WWW: THE WORKING GROUP

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse

(photo courtesy of AKC)

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), the Working Group.  This year’s Working Group is likely to draw one of the largest and most knowledgeable crowds in Westminster Kennel Club’s lengthy existence.  The group is led by 2014’s Number One Dog, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, who finished last year with 134 BIS in 180 trips to the final ring, the best one year record of any dog in AKC history.  Matisse has collected 238 BIS in the past three years, more than any other dog ever, save one, the German Shepherd bitch, CH Altana’s Mystique, who amassed 275 BIS in four years in the 90s.  Matisse is currently the Number Six Dog All Breeds with nine BIS and 14 Group Ones.   Matisse was bred by owner Donna Gottdenker, is co-owned by Milan Lint & Peggy Helming, and handled by Michael Scott.

GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret

Although Matisse has only rarely been beaten in the Working Group, he is not invincible.  Last year’s Number Two working Dog, the Akita, GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret, bested Matisse at least twice last year on his way to 19 BIS and 59 Working Group Firsts.  Trader was bred by owners Joann Charnik & Carla Burke, is co-owned by Thomas Bavaria & Ann Bavaria, and is handled by Heather Bremmer.

GCH CH Pebbles' Run Play It Again Ham

The Samoyed, GCH CH Pebbles' Run Play It Again Ham, was 2014’s Number Three Working Dog and already has one BIS this year.  Bogey was bred by is owned by Amy Kiel Green and is handled by husband Andrew Green.

GCH CH Mephisto's Speak Of The Devil

There are always a Boxer and a Doberman Pinscher in consideration for the Working Group win at Westminster.  The ones we think will be in judge Theresa Hundt’s ring are the Boxer, GCH CH Mephisto's Speak Of The Devil, and the Doberman,  GCH CH Dezperado's Hallelujah CA CGC.  The Boxer, Devlin already has three BIS  in five final attempts.  Devlin was bred by Michelle Yeadon & Peter Yeadon & Monika Pinsker, is owned by Mrs Jack Billhardt & Sergio Tenenbaum, and is handled by Diego Fernando Garcia.

GCH CH Dezperado's Hallelujah CA CGC 

(photo by Gay Glazbrook)

The Doberman, Glory, had three BIS last year.  She has already matched that total this year in just eight trips to the final ring.  Glory was bred by handler Linda George, Hillary Zimmerman & Rick George , and is owned  by Jacqueline & Alan Wendt.

Next, the Terrier Group.