Brinlee, owned by the Brinlees & Steven & Eileen Biles, and handled by Bill McFadden. Ouija won the first of her 16 BIS in 2008 at the prestigious Golden Gate Kennel Club show, one of the few benched shows left in the US, on 27 January. Ouija and Bill McFadden also provided us with one of our favorite photos of the year taken at this year’s Eukanuba National Championship.


Number 8. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, “Coda”, bred by Jeff & Barbara Fox, Linda Johnston, & Susan Lowder, owned by Susan and Dr. and Mrs. William Truesdale, and handled by Kim Pastella Calvacca. Coda, 2008’s top Hound, was our rare breed poster child this year. Everywhere he went, people would say, “That’s a Harrier?” and we would answer, “Yes, the best one anybody has ever seen.” We feel very lucky we lived to see him.


Number 7. The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, “Sadie” bred by Mary O'Neal & Anstamm Kennels, owned by Amelia Musser, and handled by Gabriel Rangel. Sadie is another great Scottie from Miriam “Buffy” Stamm, the AKC 2008 Terrier Breeder of the Year. As Scottie owners we are always excited to see one of our own at the top and Sadie is one of the best we’ve seen. She was not campaigned as aggressively as some of our other top ten dogs, staying close to home most weekends, but she still managed to win 24 Best In Shows.


Number 6. The Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, “Charmin” bred by Frances Bergeron, owned by Margery & Richard Good & Sandra Middlebrooks, and handled by Margery Good. Charmin, the 2007 Eukanuba National Championship winner, has been a top ten dog the last two years and is one of the most recognizable show dogs in the US. He dominated his group like few of the other top ten dogs, winning 147 Terrier Groups, including the largest of all limited breed shows, Montgomery County.

The next two placings require an editor's note. Our numbers have the number five and number four dogs separated by the amazingly narrow margin of just 68 points, with both dogs collecting over 67,000 points . Quite frankly, it's more important that one is the top Non-Sporting Dog and the other is the Number Two Toy Dog. Certainly the breeders/owners/handlers should be proud of what they have accomplished this past year. Our numbers are preliminary numbers subject to final verification by the AKC, but we have never been one to shrink from making a decision. We are, therefore, calling it as follows:

photo courtesy AKC

Number 5. The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, “Yes”, bred by Dennis McCoy, Randy Garren, & Joe & Joan Lacey, owned by Toni & Martin Sosnoff, and handled by Timothy Brazier. Yes, the Number One Non-Sporting Dog, is another hold over from the 2007 top ten. Another dog that liked to stay close to home, she won 48 BIS in 2008, including the Del Valle Dog Club Of Livermore on 19 October, one of the ten largest shows in 2008.

Number 4. The Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, “Lincoln“, bred by Denise Barney, owned by Mamie & Evelyn Gregory & Harlow & Anne Jahelka, and handled by PaulCatterson. Lincoln was one of two spectacular Toy Dogs in our top ten, collecting 42 BIS, including a double header in Louisville KY on 15 & 16 March, the third largest weekend in 2008.


Number 3. The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, “Taser”, bred by Terry & Jackie Stacy, owned by Phil & Patty Smith, and handled by Jorge Olivera. This dog with the shocking name, electrified the show ring, and astonished the dog world as he bolted from locale to locale to maintain his Top Toy Dog status. He also afforded us with the opportunity to populate these pages with a plethora of puns (alliteration and puns in one paragraph, we are in Heaven) We have rarely seen a campaign so perfectly managed. Congratulations to everyone involved with the top Affenpinscher in history.

photo courtesy AKC

Number 2. The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, "Holly", bred by bred by Cheryl S. Laduc, A. Cantor, & A. Walker, owned by Sean & Tammy McCarthy & Helyne Medeiros, and handled by Michael E. Scott, PHA. Holly and handler Michael Scott gave us one of the most exciting finishes to any campaign that we can remember, coming from behind with a flurry of BIS wins in the fall. In the end, she would finish the year with 96 Best In Shows, 25 more than the Number One Dog, the last being the coveted 2008 Eukanuba National Championship. As heroic as the charge was, it was not enough, as she fell just a few hundred points shy of the top spot.


Number 1. The Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, “Spirit”, bred by Maryann Bisceglia & Mary Hayes, is owned by Mary Hayes & Joe & Carla Sanchez, and handled by Taffee McFadden. Spirit was the consumate warrior princess, fighting off every challenger. She dominated the year defeating nearly 120,000 dogs, 25,000 more than 2007’s top dog. Spirit and handler Taffe McFadden traveled across the US and dominated in every section of the country. Hopefully, you were one of the lucky ones that got to see this memorable duo in 2008.

We bid a fond farewell to our top ten, and send them back to their loving families with our gratitude for sharing the excitement with all of us this past year.