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.