POODLE BIS AT GARDEN CITY OPENER

GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow 

(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

 The Garden City Kennel Club opened their three day set in that Kansas city on Friday. The seven dogs who greeted BIS judge Dawn Hansen were the Vizsla, GCH CH Nyircsaszari Szilva Palinka JH, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Lionridges Annie’s Legacy HIC CGC, the Rottweiler, CH Brush Creek’s Chances Are I’Deal CGC, the Skye Terrier, CH Royalist Son Knight I Kulbreeze, the Havanese, CH Tigerlily Tamaran Smoke On The Water, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow, and the Shetland Sheepdog, CH PaRay’s Cimmaron Stellar. 

Stepping up to take the BIS was the Poodle, Dino. Close behind with the RBIS was the Skye. Dino becomes the nation’s Number Four Non-Sporting Dog with two BIS and 14 Non-Sporting Groups.

CATCHING UP IN CALIFORNIA

CH Newtnine Crown Of Queen 

Our next report comes in from Northern California where exhibitors are gathered in the town of Hanford CA for four days with the Sequoia Kennel Club and the Kings County Kennel Club. The KC had the Thursday and Friday spots, and chose judge Janet Turnage Nahikian to call the day one final. The seven dogs she considered the Golden Retriever, Doizaki Buckingham’s Legacy, the Borzoi, GCH CH Majenkir Bookstor Vintage Glamour, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Patriot’s Designer Girl, the Irish Terrier, GCH CH Rockledge McCallen Of Meath, the Toy Fox Terrier, GCH CH Ultra Quest Go For The Gold, the Bichon Frise, CH Newtnine Crown Of Queen, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH PaRay Preferential. 

GCH CH Ultra Quest Go For the Gold 

Topping the seven was the Bichon, Queen. Taking the Reserve was the Toy Fox, Oliver. It was the first BIS this year for Chinese import. Congratulations to breeder Cheng Wai Chung, owner Xu Ze Rue, and handler Paul Flores. 

GCH CH Tells Matrix Reloaded

(photo by Gay Glazbrook)

On Friday judge Dr Jose Luis Payro would get an all new seven, the Weimaraner, GCH CH Simpatico Equal Justice, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Tells Matrix Reloaded, the Boxer, CH R and G n Hunter Creeks Mystical Attraction, the Airedale Terrier, CH Penaire Cash Game Of Longvue, the Pekingese, GCH CH Dunkirk Imagine That, the French Bulldog, CH Bayou Ridge Hilsman’s Coco Bean At Homewood, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Mariels Harvest Moon. 

GCH CH Dunkirk Imagine That

That His BIS was the Afghan, Matrix, and his RBIS was the Peke, Tommy. The win, Matrix’ sixth BIS in 12 final attempts this year, will make him the nation’s Number One Hound.

BEST LI'L CLUSTER IN TEXAS

GCH CH Willow Ridge Risky Business 

The Kennel Club of Greater Victoria had the first two days of the Best Li’l Cluster in Texas, a four day stop in one of America’s most charming cities, San Antonio TX. Judge Murrell Purkhiser had the day one final and her pick of the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Hil-N-Don & Canyonwood Seemore Of Me, the Borzoi, GCH CH Soyara’s The Flying Dutchman, the Mastiff, GCH CH Willow Ridge Risky Business, the Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Thunderwood’s First Robin Of Spring, the Papillon, GCH CH InVolo The King of Pop, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Saks Winning Card, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh. 

GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh 

Finishing one/two were the Mastiff, Kruz, and the Cardigan, Coco. Kruz has been quietly working his way up the rankings and now is the Number Two Working Dog with three BIS in ten final appearances this year. We will have to wait until the weekend’s numbers are in to see if Kruz can crack the Top Ten Dogs All Breeds. 

GCH CH InVolo The King of Pop 

Kruz would be back on Friday for judge Dr Alvin Krause’s final, along with the above named Springer, Papillon, & Bichon. They were joined by the Saluki. GCH CH Appalachia’s Allamyrra Hajji, the Miniature Bull Terrier, GCH CH Dytona VIP, and the Border Collie, GCH CH F Si A Ge Of Fu You Yuan Kennel. 

GCH CH Saks Winning Card 

Dr Krause would go with the Papillon, Jackson, as his Best and the Bichon, Bingo, as his Reserve. Jackson is the country’s Number One Papillon with two BIS and 12Toy Groups this year.

BOXER BEST IN TENNESSEE

GCH CH Hi-Tech The King of Sherry Shoot Jp 

Here in Tennessee the place to see the AKC’s best is the Nashville suburb of Franklin where the four show Country Music Cluster is underway. Friday’s show was hosted by the Tullahoma Kennel Club of Tennessee and ended with Gloria Geringer’s final.

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire 

(Jeffrey Hanlin)

The seven dogs left at the end of the day were the Golden Retriever, CH Easthill Broxden Woodland Lettuce Entertain You, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, GCH CH Raquel Welch of Malabo APD, the Boxer, GCH CH Hi-Tech The King of Sherry Shoot Jp, the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Ticket To Ride, the Chinese Crested, GCH CH Koridawns In Your Wildest Dreams, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect.

Judge Geringer’s top two were the Boxer, King, and the Poodle, Flame. It’s the first BIS of the year for King, who finished last year as the Number Six Working Dog with six BIS and 32 Group Ones. Congratulations to breeder Shinryo Teragaki, owners Mrs Jack Billhardt, Sergio Tenenbaum, & Deb McCarroll, and handler Diego Garcia.

BACK2BACK BIS FOR IWS

GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire 

 One of the most impressive dogs we have seen these last two seasons is the Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire. Riley, the winningest IWS in AKC history, finished 2013 with a Group One at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December. She did it by besting the 2011 Number One Dog All Breeds, the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction. In February she did it again, advancing to the final despite the Cocker’s valiant efforts. 

GCH CH De LaMer Point Break

(photo by Angela Stein)

 This week you can see Riley at the Cabin Fever Cluster in Milton NY. Yesterday Riley made it two in a row, picking up the BIS at the Monticello New York Kennel Club. Joining her in judge Sonny Ambrosio’s final were the Longhaired Dachshund, GCH CH Stonybrook’s Phinto, the Newfoundland, GCH CH Cypress Bay’s Big Sur, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH McVan’s To Russia With Love, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Silho, judge Ambrosio’s RBIS, the Schipperke, GCH CH De LaMer Point Break, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Classical’s My Turn. 

The win brings Riley’s 2014 resume to four BIS and ten Sporting Groups.

OES BIS IN TENNESSEE

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect 

(Photo by Kayla Bertagnolli)

This week’s Country Music Cluster in the tony Nashville suburb of Franklin TN has attracted several of the nation’s top dogs including the current top two dogs all breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect. 

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

Judge Betty Regina Lenininger would make the OES, Swagger, her Best In Show and the Portie, Matisse, her Reserve, at Thursday's Nashville Kennel Club show. Judge Lenininger also considered the English Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Foxwood’s Dublin Diva, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Flessner’s International S’Cess, the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Shaireab’s Bayleigh Maid of Honor, the Chinese Crested, GCH CH Dejavu I Want a Talk About Me, and the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire. 

It’s the third consecutive week that fanciers have been treated to finals featuring Swagger and Matisse, we cannot think of any other year where our top two dogs have crossed paths so frequently. Thursday’s win brings Swagger’s 2014 resume to 11 BIS, eight RBIS, and 25 Herding Groups.

IWS BIS IN NEW YORK

GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire 

Exhibitors have more options this week than in the past two and we saw four all breed shows on Thursday. 

In the Northeast fanciers headed to Milton NY where the Shawangunk Kennel Club opened the four day Cabin Fever Cluster. Judge Richard Powell had the day one final and his pick of the Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire, the Whippet, GCH CH Cottonwood Vuitton, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Playing With Fire, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Absolutely Uncensored, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Silho, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Gala Brighton Lakeridge Reflections Of Me, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Stuttgart’s Now Don’t Refuse Me Of Masrock. 

GCH CH Sonnus Silho 

His BIS was the IWS, Riley, and his RBIS was the Chihuahua, Sonnito. It was the third BIS in nine final appearances this year for the 2014 Westminster Sporting Group winner.

OES BIS AT ARIZONA CLOSER

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect 

 (photo by Tanner Congleton) 

 Col Jerry Weiss had a bright, sunny afternoon for the final at the Superstition Kennel Club’s closer on Monday. He also had seven of the best AKC purebred dogs anywhere from which to choose a BIS and RBIS. They were the Irish Setter, GCH CH Jadestar Ride Em’ Cowboy, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Thaon’s Wall Street, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, GCH CH Doubloon’s Extreme Play, the Chinese Crested, GCH CH Crestline Butters Scotch, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect. 

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

The OES, Swagger, has had the easy facility of winning big at very opportune times. With his tenth BIS of the year he keeps this year race between himself and the RBIS, the Portie, Matisse, tight as we head to the big Louisville week. We will be there. Stop by and say hello.

FIRST TIMER IN FLORIDA

Brynnmawr N Seaplumbes Built Tough 

While they didn’t have the entries of the big shows this weekend, the Pensacola Dog Fanciers Association had the advantage of their Florida locale to draw exhibitors. The seven who stayed all day on Sunday to see BIS judge Pete Machen were the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, GCH CH Chesacola Hardwood Baltimore Raven CGC, the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Leoralees Baywatch MW, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Shamrocks Fast Eddie D, the Welsh Terrier, Brynnmawr N Seaplumbes Built Tough, the Toy Poodle, GCH CH Donnchada Angel Wings at Dulcinea, the Dalmatian, GCH CH Alfredrich Indigo Dark Roast of Robbsdale, and the Australian Cattle Dog, CH Shalimars Gotta Get A Grip of Stampede. 

GCH CH Leoralees Baywatch MW 

His BIS was the Welsh Terrier, Ford, and his RBIS was the Dachshund, who was BIS on Saturday. It was the first for the 17 month old dog. Congratulations to breeder/owner Kathleen Rost, owners Matt O'Farrell & Caryn Stevens, and Klayton Harris.

NEWFIE BIS AT PURINA FARMS

GCH CH Pouch Coves Seabrook Enough Said

We still have results coming in from this past weekend.  First we have Saturday results from the brave folks that were at Purina Farms in Gray Summit MO, where the Belle-City Kennel Club had to cut the weekend short to get everyone home safe before Sunday’s storm.

GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls

Judge James Noe’s seven finalists were the English Setter, GCH CH Stargazr’N Wingfield Wait Wait Don’t Tell, the Longhaired Dachshund, GCH CH Kaycees Galewinns Starburst at Wagsmore MLD, the Newfoundland, GCH CH Pouch Coves Seabrook Enough Said, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH Garcini Rangels Rock N Rolla, the Chinese Crested, GCH CH Déjà Vu I Wanta Talk About Me, the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls, and the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH McMatts Autumn Breeze.

His Best In Show was the imposing Newfoundland, Jordan, and his Reserve was the Shar-Pei, Tinsel.  It was the first BIS of 2014 for Jordan and handler Laura King, who finished last year with one BIS and 15 Working Groups.  Congratulations to Laura, breeder/owner Peggy Helming, and owner Kathy Griffin.

SCOTTIES GATHER IN MISSOURI

GCH CH Dynasty's BR Donald Rockfeller 

As we mentioned here earlier, this past weekend was one of the slower we have seen in a while. The good news is that gives me time to talk about the Heart of America Scottish Terrier Club specialty held this past Friday at Purina Farms in Gray Summit MO. While we spend most of our time talking about the big all-breed competitions, the real essence of our sport are the specialties. It is not uncommon to hear a first time visitor to an AKC show remark on how different a particular breed looks in the show ring from the specimen the spectators sees at his local dog park. What is overlooked is that standing next to the first timer is often a person who has dedicated 50 years to a breed wondering how the dog in the group line up ever made it out of the breed. 

Judge Robert Paust’s chose as his Best Of Breed the four year old dog, GCH CH Dynasty's BR Donald Rockfeller. His Best of Opposite Sex was the GCH CH Sodak Vanguard's Tira Bella, owned by Marilyn & Gerald Cathcart. Additional awards went to GCH CH Anstamm Sodak Go West Young Man (Select Dog), CH Oban's Tale of the Dragon (Select Bitch), and GCH CH Cumbria's Ready Jet Go (Award Of Merit). Class awards went to Winners Dog, Talisman Dance With the Devil, and Winners Bitch & Best Of Winners, Anstamm Ben Scott Vamp of Savannah.

Breed winner, TRUCK, was bred by Jerson Valle & Mario Duarte, and is owned by Rebecca Cross and Danica Burge, who piloted Truck to the win. Congratulations to them all.

PORTIE GETS THIRD IN ARIZONA

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

It hasn’t been a walk in the park for the dogs competing in Scottsdale AZ’s Fiesta Cluster this week, more like a slog in the mud. The Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, showed that he can win in any weather, taking his third straight BIS of the stop. 

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect 

(photo by Bettina Bienefeld)

Facing off against Matisse in the Superstition Kennel Club’s Sunday final were the Irish Setter, GCH CH Militza’s My Cherie Amour, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, GCH CH M & M’s Fear The Beard, the Cairn Terrier, CH Hjohoo’s Save The Hjour Love For Me, the Silky Terrier, CH Tumbelle N Silkyence Eye Candy, and judge Ken Murray’s RBIS, the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect. 

Matisse will have one more chance to pad his lead on the rest of the field at today’s SKC closer. We are barely two months into this season, but we already are wondering if any dog can catch the Portie who leads all dogs with 21 BIS and 25 Working Groups so far this year.

POODLE TAKES TWO IN TEXAS

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire 

This week’s winter worries worked their wearisome ways into our home this morning knocking out our power around 2:00 AM. However, we are all dog people here and that provides us with no small amount of patience. Now that the power company has reconnected us, we can commence our somewhat meager Monday Mop Up. We started the weekend with four sites hosting all breed shows, Pensacola FL, Grey Summit MO, Wichita Falls TX, and Scottsdale AZ. However, the Belle-City Kennel Club packed up early, departing Purina Farms Missouri facility on Saturday, a few hours ahead of a massive winter storm. 

 Some 600 miles southwest of Purina Farms, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, made it two in a row taking Sunday’s Faith City Kennel Club show. Judge Nancy Smith Hafner also like the Standard Manchester Terrier, CH Toria A New Leash on Life, who she gave the Reserve Best In Show. Challenging the top two were the Pointer, GCH CH Chesterhope State of T Art, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Tells Matrix Reloaded, the Mastiff, GCH CH Willow Ridge Risky Business, the Papillon, GCH CH InVolo The King of Pop, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Coventry Just a Little Crush. 

Was Flame’s seventh BIS of the season good enough to get a Top Ten Berth? Check back with us tomorrow and we will tell you.

DACHSHUND BIS IN FLORIDA

GCH CH Leoralee’s Baywatch MW 

One of the few places in the US one could avoid nasty weather on Saturday was Pensacola FL where the Pensacola Dog Fanciers Association is hosting two shows this weekend. The day one final was in the hands of judge Joe Gregory who had his pick of the Labrador Retriever, Tecates Tugin’ At My Heart, the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Leoralee’s Baywatch MW, the Mastiff, GCH CH Goldleaf’s Trouble Coming CGC, the Welsh Terrier, Brynnmawr N Seaplumbes Built Tough, the Chinese Crested, CH Kaylens Cosmopolitan, the Dalmatian, GCH CH Alfredrich Indigo Dark Roast of Robbsdale, and the Belgian Sheepdog, GCH CH Cibolas Brazos de Duos of Adagio. 

Collecting her second consecutive BIS was the Dachshund, while the Crested accepted the RBIS.

POODLE BIS IN TEXAS

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire 

Judge Merle Taylor was in Wichita Falls TX for Saturday’s Faith City Kennel Club show.  The seven dogs that made it to his final were the Pointer, GCH CH Chesterhope State of T Art, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Tells Matrix Reloaded, the Mastiff, GCH CH Willow Ridge Risky Business, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, CH Aranisle Star of San Jacinto, the Maltese, Pitera of Moly Bo Bo, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Coventry Just a Little Crush. 

GCH CH Willow Ridge Risky Business 

Taking the top two spots were the Poodle, Flame, and the Mastiff, Kruz. Flame is the country’s Number One Non-Sporting Dog with six BIS and 15 Non-Sporting groups.