2 MORE BIS 2 REPORT

CH Avalon Frontier Sleepnlady Webber

We have two BIS winners to report. It’s a long way from Sacramento CA to East Lansing MI, but it was worth the trip for the nation’s number one Bouvier des Flandres, CH Avalon Frontier Sleepnlady Webber, who picked up the top prize at today’s Ingham Country Kennel Club show. That’s Webber’s tenth BIS this year.

CH Abbedale Take Two At Taliesen
(Photo by Derek Glas)

Meanwhile, the Norwich Terrier, CH Abbedale's Take Two at Taliesin, was picking up his second BIS this year, both coming this month. It happened today in Kankakee IL where the Kankakee River Valley Kennel Club hosted the first of their two shows this weekend.

HERDING DOG RACE

Arcadia FL may not be everyone’s Thanksgiving tradition, but for Jon Cole’s seven lucky finalists today’s Greater Vencie Dog Club show seemed the perfect destination.

CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible

They were the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorter Mt View Lookout, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Adili’s American Idol, the Siberian Husky, CH Topaz T.R.O.U.B.L.E., the Border Terrier, CH Standish’s Total Knockout, the Papillion, CH Queen Bless Jp World Idol, the Cow Chow, CH Kelin’s There Can Only Be One, and the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible.

It was another BIS for the red hot collie, Sax, her second in the last week. That makes Sax the number three Herding Dog and puts her on the heels of the number two.

OUR KIND OF ROAD SHOW

We are back at our keyboard after a family forced separation to take in the Rockettes Christmas road show. It’s a Christmas tradition like your Aunt Tillie’s fruitcake and just about as cloyingly sweet and palatable, but the family loved it and it will earn me enough good will for a couple of my kind of road shows, the ones sponsored by AKC.

CH Kridler's Nutmeg V Signature

And just such a show was today’s Savannah Kennel Club show. Frank Sabella cast his expert eye on the English Springer Spaniel, CH Tiffany Esspecial Oimagery, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the Boxer, CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream, the West Highland White Terrier, CH Mac-Ken-Cahr’s Here I Am, the Italian Greyhound, CH Bo-Bett’s Open Button, the Keeshond, CH Trumpet’s Shoot To Thrill, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Kridler's Nutmeg V Signature.

It was the GSD, Meg, picking up her second BIS this month. Just two weeks ago we predicted we would be seeing this girl picking up another big rosette soon. We just didn’t know how soon it would be.

DAY ONE IN YUMA

Paula Nykiel did our BIS yesterday on day one of four in Yuma AZ with the hometown Yuma Kennel Club hosting.

CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy
(Photo Courtesy of Carol Beuchat)

Her finalists were the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty‘s Treasure Island, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Afterglow Ebenezer, the Boxer, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, the Lakeland Terrier, CH Tuscaroran Champ Luna, the Papillion, CH Arkeno’s Ear’s To You, the Dalmatian, CH Nspir D Spotsafire Its A Wrap, and the Shetland Sheepdog, Sansdcastle Demanding Mandy.

It was the impressive Boxer, Bosco, the country’s number six Working Dog, picking up his seventh BIS this year. Bosco has been threatening the top 25 for a while. This weekend may make him one of them.

SCRAMBLING IN SAVANNAH

We have our first results of the weekend in. From the genteel south, we have word of a most genteel winner, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash Jp Moon Walk.

CH Smash Jp Moon Walk

(Photo by Miguel Betancourt)

Dr Lee Anthony Reasin had a look at the Labrador Retriever, CH Salty Dog Of Tampa Bay, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, the Boxer, CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Drea, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Kemosabe Broxden high Button Shoes, the Bichon Frise, CH Bodacious In Enemy Territory, and the Shetland Sheepdog, CH Suntera City Life, before going with the nation’s number one Toy Dog.

The Boxer, Scarlet, the PBGV, CeeJay, and the Poodle, Walker, are the US’ fifth, sixth, & seventh dogs all breed, respectively. That could all change by the end of this weekend. Makes it kind of exciting, huh?

SHOP OR SHOW?

This week is one of those abbreviated show weeks. Even hardcore dog show folks normally take a break to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their non-fancier relatives and friends. While many will be lined up at the mall or your local electronics super store today, true doggy folk will head for the show grounds.

Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah Georgia

This week we have but two four show sites, on opposite sides of the country. The first is in one of my favorite southern cities. No place evokes graciousness more than Savannah, Georgia. Even if you are not a fan of Paula Deen or Johnny Mercer (and you should be) you will love Savannah. The Beaufort & Savannah Kennel Clubs will be set up Friday through Monday. The second city giving us four days of shows is Yuma, Arizona. The quintessential old west town is good for your allergies and you Tequila habit. Also running Friday through Monday, the Yuma & Imperial Valley Kennel Clubs are hosting.

Yuma Arizona Wildflowers

Our five remaining shows are all Saturday/Sunday offerings evenly distributed across the country, from Fitchburg MA (the Worcester County Kennel Club) to Arcadia FL (the Greater Venice Florida Dog Club) to East Lansing MI (the Ingham County Kennel Club) to Kankakee IL (the Kankakee River Valley Kennel Club) to Conroe TX (the Conroe Kennel Club).

So while some may want to spend the weekend looking for a battery operated hamster (ask you nephew) or a discounted flat screen TV, true believers will be out there enjoying the sublime beauty AKC purebred dogs.

HAPPY THANSKGIVING!

Before we put the turkey in the oven and steel ourselves for the onslaught of relatives, here’s a few details to hold you over to our return on Friday.

CH Penndragon Masaniello

First, we owe you the rest of the results from Monday’s San Joaquiin Kennel Club show in Stockton CA. In addition to the previously reported BIS winner, Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, and finalist Alaskan Malamute, CH Catanya’s Latin Lover, judge Pluis Davern saw the Saluki, CH Carmas Indian Summer, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundown Mercedes Of Maryscot, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cashin's Walk The Line, the Standard Poodle, CH Penndragon Masaniello, and the Bearded Collie, CH Brigadoon Daybar Believe It Or Not.

In our continuing effort to bring you the results of National Specialties, we have this from Kansas City MO where the Bulldog Club of America held their 2009 National Specialty yesterday. Breeder Judge Darlene Stuedemann had a magnificent entry of 542 (bigger than some all breed BIS shows these days) with a Best Of Breed entry of 80 (more specials than most BIS winners face in any show).

CH Legacy Empress Of The Copa

Her BISS was CH Legacy Empress Of The Copa. That give Empress bragging rights as the number one Bulldog in the US (based on breed points). Congratulations to breeder Mathew Bonner, owner/breeder Kelly Coppen, and owner/handler Jay Serion, on a very impressive win.

Don't forget to watch the National Dog Show presented by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and Purina on NBC. And don't forget to give thanks to those lovebale dogs that make our lives so rich. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

MONDAY IN STOCKTON

CH Toasty's Treasure Island.

We’ve been stalling all day hoping we could get you more on yesterday’s San Joaquin Kennel Club show in Stockton CA, but here’s what we know. The Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island took home the weekend’s last big rosette courtesy of Ms Pluis Davern. We do know that Saturday’s top dog, the Alaskan Malamute, CH Catanya’s Latin Lover, was among the finalists.

Treasure is the country's number one Golden Retriever, number one Sporting Dog, and number four dog all breeds. We hear this was her 30th career BIS. Congratulations to breeders/owners Pamela & Jerome Oxenberg, co-owners Carolee Douglas & Jane Bares, and handler Clint Livingston.

COLLIE DOUBLE DOWN

We don’t remember the last time this happened, two dogs of the same breed/variety winning BIS on the same weekend in the same location. It happened this weekend in Belton TX and the Cen-Tex Kennel Club gave us two shows.

CH Diamante's Little Red Corvette

Saturday’s BIS judge was Ralph (Sonny) Ambrosio. His seven candidates were the Weimaraner, CH Harline Win'Weim It's My 2nd Martini, the Greyhound, CH Quicksilver's Sierra's Jaguar, the Boxer, CH Bravo N Sunset Stealing Time, the Lakeland Terrier, CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Soldier Of Fortune, the Papillon, CH Queen Bless JP World Idol, the Rough Collie, CH Diamante's Little Red Corvette. His choice for the Best In Show was the Collie, Trevor. It’s Trevor’s first Group win this year and first BIS this year. Congratulations to breeder/owner Rebecca Myers-Barth and co-owner Alice Inman.

CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible

Sunday Carolyn B. McKenna saw another Rough Collie, the nation’s number one Collie and. with this win, the number three Herding Dog, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible, and made that collie her BIS. Wondering who declared Texas Collie country were the aforementioned Weimaraner, the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel, the Akita, CH Buckridge's Showtime Celebri Te, the above named Lakeland, the Shih Tzu, CH Symarun's Look N Good, and the Lhasa Apso, CH Rushmar's Charmer. That’s her twelfth this year and 16th career BIS.

MINNEAPOLIS KC

CH Sno Klassic Play The Game

The Minneapolis Kennel Club staged two shows in suburban Shakopee MN this weekend. Day one saw Dr Klus Anselm with the Irish Setter, CH Vineyard’s bad Boy, the American Foxhound, CH Kiarry’s Foolish Pride, the Alakan Malamute, CH Sno Klassic Play The Game, the Norwich Terrier, CH Take Two At Talisen, the Blenheim & Prince Charles English Toy Spaniel, CH Royalist Ready To Reign, the French Bulldog, CH Devine’s LAConfidential, and the Australian Cattle Dog, CH Hillhaven Journey The Rapids PT. The day belonged to the nation’s number four Working Dog, the Malamute, Player. We have this as BIS number eleven this year.

CH Devine’s LA Confidential

Sunday, Barbara Wood saw repeat finalists the Malamute, the Norwich, and the Frenchie. Also asking for a look were the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH EXL’s Leather n Lace, the Long Haired Dachshund, CH Homar’s Solo Aviator SL, the Maltese, Ta-Jon’s Who’s Your Sugar Daddy, and the Smooth Collie, CH Liege’s Standing In The Rainbow. Going BIS the day before his fourth birthday was the Dachshund. We haven’t seen much of this dog this year, but he was the number one Long Haired Dachsund last year winning multiple BIS. Congratulations to breeder/owner/handler Carlos Puig.

CHICAGO RESULTS

If you live near the Windy City, we hope you visited this weekend’s Lake Shore Kennel Club shows in Chicago Heights IL.

CH Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy On The Eyes

On Saturday, William Cunnigham’s final showed us the Gordon Setter, CH Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy On The Eyes, the Basset Hound, CH Topsfield-Sanchu American Express, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Urban Pride Sharply Dressed , the American Staffordshire Terrier, CH Pirouette's Rebbull Exemplar, the Papillon, CH Wingssong Rock Star, the Standard Poodle, CH Jaset's Satisfaction, and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog, CH Sasquehanna Malinnik Ponadto.There seems to be an inexhaustible supply of great Standard Poodles,. BIS goes to this youngster, just 20 months old. Congratulations to breeders/owners Sandra Tompkins & Chris Bailey and handler Ann Rairigh.

CH Sasquehanna Malinnik Ponadto

Sunday, Only the Am Staff and the PON made it back to see judge Bernard Schwartz. He also considered the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH American Foxhound, CH Devlon's Fame And Fortune, the Boxer, CH Desert's She's Everthing, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, CH Ayrwen Star Kissed Delight, and the Lhasa Apso, CH Northwind Nothing But Trouble. It was the dog with the difficult to pronounce, difficult to spell name, the PON (Polski Owczarek Nizinny) aka Polish Lowland Sheepdog, getting his second BIS this year. He is the only PON to win a BIS this year. Congratulations to breeder Malgorzata Supronowicz, owners Barbara Bruns & Wolfgang Stamp and hnalder Nancy Martin.

ANOTHER POODLE BIS

The Agathon Kennel Club gave us two show this wekeend and we gave you a full report on Saturday’s show.

CH Dawin Spitfire

Sunday’s judge was Monica Canestrini and Sunday’s finalists were the Irish Setter, CH Courtwood Always Bailey, Saturday’s BIS winner, the Whippet, CH Sporting Field's Bahama Sand, the Standard Schnauzer, CH Pepper Tree Zorro V Morgenwald, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pug, CH Norkus Risky Business, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the Border Collie, CH Sportingfields Reflections O Borderfame.

Her Best In Show was the Standard Poodle, Jetta. That’s number ten for the country’s number five Non-Sporting Dog.

SUNDAY IN MARYLAND

We had four shows in West Friendship MD this week and we have brought you reports on the first three. Sunday’s show was brought to us by the Upper Marlboro Kennel Club.

CH Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorian Grey JC

Catherine Bell considered the Welsh Springer, CH Haetherstone’s Jopa Blue, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorian Grey JC, the Great Pyrenees, CH Rivergroves Trump This, the American Staffordshire Terrier, CH Wonderlands Heavily Armed Agitator, the Pekingese, CH Linn-Lee’s For The Good Times, the Standard Poodle, CH Hillwood Dassin De-Lovely, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Lambluv’s Day Dream believer.

BIS went to the Rhodesian, Dorian, his fifth this year. Congratulations to breeder/owner Dr Christina Wistrom, co-owner Sonnet McKinnon, and handler Jack Secrest.

POODLE HAT TRICK

We remarked earlier that the dog game is not tennis. Nor is it hockey, but we do like the term “hat trick” indicating three goals scored by the same player. We had three shows in Montgomery AL this weekend and the Standard Poodle, CH Donnchada Sweet Dreams, has walked off with all three big rosettes.

CH Donnchada Sweet Dreams

The first was brought to us on Friday by the Anniston Kennel Club. Lining up for Maxine Beam were the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorters Mt View Lookout, the Basenji, CH Ab-Rafiki The Icon Of Cool, the Bernese Mountain Dog, CH Alpenspirits Liion King, the West Highland White Terrier, CH Mac-Ken-Chars Here I Am, the Shih Tzu, CH Yingsus Nothin To Lose, the Standard Poodle, Patsy, and the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams

CH Cat Tales Cat Mandu

Saturday, it was Ed Bivin for the Tuscaloosa Kennel Club. He saw the same GWP, Bernese, Westie, and Standard Poodle along with the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Adilis American Idol, the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, and the Rough Collie, CH Gentry’s Braveheart. Sunday, Barbara Dempsey Alderman made it unanimous selecting Patsy out of final that included the English Setter, CH Honeygait Wilson Lake On The Rocks, the Saluki, CH Cat Tales Cat Mandu, the Standard Schnauzer, CH Korpprets Cheaper By The Dz, the Norwich Terrier, CH Skyscot Poker Chip, including the aforementioned Peke, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Shoal Creeks Sangria V Barick.

That brings Patsy’s BIS total this year to nine, five this month. This girl in on a roll. Look for her at a show near you.

DON'T BET THE LUNCH MONEY

One of the reasons we like dog shows, is the outcomes are unpredictable. Oh, there are those who believe that the winners are predetermined going into a show and we admit to doing a bit of handicapping ourselves. However, we frequently say, “Don’t bet the lunch money.”

If ever you wanted an illustration of that look at this weekend’s Northern California shows. The country’s number one dog all breeds, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, a dog so dominate this year that she leads all others by an astonishing 45,000 points, so far this weekend has gathered a Group three, a Group two, and a Group one, but no BIS. Now, most of us, would love to have such a great weekend, but this girl has been so successful that we forget what game we’re playing. This is not tennis. No one goes undefeated for long in the dog game.

CH Mojo's Rock'N Your World

On Friday, they were all in Turlock CA for the day one show of the Golden Valley Kennel Club. Charles Trotter’s final included the Brittany, CH RJ’s Sierra Edition SH, the Basset Hound, CH Blossomhil's Mamma Mia, the Akita, CH Mojo's Rock'N Your World, the West Highland White Terrier, CH Arbroath's Rosewood Rise N' Shine, the Silky Terrier, CH Safire Rock It To The Stars, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Guthries How Sweet It Is, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Avalons Frontier Sleepnlady Webber. Day one went to the Akita, Coupe, who now has a lucky thirteen BIS.

CH Sherwood’s King Arthur

You may have read here that Saturday, Dr Harry Smith’s BIS was the Alaksan Malamute, CH Catanya’s Latin Lover, and three of the finalists were the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, the Black & Tan Coonhound, CH Silver Ridge Showtyme At Windbourne, and the Tibetan Terrier, CH Player's Just Like Butter. Now we can tell you that the remaining three finalists were the Airedale, CH Sherwood’s King Arthur, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cashin's Walk The Line, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Westfalls Kyle’s Mica Of Paris.

CH Seng Khri Bartok Of Dawa

Sunday, the party moved 45 miles north to Stockton CA, where Jean Fournier was waiting to do BIS for the San Joaquin Kennel Club. This time the Scottie, Sadie was in the final with the aforementioned Golden and the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Pupukearidge Ikaika O Sprngvly, the Tibetan Mastiff, CH Seng Khri Bartok Of Dawa, the Pug, CH Jetta Enchanteds Digitally Remaster, the Standard Poodle, CH Penndragon Masaniello, Shetland Sheepdog, CH PaRay Cirque Du Soliel.

Her Best was the Tibetan Mastiff, Bartok, his second. While, we are totally in love with our Terriers, we have to admit that there are few dogs more imposing than this Tibetan Mastiff. They are rare. We hope you get to see one in the flesh. Now, did anyone notice that only the Golden, Treasure, was a repeat finalists during these three shows? We still have our lunch money. Do You?

TODAY IN MASSACHUSETTS

We now have the results from today’s West Springfield MA event hosted by the Springfield Kennel Club.

CH Dun Myrica Speaker Of Eagle

Yesterday’s surprise winner, the Norfolk Terrier, Cracknor Cross The Ts, did not compete today. Dr Lee Anthony Reasin’s choice for BIS was the nation’s number two Hound, the Irish Wolfhound, CH Dun Myrica Speaker Of Eagle. The other group winners were the Irish Setter, CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed, the Siberian Husky, CH Coventry's Peace Negotiator, the Irish Terrier, CH Fleet St Fenway Fan, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash Jp Moon Walk, the Bulldog, CH Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

The Wolfhound, Tip, picked up almost 1700 points. Look for him to improve his 17th place all breed standing dramatically with this win.

BIS FROM THE CLASSES

It’s rare when a class dog wins a Group, but when one wins an all breed BIS, we all take notice. Up in West Springfield MA, Marion Dee Ward, chose the Norfolk Terrier, Cracknor Cross The Ts, as her Best In Show at yesterday’s Windham County Kennel Club show.

She might have chosen the Irish Setter, CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed, the Irish Wolfhound, CH Dun Myrica Speaker Of Eagle, Thursday’s and Friday’s BIS winner, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash Jp Moon Walk, the Lhasa Apso, CH My Thai Ta Sen Halleluiah Chorus, or the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, CH Xtacee Dancin In The Moonlight, but she didn‘t.

Congratulations to breeder Elizabeth Matell, who co-owns the three year old bitch with Pamela Beale & Beth Sweigart. You might remember these ladies as three of the the ones who brought us the Norflok Terrier, CH Cracknor Cause Celebre, better known as Coco, AKC’s top dog in 2003.

HAVANESE IN FLORIDA

The Greater Naples Dog Club asked Dr John V Ioia to close their day two show in Naples FL.

CH Harbor's It Had To Be Me

He considered a Golden Retriever from the classes, Gemini’s Furst Draft, yesterday’s BIS winner, the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Star K’s Mile Hi Valentine, the Petit Baset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the Newfoundland, Chm Halycion-Cofino Queen Isabela, the Skye Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, the Havanese. CH Harbor’s It Had To Be Me, the Standard Poodlem CH Chrystal's Totally Chromed Out, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Riverside In The Dark Zone.

Naples is just a boat ride away from Havana, but somehow this BIS winner is a world away. Lola now has more all breed Bests than any other Havanese this year. Congratulations to breeder/owner Connie Field and handler Harry Bennett.

TALKING TURKEY IN TURLOCK

CH Catanya’s Latin Lover

From the I-5 Turkey Circuit we hear that the Alaskan Malamute, CH Catanya’s Latin Lover, took the top prize at yesterday’s Golden Valley Kennel Club in Turlock CA. We don’t know all the finalists, but the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, the Black & Tan Coonhound, CH Silver Ridge Showtyme At Windbourne, and the Tibetan Terrier, CH Player's Just Like Butter, were all on hand.

It was the sixth BIS this year for DOG2WATCH Ricky and his third this month. Gonna be interesting in Long Beach this year.