OREGON TSUNAMI

CH Velocity's Shake Ur Bon Bon

That Westminster wave? Call it a tsunami. Remember the Pomeranian, CH Velocity's Shake Ur Bon Bon, Toy Group Four Tuesday night? “Bon” just went BIS today under Judge Richard Beauchamp at the Linn County Kennel Club show in Albany OR. We don’t have all the finalists but they included the 2008 top ten dogs, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair. Congratulations to breeder Daniel Yona, owner Margo Koga, and handler Noble Inglett.

DOG2WATCH WIN

CH J'cobe Kemobesabi Vigilante Justice

DOG2WATCH, the Smooth Fox terrier, CH J'cobe Kemobesabi Vigilante Justice, has added another BIS to his resume. This one came today in Camden AR under Judge Denny Mounce at the South Arkansas Kennel Club show. That’s BIS number two for Dodger, who is not yet two years old, Congratulations to breeders William Dalling & Stacy Turner, and owners William Dalling and Phil & Amy Booth. Amy is doing the handling.

SAN JOSE SMALL WORLD

CH Cashin’s Walk The Line

Now that the computer grinch at INFODOG has been slain, we can report that the Pekingese, CH Pequest Grand Slam, did indeed win the Friday show of the Nor-Cal Toy Dog Fanciers in San Jose. Today’s winner was the Brussels Griffon, CH Cashin’s Walk The Line.

CH Pequest Grand Slam

The slamming Peke, another beauty from David Fitzpatrick, is owned by Alisa Syar & Michael Stone, and handled by Mike. The Griff, bred by Margie Hamilton & Felicia Cashin and owned by Cashin & Carole Ross, is handled by Wood Wornall.

CATCH THE WAVE

CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible

Another dog has caught the Westminster wave. The Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible, who took home a Westminster Group Three Rosette on Tuesday, has followed it up with a BIS at the Guadalupe Dog Fanciers event today in San Marcos TX. Congratulations to Team Sax: breeder James Efron , breeder/owners Connie Dubois & Dr. Cindi Bossart, co-owners Nancy Comparato, Debbie Green, Dr. Stacy Smith and Leah Warner, and handler Brian Livingston.

CONNETICUT CONNECTION

CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice
with owner/handler Margery Good

I-Reporter, Juli Lacey-Black, Lacey Kennels, is up in Hartford CT this weekend and she has this report on the Elm City Kennel Club show. Patricia Craige Trotter, fresh from her Westminster assignment, chose the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice as her BIS.

Also in the hunt were the Labrador Retriever, CH Casbar's Hart to Hart, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorian Gray, the Rottweiler, CH Blackrocks Kazanova, the Chinese Crested, CH Bayshore's Cruis'n, the French Bulldog, CH Petite Cherie Femme De Puissance, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tokien Raintree Mister Baggins.

Thanks to Juli for the report and congratulations to her on breed wins with her Petit Basset Griffons Vendeen, Monkham's Famous Grouse, and her Border Collie, CH Invisible Red Touch From Borders Paradise .

GWP BIS IN SC

CH Ripsnorter’s Mt. View Lookout

While some dogs are off to a blazing start this weekend, our show results are sputtering along. We do have these results for you from Greenville SC where the Hendersonville Kennel Club held a show yesterday. Judge Marjorie Tuff had a crowd that include veterans and newcomers, the German Wirethaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorter’s Mt. View Lookout, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Adil’s American Idol, the Bernese Mlountain Dog, CH Alpenspirit’s Lion King, the Welsh Terrier, CH Bayleigh’s Shaireab Super Hero, the Pug, CH Ivanwold Diva At Riversong, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Honeyfox Sweetea.

It was “Scout”, the GWP, who walked away with the big rosette. Scout was the only GWP to win a BIS in 2008, winning five. Congratulations to breeders Helen George, Claire Wisch & Kelly Wisch, owners Kiki Courtelis & James Witt, and handler Frank Murphy, on Scout's first BIS in 2009.

PUG PARTY

CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu

Was it just yesterday that we remarked about the Westminster wave, the momentum some dogs carry out of the Garden? Another dog riding that wave is the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu. “Boo” picked up a Group Two last Tuesday night at Westminster, a Group One at yesterday’s Central Indiana Kennel Club show, and now we hear, a BIS at today’s Hoosier Kennel Club event. Didn't we just report another Pug BIS? Party plenty, Pug people!

PUG-NACIOUS DAY

CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams

As we noted in our Friday the 13th post, there are dog shows happening today and we have results from two yesterday. And it appears to be a pugilist’s day. (That is what you call Pug fanciers, right?) First we have partial results from Indianapolis where the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams, went BIS. The Toy Group representative in that final was the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu.

CH Norkus’ Risky Business

Down in Lakeland FL, the four day Strawberry Cluster began yesterday with the Sara Bay Kennel Club’s show. Judge Robert Caswell Jr had the Golden Retriever, CH Goodtime’s Golden Bear, the Irish Wolfhound, CH Highgate’s Andfe Of The Ridge, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Phillmar’s Sobe Monster, the Scottish Terrier, CH Barberry Bitofa Vamp, the Pug, CH Norkus’ Risky Business, the Chow Chow, CH Kelin’s There Can Only Be One, and the German Shepher Dog, CH Woodside Pacino and he chose “Risky”, the Pug, as his BIS. Risky was bred by Bobbie Norkus, Jane Dick & Douglas Huffman, is owned by Michele Molnar & Jamie A Danburg, and is handled by Linda Rowell.

We will have the complete results from Indianapolis and today results for you later.

FRIDAY, THE 13TH

We are extremely superstitious, or Catholic. We get the two confused. We do believe in “what goes around, comes around”, “Don’t spit into the wind”, and “Scottish Terriers hold grudges.” Today is Friday, the 13th of February and we will not leave our home, cook over an open fire, or ask our children if they need money.

The Harlequin Great Dane, CH Sasdania's The Prophecy,
The Lucky Black & White Westminster Breed Winner

We do not think we are unique. In fact we think that a lot of dog people are superstitious. Everyone knows that a black cat crossing your path means bad luck, but few know that an encounter with a black and white dog foretells good fortune. Many people believe that dogs can sense spirits. Some believe that if you stand behind a dog who is staring into space and look between his ears you will see a ghost. It is more likely that you will see that jelly bean that rolled under the kitchen counter three weeks ago. We once dated a girl whose dog, Sam, could predict when her parents would return home with uncanny reliability.

Handler Gabriel Rangel adjusts an heirloom lead
on CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot

Dog show people tend to have their own superstitions, often manifested in good luck charms. Witness Parker Posey’s panic over losing her Weimeraner’s bumble bee toy in the film, Best In Show. The lead that the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, wore at Westminster this year was the one worn by the Scottish Terrier, CH Bardene Bingo, when he went BIS there 42 years earlier. Not all dog show people are superstitious, of course. After all we have dog shows today in Colorado, Florida, and Indiana.

Despite our superstitious nature, even we will have to venture out of doors today. A broken mirror may bring seven years bad luck, but failing to buy your wife a Valentine’s Day gift will bring an lifetime of misery.

NEW RANKINGS

CH Allure Blazing Star Alisation

We have updated all our rankings to reflect the past weeks shows. The big changes are the debut of the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisation, at number six and the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, taking over the number four spot and the title of number one Terrier.

CH Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee

The only shows we had in the last week were in Phoenix and New York and they did have an impact on our regional rankings. The obvious change was the appearance of the Westminster BIS winner, the Sussex Spaniel, CH Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, on our Region One list.

CH Gentry's Braveheart

With three shows in Phoenix, with most of our top Region Seven in New York, we now have two new dogs on the list, the Saint Bernard, CH Alta Vista's Billion Kilowatt CD, and the Rough Collie, CH Gentry's Braveheart. Both of whom picked up BIS this past weekend. We expect big changes to our rankings over the next 30 days as we have a changing of the guard and you will read it here first.

THE MIDAS TOUCH

CH Drakyi Gold Standard

Some dogs come out of Westminster like they have been shot out of a cannon. One such dog is the Tibetan Mastiff, CH Drakyi Gold Standard. “Midas”, who is in Denver CO for the weekend, kicked it off with a BIS under Judge Dana Klein at the all Working Dog event hosted by the Peak To Peak Working Dog Association of Colorado. We expect to see a lot more of this dog in the coming months.

WESTMINSTER BACKSTAGE

One of our intrepid I-Reporters is Juli-Lacey Black of Lacey Kennels. Juli is back from Westminster with a lifetime of memories. She has already shared the miraculous comeback story of Brendan, the Border Collie. Now she has shared the below backstage photos from the Garden. What we noticed is how happy everyone is and why not? They were at the world’s greatest dog show.

The Calm Before The Storm

Michael Scott

Michele Scott

Nina Fetter

Heather Buehner & Zach Helmer

Claudia Orlandi

RC Caruso

Andrew Sawler

WE GO MAINSTREAM

Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun Columnist

We got our first mention in the MSM (mainstream media) today. Jean Marbella, columnist for the Baltimore Sun newspaper, did an interview with us yesterday about Westminster and the dog fancy in general. Jean was looking for a contrast between scandal ridden human athletes and the scandal free canine competitors and we hoped we gave it to her. We regret the out of context quote about the Standard Poodle as “dog show cliché”, but we were pleased with the plug for the blog. You can read Jean’s Westminster column here.

WESTMINSTER POSTSCRIPT

We are still experiencing a Westminster hangover and that’s mostly a good thing. For a couple of days people everywhere forgot about the financial crisis, the war in Iraq, and the other daily problems we all face, all for our common love of the Dog. Personally, we look forward to Westminster like a five year old looks forward to Christmas. This one was much like the holidays of my childhood. We had an awkward moment when a guest was asked to leave (Ernesto Lara and assistant being excused from the Terrier Group), We got lots of surprise gifts (The Pomeranian in the Toy Group, the Tibetan Mastiff in the Working Group, and the Sussex Spaniel, Stump, as BIS), and we met lots of nice people, (We’ve had over 25,000 hits on the blog these last three days)

We now start the doggy New Year. The 2009 Campaign is underway. We will be saying goodbye to many of last year’s top ten and welcoming a new one. And we have some things to work on. One of the things that came up for discussion during the festivities was the subject of realignment of the AKC Groups. We have been doing our homework on the subject and will be bringing you reports on that subject. We will be continuing our campaign to preserve the rare breeds. Stump’s BIS win provides an opportunity to educate the public and our legislators on the rare breeds and the impact of breeding restrictions on them and all purebred dogs.

In the end holidays bring people together and although every family gathering has its squabbles we hope that you came away full of Westminster Cheer and are looking forward to the New Dog Year and next year’s Garden Party.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Westminster is the traditional end to the dog show year. That means that starting this weekend we will start seeing the 2009 campaign start in earnest. We have two four day clusters beginning tomorrow. The first is the Indy Winter Classic, hosted by the Central Indiana and Hoosier Kennel Clubs. The second is the Strawberry Cluster In Lakeland FL sponsored by the Sara Bay and Lakeland Winterhaven Kennel Clubs.

Friday two more cities will join the fun with the three day Foothills Dog Show Cluster in Greenville SC courtesy of the Hendersonville, Greenville, and Spartanburg KCs and the four day Rocky Mountain Cluster brought to you by the Plum Creek and Colorado Kennel Clubs. If you are a working stiff and are looking for a traditional two day event, check your local listings in the areas of Camden AR, San Jose CA, Hartford CT, Albany OR, and San Marcos TX.

If you can only manage one day try the Keomah Kennel Club show in Des Moines IA. Finally if you live in paradise there is a three day doggy luau in Hilo HI.

HOLLYWOOD ENDING

It was a Hollywood ending, a Rocky IV for the dog world. The beloved veteran, who everyone thought had his best days behind him, bounces back from a life threatening illness, and wins the biggest victory of life. But this wasn’t Hollywood and it wasn’t Sylvester Stallone.


It was the 133rd annual show of the Westminster Kennel Club and it was the Sussex Spaniel, CH Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, better known as “Stump”. The ten year old dog had retired from the show ring five years ago, after a serious illness nearly cost him his life. Since then he had been content to play the role of the beloved family pet.

But owner/handler Scott Sommer and co-owners Cecilia Ruggles & Beth Dowd thought that Stump deserved one last chance at the dog show world’s biggest prize, the Westminster Dog Show. Rocky only had to get by Apollo Creed, but Stump had to get past six dogs in the Breed, 27 dogs in the Sporting Group, and six of the best dogs in the world in Judge Sari Brewster Tietjen’s Best In Show Ring.

Owner/Handler Scott Sommer & Stump

Those six dogs had amassed a total of 200 Best In Show titles among themselves in 2008 and Stump had not been in the ring in five years. The six other finalists were the Scottish Deerhound, CH Gayleward's Tiger Woods, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, the Standartd Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, and the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams.


The Final Ring at Westminster is as formal an affair as the sport of dogs has. Judge Tietjen wore an evening ensemble of an embroidered jacket over a long skirt. The show committee all wore black tie. Even most of the dogs dressed formal. The Scottie, Giant, Poodle, and Puli all wore black. The Deerhound opted for dress grey. Only the Brussels, who hails from Missouri, wore a brown tweed. Stump, with his short stature, shuffling gait, and golden liver uniform, stood out like a pair of brown shoes.


But as the camera panned in to show a national audience the soulful eyes of the Sussex, we saw a faint smile from Judge Tietjen and like the great heavyweight prizefight that it is, it was up to the Judge to announce the winner, the 2009 Westminster Best in Show dog, the veteran Sussex Spaniel, Stump, the oldest Best In Show Winner In Westminster history. Hollywood couldn’t have written a better story.

Our congratulations to breeders Douglas Horn, Douglas Johnson, & Dee Duffy and all of Stump’s owners.

WELCOME TO THE PARTY!

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Come on in and join the party. Say “Hi” to the host (That’s me, Billy Wheeler) and join your friends to cheer on your favorites, tell us your Westminster war stories, and share your doggy gossip. We’ll do our best to keep those without TV access abreast of what’s going on, both on the screen and behind the scenes.

This promises to be an exciting finish to this year’s show. Relax, have fun, and don’t be shy about asking questions…or telling us we when get it wrong. (We have already been told about our ignorance of the need for a mane on the Scottish Deerhound.) That’s what this is for, to share in the fun of the game and maybe learn something too. Here we go!

THE DOORS OPEN AT 7:45 PM EST

Westminster Breed judging is now complete. We apologize if we neglected your favorite breed, but you all are invited to join us for Night Two of the Dog Show Poop Garden Party. The doors open in just about an hour from now at 7:45 EST PM. So if you need to feed the kids or walk the dog, do it now and then set the dial to the USA Network & join us and your blogging buddies for the liveliest coverage you can get of tonight’s judging. It’s the next best thing to being there at ringside.

WESTMINSTER CAVALIER

CH Timsar Mister Moonlighter

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed under siege in the UK. It was the breed that prompted the BBC and Crufts to part ways. Today a British import, CH Timsar Mister Moonlighter, won the Breed at Westminster. Here is living proof that reputable breders produce healthy, typey, beautiful purebred dogs. This dog also won the breed at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Finally we have to include this photo taken by breeder Annette Jones from her kitchen window ih her home in Wales. Almost as glorious as her dog. “Jack” is owned by Patricia Kanan & Cindy Huggins & Annette Jones and handled by Taffe McFadden.

WESTMINSTER TM'S & PWD'S

CH Drakyi Gold Standard

One of our dark horses has reserved a place in tonight’s Working Group. The Tibertan Mastiff, CH Drakyi Gold Standard, won a Westminster Breed today. And here’s one for the First Family, the Portuguese Water Dog, CH Aviators Luck Be A Lady, in full show cut taking home a BOB from Westminster.

CH Aviators Luck Be A Lady

WESTMINSTER AFFENPINSCHER & SHIH TZU

CH Tamarin Tug

Two more of our top ranked dogs have made it into tonight’s Group judging. The Affenpinscher, last year’s number three dog all breeds, CH Tamarin Tug, and 2008’s number one Shih Tzu, CH Hallmark Jolei Surfer Girl, made it out of tough breed rings to compete in this evening’s Toy Group.

CH Hallmark Jolei Surfer Girl

WESTMINSTER GIANT SCHNAUZER

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit

To no one’s surprise the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, has won the Breed and will give a national television audience a chance to see the top Giant in history. Don’t forget to share the moment with us tonight at night two of the Dog Show Poop Garden Party.

WESTMINSTER "MAGNIFICENTLY UGLY"

CH Achille

OK, we are coining a phrase here, “Magnificently Ugly” and we think it applies to the next two dogs, the Dogue de Bordeaux, CH Gargoyles Brando T Beefcake, and the Neapolitan Mastiff, CH Achille. (Our nominee for Westminster Dog with Shortest Name) Both won their Breed today and will be seen tonight. We promise you if a burglar met one of these two in the middle of the night, he would die of fright. Gorgeous!

CH Gargoyles Brando T Beefcake

WESTMINSTER FLAT COATS & PARTI'S

CH Valhala's Burning Ring Of Fire

Two dogs you probably don’t know are the Flat Coated Retriever, CH Valhala's Burning Ring Of Fire, and the Parti-Color Cocker Spaniel, CH B-Mac N Lil People Ragin Cajun, but you will see them both tonight as their respective Breed winNers.

CH B-Mac N Lil People Ragin Cajun

WESTMINSTER GRIFFONS, POODLES, & POMS

CH Velocity's Shake Ur Bon Bon

Back to today’s Breed results, the Toys continue to be predictable with the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, and the Pomeranian, CH Velocity's Shake Ur Bon Bon, all advancing.

WESTMINSTER MONDAY NIGHT RECAP

CH Gayleward's Tiger Woods

Before we go any further today, we should rcap last night’s Groups. We started out with a Hound Group that was missing a few of the expected dogs, The Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Rokeena Carte Blanche, had been defeated in the Breed, as had the country’s number one Foxhound. The deerhound that did show up, CH Gayleward's Tiger Woods, bred and owned by Gail Bontecou and handled by Clifford Steele, won the Group.

CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot

The Terrier Hroup got off to an awkward start with Judge Peter Green Excusing the Airedale Terrier and the Cairn Terrier because of conflicts of interest with the dogs’ handler Ernesto Lara who has business connections with Peter. The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, came to the Group loaded for bear and left the Group with the top prize. “Sadie “ was bred by Mary O'Neal & Anstamm Kennels, is owned by Amelia Musser, and handled by Gabriel Rangel.

CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation

The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, entered last night’s Non-Sporting Group as the favorite and showed everyone why. Yes was flawless and easily walked of with the Group One. She was bred by Dennis McCoy, Randy Garren, & Joe & Joan Lacey, is owned by Toni & Martin Sosnoff, and is handled by Timothy Brazier.

The Herding Group was missing the 2008 number one Herding Dog, but did not lack for star quality. The Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams, closed out the night with a thrilling performance and a Group win. “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.

WESTMINSTER DOBIES & SAMMIES

CH White Magic's Rock Star

Westminster has a way of showcasing dogs that have not been seen frequently in the past year. Today in the Samoyed ring, the 2007 top Samoyed, Ch White Magic's Rock Star, surprised some by taking the Breed. The Doberman Pinschers are always competitive and this year’s winner is CH Cambria's Victoria Secret.

CH Cambria's Victoria Secret

WESTMINSTER COCKERS

CH Lydgate Rise N' Shine

We have the two expected Cocker Spaniels making to the evening judging the ASCOB, one of our picks for to night, CH Lydgate Rise N' Shine, and the Black, CH

Exl's Leather N Lace.

CH Exl's Leather N Lace