TONIGHT'S PICKS IN ORLANDO

GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

As we look forward to tonight’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Group and Best In Show judging, we have formulated our picks for tonight’s groups.  In the Terrier Group the odds on favorite will be last year’s AENC winner and this year’s Number One Dog All Breeds, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky.  The nation’s Number Two Terrier, the Russell terrier, GCH CH Goldsands Columbus, had been in Cleveland, but was here today to pick up the breed win.  Bosse is one of the few Terriers that has bested Sky this year.  There is also the Miniature Schnauzer, GCH CH Allaruth Just Kidding v Sole Baye, who topped Sky in Thursday’s Central Florida Kennel Club Terrier Group.  We also expect the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Ticket To Ride, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, and the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Shaireab Bayleigh’s Maid of Honor to be contenders for a placement.

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

(Photo by Michael McGuire)

The Working Group has been the most contested group this year, with three Working Dogs in the Top Ten Dogs All Breeds and all three are here in Orlando.  The Number Two Dog All Breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, the Number Four Dog, GCH CH Kenro’s Witching Hour, and the Number Ten Dog, the Great Dane, GCH CH Longo Miller  Lore Diamond Lil.  We also like the Boxer, GCH CH Hi-Tech The King Of Sherry Shoot Jp, and the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Tiburon Arsenal.

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect

The Herding Group is a group where we might see some surprises.  While the Number One Herding Dog, the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect, is the favorite tonight in the group, he was bested in the group this week by the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Stonepillar's Steel Blu, who will make another attempt at an upset tonight.  We also expect the multi BIS winning Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Coventry Allure At Wyndstar, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Wolf Creek Galaxy Of Merivern, to provide plenty of competition.

Now who will walk away with the richest purse in dogdom?  Should the Wire Fox, Sky, win, it will be the first time in the AENC’s 12 year history that the same dog won two national championships.  Sky’s handler, Gabriel Rangel, is the only handler to win the nation’s biggest all breed show twice.  Could he do a third time?  The most likely dog to thwart him is the PWD, Matisse.  Matisse’s handler, Michael Scott, piloted the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, to the title in 2008.  Michael and Matisse have bested Sky and Gabriel more often than any other pair this year.  However, we think that any of the other five finalists might play spoiler.  You do remember our Dog Show Poop axiom, “Never bet the lunch money”, don’t you?  Tonight’s live broadcast on line starts at 6:00 PM EST.