WWW: THE TOY GROUP

When we first exhibited at Westminster 34 years ago we showed a Maltese and we have been handicapping the Toy Group there ever since. Here’s Whom we will Watch at Westminster (WWW).

CH Smash Jp Moon Walk
(Photo by Miguel Betancourt)

The number one Toy Dog in the US last year announced his arrival in New York yesterday with a win at the prestigious Progressive Dog Club show. The Toy Poodle, CH Smash Jp Moon Walk, won 25 all breed BIS & and 111 Toy Groups, 42 more than any other Toy Dog last year, including the Group at December’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Walker was bred by Yukiko Omura, is owned by Ron Scott & Debbie Burke, and is handled by Kaz Hosaka.

CH Jolei Hallmark Austin Powers

However, the number one Toy Dog so far this year is the Shih Tzu, CH Jolei Hallmark Austin Powers, with three all breed BIS. The nineteen month old won his National Specialty last May from the classes at the tender age of eleven months. Austin was bred by 2008 Toy Breeders of the Year, Luke & Diane Ehricht, is owned by Joe C Walton & Roberta Walton, and is handled by Luke.

CH Tamarin Tug

(Photo by Miguel Betancourt)

The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, has been a top ten dog all breeds for the last two year. Taser went three for four BIS last weekend in Phoenix and is always a presence in the Group ring. Taser was bred by Jacqueline L Stacy & W Terry Stacy, is owned by Phil & Patty Smith, and is handled by Jorge Olivera.

CH Riversong's Broadway Joe

Did we mention that Shirley Limoges is doing the Toy Group at Westminster? Did we also mention that she has put up a Pug in the last three Toy Groups she has judged? Did we mention that the Pug, CH Riversong's Broadway Joe, has six Toy Group wins this year? Joe is bred & owned by Carolyn Koch and handled by Barry Clothier.

Next Poodles, a Bulldog, & other Non-Sporting Dogs.

WWW: THE TERRIER GROUP

We are Terrier people and it has been a Terrier fun fest these past several months. Whom will we Watch at Westminster (WWW) in the Terrier Group?

CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot

The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, has to be one of the most recognizable show dogs in recent history. A Google search of “Sadie, the Scottish Terrier” uncovered 375 news articles in the past week! Not 375 references in obscure show dog rags like this humble blog, but in the mainstream media like USA Today, the Boston Herald, and the New York Daily News. Sadie is, of course, 2009’s number one dog all breeds, winner of 111 career all breed Bests, and winner of the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, and, according to Las Vegas odds makers, the 1:8 favorite to win Westminster. 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.

CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice

Sadie has made only infrequent appearances in the show ring during 2010, but our current number one Terrier, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, has been pillaging the show rings, garnering eight BIS so far this year, more than any other dog out there. Dodger and handler Amy Booth finished 2009 in the number five spot all breeds and are currently a breath behind the number one dog. Dodger was bred by William Dalling & Stacy Turner, and is owned by Sandra & Howard Hoffen and Phil & Amy Booth. Amy does most of the handling, but occasionally Phil steps in as he did in yesterday’s BIS performance in Indianapolis.

CH Dalriada’s Mystic

Scott Sommer, handler of last year’s Westminster winner, the Sussex Spaniel, CH Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, will have several entries this year including the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Dalriada’s Mystic. Although Boo joined the fun late in 2009, she still managed five BIS, the only Wire Fox to win an all breed Best. Breeder Cara Campbell DVM co-owns Boo with Mike Doleski, Cecilia Ruggles & Beth Dowd.

CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman

The Skye Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, 2009 Westminster Breed winner and the only Skye to win a BIS in 2009 (He won seven), is currently the country’s number two Terrier and has just come off a very impressive weekend in Atlanta. Buddy was bred by Eugene Z Zaphiris & Matthew H Stander, is owned by Carolyn Koch & Victor Malzoni Jr, and handled by Lawrence W Cornelius.

Stay tuned for the Toys.

HOOSIER ON FIRST

CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice

The Hoosier Kennel Club and Jon Cole took over today in Indianapolis. Judge Cole had the same seven as Dr Roger S Pritchard had the day before, the Gordon Setter, CH Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy On The Eyes, the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel, the Rottweiler, CH Cammcastles Friar Tuck, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Maltese, CH SeaBreeze Caribbean Sun Calling, the French Bulldog, CH Robobull Fabelhaft I'm On Fire, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Kaleef Caterina V Kenlyn.

Judge Cole went with the nation’s number two dog all breeds the Smooth Fox, Dodger. Dodger now has eight BIS, more than any other dog this year. Pretty impressive.

WESTMINSTER WARM UPS

The Westminster Warm ups are in full swing and we will try to bring you selected results. There were two limited breed shows yesterday, at the Nassau Coliseum, on Long Island, the Big Apple Sporting Society and the Central New Jersey Hound Association.

CH Jewelsets Up Up 'N Away

At the former The Irish Setter, CH Jewelsets Up Up 'N Away, started the day by winning the breed over her niece, the country’s number one dog all breeds, CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed. Windy went on to take the Group One. Windy was the 2006 Westminster Breed and Sporting Group Two winner.

CH Genesis Silverado

The Hound show was won by one of our Westminster picks, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado. Dylan and handler Marcelo Veras drove all the way up from Florida, braving all that Mother Nature could offer. With that kind of determination we expect these two are going to have a great New York visit.

CH Smash Jp Moon Walk

The little dogs stayed close to home holding their own party in the official show hotel, the New York Hotel Pennsylvania. And it was 2009’s number one Toy Dog, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash Jp Moon Walk, with the Progressive Dog Club’s 2010 BIS.

These warm ups are not necessarily precursors of things to come, but more some tidbits designed to whet the appetite for the main event. Works for us!

WWW. THE WORKING GROUP

We made a conscious decision to limit our annual Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW) to four or five dogs in each group. Westminster is the one show where we could easily go ten deep in each group. No where will you find as high a percentage of multiple BIS winners. However, the rules of the game are such that there are only four placements in each group and they have to be from different breeds/varieties. Here’s who we think will catch Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna’s eye on Tuesday.

CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton

2009’s number two dog, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton, finished the year with 51 all breed BIS & 115 Working Group top awards. She has collected three BIS so far this year in just two weekends of showing. 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.

CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy

One of the things we liked about cat shows was that a judge could select multiple cats of the same variety for his/her final. This year we think it’s a shame that the evening crowd will only get to see one Boxer for there are at least two we think are at the top of the Working group. The first, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, was the Working Group representative inBest In Show ring at December’s 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Bosco is currently our number four dog all breeds after collecting three BIS this year including one at the Dog Fanciers Association Of Oregon show in Portland last month, one of the largest shows we will see all year.

CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream

However, Bosco will have to face last year’s number one Boxer, CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream, to advance to the group. Scarlet gathered 21 all breed Bests and 61 Working Group Firsts in 2009, finishing as the number seven dog all breeds. Scarlet has collected two BIS so far this year. She 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.

CH Aviator’s Luck Be A Lady

A dog that has flown below many people’s radar is the Portuguese Water Dog, CH Aviator’s Luck Be A Lady. However Lady Bug and handler Amy Rutherford managed to collect five all breed Bests and 22 Working Group Firsts. She was bred by Cathy Dugin and is owned by Cathy, Victor Malzoni Jr & Jerson Valle.

CH Seng Khri Bartok Of Dawa

One dog way too big too fly under the radar is our dark horse as big as a horse, the Tibetan Mastiff, CH Seng Khri Bartok Of Dawa. Bartok started a little late in 2009, but still gathered two BIS and eight Group Ones, including a star turn Group Two at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. He has already collected one Best In Show this year. He was Hungarian bred by Eva Marton, is owned by Zane Smith, Dan Nechemias & Lois Claus, and is handled by Ed Thomason.

Next up the Terriers.

MIDLAND TEXAS

The Concho Kennel Club opened a four day stay in Midland TX with Norman Kenney in the final ring.

CH Nautilus Ripley's Coyote Ugly

His options were the Golden Retriever, CH Nautilus Ripley's Coyote Ugly, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Paradigm's Red Talisman SC, the Doberman Pinscher, CH A'Monde's Sand & Dunes Of Sahara, the Norwich Terrier, CH The Island's My Cup Of Tea, the Affenpinscher, CH Ferlin's It's All About Me, the Standard Poodle, CH Hanna's Dam Inge Fair Sun, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Roragyn's Silver Bells.

It was the Golden, Violet, picking up her first BIS of the year. Congratulations to breeder Julie MacKinnon, owners Steven & Frances Brentson & Luiz Carlos Fernandes, and handler David M Harper.

ON THE ROAD TO WESTMINSTER

You do recall that we told you that there are shows going on outside of New York this week. In fact, many of the dogs we expect to be in contention at Westminster were in Indianapolis yesterday for the Central Indiana Kennel Club first show of the week.

CH Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy On The Eyes

Dr Roger S Pritchard lucky seven were the Gordon Setter, CH Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy On The Eyes, the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel, the Rottweiler, CH Cammcastles Friar Tuck, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Maltese, CH SeaBreeze Caribbean Sun Calling, the French Bulldog, CH Robobull Fabelhaft I'm On Fire, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Kaleef Caterina V Kenlyn.

The Doctor’s BIS was one of our Westminster picks from the Sporting Group, the Gordon, Carson. Now all we can say is, we hope all these Westminster bound dogs are smiled on by the weather gods. We wish them all a safe journey.

WWW: THE HOUND GROUP

Westminster can be a catapult or a capstone for a dog’s career. Many of the dogs being shown next week will be appearing at their last AKC dog show after a memorable year. Others will be looking to catch the Westminster Wave, the momentum that comes from a good showing at the Garden. Here's Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW) in the Hound Group.

CH Starline Chanel

2009’s number one Whippet, all systems, CH Starline Chanel, got off to a quick start this year with two all breed BIS including one at the huge Palm Springs Kennel Club. Chanel is currently the number five dog all breeds. Lori Turner-Wilson handles Chanel for breeders/owners Lori & Carey Lawrence.

CH Genesis Silverado

Our number seven dog all breeds is the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, who is our nominee for most consistent winner all breeds. Dylan and handler Marcelo Veras have already logged one all breed BIS and 12 Hound Group Firsts, against tough competition in Florida & Georgia. Dylan was bred by Lou Guerrero, Hank Nave & L Schanzle, and is owned by John Shaw.

CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind

However, the dog that has won more Groups than any other so far this year is the Scottish Deerhound, CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind. Hickory has collected an astonishing 14 Group Firsts and, if that isn’t impressive enough, three all breed top awards. Hickory was bred by Cecilia L Dove & Dr R Scott Dove, who co-own Hickory with Sally Sweatt. She is handled by Angela Lloyd.

CH Rokeena Carte Blanche

Our final Hound Group pick is the most popular Australian import since Hugh Jackman, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche. CeeJay was last year’s number one Hound and number eight dog all breeds, collecting 27 BIS & 93 Hound Group top awards. 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.

W Everett Dean Jr will be judging the Hound Group on Monday. The last Hound he awarded a BIS was the American Foxhound, CH Kiarry’s Walk This Way, back at the September show of the Warrenton Kennel Club in Millwood VA.

THIS WEEK

While we admit that our attention has been focused on 8th Avenue & W 33rd Street in Manhattan, we are aware that there will be other AKC dog shows in the US this week.

So if you just can’t wait until Monday, try visiting one of these shows. The Central Indiana Kennel Club and Hoosier Kennel Club will team for four shows in Indianapolis IN starting Thursday and the Concho Kennel Club and the West Texas Kennel Club will do the same in Midland TX. The Plum Creek Kennel Club Of Colorado & the Colorado Kennel Club will follow suit on Friday in Denver CO. The Linn County Kennel Club will treat Oregonians to the traditional weekend of shows in Albany OR and those seeking canine company in paradise can try the Friday through Monday set in Hilo HI.

Wherever you are, join us on Monday at 7:45 PM EST for our Garden Party, as we kick off our real time coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club show.

WWW: THE SPORTING GROUP

We are fond of saying, “Don’t bet the lunch money” on an AKC dog show. That goes doubly for the Westminster Kennel Club show where getting out of the breed is a major accomplishment for the most seasoned dog. However, that does not deter we dog pundits from picking our favorites at the World’s most prestigious dog show. Here is our Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), starting with the Sporting Group.

CH Toasty’s Treasure Island

We expect the Sporting Group to be the most hotly contested of the Groups. Not only do we have the top two Sporting Dogs from 2009, we have two dogs that have been burning up the show ring in the last two months. We start with 2009’s number one Sporting Dog, the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island. Treasure finished 2009 as the number four dog all breeds with 23 BIS & 89 Group Firsts. Clint Livingston handles for breeders Jerome and Pamela Oxenberg & co-owner Jane Bates.

CH Ripsnorter’s Mt View Lookout

The German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorter’s Mt View Lookout, was 2009’s number two Sporting Dog and number nine dog all breeds. Scout accumulated 15 all breed Bests and 76 Sporting Group top awards last year. He was bred by Helen Witt, Claire Wisch, & Kelly Wish, is owned by Kiki Courtelis, Joyce Wilkinson, & Helen & Jim Witt, and handled by Frank Murphy.

CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed
(Photo Courtesy of the American Kennel Club)

The current number one dog all breeds is the Irish Setter, CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed. Although she got a late start in 2009, Emily managed to win four all breed BIS and 31 Sporting Groups. Memorable wins included the 2009 National Specialty of the Irish Setter Club of America over more than 500 entries and a Group One at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Emily was bred by Ellen Bieler, Debra & Tim Burke, is owned by Debbie Burke & Nancy Lee Conner, and handled by Adam Bernardin.

CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction
(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

The Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction, was only shown briefly last year, but has catapulted into the number three spot in the 2010 all breed rankings, gathering six all breed Bests along the way. Bred & owned by Linda Moore, Beckham is handled by Linda Pitt.

CH Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy On The Eyes

(Photo Courtesy of the American Kennel Club)

We have to have a dark horse and it is the tall, dark, & handsome Gordon Setter, CH Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy On The Eyes. Last year’s Westminster BIS judge, Sari Brewster Tietjen, gave Carson his first BIS of 2010 last month. We take that as a good omen. Carson was bred by Janice Beattie, Christina Kirby, Mary McLoughlin & Caren Mcweeny, is owned by Christina, Mary, & Don & Pat Coller, and is handled by Eileen Hackett.

WILD, WILD, WILDWOOD

We’ve heard all sorts of wild stories about this past weeks shows in Wildwood NJ. You may recall that the five day stop on the boardwalk was beset by a behemoth sized blizzard. Only a third of the entries stayed for Sunday’s judging.

CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind

Braving the elements and the competition to make it to Charles Trotter’s final were the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, CH Fireside’s Spontaneous Combustion, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, the Samoyed, CH Selene Of Inn Wang San KR, the Scottish Terrier, CH Blueberry’s Surely You Jest, the Havanese, CH Los Perritos-Shallowbrook Heir I Am, the Schipperke, CH De Lamer Pink Flamingo, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

It was the Deerhound picking up her third all breed Best of the year. If Hickory can make it out of the breed at Westminster, she will see Hound group judge W Everett Dean Jr, who gave her a Group one at last May’s Trumbull County Kennel Club, but that was then….

TASER TIMES THREE

In dog shows, like most sports, momentum is an elusive and powerful force. There is nothing like riding a wave of wins into Westminster week. Once again, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and handler Jorge Olivera demonstrate how it’s done, as they pack three big rosettes from this past weekend in Phoeniz AZ in their Garden bound luggage.

CH Tamarin Tug
(Photo by Miguel Betancourt)

Taser closed the four days in Phoenix with his third BIS there, the latest coming from Gay Dunlap at the second of the Lost Dutchman Kennel Club’s two shows. Also in the hunt were the Brittany, CH Gourley’s 99 Carat Diamond, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Pupukearidge Ikaika O Sprngvly, the Boxer, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, the Miniature Schnauzer, CH Alluruth Solebay Chipotgoldblok, the Boston Terrier, CH Oui’s Midnight Maverick, and the Rough Collie, CH Gentry’s Braveheart.

Taser was the breed winner at last year’s Westminster, but failed to get a Group Placement. This year’s Toy Group judge is Shirley Limoges. Last Taser saw her she gave him a Group Two at the giant Del Valle Dog Club show in October. We’ll see if he can catch her eye again.

WESTMINSTER WEEK

Most New Yorkers greet the New Year in Times Square on January 1st, but for the last 134 years dog fanciers have celebrated the past year and the coming new year in Madison Square Garden in February hosted by the Westminster Kennel Club.

2009 WKC BIS Winner
The Sussex Spaniel
CH Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee

On February 15th 2500 of the best dogs anywhere will assemble for two days before the largest audience in the canine world. Most of the dogs will come from within a tank of gas away, but once again California will send the most entries, 251. Florida will also send a large contingent, 124. There will be entries from every part of the US and several foreign nations as well. The three varieties of Dachshunds will have the most entries, 63, followed by Australian Shepherds 44, Rhodesian Ridgebacks 43, Labrador Retrievers 42, & Golden Retrievers 40.

All 173 AKC breeds & varieties will be seen including the three breeds making their Westminster debut, the Irish Red and White Setter, the Norwegian Buhund, and the Pyrenean Shepherd. We expect to see all of 2009’s top ten dogs as well as most of those dogs who are currently in the top ten. No other show all year will have as many top ranked dogs.

We will have the most Westminster coverage anywhere, with lots of Westminster facts & figures; our WWW, Whom to Watch at Westminster, group by group picks; breed winners as they happen, culminating in our Garden Party, an interactive chat room during the broadcasts February 15th & 16th, Monday & Tuesday evenings, from 8:00 PM to 11:00PM EST. Monday night’s broadcast will be on USA network for the first hour and then switch to CNBC for last two hours. USA will have all three hours on Tuesday.

Visit the Westminster Kennel Club site for an unbelievable cache of information, check with us daily for Westminster news, and don‘t forget to mark you calendar for our Garden Party, Monday & Tuesday, February 15th & 16th, 8:00PM to 11:00PM EST.

GOLDEN IN THE GOLDEN STATE

CH Gaida Of Yoshida Enterprise Jp

(Photo Courtesy of the American Kennel Club)

Finally, we make our way to Fresno CA and the Sun Maid Kennel Club Of Fresno Sunday offering and what’s more appropriate for the Golden State than a double offering of Golden, Retriever, that is as CH Gaida Of Yoshida Enterprise Jp took home his second BIS in as many days.

He was joined in Annella Cooper’s final by the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel,Tibetan Mastiff, CH Seng Khri Bartok Of Dawa, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Kathrich Maximo, the Shih Tzu, CH Amitzu China Doll, the French Bulldog, CH Highwood’s Big Shot, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Segni At Coventry.

Check back with us for today’s results from Phoenix and updated national rankings.

TASER TIMES TWO

CH Tamarin Tug

Day Three in Phoenix AZ saw another repeat performance as the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, reminded everybody that he’s the local boy made good, as he added yet another BIS to his lengthy resume.

On hand to watch Robert Salsbury make the award at the day one show of the Lost Dutchman Kennel Club were the Parti Colored Cocker Spaniel, CH Keda’s Hellz A Poppin’, the Petit Basset Griffons Vendeen, the Boxer, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Purston Spitfire Of Foxxfyre, the Dalmatian, CH Nsprd Spotsafire It’s A Wrap, and the Rough Collie, CH Gentry’s Braveheart.

They continue today with the fourth and final show in Phoenix, another from the Lost Dutchman KC.

HOBBS NM KC

CH Devon Lady Semper Fi

Moving west to the incredibly remote town of Hobbs NM, we have the results from the Hobbs New Mexico Kennel Club’s two shows where the Border Terrier, CH Devon Lady Semper Fi, posted back2back Best In Shows. Hazel had eleven Terrier Groups top prizes in limited showing in 2009. Congratulations to breeders.owners Alison Miller & Leslie Miller, co-owner Sandra Middlebrooks, and handler Erin Roberts.

Carole Esterkin chose Hazel Saturday over the Irish Setter, CH Tramore Galewinni’s Making An Impact, the Whippet, Raybar’s On the First Reflection, the Akita, CH Moonlight Celestial Sermon, the Cavalier King Charels Spaniel, CH Mondrian VH Lamslag RE, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Chaoyang Chick Magnet At Asia, and the Belgian Sheepdog, CH Takishan Black Mariah RE CD.

Sunday Arley Hussin’s options included the same Cavalier, the Golden Retriever, CH Crystal Glen’s Up Yours NA NAJ, the Longhaired Dachshund, CH Bonnfel’s Maverick Spirit Wind, the Siberian Husky, CH Unforgettable Liberty Torch, the Lhasa Apso, CH Sundancer Aleksandra, and the Old English Sheepdog, Saxen Farm’s It All Adds Up.

ROARING THROUGH ARKANSAS

CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar

Pine Bluff AR is our next stop to check in on the Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club.

Eugene Blake kicked it off with the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Bracon's Leapin Lily Pads, the 15” Beagle, CH Shadynook McDreamy At RK N'Tooker, the Doberman Pinscher, CH A'Mondes Sand & Dunes Of Sahara, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Topwyre Candy Man, the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Elite's By Design, and the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible. He went with the Peke who continues to dominate the Toy Group in her part of the world. Look for her to move into the top ten dogs all breeds as we go into Westminster.

Sunday Gloria Geringer was graced with the same Wire, Peke, & Collie, the English Springer Spaniel, CH Capulet’s Innovation, the Bloodhound, CH Ghost Hollow's Spectacular Bid, the Mastiff, Lazy D's Play It Again Sam, and the Bichon Frise, CH Risgae Miabella Sweet Georgia. Her choice was the Springer, bred by Tracy Monahan & Donald Snyder and owned by Linda Myslinski. Congratulations to them all.

ST JOE MO

CH Cedar C Barnstorm Ltd Edition

One place we have not visited this weekend was St Joseph MO where the St Joseph Kennel Club gave us a pair of shows.

Saturday it was Denny Mounce with the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH EXL’s Leather N Lace, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Tji-Waras Distant Drums, the Rottweiler, CH Cammcastles Friar Tuck, the Norwich Terrier, CH Skyscots Poker Chip, the Brussels Griffon, CH Knollands Little Devons O Luna, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Cedar C Barnstorm Ltd Edition, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Limericks Shakespeare.

BIS went to the Tibetan Terrier, DJ, as he picked up his second top prize of the year. DJ and handler Lynn Meyer finished 2009 with two all breed Bests and 22 Non-Sporting Group Ones. Congratulations to Lynn, breeder/owner Donna Ogden and co-owners Patricia Bernardo & Mary Lou Laffler.

Sunday Dr Donald Gill saw the same Cocker, Rottie, & Bouvier along with the Whippet, CH Cove Creek Minuette, the country’s number two dog all breeds, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pomeranian, CH Puffpride Somewhere In Time, and the Tibetan Terrier, CH Cedar C Barnstorm Ltd Edition. It was the first BIS this year for the Pom, who had eight Toy Group firsts in 2009. Congratulations to breeder/owner Virginia Dimick, co-owner Lavonne Beard and handler Jana Klein.

BRAVING THE BOARDWALK

CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton

This weekend’s snowstorm transformed the Wildwoods Convention Center from vacation retreat into a wintry refuge. Not surprisingly, results have been slow coming out of New Jersey. With each passing day fewer and fewer exhibitors remained. Among the dogs who stuck it out was the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton, who grabbed Saturday’s top prize.

Saturday saw the country‘s number one dog, the Irish Setter, CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed, fail to get out of the breed. The six who did see Rodney Herner were the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorter’s Mt View Lookout, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, a yet as unnamed American Staffordshire Terrier, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, the Schipperke, CH De Lamer Pink Flamingo, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

We are still waiting for full results from Sunday, and will bring them to you as soon as we have them.

FRIDAY FINALISTS IN ATLANTA

It’s been a weekend of blizzards, blackouts, & back2back BIS, and now it’s time to backfill the results we have not yet provided to you.

CH Genesis Silverado

One of the largest entries this weekend was in Atlanta GA where the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Casablanca‘s Thrilling Seduction, swept all three shows. We gave you most of this weekend’s results, but here are the Friday finalists that accompanied the Cocker, Beckham, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Boxer, CH Bravo N Sunset Stealing Time, the Skye Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, the Pug, CH Riversong’s Broadway Joe, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the Bouvier des Flandres, Obvious Rush Priority.

We’ll be right back to catch you up on the happenings in New Jersey.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY HAT TRICK

Once again we thank Face Book for keeping us in touch with the dog world in Atlanta GA where W Everett Dean Jr has just finished BIS for the Lawrenceville Kennel Club.

CH Riversong's Broadway Joe

(Photo by Don Meyer)

He had the options of the Black Cocker Spaniel coming off back2back Bests, CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction, the Saluki, CH Excelsior Yosef Areli, the Standard Schnauzer as yet unnamed, the Sky Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, the Pug, CH Riversong's Broadway Joe, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the Border Collie, CH Sportingfields Pieta.

While it may be blasphemous to use a hockey metaphor on Superbowl Sunday, it was the Cocker, Beckham, picking up the hat trick, taking home his third BIS in a row. We don’t think we are the only ones looki8ng forward to this year’s Sporting Group at Westminster, one of the most competitive in recent memory.

DAY ONE IN FRESNO

West coast exhibitors had their choice this week of four days in Phoenix or two days in Fresno. If you think about it, two days in Fresno can seem like four days in Phoenix.

CH Gaida Of Yoshida Enterprise Jp
(Photo Courtesy of American Kennel Club)

Those exhibitors who did show up in Fresno got to see some of the best dogs the country has to offer. Fred Bassett got to see these seven, the Golden Retriever, CH Gaida Of Yoshida Enterprise Jp, the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel, the Akita, CH Mojo’s Rock’n Your World, the Norwich Terrier, CH Winsome Harry Sam I Am, the Havanese, CH Joyfulnoise Come Fly With Me, the American Eskimo Dog, CH Smokey Mtn Trader Pup, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Avalon’s Frontier Sleepnlady Webber.

It was the Golden grabbing his first BIS of the year. Gaida finished 2009 with one all breed Best and four Sporting Group Firsts. Congratulations to breeder Miyoko Yoshida, owner Kazunari Oshima, and handler Laurie L Jordan-Fenner.