HOLLY WINS ANOTHER ONE

The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, seems determined to go out in a blaze of glory, winning another BIS (number 117) at the Boardwalk Kennel Club show in Wildwood NJ, with Judge Peter Green presiding.

CH Hi-Tech's Southern Belle

The Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorian Gray JC, the Boxer, CH Hi-Tech's Southern Belle, the White Bull Terrier, CH Action Chaos and Charisma, the Toy Poodle, yesterday’s BIS winner, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Bluvali Brouhaha, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Drewlynn's Louis Vuitton, were all there scrambling for attention.

SPIRIT DOES IT AGAIN

The Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, continues her winning way’s taking BIS under Judge Carol Graham at today’s Sun Maid Kennel Club of Fresno (CA). That's number eight in a row and number 91 lifetime.

CH Sobers Galathea At Grandcru

Taffe McFadden did double duty today winning the Hound Group as well, with the Greyhound, CH Sobers Galathea At Grandcru. Perhaps a portent of things to come? “Galathea“, bred by Bitte Ahrens & Pierluigi Primavera, owned by Ahrens, Melanie Steele & Tom Butler, is an Italian import (See, you can get more than great shoes from there) with BIS wins in five European countries.

Rounding out the final seven were the ASCOB Cocker Spaniel, CH Quasar’s & Sherwood’s odd Couple, the West Highland White Terrier, CH Arbroath’s Rosewood Rise ‘N’ Shine, the Pug, CH O-Day Mystical Klondike, the Bichon Frise, CH Paray’s Rime Time, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair. The Westie was handled by Gabriel Rangel, who normally has the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, in the Terrier Group. However, Sadie, who won back to back BIS last weekend was conspicuously absent today. Is this just a little pre Westminster breather or something else?

Our thanks to Julie & Kathy Jones, aka The Basenji Sisters, for contributing to this report. (Did you see them tonight in the Breeder of the Year presentation? They were the Hound Group breeders of the Year.)

WATCH THE AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Although we already know the outcome, we should all be tuning in tonight to watch the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on the Animal Planet at 8:00 PM EST. The show has only been around for eight years, but it already rivals Westminster in prestige. Although the show draws the top show dogs in the country (Eight of 2008's top ten dogs competed), over 43 percent of the entries are in the Bred By Exhibitor competition, making this BBE BIS the most coveted award of it's type anywhere. This show has several other important distinctions:

• It is the only event organized and held solely by the AKC.
• It is strictly by invitation only.
• It offers significant prize money, a total of over $225,000.
• It invites international competitors.
• It awards the AKC Breeder of the Year.
• It invites nearly 4,000 dogs to compete in three national AKC events, conformation, obedience, and agility.
• It showcases the AKC Meet the Breeds, with representatives from 157 AKC National Breed Clubs.
• It is the only all breed qualifying show in America for entry into Crufts
• It offers sizable scholarship awards for its Junior Handler winners.

So don’t expect us to be answering the mail between 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, we will be at the show!

HOLLY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the winningest Sporting Dog in history, has announced her retirement from the show ring. We have been told that this weekend will be her last appearance in all breed competition.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

She is in Wildwood NJ this weekend, giving her adoring public one last chance to see her in the flesh. After Monday’s Union County Kennel Club, she will return home to take up a second career, mother of the next generation of BIS winning Pointers. However, Michael Scott tells us that they hope to have Holly back in condition and in the show ring one last time at the Pointer National Specialty in September in Gray Summit MO.

Holly & Michael Scott
at the Eukanuba National Championship

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, finished 2008 as the second highest scoring dog in AKC conformation, garnering 117,199 points, 21,665 more than the 2007 number one dog. Through yesterday, she has won 116 Best In Shows, more than any other Sporting Dog has ever won, including an awe inspiring ten in a row earlier this month. The crowning jewel in her career was the 2008 Eukanuba National Championship. You can relive that moment with her tonight by watching the premiere broadcast of the show on the Animal Planet at 8:00 PM EST. Check your local lisitings for details.

Holly, The Pointer

Holly will not be at Westminster, as co-owner Sean McCarthy is on the show committee. We want to thank the breeders, owners, and especially Michael Scott for giving us weekend after weekend of thrills. Holly may be gone from the ring soon, but she will be in our hearts and memories forever.

MOSQUITO REPELLANT, ANYONE?

We have worked for the rights of pet owners for several decades and have developed an approach to this subject that works for us. As we gets older we appreciate an economy of effort. If we are forced to be out of doors in mosquito country, we make sure that we are thoroughly covered in insect repellant before we leave the house. We don’t want to waste our time swatting at the pesky little buggers.

While we take the threats that PETA, HSUS, and others represent seriously (after all, you can pick up all sorts of nasty diseases from mosquitoes), we do hold those groups in much the same disdain. Therefore, protect yourself with a letter to your elected officials (Use Congress.org. It’s convenient and effective) and make sure this latest swarm by the HSUS never sees the light of day. We would like to think that any politician would see the absurdity of this and reject it out of hand, but since we are allergic to mosquitoes and animal rights activitsts, we’re taking no chances. You shouldn’t either.

WALKING THE TALK

We don’t call’em DOGS2WATCH for nothing. Today the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, won his second BIS of the year. This one came courtesy of Judge Frank Washabaugh at day two of Sand and Sea Kennel Club show in Wildwood NJ. Any BIS is notable, but this one came against the very formidable Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, and last year’s top Hound, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition.

CH Smash JP Moon Walk

Also stepping up for consideration were the Samoyed, CH Pebbles’ Run Hammy Davis Jr, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Avalon Eclipse, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Bluvali Brouhaha, and Bearded Collie, CH Briarpatch Top That RN PT NA NAJ. Congratulations to Walker, breeder Yukiko Omura, owners Ron Scott & Debbie Burke, and handler, Kaz Hosaka. Will there be another Smash Toy Poodle on the podium at Westminster this year?

WESTMINSTER PARTY

We are please to announce that we will host a Westminster cyber party room here on Monday and Tuesday, 9 & 10 February, from 6:45 PM to 10:15 PM CST. So bring your favorite snack, beverage and Westminster story and join us. We’ll provide analysis, commentary, Westminster trivia, and a place were you can root for your favorites. It will be the next best thing to being there.

Laurie Williams and Andrew

As a warm up, we did an interview with Laurie Williams, host of the Dog Sports & Performance Network (DSPN) on Pet Life Radio, about Westminster. Laurie is a dog trainer and was one of the competitors featured on CBS’ Greatest American Dog reality show. Read about Laurie and her Maltese, Andrew, here. Check it out and see who we think are the top contenders at this year’s show. The pod cast will be available on Tuesday, 3 February. Let us know if we sound better than we write.

WHERE THE DOGS ARE

We told you about the results of the Sand and Sea Kennel Club show today, but what we didn’t tell you that this is the first of five shows at that location in Wildwood NJ. Tomorrow we get day two of the Sand and Sea KC, Saturday and Sunday is hosted by the Boardwalk Kennel Club and Monday belongs to the Union County Kennel Club. If you can drop by you won’t be disappointed and after the show closes, go spend some money in Atlantic City. Donald needs the cash.

There will be only three shows in Atlanta, but they will have more than twice the number of dogs of any other show this weekend. Tomorrow, we have the Conyers KC of GA. Saturday, it is the Lawrenceville KC’s turn, and Sunday, we close with the Sawnee Mountain KC of GA. All three shows are at the Atlanta Expo Center. With all the top dogs this one will draw, it’s the closest thing we have to an opening act for Westminster.

Elsewhere in the US, we have a three day weekend in St Joseph MO, and two day events in Green Bay WI, Hobbs NM, and Fresno CA. If you live in or near to one of these cities, drop by and enjoy an AKC dog show.

Tomorrow we will have a special surprise for you all with our show results.

HONEST, IT JUST SNUCK UP ON ME

Wow, we got caught asleep at the wheel this week. We got so engrossed in updating our rankings that we forgot to warn you that there were shows to go to. And we have results from the first. One doesn’t normally think of New Jersey and beaches in the same sentence, particularly not this frigid weekend. But here we have it, the Sand and Sea Kennel Club show in Wildwood NJ.

The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, seemed unfazed by the temperature, picking up another BIS, this one from Judge Terry DePietro. Mrs. Pietro had an interesting bunch with the American Foxhound, CH Kiarry‘s Reflections of the Sunto besting the Harier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, to get to her ring. Also on hand were the Rottweiler, CH Blackrocks Kazanova, the Bedlington Terrier, CH Sangeo Farscape CD RX MMX MXJ JE OF (Got to be the only dog in AKC with more titles than name), the Toy Poodle JP Smash Moon Walk, the Chinese Shar-Pei, Penpei‘s Flick Your Bic, and the Australian Shepherd, Hearthside Leave A message.

We will be back later with a list of shows for the weekend.

WE'RE BACK WITH RANKINGS

No, yesterday wasn’t a National holiday, nor we’re we on vacation or otherwise indisposed, we are hard a work formulating the revised national rankings and our very own regional rankings. Because it is an iterative process, the revised national rankings will be the last to be posted. However, unlike the making of sausage, you are allowed to watch. We have already completed the Region One (Northeast) and Region Two (Southeast) rankings and they are posted on the left side bar beneath the traditional national rankings. If your dog is listed on the rankings and you would like to substitute a photo you prefer, please send me an electronic copy at bill38112@aol.com. Check back with us frequently, we will be posting all the seven regions today.

BEARDED LADIES

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit

In California it was all about two black females with beards. No it isn’t the Cohen brothers latest film. It’s the Golden Gate Kennel Club show in San Francisco and the Orange Empire Dog Club in San Bernadino. Up in the City by the Bay, it turned out to be a “Spirited” affair with the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, winning BIS both days. We reported on day one’s finalists earlier. Sunday’s finalists were Spirit, the English Springer Spaniel, CH Ch Cerise Signature Of Telltale RN CD, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Regulus Speeding Bullet , the Norfolk Terrier, CH Jaeva Gold Auric, the Silky Terrier, CH Safire Rock It To The Stars, the Standard Poodle, CH Penndragon Masaniello, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Nebriowa Now Or Never.

CH Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot

Down in the Southland, people were enjoying a 2008 top dog family reunion led by the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, who picked up back to back Best In Shows. Also on hand in the finals both days were the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and the Pembrike Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair. On Saturday the three were joined by the German Shorthaird Pointer CH Vjk-Myst Bring It On, the Basset Hound, CH Splash’s The Professor, the Tibetan Mastiff, CH Drakyin Gold Standard, and the Tibetan Terrier, CH Players Protocol, in Judge James Reynolds BIS ring. Sunday, Judge Frank Sabella, would get to see our three 2008 alumni, the same Tibetan Mastiff & Terrier, the English Springer Spaniel, CH Tara’s Master of D Game, and the Afghan Hound, CH Summerwind Me N Myself N Pamir, before tapping Sadie as Best.

CH Topfield-Vision Silver Noodles

We had two shows in the Chicago suburb of Grayslake Il this weekend. Saturday‘s show was hosted by the Park Shore Kennel Club and featured Judge Anitra Cuneo doing BIS. In a final demonstrating why entries are listed by number and not name. she had the Golden Retriever, CH Golden Trip Snow Dream, the Basset Hound, CH Topfield-Vision Silver Noodles, the Newfoundland, Skipper’s King Eminence of Halluland, the Bedlington Terrier, CH Versaille’s of Celtic Odyssey, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilene Masquerade, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Cedar C & Barnstorm’s Ltd Edition, and the Briard, CH La Vie En Rose Dior August Moon CD RN. BIS went to the 2008 Best Basset Hound, who finished 2008 with 12 BIS.

CH Cilene Masquerade

Day two belonged to the Chain O’Lakes Kennel Club and BIS Judge Dawn Hansen who had the same Basset Hound, Brussels Griffon, Tibetan Terrier, and Briard to consider along with the Irish Setter, CH Vineyard’s Bad Boy, the Bernese Mountain Dog, CH Adesa’s The Heat Is On, and the Irish Terrier, CH Breezy’s X-Tra Top Priority. Once again it would be a 2008 top dog getting recognized, the Brussels Griffon, Lincoln, picking up his third BIS this year.

We will begin posting updates to our rankings including the regional rankings tomorrow.

MO MONDAY

Now, from Missouri, Mo Monday. We mentioned that the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, picked up his third BIS this month, on Sunday at the St Charles MO KC event. Saturday Judge Joe Walton had the helm in Lake St Louis and in addition to the Pug, Boo, he had the Labrador Retriever, CH Ridge View’s Magician, the Longhaired Dachshund, CH Xeralane’s Supersonic, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Cambria’s Victorias Secret, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Foxglyn’s Once Upon A Time, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Margem’s Hats Off To Prunehill, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Lambluv’s Daydream Believer.

CH Cambria’s Victorias Secret

The Doberman, Reigny, would pick up her first Best In Show this year. She finished 2008 as the number one Doberman with 13 BIS. On Sunday, Judge Steve Keating has the pleasure of going over the Pug, OES, and Dobie, along with the English Setter, CH Chebaco Blame It On Trabez, the English Foxhound, CH Whipperinns The Wizard, the Border Terrier, CH Sunrise Days Go By, and the Dalmation, CH Royaltys Splash Of Taylor.

CH White Eagle's Celestial Sky

We had not heard from the Erie (PA) Kennel Club before this morning. Now we know that Judge Ruby Hertz had a stellar group on Saturday including the Flat-Coated Retriever, CH Petersfield Famous Amos, the Afghan Hound, CH Karakush Dot Com Dot A U, the Samoyed, CH White Eagle's Celestial Sky, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Sanherpinc Arepa, 2008 number one Shih Tzu, CH Hallmark Jolei Surfer Girl, the Standard Poodle, CH Hillwood Dassin De Lovely, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Brynlea Polka Dot Bikini. The Sammie eventually picked up her second Best of the year.

CH Kiarry's Reflections Of The Sun

Sunday Judge Walter Sommerfelt would see the same Flat-Coat, Sammie, Shih Tzu, and Poodle along with the American Foxhound, CH Kiarry's Reflections Of The Sun, the Skye Terrier, CH Finnsky Gladiator, and the Briard, CH Deja Vu Mia Chain Of Fools, before handing the Foxhound his second BIS this year. He finished 2008 as the best American Foxhound with seven Best In Shows.

Later today, we will tell you what they were doing out in the Golden State.

MONDAY, MONDAY

Monday means show results and we have aplenty. First let's flesh out the shows on which we had given you partial results.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

We had told you about the continued assault on the Sporting Group BIS record by the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, down in the Carolina Low Country. As previously reported, Holly went BIS on Saturday and Group One on Sunday when the Irish Wolfhound, CH Dun Myrica Speaker Of Eagle, went BIS. Saturday’s other finalist were the Irish Wolfhound, the Great Pyrenees, CH Saddle Ridge Power Of Won, the Airedale Terrie, CH Cool Hand Luke, the Pomeranian, CH Velocity's Shake Ur Bon Bon, the Bulldog, CH Karma's Big Shot, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, CH Telltail Roragyn. Sunday Judge Beverly Capstick saw the same Pyrenees, Airedale, and Corgi along with the Shih Tzu, CH Yingsu’s Nothin To Lose and the Standard Poodle, CH Anastasia Da Maya.

CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar

We told you that the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, won back to back BIS in gator and gumbo country at the Alexandria (LA) KC shows. We have already given you Saturday’s additional finalists. Sunday’s were the Golden Retriever, CH Avalors Gold Digger, the Afghan Hound, Hashirins Ingenious Seventh Samurai, the Boxer, CH Bravo N Sunset Stealing Time, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, CH Schooners Spirit Of Sherman, the Standard Poodle, CH Donnchada Sweet Dreams, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Reverie Bayshore Judy In Disguise.

CH Toasty's Treasure Island

Just to the west at the Abilene (TX) Kennel Club, there were plenty of heavy hitters vying for BIS Judge Murrel Purkhiser’s attention, the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty's Treasure Island, the Bloodhound, CH Ghost Hollow's Spectacular Bid, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Horizon's That Girl, the Lakeland Terrier, CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Soldier Of Fortune, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, CH Orchard Hill Shirmont Backtalk, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Elite's By Design, and the Briard, CH Celebratia Bestbangfordabuck. She would go for the Lakeland, Ranger, her third BIS this month. Sunday, Judge Betty-Anne Stenmark would have the same Golden, Doberman, Lakeland, and Cavalier to consider along with the Saluki, CH Hajji's Porsche JC, the Keeshond, CH Legend's Purple Reign, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Bugaboo's Georgie Girl, before giving the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty's Treasure Island, her third BIS this year.

We will have more Monday this morning.

SPIRIT REMAINS PERFECT

The 2008 number one dog, now the 2009 number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, remains unbeaten in 2009 taking BIS at today’s Golden Gate Kennel Club show at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. Meanwhile, down in Ladson SC at the Charleston Kennel Club, Judge Beverly Capstick chose the Irish Wolfhound, CH Dun Myrica Speaker Of Eagle, as her BIS in a final that included the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit

The Pekingese, CH Franshaw’s Hear Me Roar, scored the fourth Best In Show by a Toy Dog this weekend, with back to back wins at the Alexandria (LA) Kennel Club show. We also have word that the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, went BIS yesterday at the Orange Empire Dog Club show in San Bernadino CA.

Tomorrow we will have detailed results on these shows and more.

THREEPEAT

We have always believed in the rule of three and apparently so does the Pug, CH Ivanwold Diva At Riversong, making it the third BIS by a Toy Dog today. Hers came in Ocala FL at the Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association event with Judge Ruth Prehn presiding.

CH Classic's To Be Or Not To Be

Joining in the festivities were the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Bracon’s Leapin Lily Pads, the Afghan Hound, CH Pizzazzz Debonair, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH JCobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Boston Terrier, CH Classic's To Be Or Not To Be, and the Belgian Tervuren, CH Bilgays Rockin U Constan Lee RN. We'll have more show results later tonight.

MO BOO

CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu

Seems the little guys are having a good day. A reader has advised us that the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, has just gone BIS under judge Dr Steve Keating at the St Charles Missouri Kennel Club show in Lake St Louis MO. Congratulations to “Boo” and his team.

DOUBLE DOWN

The Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, doubled down in Queensbury NY, winning his second BIS of the weekend, this one at the Saratoga NY KC show today under Judge Edd Bivin.

CH Petite Cherie Femme du Puissance

The immaculately white little dog was accompanied by the English Setter, CH Reidwood Red Alert, the 15” Beagle, CH Torqay Midnight Confession, the Portugese Water Dog, CH Ebb Tide's Poetry In Motion, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Tamedale Orinoco, the French Bulldog, CH Petite Cherie Femme du Puissance, and the Shetland Sheepdog, Trevanne’s Andy Roddick.

FROM BAYOU COUNTRY

Just a week ago we were telling you about the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, upsetting the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, at one of our local shows.

CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar

Today we hear that the latest protégé of Peke prince, Hiram Stewart, has won her first BIS this year at yesterday's Alexandria Kennel Club under Judge Suzanne Dillin over some tough competition including the Weimaraner CH Pike's Peak Silversmith Summit, the Afghan Hound, CH Landwehr Wild Fire, the Boxer, CH Bravo N Sunset Stealing Time, the Cairn Terrier, CH Winsome Fergus MacFlynn, the Standard poodle, CH Donnchada Sweet Dreams, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside's Pacino. Congratulations to Hiram and breeder/owner John Shaw and our thanks to the reader who provided this report.