FOUR BIS WINNERS IN MAINE

GCH CH Mario N Beechwoods Midnight Express

One of the things we have enjoyed about this year’s campaign is the variety of dogs that we are seeing in the winner’s circle.  Consider the BIS winners from last week’s shows in New York and Maine.  There were nine shows in three different locations and there were nine different BIS winners, many of them first time winners.

At Thursday’s Lewiston-Auburn Kennel Club show BIS judge Avery Gaudin had a final of  the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Mario N Beechwoods Midnight Express, the Longhaired Dachshund, Aviance's Pramada For Terms of Endearment, the Great Dane, CH MJM's Hi-Air All Eyes On Me, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Sayo's Jai Ho, the Havanese, Ashtone's Rock'N'Roll Heart, the Tibetan Terrier, GCH CH Rinchen's Blazing Black Icon, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Dunhill Celebration.

CH Sayo's Jai Ho

Day one’s BIS and RBIS were the Cocker, Ace, and the Smooth Fox, Tessa.  It’s the first AKC all breed Best for Ace, who is a multi BIS winner in Canada.  Congratulations to breeders/owners Mark & Pam Ragusa, owners Frank & Cathy Charest, and Marlene Ness.

GCH CH Skypoint's Our River Runs Free

Only two the day one finalists would return to see BIS judge Rosemary Shoreman on Friday, the Smooth Fox, Tessa, and the Beardie, Olivia.  The newcomers were the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Skypoint's Our River Runs Free, the Afghan Hound, CH Xeno's Condren, the Newfoundland, CH Seabrook My Way Or The Highway PouchCove, the Italian Greyhound, GCH CH Maplewood's Aces And Eights, and the Standard Poodle, CH Beauciel L'Autre Soeur.

GCH CH Maplewood's Aces And Eights

Finishing one/two were the GSP, Scarlet, and the IG, Ace.  It’s the first BIS and first Sporting Group this year for Scarlet and handler Cliff Steele.  Congratulations to Cliff, breeder, Julie Smith, and owners Francis DelPrete & Lenore DelPrete.

GCH CH Foursquare I'll Be A Shostopa Tu

The Penobscot Valley Kennel Club took over on Saturday and put Michael Shoreman in the final ring with the Cocker, Ace, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, GCH CH Monkham’s Famous Grouse, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Rott Irons Xannon CGC TT, the Smooth Fox, Tessa, the Pug, GCH CH Foursquare I'll Be A Shostopa Tu, the above named Tibetan Terrier, and the Beardie, Olivia.

GCH CH Monkham’s Famous Grouse

His top two were the Pug, McGee, and the nine year old PBGV, Fabio.  We have not heard much from McGee since 2011 when he won three BIS and 14 Toy Groups.  This was his first BSI and Toy Group of the 2013.  Congratulations to  breeders/owners David Johnson DVM & Judi Johnson and handler Jason Bailey.

Judge Douglas Gaudin had the closer for the PVKC on Sunday and his pick of the Cocker, Ace, the PBGV, Fabio, the Portuguese Water Dog, CH NorthStar's Hit The Deck Running RN, the Smooth Fox, the Tessa, the Pug, McGee, the now familiar Tibetan Terrier, and the Beardie Olivia.    

The last two standing were Fabio, the PBGV, and Tessa, the Smooth Fox.  The veteran Fabio has been a fixture in New England shows for several years and is always a contender.  It’s the first BIS this year for  owner/handler Juli Lacey-Black.  Our congratulations to Juli, breeders/owners Linda & Jenna Skerrit, and owners Donna Bruce & Jill Neuschaefer.