WWW: THE SPORTING GROUP

We don’t think that it is any coincidence that our birthday falls just before the Westminster Kennel Club show.  We look forward to Westminster all year.  It’s our Superbowl & Christmas all rolled into one.  Every year we look at the dogs competing and choose those to include in our Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW) list.  A word of warning--this is all just for your entertainment.  We have no inside information and we are not endorsing any individual or dog.  Finally, please don’t bet the lunch money on the outcome of any dog show, especially Westminster.

GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction

(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

We will start with the Sporting Group, always competitive and never mores so than this year.  2011’s Number One Dog All Breeds, the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction, goes into the big dance as the dog to beat.  Beckham and handlers Michael & Linda Pitts collected 68 all breed BIS & 148 Sporting groups.  Beckham was bred by Linda Moore who co-owns with Bruce Vandeman, Carolee Douglas, Mary Walker, & Cindy Cassidy.

GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova

(Photo by R Wolfe)

The Number Two Sporting Dog last year was the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova.  Peyton finished the year as the lucky 13th dog in the all breed standings with 16 BIS & 71 Group Firsts,  Team Peyton consists of breeders Billie, Erin, & Charlie Kerfoot & Ruth Kirby, owners Celie Florence, Beth Fink,  Erin Kerfoot, PhD, Ken Goodhue-McWilliams, PhD, & Delores Strength, and handler Robin Novack.

GCH CH Mt View's Ripsnorter Silver Charm

(Photo by Lisa Croft Elliot)

The German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Mt View's Ripsnorter Silver Charm, started off the year with a bang picking up back2back BIS on the first weekend of the show year.  Oakley and handler Phil Booth have added one more since then.  Oakley was bred by Claire Wisch & Kelly Wisch, & Helen George and is owned by the Wisches.

GCH CH Oakley’s B’Dazzled

The English Setter, GCH CH Oakley’s B’Dazzled, is Number Two on our just published first traditional Top Ten of 2012.  Dazzle and handler Bruce Schultz picked up a big, big BIS in Palm Springs earlier this month, followed it with another in Puyalllup WA, and just completed a very successful stop in Portland OR.  Dazzle was bred by Jim Jannard & Paula Dempsey, and owned by Donald & Georgejean Jensen & Erik & Jennifer StricklandNext up the Hound Group.