2009 FINAL TOP TEN

We are of the age that each new year is met with a little bit of wistful nostalgia. It is time to say good bye to the top ten dogs we have followed all year. Yes, we know that some of our top ten will continue to be seen in the show ring in 2010. We suspect that a few might even be in the this year’s top ten. Two of the 2009 top ten are holdovers from the previous year. Whatever their plans, we can’t let the new year begin without giving our thanks to the people who brought us these ten dogs.

Number ten, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, is one of our 2008 holdovers. We suspect that for many years to come, “Taser” will be the face everyone remembers when the breed is mentioned. Shown in every part of the US, no little dog has so filled a big ring. While few dogs take a better photo, when you saw him live you could feel the electricity (OK, we couldn’t resist one last bad joke) Taser was bred by Jacqueline L Stacy & W Terry Stacy, is owned by Phil & Patty Smith, and is handled by Jorge Olivera.


Number nine, the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorter's Mt View Lookout,f ought all year in the show ring to get into the top ten and then had to fight the book keepers to stay in the top ten at the end of the year. All was resolved in Scout's favor and he becomes the one of two Sporting Dogs in the top ten. Scout finished the year with 15 all breed BIS, 76 Sporting Group firsts, and a BISS at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America’s National Specialty in October. Our congratulations to breeders Helen Witt, Claire Wisch, & Kelly Wish, owners Kiki Courtelis, Joyce Wilkinson, & Helen & Jim Witt, and handler Frank Murphy on an outstanding year.



Number Eight, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, was rumored to be going home to Australia after Westminster, but happily for us show dog junkies, decided to stay after a very auspicious start on the January Florida circuit. An exceptional mover, with an eternally cheerful expression, “CeeJay” brought a smile to all who saw him. “CeeJay”, bred & owned by Robin Wallis of Gisborne, Australia, is co-owned by Russell Wallis (Robin‘s husband), and Jose, Yvonee, & Christina Herrera, and handled by Jane Alston-Myers.


Number Seven, the Boxer, CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream, the number two Working Dog, managed a top ten finish despite showing up at many of the same shows as the Number One Working Dog. When “Scarlet” did make it into the last ring, she won more than a third of the final sevens, finishing the year with 21 BIS. Scarlett was bred by Tina Porter & Lee Stanton, is owned by Debbie McCarroll, Mark Fagan, Mrs J Billhardt, & S Tenenbaum, and handled by Diego Fernando Garcia.


Number Six, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash Jp Moon Walk, is one of two of our DOGS2WATCH to make it into the top ten. From his specials debut in late 2008 “Walker” has dominated the Toy Group, going Group One 77 percent of the time. No Group win was more memorable than his 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Walker was bred by Yukiko Omura, is owned by Ron Scott & Debbie Burke, and handled by Kaz Hosaka.


Number Five, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, is the second of our DOGS2WATCH on this list. “Dodger” first caught our eye last January when he went three for four against the 2009 Crufts winner, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice. Like the Boxer, Dodger was always a contender in the final seven, winning nearly 40 percent of the BIS he stood for. Dodger was bred by William Dalling & Stacy Turner, is owned by Sandra & Howard Hoffen and Phil & Amy Booth, and handled by Amy.


Number Four, the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, has been the “gold standard” for her breed, as the top Golden for the last two years. One of the most consistent winners, “Treasure” had been in the top five almost from the first of the year. Breeders Jerome and Pamela Oxenberg co-own Treasure with Jane Bates. Clint Livingston gets the handling credit.


Number Three, the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams, was one of the crowd favorites in the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club final. His free, athletic gait was apparent even through a magnificent coat. Despite eschewing air travel, he managed to show up at more than 150 all breed shows winning 33 BIS and 112 Herding Groups. “Conrad” was bred by the quartet of Patricia Turner, Anna Quigley & Alice & Steve Lawrence, is owned by Susan Huebner & Jackie Beaudoin, and is handled by Linda Pitts.


Number Two, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton, gave us one riveting performance after another. Possessing an intense expression that would make the most determined burglar return the family silver, “CJ” stared down the competition all year long. We suspect that this is one top ten dog that will repeat again in 2010. CJ was bred by Carmen Pitts & Gwen Demilta, is owned by Carmen, Nancy Bosley & Julie Porter, and is handled by Gwen’s daughter, Carissa DeMilta Shimpeno.


Number One, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, dominated the competition like few have in recent years. With 55,000 more points than the number two dog, “Sadie” won by the largest margin since 2001, when a certain Kerry Blue Terrier was number one. Winning an astonishing 90 percent of the Terrier Groups she entered, Sadie finished the year with 80 all breed titles including the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the largest all breed show in the US in recent memory. Sadie was bred by Mary O’Neal & Anstamm Kennels (Miriam "Buffy" Stamm and Cindy Cooke), is owned by Amelia Musser, and handled by Gabriel Rangel.

Our awestruck congratulations and eternal gratitude to the breeders, owners, and handlers of these ten dogs. These people have given us a lifetime of memories and reason to say “Happy New Year!”. Look for us at an AKC dog show in 2010!