OUR KIND OF SPRING BREAK

It’s Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale but are thoughts are far from the beach. We have show results from the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie FL where the Fort Lauderdale Dog Club opened its two days of shows with Judge June Penta making the BIS call.

CH Woodside Pacino

She chose her winner from the Labrador Retriever, CH Robnie Chantilly At Lighthouse, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Boxer, CH Sabo’s Majestic Provocation, the Skye Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, the Pomeranian, Starfire’s Kiss Me Big, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino.

It was the Shepherd, Tony, capturing his third BIS in the last two weekends, who has started to build some old fashioned momentum. We think there is more than one way to get a tan in Florida.

WHIPPET WITH STYLE

CH Starline’s Chanel

We have late word from the West Coast where the Greater San Diego Whippet Club held back to back specialties today in Del Mar CA as warm ups for the Del Sur Kennel Club’s all breed double header this weekend. Winner of both specialties was the 15 month old bitch, CH Starline’s Chanel. Chanel has been regularly topping the Hound Group at major shows including back to back wins at the giant Palm Springs shows. Chanel was bred by Carey & Lori Lawrence and Dianne Bowen and owned by the Lawrences.

SADIE TAKES ANOTHER

The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes At Maryscot, has walked away with another Best In Show. This one came today at the day one show of the Louisville (KY) Kennel Club. This Scottie is on a roll.

THURSDAY RESULTS

As we told you last night, the weekend is off to a rip roaring start with the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes At Maryscot taking the top prize at the Mid-Kentucky Kennel Club show. Also on hand for first day final festivities were the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorter's Mt View Lookout, the Wirehaired Dachshund, CH Daybreak's Classique Cruiser W, the Alaskan Malamute, CH Nanuke's Still The One, the Pomeranian, CH Velocity’s Shake Ur Bon Bon, the Bichon Frise, CH Mybliss Petite Coquette, and the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams.

CH Daybreak's Classique Cruiser W

Meanwhile, 600 miles to the east, In York PA, another four day cluster got under way with the Lancaster Kennel Club show. Judge Richard Beauchamp had a distinguished group for his final seven including the English Springer Spaniel, CH Cerise Jesse James, the Irish Wolfhound, CH Wildisle Castlekeepers Quest, the Rottweiler, CH Blackrock’s Kazanova, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s MerciPour Le Poivre, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, the Standard Poodle, CH Hilllwood Dassin De-Lovely, and the Rough Collie, CH Kelso’s Moon Dancin,PT.

CH Hilllwood Dassin De-Lovely

It was the 15th time this year that the black Standard Poodle had joined the final seven and her persistence paid off with the top prize. The three and half year old bitch is the latest collaboration of four of the best know names in Poodles, breeder/owner/handler Dr. Joseph D. Vergnetti of Medina, OH, and co-owners, Ellen Charles, Karen LeFrak and Wendell Sammet. Congratulations on their first BIS this year.

SADIE SCORES FIRST IN LOUSIVILLE

CH Roundtown Mercedes At Maryscot

We’ve just been told that the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes At Maryscot, has won the first round of four in Louisville this weekend. Judge Luc Boileau gave Sadie her seventh big rosette this year. Sadie has now opened up a sizable lead on the rest of the top ten with more than twice the amount of points than any other dog in the top ten save the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, who currently trails Sadie by about 3,000 points.

But it’s only March and there’s plenty of time to do the Heinz thing..Catch Up!

FAREWELL CHARMIN

WPVI-TV Philadelphia is reporting that the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s Hidalgo AT Goodspice, has been retired after winning Best In Show at the world’s largest dog show, Crufts, this past weekend in Birmingham, England.

CH Efbe’s Hidalgo AT Goodspice

The five year old dog, known to all his fans as “Charmin”, is the top winning Sealyham in the history of the breed and one of the most recognizable show dogs in the world. He has won the AKC/ Eukanuba National Championship here in the US, the World Dog Show In Sweden, and the aforementioned Crufts Dog Show in England. He has been extensively campaigned throughout the United States, finishing in the top ten dogs all breeds in 2007 and 2008 as the top scoring Terrier. Charmin has garnered a remarkable 94 AKC all breed BIS, BIS at the 2008 Montgomery Kennel Club all Terrier show, and a Group One at the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club show.

Charmin at Crufts

As impressive as his show record has been, he has been an equally impressive ambassador for our fancy, appearing all over the world, “charming” everyone he met. Having shared our home with one for twelve years, we admit to having a soft spot for Sealyhams. It is one of the rarest of the AKC breeds. There are fewer Sealyham Terriers in the world than Polar Bears, Lowland Gorillas, or Grey Whales. Charmin has shown millions of people what wonderful animals Sealyhams are.

Charmin & Margery Good

Our heartfelt thanks to Charmin’s breeder Frances Bergeron for producing this handsome guy, owners Margery & Richard Good & Sandra Middlebrooks for working tirelessly to share him with all of his fans worldwide, and a special thanks to handler Margery Good for taking such good care of Charmin. He was always presented flawlessly, in perfect condition, and exhibiting the epitome of Terrier good spirits. Farewell Charmin. We all will miss you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAILEY

Bev and Bailey

Happy Birthday to Bailey, who is celebrating her lucky 13th birthday. Bailey, a lovely Bichon Frise and a cancer survivor, and her owner, Bev, are among our earliest readers. Drop by their blog, My Fire Hydrant, and wish Bailey a Happy Birthday. Bev and Bailey would really be pleased if you do.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

There will only be six cities hosting dog shows in the US this coming weekend, but this will still be one of the largest AKC weekends of the year. There will be over 10,000 dogs in competition this weekend in Louisville KY where the Ketuckiana Cluster kicks off Thursday with the Mid-kentucky Kennel Club show, followed by offerings from the Louisville Kennel Club Friday and Sunday, and the Evansville Kennel Club on Saturday. You can be sure that most of the country's top dogs will be in attendance.

Churchhill Downs, Louisville KY

Offering a tempting alternative to those of the East Coast where the Delaware County Kennel Club, the Lancaster Kennel Club, and the York Kennel Club are teaming for a four day funfest, also starting Thursday in York PA. There are also traditional two day shows in Davie Fl, Houston TX, Dubuque IA, and Del Mar CA courtesy of the Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Galveston, Dubuque, and Del Sur Kennel Clubs.

Our Daughter, Windy, and Our Scottie, Bernie

We have cancelled our plans to be in Louisville as we are taking our daughter to Washington DC for an interview at Georgetown School of Nursing. We will miss all of you going to Kentucky, but we are really excited about the possibility that our little girl made the cut at Georgetown. We are taking the notebook with us and will have results for you, although they may be a little less timely than usual.

FINAL MISSOURI DETAILS

Well, we now have the names of those finalists from Saturday’s Columbia Missouri KC show. In addition to the BIS winner, the Pug, Boo, they were Golden Retriever, CH Goldentrip Snow Dream, the Borzoi, CH Jubilee Katushka Ebel, the Boxer, CH Deserts Shes Everything, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Nileefox Dirty Idea, the Keeshond, Baronwood Infinity and Beyond, and the Shetland Sheepdog, CH Kylene Eden The Dragonslayer.

MO RESULTS

We have delayed all we could, waiting for final results from the Columbia Missouri Kennel Club, so we will just tell you what we know. We did tell you that the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, took the BIS on Saturday. We wish we could tell you that we had the names of the remaining six finalists, but the dog ate them. However, that would be disingenuous. We simply haven’t heard them yet.

CH Cilleine Masquerade

We do know the names of Judge Elliot Weiss’ final seven on Sunday. They were the Labrador Retriever, CH Ridge Views The Magician, the Whippet, CH Kamadas A Million Dreams, the Saint Bernard, CH Basquites Banjo V Orlando, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Nileefox Dirty Idea, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, the Bulldog, CH Hylan Shotru Riverview Our Dream, and the Smooth Collie, CH Timeless Golden Image.

Pushing to hold onto the number one Toy Dog ranking, Lincoln added another BIS to his resume. Chck with us tomorrow for a new Top Ten.

BOXER DOMINATES MUSIC CITY

We had to get some clarification on the weekend’s biggest shows, but now we can tell you that one Boxer had a very big weekend in Nashville. As we reported here, CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream started off the weekend going BIS on Thursday at the first of two shows hosted by the Nashville Kennel Club.

CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream

On Friday, on day one of two shows sponsored by theTullahoma Kennel Club Of Tennessee, Scarlett, would return to the final seven along with the Irish Setter, CH Vineyard's Bad Boy, the Bloodhound, CH Ghost Hollow's Spectacular Bid, the Cairn Terrier, CH Caledonian In-For-A-Penny Of Wolfpit, the Pomeranian, CH Velocity's Shake Ur Bon Bon, the Bulldog, CH Evergreen's Sweet Clover Anne, and the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams. Judge Paula Nykiel, who gave Scarlett Group Two at last month’s Wesminster show, would give the 22 month old her second BIS of the weekend.

Saturday, Scarlett was the only one of the Friday finalists to make it to Judge Barbara Dempsey Alderman’s final seven for the day two show of the Tullhoma KC. The other six were English Cocker Spaniel, CH Majestic's Keeping The Drama, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Adili's American Idol, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J'cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pug, CH Norkus' Risky Business, the Standard Poodle, CH Anastasia Da Maya, and the Rough Collie, CH Westwood Aladdin. Saturday would be the Dodger’s day as the Smooth Fox claimed his third 2009 BIS.

CH J'cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice

Sunday, the Nashville KC was hosting again and Scarlett, Dodger, the Pom, Bon, the Puli, Conrad, the Irish Setter, CH Vineyard's Bad Boy, the Afghan Hound, CH Silhouette's Shame Shame Shame JC, and the Standard Poodle, CH Anastasia Da Maya, would be Judge Mildred Bryan’s seven. Scarlett would score the hat trick, to make it three BIS in one weekend. Once again, congratulations to breeders Tina Porter & Lee Stanton, owners D McCarroll, M Fagan, Mrs J Billhardt, S Tenenbaum, and handler Diego Fernando Garcia.

WEST COAST RESULTS

Ok, we know you guys on the West Coast have been patiently waiting for show results, but you do get up later than we all do. The big entries were up in the Pacific Northwest in Seattle.

On Saturday, Judge Virginia Lynne saw the seven best of more than 1500 dogs. They were Irish Setter, CH Ashton Peaceful Easy Feeling, the Afghan Hound, CH Polo's The Aviator, the Doberman Pinscher, Foxfire's All The GiitzNGlamour, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Warfox Double Exposure, the Chinese Crested, CH Deja Vu B Careful What U Wish For, the Boston Terrier, CH Sunglo's Sparkling Wine Cooler, the Belgian Tervuren, CH Sky Acres Spy Plane. The Smooth Fox, the 2009 Westminster BOS, took home her first BIS of the year. This two year old girl had been knocking at the BIS door all year, and we think she is a DOG2WATCH.

CH Warfox Double Exposure

Sunday, Judge Sandra Goose Allen had the same Smooth Fox, Irish Setter, and Afghan as Ms Lynne, but she also had the Portuguese Water Dog, CH Aviators Luck Be A Lady, the Smooth Chihuahua, CH Baroque Creme De Cassis, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Puli, CH Lajosmegyi Singin In The Rain. And yes, it was the Poodle, Yes, picking up career BIS number 95.

CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation

Meanwhile, down in Victorville CA, Judge Darryl Vice was kicking off the Apple Valley Kennel Club’s two shows. His finalists included the Brittany, CH Gourley’s DFL 99 Carat Diamond, the Basset Hound, CH Splash’s The Professor, the Boxer CH Belmar’s Desert Gold Strike, the Colored Bull Terrier, CH Mystique The Grinch, the Maltese , Scruffy’s More Than A Memory, the Dalmatian, CH Xanadu’s Angel Sabrina, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair. The two year old Bull Terrier, bred by Taryn Johnston, Susie Harris, & Duff Harris and owned by Johnston & Lorene Wilson, walked away with the heavy silver and his first Best In Show. Congratulations to them all.

CH Coventry Vanity Fair

Sunday, Judge Jean Zuver’s repeat visitors were the the Maltese, the Dalmatian and the Corgi. Maiking their first appearance of the weekend were the Weimaraner, CH Smokycity Silhouette Dbl Ur Pleasure, the Saluki, CH Srinagar Glory Halelujah Ladyhawk, the Bullmastiff, CH Escalades All Tricked Out, and the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Kathrich Maximo. No career firsts here. It was last year’s number one Herding Dog, the multiple BIS winning Corgi, Carly, taking home the Best In Show.

We’ll be back later with a weekend wrap up.

EAST COAST RESULTS

We’ve already given you the Florida results, but we do have more east coast results for you. The Hilton Head Island Kennel Club hosted two shows this weekend. On Saturday, Judge Jean Fournier had a crowd of mostly new faces, including the Golden Retriever, CH Avalor Sandpiper Tickled Pink, the Longhaired Dachshund, CH Rose Farm's Slamdunk's Aces High, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Skansen's Bacchus II, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Foxlorr Double Dare, the Pug, CH Nonesuch Annie's Mainsail, the Lhasa Apso, CH My Thai Ta Sen Halleluiah Chorus, and the Puli, Cordmaker Rumpus Bumpus.

Best In Show went to the Giant, yet another Skansen BIS winner. If you can believe it, Sylvia Hammarstrom at Skansen Kennels has bred over 1,000 Schnauzer champions, repeat 1,000 champions. Visit her website for a very interesting look at this amazing place.

We told you late last night that Michelle Scott piloted the Parson Russell Terrier, CH Thunder Hill Soul Journey, to the top spot on Sunday in Hilton Head. Now we know that Judge Roger Hartinger also had the Giant, and four fresh faces to consider, the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Touchstone's O Solo Mio, the Whippet, CH Karasar's Par Excellence, the Havanese, CH Blanche-O's Tease The Boys, the Lhasa Apso, CH My Thai Ta Sen Halleluiah Chorus, and the Briard, CH Uniquehengo Des Uns Et Des Autres.

CH Kepley's Showbiz Razzle Dazzle

New Yorkers made do with a one day affair in White Plains where the Sawmill River KC hosted. Judge Grace Moran went over the English Cocker Spaniel, CH Brasswinds Remember When, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorain Gray JC, the Bullmastiff, the CH Ishana's Play It Again Sam, the West Highland White Terrier, CH Lite N Lively's Special Delivery, the English Toy Spaniel, CH Southdown Nonetheless, the Bulldog, CH Kepley's Showbiz Razzle Dazzle, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

Competition is always fierce at a New York show, but it was the Bulldog taking home her second BI in as many weekends. Next, West Coast results.

MORE MID AMERICA RESULTS

Friday in Auburn IN, Judge Sari Brewster Tietjen was on deck with the English Cocker Spaniel, CH Sweet Apple Sir Prize, the Afghan Hound, CH Gengala Nobdy Bizness, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Skansen’s Sir August Brigs, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Avalon Eclipse, the Pug, CH Ivanwold Diva At Riversong, the Schipperke, CH Rivendel‘s Smokin‘ Joe, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Lambluv Daydream Believer. Fridays are good for Bobtails as the OES took home another BIS.

CH Lambluv Daydream Believer

Saturday, five of Friday's finalists would return, the English Cocker, the Giant, the Smooth Fox, the Pug, and the OES were all back to see Judge Suli Greendale-Paveza. Also asking for the big rosette were the Saluki, CH Karob Sappho Of Corjalin JC and the French Bulldog, CH Starhaven Allenhill’s Lock N Load. Once again the OES walked away with the top prize.

CH Topsfield-Sanchu American Express

Sunday, Judge Marcia Field only had two repeat finalists the Giant and the Schhipperke. The five newcomers were the Gordon Setter Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy on the Eyes, the Basset Hound, CH Topsfield-Sanchu American Express, the Miniature Bull Terrier, CH Amchara Roc Ur World, the Pomeranian, CH Mountain Crest U Don’t Own Me, and the Briard, CH Déjà Vu Mia Chain Of Fools. It was the Basset, Timmy, not quite two years old, winning his first Best In Show. Congrautlations to breeders/owners Claudia Orlandi, Claire Steidel and Sue Frischmann.

We still have lots more results to post, check back with us in a few.

GARDEN CITY KC KS

In the Heartland, the Garden City Kennel Club (KS) was celebrating their 20th anniversary with a three day weekend of shows. On Friday Judge Ralph Ambrosio had the call as he made his selection from the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Afterglow Ebeneezer, the Great Pyrenees, Pyrpressure Victorious Strmt, the West Highland White Terrier, CH Mile-Higlander Adonis D’Borgo RN, the Shi Tzu, CH Ista’s Terin’ It Up, the Tibetan Spaniel, CH Lorac’s Rock And Roll Bandit, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino. And it was Tony and owner/handler James Moses running away with the BIS.

CH Woodside Pacino

We had told you that on Saturday Judge Patricia Hess gave the Whippet, CH Moongaze Jomyr Some Splainin' Ta Do, her first BIS. However, we did not tell you that other finalists were the Golden, Treasure, the Shepherd, Tony, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Seven Seas Auroras Adonis, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH High Mtn Everso Fine, the Miniature Pinscher, CH Nevaeh Red Cloud Of Tall Oaks, and the Standard Poodle, CH Bar-None Roger That.

CH Toasty's Treasure Island

Sunday, Judge Betty Horn Hummer had the duty and the Golden, the Golden, the Westie, and the MinPin, as well as the Irish Wolfhound, CH Highgate’s Andrew Of The Ridge, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Philmar Sisterella, the Schipperke, CH Bonchien Mr. Monopoly, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Windrift’s Latitude. Sunday was Golden for CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, who gathered her fourth BIS this year.

And while we are muddling through middle America, we will be back with reuslts from Indiana.

YOU WANT CATCH UP WITH THOSE FRIES?

Well, the computer staff has returned to the AKC data bank this morning and it’s time to play catch up. We will start in San Antonio where we have already reported that the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible went BIS on Friday and Sunday. On Friday, Sax’s companions in the final ring were Black Cocker Spaniel, CH K-J's Othello (Iwe love that name), the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Tji-Wara's Distant Drums, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Steinway's Paris Is Burning, the Lakeland Terrier, CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Soldier Of Fortune, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and the Standard Poodle, CH Donnchada Sweet Dreams.

CH Tamarin Tug

On Saturday, Sax, the Affenpinscher, Taser, the Lakeland, Major, and the Poodle all returned to Judge Ann D. Hearn’s BIS ring accompanied by the Viszla, CH Renaissance Girls Gone Wild, the Saluki, CH Aurora's Walk This Way, and the Boxer, CH Bravo N Sunset Stealing Time. Saturday was Taser’s day as he picked up his third BIS this year. As we said Sunday went to Sax. Her fellow finalists were the same Boxer, Lakeland, Poodle, and the Golden Retriever, CH Xcelerate Victorious Secret, the Whippet, Starline's Haute Couture At Starseeker, and the Papillon, CH Queen Bless JP World Idol.

We’ll be back in a moment with results from Garden City KS.

PALM BEACH PBGV

CH Rokeena Carte Blanche

The Palm Beach crowd closed out their weekend with a number of familiar names from the canine social register. Judge Dorothy Collier had four of the previous day’s finalists in her ring. Her seven were the Golden Retriever, CH Happy Hour Highmark Toasty, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the Newfoundland, CH Egebaek’s After Eight, the Skye Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, CH Mondrian VH Lamslag RE, the Standard Poodle, CH Hillwood Dassin De-Lovely, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Rollingview Beat Of My Heart.

The PBGV, CeeJay, took home his sixth BIS this year, tightening his grasp of the number one Hound position. Check back with us tomorrow for more show reports.

CHARMIN TAKES CRUFTS

CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice & owner/handler Margery Good

First Obama boots Churchill out of the Oval Office and now an American dog has gone Best In Show at Crufts under an American judge, Peter Green. Not since the end of the Raj have the British suffered such a setback. Our own CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice, the Sealyham Terrier, finished ahead of the number one dog in the UK, the Standard Poodle, CH Afterglow The Big Tease, who took Reserve.

CH Afterglow The Big Tease

The white Poodle, Donny, is an AKC champion and represented the UK at the 2008 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Donny was handled by his breeder/owner Michael Gadsby. Charmin has now added the penultimate third jewel to dogdom’s triple crown, having won the 2007 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the 2008 World Dog Show in Stockholm in July, and now the 2009 Crufts Dog Show. Congratulations to breeder Frances Bergeron, owners Margery & Richard Good & Sandra Middlebrooks, and handler Margery Good on a magnificent show career.

IT'S A PARSON IN HILTON HEAD

CH Thunderhill Soul Journey

And this just in, we have the rarity of a Parson Russell Terrier going Best In Show. This one happened today at the Hilton Head Island Kennel Club show in, where else, Hilton Head SC courtesy of Judge Roger Hartinger as he tapped CH Thunderhill Soul Journey as his best. Murphy, a scant 20 months old, is only the fifth Parson Russell Terrier ever to win a BIS. Congratulations to breeders Donna Motter & Judith R Slater, owner Jane Gardner, and handler Michelle Scott and thanks to Linda Cranford for the speedy reporting.

SAX DOUBLES DOWN

CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible

Judge Joan Failey had to fill in at the last moment for Dr. Lee Reasin, who had difficulty with his flight schedule (who doesn’t these days), at the day two show of the San Antonio Kennel Club. But for the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible, it was just another day in the show ring as she picked up her second BIS this weekend, her sixth this year, and her tenth lifetime, just one shy of the all time best for a Rough Collie. We did mention that we thought the Herding Group had caught fire lately?