FLORIDA DAY SEVEN OF EIGHT

CH Fireside's Spontaneous Combustion,

It’s day seven, the next to last day of this set of Florida all breed shows. Today’s iteration was brought to you by the Pensacola Dog Fanciers Association.

Carolyn A Herbel’s final included the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, CH Fireside's Spontaneous Combustion,, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Boxer, CH Carillons MVP, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Dalriada’s Mystic, the Shih Tzu, CH Hallmark Jolei Austin Powers, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Myshara’s My Girl.

Her BIS was the WPG, his second this year. Congratulations to breeder/owner Elaine Huinsicker, owner Joan Coughlin, and handler Michelle Scott

HANFORD CA DAY TWO

CH Catanya’s Latin Lover

We don’t have all the details yet, but we do know that the Sequoia Kennel Club’s day two show Friday was won by DOG2WATCH, the Alaskan Malamute, CH Catanya’s Latin Lover. That’s number two this year for Ricky and handler Mike Stone.

SCOTTSDALE DAY ONE

CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy

The place to be this weekend is Scottsdale AZ where they started gathering on Thursday with a variety of specialties and limited breed shows. Friday saw the first of four all breed shows with the Scottsdale Dog Fanciers Association opening the set with Robert E Fetter in the final ring

He assembled the Brittany, CH Willowick Talltean , the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel, the Boxer, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, winner of Thursday’s Sun County Terrier Club show, the Welsh Terrier, CH Bayleigh Shaireab's Super Hero, the Miniature Pinscher, CH Brackley He's My Warrior, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Players Just Like Butter, and the Shetland Sheepdog, CH PaRay Cirque Du Soleil.

Grabbing the first BIS of the stay was the Boxer, Bosco, the nation’s number six dog all breeds. We have that as his fourth big rosette this year. The action continues today with the Scottsdale DFA’s second installment.

FLORIDA DAY SIX OF EIGHT

CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman

The Florida Fandango is in its sixth day and we have our first back2back BIS. The Skye Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman collected his second Best of the series today under Paula Hartinger at the second Okaloosa Kennel Club show in Fort Walton Beach.

Her other choices were the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Star K’s Mile Hi Valentine, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Rottweiler, CH Cammcastles My Gigolo, the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Kridler's Nutmeg V Signature.

The moving mini circus moves to Pensacola tomorrow where the Pensacola Dog Fanciers will closer the eight days with their two shows.

HANFORD CA DAY ONE

CH Warfox High Mtn Rocky Mountain High

They opened a four day stoop in Hanford CA with Dana L. Plonkey in the final ring for the Sequoia Kennel Club.

He had the choice of the Weimaraner, CH Silhouettes Lifeinthefastlane, the Saluki, CH Carmas Indian Summer, the Siberian Husky, CH Poli’s Forgetaboutit, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Warfox High Mtn Rocky Mountain High, the Miniature Poodle, CH Durandel Fashionista, and the Border Collie, CH Borderfame Signature.

His Best In Show was the Smooth Fox, Candy, yet another great Smooth Fox handled by Amy Rutherford. Congratulations to Amy, breeders/owners Linda & Schuler Nelson, and co-breeders Carolyn & Richard Snavely.

FLORIDA DAY FIVE OF EIGHT

CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman

Our Florida Fantasy began the bottom half of the eight day circuit in the Sunshine State with the Okaloosa Kennel Club first show in Fort Walton Beach.

Today Jean Fournier greeted the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, CH Fireside's Spontaneous Combustion, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Boxer, CH Carillons MVP, the Skye Terrier, CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, the Shih Tzu, CH Jolie Hallmark Austin Powers, Tuesday’s BIS winner, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Kridler’s Nutmeg V Signature.

BIS was the Skye, Buddy. Buddy was in our top ten back in January and has been getting a piece of every Terrier Group since. That’s his third all breed Best this year. The Florida Free For All continues tomorrow with day two with the Okaloosa KC.

SHOWS, SHOWS EVERYWHERE

After a couple of slow weekends we are back in full swing in the AKC conformation world. This weekend we will have 24 all breed shows in nine locales.

Camelback Mountain Scottsdale SC

First, the Florida floating crap game continues Thursday with two shows in Fort Walton Beach courtesy of the Okaloossa Kennel Club, followed by two shows In Pensacola hosted by the Pensacola Dog Fanciers Association. There also foursomes to be had in Hanford CA starting Thursday and in Scottzdale AZ starting Friday, the former by the Sequoia Kennel Club & the Kings Kennel Club Of California, and the latter by the Scottsdale Dog Fanciers Association & the Superstition Kennel Club.

Hilton Head Harbor

The remaining shows are all standard Saturday/Sunday fare. The only east coat offering is in Hilton Head SC where the Hilton Head Island Kennel Club will give us two shows. Great Lakes residents can head either to Detroit for the Detroit KC’s two shows or to the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis WI for the Wisconsin KC’s double header. Heartlanders can try the Belle-City KC’s pair in Belleville IL, 20 miles east of St Louis MO or the Faith City KC’s twofer in Wichita Falls TX.

Finally for those lucky enough to live in paradise, forget the tsunsmi watch and head on out to the Hawaiian KC’s weekend in Honolulu HI. Wherever you go, you will see some of the most exciting and endearing animals anywhere, AKC purebred dogs.

FLORIDA FOUR OF EIGHT

CH Dawin Spitfire

The Florida Free For All has completed day four of eight as the Greater Panama City Dog Fanciers Association closed their second show with Charlotte P. Patterson in the final ring.

She considered the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Star K’s Mile Hi Valentine, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Boxer, CH Carillons MVP, yesterday’s BIS winner, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Dalriada’s Mystic, the Shih Tzu, CH Jolei Hallmark Austin Powers, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Myshara’s My Girl.

The Florida face off continues to be anybody’s venue. Today it belonged to the Standard Poodle, Jetta. Mark that as all breed BIS number four for the country’s number one Non-Sporting dog. The Florida crew breaks camp again and motors 100 miles west to Fort Walton FL for the Okaloosa Kennel Club’s two shows starting Thursday.

FLORIDA THREE OF EIGHT

CH Dalriada's Mystic

They parked the RVs in Marianna Fl for the first of two shows hosted by the Greater Panama City Dog Fanciers Association.

Ruth Prehn greeted the now familiar faces, the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Star K's Mile Hi Valentine, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Rottweiler, CH Falkore Talking Care of Bizness Stnhdg, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Dalriada's Mystic, yesterday’s BIS winner, the Shih Tzu, CH Hallmark Jolie Austin Powers, the Bichon Frise, CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Mysharas Dream Girl.

BIS went to DOG2WATCH, the Wire Fox, Boo. Boo & Scott Sommer now have three all breed Bests this year.

CKCS BIS AT DEL MAR

Helen Lee James had the judge’s book at the second of the Silver Bay Kennel Club Of San Diego’s two shows in Del Mar CA this weekend. Her finalists were the Weimaraner, CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane, Saturday’s BIS winner, the Whippet, CH Starline’s Chanel, the Boxer, R and G’s Mystic Dancer, the Parson Russell Terrier, CH Stonebrook’s Academy Award, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Maibee Perfect Pitch, the Standard Poodle, CH Penndragon Masaniello, and the Border Collie, CH Borderfame Signature.

Her Best In Show was the young Cavalier. Just 20 months old, we know very little about this dog, except that he was bred by Shealagh Waters and is owned by Crizwood Kennels (Chris Wornall). Keep an eye out for this one.

CH Hallmark Jolei Austin Power

(Photo by Eddy Gurney Photography)

Our Florida fun fest continued Sunday in Tallahassee with Karin B. Ashe judging BIS for the second installment of the Ochlockonee River Kennel Club Of Florida.

Her choices were the English Cocker Spaniel, Larkspur Milestone Flyby, Saturday’s BIS winner, the Afghan Hound, CH Genesis Silverado, the Rottweiler, CH Cammcastles My Gigilo, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Dalriada Mytic, the Shih Tzu, CH Jolei Hallmark Austin Powers, the Bichon Frise, CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, and the Smooth Collie, CH Sunnland's Grand Entrance.

Her Best In Show was the country’s number one Toy Dog, the Shih Tzu, Austin Powers. That’s number four for Austin and handler Luke Ehricht. Have you noticed how well the Hounds & Toys are doing this year? The fun in Florida continues today an hour west in Marianna where the caravan will visit the Greater Panama City Dog Fanciers Association.

You will remember that we told you about the stylish BIS winner at Saturday’s Boca Raton Kennel Club show, the Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent It’s All About Me, known to her admirers as “Gucci”. We now know that Jeffrey Pepper’s options were the Sussex Spaniel, CH Remedi's Fastrax Heart O'Gold, the Basenji, CH Meisterhaus You Better Believe It JC, the Siberian Husky, CH Indigo's Hilltop Istate, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, CH Prada Classic Aran Isle At Donnellas, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, CH Mondrian V.H. Lamslag Of Piccadil, RE, and the Chow Chow, CH Kelin's There Can Be Only One. Congratulations to all the winners.

SUFFERN IN THE SNOW

CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice

We didn’t have many shows this weekend, but if you were lucky enough to visit one of our AKC shows, you saw a lot of beautiful purebred dogs.

There were three shows in the very snowy town of Suffern NY. We told you all about Friday’s results and we did tell you that the Rough Collie, CH Kelso's Moon Dancin, HSAS was Best In Show at Saturday’s Rockland County Kennel Club event. Prince Phillip’s six companions in Patricia Hess’ final were the Field Spaniel, CH Tamarack's Race You To Calico, the 15" Beagle, CH Torquay Midnight Confession, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Envy Me Royalwood V Schohaus, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, and the American Eskimo Dog, CH Silveroaks First & Foremost.

Sunday, Dr Carol White Moser took the second shift for the Rockland KC and saw the same Beagle & Smooth Fox, the Vizsla, CH Kezdet's Grand Mark Gedeon, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Skyline's Eliminator, the Miniature Pinscher, CH Kimro's Soldier Boy, the Lowchen, CH Chic Choix Bihar Cuba, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Laxfield's Tony Soprano. Her BIS was the country’s number one dog all breeds, the Smooth Fox, Dodger. Dodger & handler Amy Booth are now starting to build a sizable lead over the rest of the field, but the year is young and we have lots of shows to go and some very promising dogs out there.

CHICAGO DAY FOUR

CH PalaceGarden Malachy

Mary Ann Alston closed a very memorable weekend in Chicago today for the International Kennel Club of Chicago.

Once again there was a formidable seven dogs in the final ring, the Gordon Setter, CH Firethorn and Sandpiper's Easy On The Eyes, the Whippet, CH Kamada’s Happy Hour, yesterday’s BIS winner, the Boxer, CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Jadee-Connacht Just You Wait, the Pekingese, CH PalaceGarden Malachy, the Bulldog, CH Kepley’s showbiz Razzle Dazzle, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Segni At Coventry.

He opened the four day set with a BIS and he closed it the same way. The Pekingese, Malachy, took home his second Best of the weekend and his fifth of the year. This is shaping up to be a very interesting year.

GILBERT S KAHN

The dog world has lost one of its great patrons, AKC Judge Gilbert S Kahn died at his home in Palm Beach FL on Monday.

A member of one of the great philanthropic families in America, he was the son of the late Janet Annenberg Hooker, whose collection of jewelry and gems form the foundation of the Smithsonian Museum's Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems & Minerals. His uncle, the late Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg, an early supporter of President Ronald Reagan, extensive impressionist art collection is featured at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Gilbert had extensive charitable interests in Miami, Palm Beach, New York City and Newport, RI. He was Chairman of The AKC Museum of the Dog, former director of New York’s Metropolitan Opera, and a member of the board of overseers for the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, to name a few. He is remembered in the dog world as an avid breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Shih Tzu and a charming, considerate judge. He was in attendance at the Progressive Dog Club’s recent show in New York.

Our condolences to son John Noffo Kahn, his brother Donald Paul Kahn, and all the Kahn family.

ANOTHER COLLIE BIS

CH Kelso's Moon Dancin' HSAs

Patricia Hess braved the record snow falls to call the BIS at yesterday’s Rockland County Kennel Club show in Suffern NY. Her Best, the Rough Collie, CH Kelso's Moon Dancin' HSAs, was appropriately dressed for the occasion in a luxurious blue merle coat. It was the first conformation BIS this year for the working royal, Prince Phillip. Congratulations to breeder/owner Dr Nancy Kelso DVM, and co-owner Timothy Duvall.

STYLISH NAMES AT POSH LOCALES

There can be no dispute that many of our top dogs evoke images of elegance and refined tastes. So what could be more fitting that a Chanel and a Gucci show up at two of our most stylish venues?

CH Starline Chanel strikes a pose while winning the
Hound Group at the 2010 Westminster Kennel Club Show

Yesterday in that poshest of Southern California coastal towns, Del Mar, the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel, was Wendy Paquette’s choice for Best In Show on day one of the Silver Bay Kennel Club Of San Diego. She was joined in the final by the Weimaraner, CH Silhouettes LifeInTheFastlane, a yet as unnamed Siberian Husky, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Warfox High Mtn Rocky Mountain High, the Chinese Crested, CH CH Whispering Ln' Chasing That Sensation, the Bichon Frise, CH PaRay Rime Time, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Avalon Frontier Sleepnlady Webber.

Breed Judge Carol Duffy starts
CH Sylvan Argent It’s All About Me on her way to BIS

Meanwhile, in Boca Raton, the Florida town that is the sportier sister of Palm Beach, we had some sibling rivalry emerging. The Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent It’s All About Me, aka Gucci, younger sister to 2009 number one Rough Collie, CH Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible, aka Sax, picked up her first BIS at yesterday’s Boca Raton Kennel Club show under Jeffrey Pepper. Gucci was bred by Dr Cindi Bossart, Connie Dubois & James Efron, is owned by Cindi, Connie, Jennifer Mosing, & Gail Currie, and handled by Brian Livingston. Congratulations to them all. Shouldn't they have spelled it Saks?