WWW: THE NON-SPORTING GROUP

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore

Two Standard Poodles have topped the Non-Sporting Group these past two years, the black dog, GCH CH Jaset’s Satisfaction, and the white bitch, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore.  The black dog, London, 2011’s AKC/Eukanuba Champion, lead the Non-Sporting in 2012 with 38 BIS and 98 Group Ones, followed by the white bitch, Ally, with 23 BIS and 66 Group wins.  Both have posted BIS wins this year, but Ally leads the Group with two BIS and eight Group Ones.  There can be only one Standard Poodle among the top four in each Group and we think that Ally will be that one.

As we wrote this morning over on Best In Show Daily, the Bichon Frise breed ring will be a slugfest as well with three BIS winning dogs competing, GCH CH Vogelflight’s “Honor” to Pillowtalk, PaRay’s Power & Privilege, and GCH CH Saks Winning Card.  We think the PaRay dog, Dominick, will be the one under the spotlight Monday night.  Dominick made strong appearances in both Palm Springs and Portland and we think he will be hard to overlook.

Last year’s group winner was the Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian, who went on to nail down the Number Four Non-Sporting Dog spot with six BIS and 60 Group Ones.  We have not seen him yet this year, but assume he will be at the Garden to try again.

We have often said that the Miniature Poodle is the perfect dog for everyone.  Big enough to survive small children, small enough to be a lapdog, non-allergenic, patient, active, a coat that can be dressed up or down, and smarter than most of its owners, we can’t think of any other breed that can be as many things as a Miniature Poodle can.  Unfortunately, we don’t see many of them anymore.  The one you should see is GCH CH Surrey Sugar Baby.  As flashy as her larger cousins, she was 2012’s Number Six Non-Sporting Dog with seven BIS in 50 tries.

Next, the Herding Group.