A PERFECT END

GCH CH Lockenhaus Rumor Has It v Kenlyn

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

The 2015 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) in Orlando FL finished Sunday with the grand flourish one would have hoped for the 15th and largest iteration of the sport's end of year tradition.  Most of the nation’s Top 100 Dogs were among the 4,600 entered.  There were surprises and upsets along the way.

GCH CH Roundtown Queen of Hearts 

 (Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

Judge Bruce Schwartz had the first of tonight’s groups.  Missing from his Terrier Group was the 2014 BIS winner, the nation’s Number One Terrier, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie.  Nonetheless, judge Schwartz had plenty of star power in his group.  He chose the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Roundtown Queen of Hearts, the daughter of the 2009 AENC winner,  as his Group One.  Queenie was followed by the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Winning Ticket, the Airedale Terrier, GCH CH Wildside Windancer, and the Miniature Schnauzer, GCH CH Yanga’s All the Time.

GCH CH Aviators Ladys Man de Remis

Judge Bill Shelton had most of the Top Twenty Working Dogs in his Group, but named a Portuguese Water Dog with an impressive pedigree, GCH CH Aviators Ladys Man de Remis, as his Number One.  Manley is the son of 2013 AENC winner, GCH CH Claircreek Impression de Matisse, 2014’s Number One Dog All Breeds and the Number One Working Dog in AKC history.  Rounding out judge Shelton’s placements were the Samoyed, GCH CH Pebble Runs Play It Again Ham, the Boxer, GCH CH Mephisto Speak of the Devil, and the Great Pyrenees, GCH CH Rivergroves Enough Said.

Judge Thomas Coen’s Herding Group might have been the strongest of the show.  His Group One was the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Lockenhas Rumor Has It v Kenlyn, is the nation’s Number One Dog All Breeds.  His Group Two, Three, and Four were all multi-BIS winning dogs, Top Ten Herding Dogs, the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Thunderhills Apple Bottom Jeans, the Beauceron, GCH CH  De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA, and the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH Wind Spirit Rods Amazing Grace.

The three Sunday winners joined the Irish Setter, GCH CH Darnelles Pennies From Heaven, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless, the Toy Poodle HIDDEN VALLLEY B R8, and the Chow Chow Eastern-Magic Fly Me Safe, who had earned their spots on Saturday.  The mix of four top ranked, multi-BIS winners alongside three relative unknown dogs afforded judge Robert Stein a unique blend of the familiar and new.  To complicate his decision further, all of the seven showed beautifully.  

However, the German Shepherd, Rumor, dominated the ring, striding across the floor impressively and stopping each time in a perfect Shepherd stack without owner/handler Kent Boyles touching her.  Also showing commanding ring presence was the Scottie, Queenie, who hit her mark when required, but never let the judge forget there was a Terrier ready to work before him.  In the end the nation’s Number One Dog All Breeds, the GSD, Rumor, would collect the big paycheck and the Scottie, Queenie, would pick up the Reserve award.  It was Rumor’s 100^th career BIS, a fitting end to a perfect year.  Congratulations to Kent, breeder/owner Pamela McElheney, and owners Deborah Stern, Pamela Buckles, & Patti Dukeman.

AENC NIGHT ONE

GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless

One of our faithful readers reminded us yesterday that we always warn spectators not to bet the lunch money on the outcome of a dog show. Today’s AKC/Eukanuba Championship in Orlando FL proved the soundness of that advice. Anytime you get 4,600 dogs together to compete you can bet there will be some upsets. 

GCH CH Eastern Magic Fly Me Safe

Tonight’s group judging started off predictable enough as the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless, the country’s Number One Hound and Number Three Dog All Breeds led judge Gene Blake’s Hound Group. Group Two, Three and Four went to the multi-BIS winning trio of the Norwegian Elkhound, GCH CH Vin-Melca’s Daggarwood Delight, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Torquay Midnight Victory, and the Smooth Dachshund, GCH CH Passport What Did You Say Ss. Judge Peggy Hauck included three of the Non-Sporting Group’s Top Ten in her final four. They were the Chow Chow, GCH CH Eastern-Magic Fly Me Safe, the Boston Terrier, GCH CH Sabe’s Simply Invincible, and the Bulldog, GCH CH Wilson’s I’m Your Handyman, her Group One, Two, and Four. Picking up the third place was the beautiful BIS winning Keeshond, GCH CH Ashbrook's Easy Rider. 

HIDDEN VALLEY B R8

When judge Malcom Moore failed to pull the Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitimes What the Inferno, the nation’s Number One Toy Dog and Number Two Dog All Breeds, when making his cut in the Toy Group, everyone wondered what his final four would look like. While some in the hall may have been surprised that HIDDEN VALLEY B R8, a Toy Poodle from the classes, was judge Moore’s Group One, spectators who had seen the Korean Dog, one of Asia’s top BIS winners, go Group One at the Central Valley Kennel Club show on Thursday were not. Judge Moore’s Group Two, Three, and Four were all from the Top Ten Toy Dogs, the Pug, GCH CH Country Hill Tag I’m It, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH hallmark Jolei Rocket Power, and the Italian Greyhound, GCH CH Marchwind Barbara Ann. 

GCH CH Darnelle's Pennies from Heaven

Those who stayed to the end were provided the biggest surprise of the evening. Judge Elliot Weiss left the Number One Sporting Dog, the Brittany, GCH CH Rainbow Splash’s Ruggedly Handsome, out of his top four, choosing an Irish Setter from the Veterans Class, GCH CH Darnelle's Pennies From Heaven, for his Group One. It was the second group win for the seven year old bitch. rounding out judge Weiss’ placements were the multi-BIS winning Golden Retriever, GCH CH Rush Hill's Drama'Geddon JH, the Number Five Sporting Dog, the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Vjk-Myst Garbonita's California Journey, and the Number Four Sporting Dog, the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Ashdown’s Time to Thrill. 

Will any more of the country’s Top Twenty Dogs make it to Robert Stein’s final tomorrow? Join us on Twitter @dogshowpoop #EukanubaChamps and find out, but don’t bet your lunch money.

ORLANDO DAY THREE

GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Winning Ticket

Today’s Central Florida Kennel Club show in Orlando FL, will go down in the record books as one of the five biggest all breed shows in the US this year and one of the ten biggest in the last decade.  With all that talent every breed was hotly contested.  Among today’s top ranked breed casualties was Tuesday’s BIS winner, the Nation’s Number Four Dog All Breeds, the Brittany, GCH CH Rainbow Splash’s Ruggedly Handsome, who was Best of Opposite Sex to GCH CH Brigadier's Lightning Strikes Twice and Yesterday’s BIS winner, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Round Town Queen of Heart of Maryscot, who was bested by GCH CH Invercrest Gotcha Girl,

GCH CH Torquay Midnight Victory

That Brittany went on to a Group Four placement in judge Linda Hurlebaus’s Sporting Group joining three of this year’s Sporting Top Ten, the winner, the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Vjk-Myst Garbonitas California Journey, and the Group Two and Three, the Weimaraner, GCH CH Doc's Greyborn North Star of Acadia, and the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Telltale American Ride.  Judge Jon Cole’s Hound Group was led by yesterday’s RBIS, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Torquay Midnight Victory.  Rounding out his placements were the Greyhound, GCH CH GrandCru Giaconda, Afghan Hound, GCH CH Xandali Bon Vivant, and the Borzoi, GCH DC Zoiboyz Encore.

Dr Steve Keating named the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, GCH CH Derby’s Toast with Gusto, his top Working Dog and the Boxer, GCH CH Mephisto’s Speak of the Devil, the Cane Corso, GCH CH Italic’s Fifty Shades of Grey, and the Black Russian Terrier, GCH CH Fun Nord's Hariton Gavrilovich.  The Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Winning Ticket, was judge Peggy Beisel-McIlwane’s best Terrier, followed by the Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Roserocks Atticus Finch, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH Hampton Courts Monte Cristo, and the Miniature Schnauzer, GCH CH Yanga’s All The Time. 

The Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitimes What the Inferno, the country’s Number Two Dog All Breeds and Number One Toy Dog, was the only one of the Top Ten Toys to make into judge Dr Wanda Spediacci’s final four, picking up the fourth place behind the Toy Poodle, Hidden Valley B R8, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Harrow Hi-Tech Drills n Skills, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, CH Stepamgar Skyfall.  All four of judge Jan Paulk’s Non-Sporting final four holding Top Twenty rankings in the group.  They were the French Bulldog, GCH CH Jcrv-Klasse Warrior Raising The Banner, the Chow Chow, GCH CH Eastern-Magic Fly Me Safe, the Boston Terrier, GCH CH Sabe’s Simply Invincible, and the Tibetan Terrier, GCH CH Kimmiks Who Dunnit.

The Puli, CH Cordmaker Mister Blue Sky, only recently joined the season, but has already made his presence known.  Today he was judge Jon Cole’s Number One Herding Dog, followed by the Norwegian Buhund, GCH CH Jotunn Bella Binna CGC, the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Dunhill Steeler Nation, and the Miniature American Shepherd, GCH CH Abingtons Da Vinci CM15. 

Patricia Ann Keenan went with the 2014 Montgomery County Kennel Club Best In Show, the Norfolk, Winston, for her BIS.  The Beagle, Vicki, collected her second consecutive RBIS.  Because Winston’s handler, Peter Green, is one of AKC’s busiest judges, Winston only makes it into the ring occasionally.  Because Peter Green is arguably the greatest Terrier man to have ever stepped into a ring, Winston is always in superb condition and perfectly presented.  Suddenly we have a new favorite for the weekend.  Tomorrow the Orange County Convention Center will host two limited breed shows and 31 breed specialties.  We will be here, on Twitter and Facebook all day Saturday and Sunday to give you the back story at AKC biggest weekend.

ORLANDO DAY TWO

GCH CH Round Town Queen of Hearts of Maryscot

Today’s Brevard County Kennel Club show in Orlando FL, with over 3500 entries, was even bigger than yesterday’s Space Coast Kennel Club of Palm Bay show.  The competition continues to be fierce with last year’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship winner, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, finishing Group Two behind GCH CH Round Town Queen of Hearts of Maryscot, the daughter of the 2009 AENC winner, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, who is this year’s Number Two Terrier.  The Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Roserock’s Atticus Finch, and the Smooth Fox Terrier, GCH CH Hampton Court Broxden What in Carnation, were judge Jon Cole’s third and fourth place, respectively.

GCH CH Eclipse’s One n Only

Upsets were the rule of the day as none of the Herding Group’s Top Twenty failed to pick up a group placement today.  Judge Gabriel Valdez saw it this way: Number One, the Berger Picard, GCH CH Eclipse’s One n Only, Number Two, the  Beauceron GCH CH De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA, Number Three, the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Dunhill Steeler Nation, and Number Four, the Puli,  GCH CH Cordmaker Mister Blue Skys.  While the Number One Non-Sporting Dog, the Boston Terrier, GCH CH Sabe’s Simply Invincible, again topped that Group and the Number Five Non-Sporting Dog, the Chow Chow, GCH CH Eastern-Magic Fly Me Safe pulled down the Group Three, Judge Ann Hearn’s Group Two went to the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Belle Creek’s All I Care About Is Love, and her Group Four went to the Bulldog, GCH CH Just Lonestars Bright Light Bada Bling.

GCH CH Sabe’s Simply Invincible

(Photo by Derek Glas)

In the Hound Group Judge Ellen Fetter’s Group One, Two, and Three, were all multi-BIS winners.  They were the 15”Beagle, GCH CH Torquay Midnight Victory, the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Raydach’s Ride My Ducati Sl, and the Bloodhound, GCH CH Quiet Creek’s Kiss and Tell.  Her Group Four was the 13” Beagle, GCH DC Zoiboyz Encore SC.   Ditto for Peggy Beisel-Mcilwaine’s Sporting Group lead by the Irish Setter, GCH CH Militiza’s My Cherie Amour with the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Sweetgrass White Diamonds, the Brittany, GCH CH Rainbow Splash’s Ruggedly Handsome, and the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Ashdown’s Tine to Thrill, completing the placements.

GCH CH Torquay Midnight Victory

(photo by Kayla Beragnolli)

Judge Sari Brewster Tietjin surprised the gallery by snubbing the country’s Number Two Dog All Breeds, the Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitimes What the Inferno,  and naming the  Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power, the Affenpinscher, CH Yarrow Hi-Tech Drills n Skills, the Brussels Griffon, CH Tajinastes Quiereme Mucho, and the Italian Greyhound, GCH CH Marchwind Barbara Ann her top four Toy dogs.  In Judge Jan Paulk’s Working Group the four finalists the BIS winning Great Pyrenees, GCH CH Rivergroves Enough Said, and the group’s top three dogs, the Boxer, GCH CH Mephisto’s Speak of the Devil, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, GCH CH Derby’s Toast with Gusto, and the Samoyed, GCH CH Pebbles Run Play It Again Ham.

 

GCH CH Militiza’s My Cherie Amour

(Photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

At the end of the day judge Cindy Vogels had top ranked, multi-BIS winning dogs to consider and she chose the Scottie, Queenie, as her Best and the Beagle, Vicki, as her Reserve.  The Central Florida Kennel Club will host tomorrow’s event, the last of the all-breed warm ups to the weekend’s big dance.  Check back with us for more results and back story

 GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power

(Photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

ORLANDO DAY ONE

GCH CH Rainbow’s Splash’s Ruggedly Handsome 

(photo by Derek Glas)

With over 3200 entries in the regular classes, today’s Space Coast Kennel Club Of Palm Bay, one of three all breed warm ups to the weekend’s giant AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, will go down as one of the season’s largest shows.  Most of AKC’s Top 100 Dogs are entered.  Conspicuously absent is the Nation’s Number One Dog, the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Lockenhaus Rumor Has It v Kenlyn. 

GCH CH Sabe’s Simply Invincible 

(photo by Gay Glazbrook)

However being a front runner in a field of over 3,000 is not a walk in the park.  While the Number One, Five, and Seven Sporting Dogs, the Brittany, GCH CH Rainbow’s Splash’s Ruggedly Handsome, the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Vjk-Myst Garbonita's California Journey, and the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Legacy Random Titleist, all advanced to the group competition, the rest of the Sporting Top Ten failed to make it out of the breed.  The Number Three was absent because of a judging change, but the others fell to the strong competition.  In the other groups the Number One Hound, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless, was not entered, but the Number One Working Dog, the Boxer, GCH CH Mephisto’s Speak of the Devil, the Number One Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, the Number One Toy Dog, GCH CH Hitimes What the Inferno, and the Number One Non-Sporting Dog, the Boston Terrier, GCH CH Sabe’s Simply Invincible, all showed up in their respective groups as expected.

GCH CH Baghdad Eleganza Extravaganza

The first group completed today was the Hound Group.  Seven of the Top Ten Hounds were in competition  today.  Judge Sari Brewster Tietjin named the Saluki, GCH CH Baghdad Eleganza Extravaganza, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Torquay Midnight Victory, the Greyhound, GCH CH GrandCru Giaconda, and the Black & Tan Coonhound, GCH CH Bayaway Jersey’s Due Process of Law, her Number One, Two, Three and Four, respectively.

GCH CH Dunhill Steeler Nation

Next up was Dr Steve Keating’s full of surprises Herding Group topped by the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Dunhill Steeler Nation.  The Beardie was followed by the Puli, CH Cordmaker Mr Blue Sky, the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Lambluv Sultry Sensation, and the Canaan Dog, GCH CH Caliente Dangerous Gale Force Winds.  Judge Jon Cole’s Toy Group was more predictable with the Nation’s Number Two Dog All Breeds, the aforementioned Pom, Danny, taking the top spot.  Finishing two, three, and four were the country’s Number 14 Dog All Breeds, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez), the Number Eight Dog All Breeds, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power, and the Toy Poodle, CH Foxmore Boxwood Bodeen.   The above named Boston Terrier, Vinnie, was the expected winner in the Non-Sporting Group and the Number Four Dog, the Chow Chow, GCH CH Eastern-Magic Fly Me Safe, was no surprise either.  However, the Number Two Dog, the Keeshond, GCH CH Ashbrook’s Easy Rider, and Number Three Dog, the French Bulldog, GCH CH Qasar Ti Amo were less predictable.

GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie

Judge Judith Daniels tagged the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, GCH CH Derby’s Toast with Gusto, as her Number One Working Dog over the previously mentioned group leader, the Boxer, Devlin, whom she gave the group Two.  Rounding out her Top Four were the Cane Corso, GCH CH Italica’s Fifty Shades of Grey and the Samoyed, GCH CH Polar Mist Midnight Delight. Last year’s AENC winner, the Sky Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, was judge Thomas Yates’ Number One Terrier.  His runners up were the Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Talisen Twice As Nice, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Round Town Queen of Hearts of Maryscot, and the.  Judge Karen Wilson chose the Brittany as her Number One Sporting Dog and the GSP, CJ, as her runner up.  The Irish Setter, GCH CH Vermillon’s Sea Breeze, took the Number Three Ribbon, and the Part-Colored Cocker Spaniel, Galaksi This Is Me was fourth.

GCH CH Derby’s Toast with Gusto

Judge Gabriel Valdez of Brazil had the final call and he name the Brittany, Beckett, his BIS and the Boston Terrier, Vinnie, his RBIS.  It’s just day one Orlando and already we can see that anything can happen.  Check in with us tomorrow for more.