NEW NUMBER ONE NON-SPORTING

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire

The Sara Bay Kennel Club followed their day one show with another today and the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire followed her day one BIS with another today.   Joining Flame in judge Jordan Chamberlain’s final were the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Ashdown’s Time to Thrill, the Borzoi, GCH CH Sylvan Silver Springbok, the Siberian Husky, GCH CH Highlander's Rumour Has It, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, his RBIS, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Wolf Creek Galaxy of Merivern.

GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare

The two BIS will catapult Flame into the Number One Non-Sporting Dog spot with four BIS and ten Group Ones this year.

NEWCOMERS DOMINATE IN CT

GCH CH Sonnus Silho (Sanchez)

The weekend after Westminster traditionally is the starting point for many a show dog’s career.  Judge Joe Walton’s final today at the First Company Governor's Foot Guard Athletic Association show in Hartford CT featured five dogs we had not yet seen in the ring.  His final seven were the Golden Retriever, CH Inlet’s One Spectacular Ride, the Whippet, GCH CH Artemis Hypnotic Opium SC, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Raindance Led Zeppelin Of Marquis, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Absolutely Signature, the Smooth Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Silho (Sanchez), the French Bulldog, GCH CH Bella Ridge Imperiale Shady Harbor Mafia Campcovo, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Classical’s It’s My Turn.

BIS went to the smallest among them, the Chihuahua, Sonito.  The Golden, Bentley, took home the RBIS.  This is the first AKC BIS for the Mexican born Sonito, who was the variety winner on Monday at Westminster.  Congratulations to breeder/owner Romulo Sanchez-Torres and handler Caroline E Lanasa.

OES BIS DAY ONE IN DENVER

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect

While the weather has inhibited some of our top dogs this post-Westminster weekend, many headed for Denver and the big points offered at the Rocky Mountain Cluster.  The Plum Creek Kennel Club opened the four show stop on Friday and asked judge Marion Ward to take the day one final.  The seven dogs hoping to get the almost 2000 point prize were the Clumber Spaniel, CH Clussexx Over the Legal Limit, the Pharaoh Hound, GCH CH Osiris Cowboy Cassanova, the Siberian Husky, GCH CH Topaz Bad Action, the Standard Manchester Terrier, CH Oasis Razzmatazz, the Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitimes What the Inferno, The Schipperke, GCH CH Bonchien Cedric The Entertainer, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect.

GCH CH Hitimes What the Inferno

BIS went to the hometown favorite, the OES, Swagger, who started the week with a Westminster Group Four rosette.  Picking up the RBIS was the Pom, Danny.  Swagger’s seventh BIS of the year puts him in a virtual tie for Number One Dog All Breeds. But then there’s lots of weekend left to count.

SARA BAY KC DAY ONE

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire

Westminster is over and this year’s crop of hopefuls are already back out trying to add wins to their resumes. First in today is the Sara-Bay Kennel Club show in Lakeland, FL.  Six of judge Luis Sosa’s seven finalists had competed at Westminster.  One had won a Group One at the Garden.  Two others had  Group Twos. 

GCH CH Cordmaker Topsy Turvey

His seven were the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Ashdown’s Time to Thrill, the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Leoralee's Baywatch, the Akita, CH Dynamic Force Sharp Dressed Man With Ruthdales, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, and the Puli, GCH CH Cordmaker Topsy Turvey.  The two taking the awards today were the Standard Poodle, Flame, and the Puli, Charlotte.  It was Flame’s third in nine final appearances this year.

WHILE WAITING FOR WESTMINSTER

GCH CH McMatt’s Autumn Breeze
(photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

Lost in the frenzy of our Westminster focus were some of last weekend’s shows.  First we have the Hoosier Kennel Club’s Sunday show.  The seven dogs that stayed late to see judge Linda Robey were the Pointer, CH Oncore Mykyna Run To Daylight, the Saluki, GCH CH Sandstorm Blue Nile Bubbles of Jatara, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH  CH Vondura’s Xcelerator Belle Amie, the Russell Terrier, GCH CH Appassionato Jp Monamour’s Star, the Blenheim English Toy Spaniel, GCH CH Loujon Thornwood Little Jacob, the Dalmatian, Dakota’s The Closer, and the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH McMatt’s Autumn Breeze.

GCH CH Appassionato Jp Monamour’s Star

Collecting the BIS the Aussie, Breezy.  Adding the RBIS to his collection was the Russell, Tribute.  It was the first BIS for Breezy in four final appearances this year.  Congratulations to breeder/owner Flo McDonald, co-breeder Tina Marie Beck, owners Janet Loehr & Vicki Wehrle, and handler Paul Catterson.

GCH CH Snoline n Snowater’s On a Roll

Next we go to Midland TX where the West Texas Kennel Club gathered some of the dogs that didn’t make the trip to New York.  On Saturday judge Houston Clark gathered the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Braerwood Country Wind Duchess of York, the Black & Tan Coonhound, CH Windbourne Time to Rock, the Samoyed, GCH CH Snoline in Snowater’s On a Roll, the Standard Manchester Terrier, CH Toria A New Leach on Life, the Papillon, GCH CH InVolo The King of Pop, the Boston Terrier, GCH CH Stargazing at Northern Lights, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Coventry Just a Little Crush.

GCH CH Stargazing at Northern Lights

The two he liked were the Sammie, Vegas, and the Boston, Ro Ro.  It’s the first of the year for Vegas and breeders/owners Skip Alexander & Kenneth D Granacki.  Congratulations to them both.

GCH CH InVolo The King of Pop

Vegas, Ro Ro, and the above named Pointer, Papillon, & Corgi would all make it back to the final ring on Sunday.  They were joined in judge Charles Olvis’ final by the Basenji, GCH CH Chahmahr Nahr’s Best of The Best, and the American Staffordshire Terrier, CH Explicit’s Full Throttle to Alpine.  

GCH CH Coventry Just a Little Crush

Picking up another BIS before heading to New York was the Papillon, Jackson, where he was Best of Opposite Sex on Monday.  Taking home the RBIS was the Corgi, Etta.  It was the first of the year for Jackson, who finished 2013 as the Number Six Toy Dog with eight BIS and 43 Toy Groups.  Congratulations to breeder/owner Gia Garofalo, owner Madeline Mosing, and handler Brian Livingston.

WESTMINSTER WIRED!

GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

It was one of the most impressive Westminster Kennel Club Best In Show lineups ever.  The seven finalists had collected hundreds of BIS among them.  The Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH AfterAll Painting the Sky, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, and the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, all have won more than 100 career BIS.  The Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire is the winningest dog in the history of the breed, as are the Portie and the MinPin.    Nonetheless, the remaining two dogs the Bloodhound, GCH CH Flessner's International S'Cess, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh, were the clear crowd favorites.

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore

Judge Betty Regina Leninger set the tone for the evening, draped in a royal purple gown, beautifully coiffed, and handsomely bejeweled.  All of the dogs and handlers knew they would have to be especially impressive and they did not disappoint.   First up was the IWS, Riley, who moved around the giant ring demonstrating the joie de vivre that the breed is known for.  The Portie, Matisse, did some athletic stretching before strutting his stuff for judge Leninger after which the Bloodhound, Nathan, moved around the ring with determination.  The Standard Poodle, Ally, floated around the ring as only a big Poodle can, followed by the Wire Fox, Sky, who jauntily made her way around the arena.  The Cardigan, Coco, was a clear crowd favorite, as she demonstrated that short legs could cover ground readily.  Last to move was the MinPin, Classie, charming as always.

In the end, there are the winner and a reserve.  Reserve went to the Standard Poodle, Ally, who will be retired after tonight’s win.  It was Ally’s third trip to Westminster, and the second for her handler Tim Brazier, who missed the first trip because of emergency by-pass surgery.  It was great to see him and Ally in top condition this year.  Our congratulations to Tim, breeders L'Dyne Wicker Brennan & Debra Ferguson Jones, and owners Toni Sosnoff & Martin Sosnoff.

Best went to the Wire Fox, Sky.  Sky and superstar handler Gabriel Rangel have won every major title available over the last two years including Palm Springs, Louisville, and the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.  Tonight’s win was the second Westminster Best In Show for Gabriel, who also won in 2010 with the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot.  It was the 128^th career BIS for Sky, who has only been at this for two short years.  Few dogs can boast such a dazzling career in such a short time.  We are indebted to breeders A J Pertuit Jr & Betty Seton, owners Victor Malzoni Jr,  Torie Steele, Mary & Scott Olund, & Diane Ryan, and handler Gabriel Rangel & his team for sharing this beautiful dog with all of us. Congratulations to them all.