MARYLAND KENNEL CLUB 1

GCH CH Cordmaker’s Rumpus Bumpus  

Another Westminster breed winner has picked up a BIS rosette this weekend.  The Puli, GCH CH Cordmaker’s Rumpus Bumpus, was Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine’s Best today at the Maryland Kennel Club show in West Friendship MD.  Also vying for the prize was the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Lehi’s Crystal Ball at Bluriver, the Borzoi, GCH CH Raynbo’s Run for the Roses, the Akita, GCH CH Ruthdale’s Candy from a Baby, the Skye Terrier, CH Gleanntan Gaelforce, the Pomeranian, CH Cottontop N Weewyn’s Taking A Chance At Sirius EC’s, and the Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian.  

Ziggy was the Number One Puli in AKC in 2011 finishing with three BIS & 22 Herding Groups.  Our congratulations to breeder/owner Sue Huebner and owners Jacquelyn Beaudoin & Franco Licciardi.

GUADALUPE VALLEY DFA 1

GCH CH Skansen’s Harvard 

(Photo by Gay Glazbrook)

From San Marcos TX we hear that the Giant Schnauzer, CH Skansen’s Harvard, was Alfred Ferruggiaro’s Best In Show at today’s Guadalupe Valley Dog Fanciers show.  Rounding out the final seven were the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, CH Chesabar's Anyone, the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Raydachs Playing With Fire V Gleishorbach SW, the Norwich Terrier, CH Itsy Bitsy Troubadour, the Maltese, GCH CH Chrisman's Shiny Toy Gun, the Keeshond, CH Showtyme's Happy Feet, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Coventry Pennant.  

It’s the first BIS for the two year old, yet another great Giant from the Skansen Kennels. Congratulations to breeder Sylvia Hammarstrom, owner/handler Greg Reyna, and owner Judi Boston.

DENVER CO, DAY TWO

GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova  

(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)  

Peggy Haas had the judge’s book today in Denver CO at the day two show of  the Plum Creek Kennel Club Of Colorado.  Her options were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova, the Saluki, GCH CH Aurora’s The Song and Dance Man, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Chancellor Flirt High Flyin‘ Gladiator, the Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Skyscot’s Texas Hold’Em, the Yorkshire Terrier, GCH CH Linshire’s Rolling Stone, the Rottweiler, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Vaje’s Jethrene Beaudine, and the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Rocheuses Me and My Shadow of Cornus.  

BIS went to the country’s Number One Sporting Dog, the Springer, Peyton.  Peyton is also savoring a satisfying performance at Westminster, where he and handler Robin Novack received a Group Two.  Today’s award was his second of the year.

GREENVILLE KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici  

We had predicted that there would be a Westminster Wave washing the winners over the top of this week’s shows and today the Working Group winner, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici, picked up her fourth BIS of the year at the Greenville Kennel Club show in their South Carolina hometown. Joining FiFi and breeder/owner/handler Jocelyn Mullins in Paul Willhauck's final were the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Reece Afterhours the Buck Stops Here JH, the Smooth Dachshund, CH Brownwood Topaz SS,  the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Clementina, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, the Lhasa Apso, GCH CH Xeralane‘s Kid Rock, and the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH Myshara’s Dancing Queen. 

FiFi is currently the Number Three Dog All Breeds.  We will have to wait for this weekend’s numbers to find out if today’s BIS will improve on that.

LAKELAND FL DAY TWO

GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction 

(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin) 

The Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction, last year’s Number One Dog All Breeds, has no intention of resting on his laurels.  Today he grabbed the back2back BIS at the day two show of the Sara Bay Kennel Club in Lakeland FL.  

Joining Beckham and handler Michael Pitt were the Smooth Dachshund, CH Passport Prelude to a Kiss SS, the Rottweiler, Ivoss Sonny’s Angel, the Australian Terrier, GCH CH Kamabara’s Zebulon, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, the French Bulldog, GCH CH Bandog Bayou’s The Warrior, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH wolf Creek Galaxy of Merivern.  That’s Beckham’s 96th career BIS and his fourth of the year. 

ELM CITY KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Larkspur Acadia Save Me a Spot  

New York dog fanciers, looking for respite from the frenzy of this week’s Westminster Kennel Club show, headed to Hartford CT for a leisurely two show weekend.  Today the Elm City Kennel Club wrapped up their show with Lt Col Jerry Weiss USMC (Ret) taking command of the final ring.  His seven supplicants were the ASCOB Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Hitrails Clouds in My Eyes, the Saluki, GCH CH Bay Watch Babe von Agrani, the Cane Corso, GCH CH Liberty’s armed and Dangerous, the Lakeland Terrier, GCH CH Larkspur Acadia Save Me a Spot, the Havanese, GCH CH Fuzzy Farm Qbin Who’s On First, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Hillwood Ale Kai Walking On Air, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Windfall Slam Dunk.  

It was another Westminster breed winner rolling into the BIS win, the Lakie, Spot.  It’s the first BIS this year for Spot and handler Robert (RC) Carusi who had four big rosettes and 17 Terrier Groups last year.  Congratulations to RC, breeders/owners Susan Fraser & Maria Sacco, co-breeders Norm & Lynda Kenney, and owner Anthony Barker.

DENVER CO, DAY ONE

GCH CH Rocheuses Me and My Shadow of Cornus 

Dr Carmen Battaglia had the first final at the four day funfest this week in Denver CO. With more than 2100 dogs entered today’s Plum Creek Kennel Club Of Colorado show is a major prize.  Looking to collect all those points were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova, the Saluki, GCH CH Aurora’s The Song and Dance Man, the Mastiff, GCH Jadem’s Oliver Twist, the Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Skyscot’s Texas Hold’Em, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, GCH CH Miletree Northern Star, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Vaje’s Jethrene Beaudine, and the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Rocheuses Me and My Shadow of Cornus.

Best went to the Bouvier, Casper.  It’s the third this year for Casper and handler Heather Johnson.

LAKELAND FL DAY ONE

GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction  

(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

2011’s Number One Dog All Breeds, the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction, came one BIS closer to the all time record for a Sporting Dog, picking up the big rosette at today’s Sara Bay Kennel Club show in Lakeland FL today.  Also contesting for the award were the Bluetick Coonhound, CH CHarwin Fairmont Sweet Society Blue Snuff, the Great Dane, GCH CH GRD’s The Revelation, the Skye Terrier, CH of Skyeline Captain Hook, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dacun Kaylen’s He’s A Heartbreaker, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Wolf Creek Galaxy Of Merivern. 

It was the 95th career BIS for Beckham and his third of the year.   We’ll let you know when he gets close to the record.

HENDERSONVILLE KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Lomondview Clementina 

Our first post-Westminster show report is in from Greenville SC and the Hendersonville Kennel Club.  Richard William Powell’s final seven were the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Reece Afterhours the Buck Stops Here JH, the 13” Beagle, GCH CH Lanbur Quest For The Best, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, GCH CH Tallpine’s Appletini RN, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Clementina, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, the French Bulldog, GCH CH Dub’L-J Devine Springular Sensation, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Leeason Rock My Soul. 

It was the Scottie, Phoebe, fresh from her breed win at Westminster basking in the afterglow and picking up her first BIS of the year.    Phoebe finished 2011 with five BIS & 54 Terrier Groups. Congratulations to breeder Carol Annan, owners John & Daphne Eggert, and handler Ernesto Lara.

WEST TEXAS KENNEL CLUB

CH Ahmahr Nahr’s Lost Angel Gabriel 

Now that we are back home, sitting at our home computer with all our resources, we find that we still owe you a show report from this past weekend.  The West Texas Kennel Club  held their own pre-Westminster party in Midland TX .  On Saturday the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Plantanoro Topspin N Hot Purshoe-t, the Basenji, CH Ahmahr Nahr’s Lost Angel Gabriel, the Boxer, GCH CH Winfall I Dream of Style, the Norwich, GCH CH Texas Hold’Em, the Pug, GCH CH Mianda’s Secret Pocket, the Keeshond, GCH CH Showtyme’s Happy Feet, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Harmony Hill’s Money Talks, all gathered seeking George Boulton’s approval. 

His Best was the Basenji, Gabe.  Gabe split his time last year between Canada and the US, but this is his first AKC BIS.  Congratulations to breeders/owners Jennie Behles & Florine Havens.  

GCH CH Winfall I Dream of Style 

Sunday Gabe, the above named Boxer, Norwich, & Aussie,  were all back  to see Charles Trotter with the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Darkover Don’t Dream It’s Over, the Havanese, CH D'Va'S Spellbound in Motion, and the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Bar-None Fabulosity.  

It was Macey, the Boxer, picking up her first Best In Show of the year.  Macey and handler Michael Shepherd finished 2011 with six BIS & 46 Working groups.  Macey and Michael hopped a flight to New York to compete at the Westminster on Tuesday.  We were there and got to see Macey and litter sister, GCH CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream, go one/two in the breed.  Our congratulations to Macey’s breeders/owners Tina Porter & Lee Stanton, owners Cheryl & Keith Robbins & George & Barabra Adkins, and handler Michael Shepherd.

PEKE WINS WESTMINSTER!

GCH CH PalaceGarden Malachy

It had been a drama filled  two days full of upsets.  Only two dog in Cindy Vogels’ Best In Show line up  had been the Number One Dog in his Group last year, the Pekingese, GCH CH PalaceGarden Malachy, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Babheim‘s Captain Crunch.  The Number One Sporting Dog, the Number One Terrier, and Number One Non-Sporting Dog all failed to make it out of the breed competitions while the Number One Hound, and the Number One Working Dog were bested in the Group contests.

Another major surprise for the crowd was the presence in the final seven of the 2010 Number One Sporting Dog, the Irish Setter, GCH CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed.  Emily had taken maternity leave and like most of the mothers in America returned to work as soon as the 15 little ones could fend for themselves.  Only Heidi Klum & Emily could make it look so easy.    Joining Malachy, Capi, & Emily in the big arena were the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Raydachs Playing With Fire V Gleishorbach SW, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici, the Kerry Blue Terrier, GCH CH Perrisblu Kennislain’s Chelsey, and the Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian.

Judge Vogels task was complicated by the fact that every one of the final seven performed beautifully.  The first to be examined was the GSD, Capi, who covered the ring effortlessly and return to walk into a perfect free stack in front of the judge like a body builder posing for a girl on the beach.  The Doberman, FiFi, matched the Shepherd in movement and came back to the judge with an intensity that only a Dobie can muster.  Emily flashed around the ring like the red headed diva she is and showed the rollicking sense of humor that is characteristic of the Irish Setter.  The Kerry Blue Terrier, Chelsey, was at the top of her game and up on her toes, every bit the flirtatious ingénue she is.  The Dal, Ian, moved purposefully around the ring dressed in the formal black & white coat.  The small Dachshund, Cinders, showed the big guys he could cover the floor just as well as they and schooled the rest on how to impress the judge with his tail wagging furiously as she went over him on the table.

Finally, it was the Peke, Malachy’s turn.  Moving with the oriental roll that only a Pekingese can claim, he took his time going back to the judge, looked up at her with those melting eyes and said, “try and ignore me.”  The odds makers in Las Vegas had been right all along.  Despite all the surprises and upsets during the show, this favorite was going to claim the biggest prize of his career.  The BIS announcement was greeted with thunderous applause as the owner/handler David Fitzpatrick swept up the Peke, Malachy and took him to the presenters to accept his award.

Malachy had worked hard these last two years for the prize, finishing both 2010 & 2011 as the Number One Toy Dog and the Number Two Dog All Breeds.  He had won the Group at the 2010 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship & at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club show.  It was Malachy’s 115th all breed BIS, a feat only a handful of dogs can claim. Our congratulations to David, breeders John & Jean Smith, and owners Iris Love & Sandra Middlebrook.  Our thanks to all of them for sharing this beautiful dog with us all these past two years.

JOIN THE PARTY!

Welcome to the Best In Show Daily/Dog Show Poop Garden Party!  Come on in and join us.  To enter just click on the comments link below and then log in (you can be anonymous if you don’t have a pre-existing account, we love meeting new people) and say hello.  There are some house rules, watch the language.  This is a PG-13 audience.  Feel free to give us your opinion, but remember, it’s a dog site, so we don’t allow cruelty to animals or their humans.  Cheer for your favorites and critique the event.  And above all, have a good time!

COME ON IN & JOIN THE PARTY!

Welcome to Our Garden Party. Tune your TV to USA Network and join us for the dogdom's ultimate armchair quarterbacking. Please say hello to your host when you come in and then feel free to mingle. It's like any other open house.

There are very few rules. Feel free to cheer for your favorites and make fun of the spectators. Just please, this is a PG 13 room. We all appreciate humor, just keep it clean and don't be too cruel (a little teasing is OK). To participate just log in (you can be anonymous) & leave a comment and then refresh your screen frequently to view the latest comments. This is our house warming, so expect a few mishaps, but we hope everyone has fun.

INDIANAPOLIS DAYS 3 & 4

GCH CH Thaon's Wallstreet

We have been up to our eyeballs in Westminster excitement, but we do have other results for you as well.  Many of the top dogs here made a stop in Indianapolis IN before joining the New York crowd.  Among the dogs at Saturday’s Central Indiana Kennel Club show were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Super Nova, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Thaon's Wallstreet, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Chancellor High Flyin Gladiator, Colored Bull Terrier, CH Aragon's Ruffin It At Honeytree, the Pomeranian, CH CR Chase What Matters, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hot And Spicy, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch. 

Ruth Zimmerman’s BIS was the Afghan Hound, Wally.   Wally has two big rosettes to show off here in New York.

GCH CH Caper's Sirius Endeavor

The nation’s Number One Pug,  GCH CH Caper's Sirius Endeavor . decided to forgo Westminster and stay in Indianapolis Sunday to collect the big rosette at the Hoosier Kennel Club show.  Mildred Bryant’s other options were the above named Springer & Bull Terrier, the Basenji. GCH CH Klassic's Slam Dunk, the Boxer, GCH CH R And G's Mystical Dancer, the Dalmatian, GCH CH Glen Oaks Firekeeper's Gambler, and the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Cam's Derringer.

It’s the first BIS this year for Rufus and owner/handler Linda Rowell.  Congratulations to Linda, who co-owns Rufus with John Rowell and breeders Phil & Carol Fisher.

WESTMINSTER CHANGES FOR 2013

A major surprise to all dog lovers.  The Westminster Kennel club has announced major changes in format & venue.  Below is their press release

On the eve of its annual show, The Westminster Kennel Club announced today a number of changes for its 2013 show, including an additional venue for breed judging, a larger entry limit, and the expansion of dogs eligible for competition.

Breed judging and benching will take place at Piers 92/94 in New York City, located at West 55th Street and the West Side Highway, both days of the show, Monday and Tuesday. Group and Best In Show judging, as well as the Junior Showmanship Finals, will still 

be held at Madison Square Garden in the evening.

The entry limit will be increased to 3,200 dogs (up from 2,000 in 2012) and will include competition in the classes for dogs that have not yet earned their championships, but have won major points. In addition, Best of Breed winners of National Breed Club specialties will be invited to pre-enter. The top five dogs in each breed in breed point standings will continue to be invited to pre-enter, as in the past.

The 2013 Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show will be held on February 11-12.

The Westminster Kennel Club has been held at Madison Square Garden in all but a few years of its existence. The first Westminster shows were held at Gilmore's Gardens in 1878-79 & which was the forerunner of Madison Square Garden. Westminster has since become one of only three entities to hold its event in all four iterations of Madison Square Garden in New York (along with the circus and the National Horse Show, neither of which is currently being held at the Garden today).

"We take great pride in our relationship with the world's greatest sporting arena," said Westminster President Peter R. Van Brunt in announcing the changes. "We are happy that these changes will help us continue to produce the greatest dog show in the world for the dogs, the people in our sport, the spectators who come to the show, and the millions more who watch us on television.

In the past two years, a renovation project at the Garden has reduced the available space for benching at Westminster. Moving to the Piers for daytime judging will expand the space available once again for benching, allow more entries, and continue to provide the spectators with the opportunity to see the dogs up close and visit with the owners and handlers.