PEKE BEST IN FLORIDA

GCH CH Pequest General Tso 

First in with results today is the Palm Beach County Dog Fanciers Association, who put judge Gayle Bontecou in the final ring today in West Palm Beach FL. Joining her were the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Ashdown’s Time to Thrill, a 15” Beagle from the classes, Bartag Serius Trouble, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Ivoss Super Cop's Tank, the Glen of Imaal Terrier, GCH CH Finnabair Ardmore Ned, the Pekingese, GCH CH Pequest General Tso, the Boston Terrier, GCH CH Haberl's When Lightning Strikes, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Myshara’s One Night Only.

GCH CH Finnabair Ardmore Ned 

Best went to the Peke, General Tso, Reserve to the Glen, Ned. It was the third in 15 final appearances this year for breeder/owner/handler David Fitzpatrick’s latest Pekingese BIS winner.

PUG BEST IN ARIZONA

GCH CH Hill Country Tag I’m It 

(photo by Gay Glazbrook) 

With nearly 2000 dogs entered, Friday’s Superstition Kennel Club show drew dogs from all over the US. The seven that made it through to judge Ronald Rella’s final were the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Sandpiper’s Let Freedom Ring, the Saluki, GCH CH Starlite's Made Of The Best Stuff On Earth BN RN JC, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Aviator's Lady's Man de Remi's, the Miniature Schnauzer, GCH CH Yanga's All The Time, the Pug, GCH CH Hill Country Tag I’m It, the Finnish Spitz, GCH CH Mickywins Mainio Skandia CGC, and the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH Copper Hill's No Reservations CGC. 

GCH CH Yanga's All The Time 

Taking the opening set was the Pug, JJ, followed close behind by the Reserve winner, the Schnauzer, Mexico. It was the first BIS of the year for JJ, who finished 2014 as the Number One Pug and Number Five Toy Dog with eight BIS and 47 Toy Groups.  Congratulations to breeders Kristy & Kevin Ratliff, owner Carolyn Koch, and handler Esteban Farias.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND DOG SHOWS

 

2013 Westminster Kennel Club Working Group

This morning I read two seemingly unrelated articles. The first was an essay debunking what author Jerry Weinberger calls, “The false theology of radical environmentalists”, i.e. the Chicken Little approach to environmental protection. The second was MB-F President Bobby Christiansen’s very well documented report on the decline of entries at AKC conformation shows. 

German Shorthaired Pointer in the Field

I won’t engage on the latter as I know that the global warming/climate change debate is dominated by non-thinking zealots ON BOTH SIDES. Rather I will focus on the latter an area where I have some experience and knowledge. Mr Christiansen has ably demonstrated that the AKC conformation show is in trouble. It does not necessarily follow that the sport of pure bred dogs is in trouble. Mr Weinberger’s main thesis is belief that man can adapt and respond to any threat. I believe that dog lovers can too.

Saluki Coursing

I have a deep love for the history and traditions of the American Kennel Club and am a self-appointed cheerleader for the AKC conformation game. However, I am first and foremost motivated by the love of the purebred dog. It is because of my respect for traditions and history that I believe the origins of our sport, i.e. the gathering of a group of breeders to compare their breeding stocks, is a foundation that will keep my beloved hobby alive. Whether AKC will be a part of that future is something that the organization must address. I think there are plenty of smart people in the AKC hierarchy. I hope that they can turn this trend around. 

West Highland White Terrier at Earth Dog competition

Nonetheless, I think that the future lies in the member clubs, especially, the breed parent clubs. First of all, those clubs are run by volunteer staffs that focus on advancing the interests of their breeds and the sport, unencumbered by business interests such as meeting a payroll or assuring pension plan contributions. Because of their limited resources these clubs are experts at prioritizing their efforts. 

Shetland Sheepdog Therapy Dog

Mr Christiansen implies that the conformation show is the true barometer of the health of our hobby. It is certainly the part that I have focused on these past 47 years. I do agree that conformation is the most visible aspect of our hobby. The public knows what a Komondor is primarily because of the annual Westminster Kennel Club show and broadcast. While conformation shows are our face to the public, they are not a real demonstration of why the pure bred dog exists. AKC competitions should exist to validate successful breeding. Field trials, coursing, earth dog competitions, herding events, and therapy programs are all better measures of successful breeding programs than are conformation shows. I believe these events will be the purebred dog activities that survive the predicted demise of the conformations show. 

Why do I have faith that dog competitions will not disappear? Because I believe 60,000 years of human/canine collaboration will not disappear with the demise of one organization. If man can adapt to a changing environment, man and dog can adapt to the demise of the AKC conformation show.

BEAGLE BEST IN OREGON

GCH CH Foxtail’s Race For The Chase 

 (photo by Rhonda McKinnie) 

Our last report from the weekend comes in from Albany OR where the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Foxtail’s Race For The Chase, was judge Dr Klaus Anselm’s BIS at Monday’s McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers show. Picking up the RBIS was the Newfoundland, GCH CH Seacrest’s I’m Not What You Think. 

GCH CH Seacrest’s I’m Not What You Think 

(photo by Vicki Holloway)

Rounding out the final seven were the Brittany, GCH CH Dream Hi’s Don’t Hate The Player Hate The Game, the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Max-Well’s Cradle Robber, the Brussels Griffon, GCH CH Hilltop’s GQ Cover Boy, the Keeshond, GCH CH Cedarhills First Harvest-Quincy, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Fairway One Over Par. It was the first BIS of the year for the Beagle, JJ, who finished 2014 with five BIS and 28 Hound Groups.

CORGI BEST IN FLORIDA

GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh 

(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

We had Monday shows on both coasts. The Ochlockonee River Kennel Club of Florida had the final day of the North Florida Classic Cluster in Tallahassee and they asked judge Charles Olvis to name his top two dogs in show. He considered the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Telltale American Ride, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless, the Great Dane, GCH CH Old Missions Lucid Dream, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Goodtime Charlie, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez), the Miniature Poodle, GCH CH Clarion Karadale Better Together, and the Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh. 

GCH CH Telltale American Ride 

(photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

The two he chose were the Corgi, Coco, and the Springer, Randy. Coco is the Number Three Herding Dog this year with two BIS and 15 Herding Groups this year.

TOY POODLE BIS IN OREGON AGAIN

GCH CH North Well Vivian Jp Rose Queen 

Compared to most of the US temperatures in Albany OR are downright balmy. No wonder that Sunday’s McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers show drew more than 1600 dogs. The seven that stayed all day to see BIS judge Johnny Shoemaker were the Vizsla, GCH CH Baroque Abbey Roads Penny Lane, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, GCH CH Kimani’s Indelible Impression JC, the Akita, GCH CH Sondaisa Fyre When Ready CD RN, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH Random Rough Diamond, the Toy Poodle, GCH CH North Well Vivian Jp Rose Queen, the French Bulldog, Carousel’s Timeless Coquette, and the Beauceron, GCH CH De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA. 

GCH CH De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA 

Collecting their second BIS of the stop were the Toy Poodle, Rosie, and handler Tim Brazier. Getting their second RBIS of the set were the Beauceron, Gideon, and handler Tony Carter. The win makes Rosie the Number Two Toy Dog with three BIS and eight Toy Groups.

POM BEST IN DEL MAR CA

GCH CH Hitimes What the Inferno 

The country’s Number One Toy Dog, the Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitimes What the Inferno, ended his weekend as he has so many times before, with a Best In Show. His latest win came at the Silver Bay Kennel Club of San Diego’s who in Del Mar CA. 

GCH CH Thaon’s Wallstreet 

Joining Danny in the judge Elaine Whitney’s final were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Foxboro N Shardust Authentic, the eventual RBIS, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Thaon’s Wallstreet, the Boxer, GCH CH Hijinx This Is How I Roll, the Lakeland Terrier, GCH CH Brocair’s HRH Prince Harry, the Keeshond, GCH CH Skyline’s Unit of Measure, and the Briard, GCH CH Mon Amies Georgie Porgie Puddin And Pie. The win brings the Westminster Toy Group runner up’s 2015 record to seven BIS and 15 Toy Groups.

AFFENPINSCHER BIS IN TEXAS

GCH CH Tamarin Tanner 

(photo by Michelle Steigmeyer)

Judge Denny Mounce closed the three day set in Midland TX, naming the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Tamarin Tanner, her Best In Show at Sunday’s Heart of the Plains Kennel Club show. 

GCH CH Stardust’s Broadway Joe 

We suppose that judge Mounce might have chosen the Clumber Spaniel, GCH CH Clussexx Over The Legal Limit, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, GCH CH Iceage v Tum-Tums Vriendjes, her RBIS, the Akita, GCH CH Stardust’s Broadway Joe, the Miniature Bull Terrier, GCH CH Dytona VIP, the Lhasa Apso, GCH CH Sundancer Foxy Lady, or the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Vonzo Frank, but she didn’t. It was the second BIS in six trips to the final ring this year for the rare belge Affenpinscher.

GSD BIS IN MISSISSIPPI

GCH CH Lockenhaus Rumor Has It v Kenlyn 

(photo by Lynda Beam)

The country’s Number One Dog All Breeds, the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Lockenhaus Rumor Has It v Kenlyn, added another BIS to her 2015 resume with a win at Sunday’s Meri-Miss Kennel Club show in Hattiesburg MS. 

GCH CH Cerise Blindside 

Challenging Rumor for judge Dr Gerard Penta’s favor were the RBIS, the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Cerise Blindside, the Saluki, GCH CH Baghdad Eleganza Extravaganza, the Samoyed, GCH CH Tobil’s Storm Warning At Sunrise, the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Brynnmawr N Seaplumes Built Tough, the Papillon, GCH CH Fenice Le Beaudreaux, and the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Belle Creek’s All I Care About Is Love. 

Rumor is off and running this season with 11 BIS, six RBIS, and 20 Herding Group Ones, leading all dogs by more than 5,000 points just eight weeks into the new year.

TOLLER BIS IN ARKANSAS

GCH CH Javahill Surf2 An 8 Second Ride BN RN 

Exhibitors in at Sunday’s South Arkansas Kennel Club show Camden AR fled the show grounds early to get ahead of the incoming snow and ice. The seven dogs that stayed late to see judge Marjorie Martorella were the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, GCH CH Javahill Surf2 An 8 Second Ride BN RN, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Flessner’s International Space Station At Honidge, the Mastiff, GCH CH Goldleaf’s Trouble Coming CGC, the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Abbeyrose Black Diamond, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power, the French Bulldog, GCH CH Counterpunch Grandslam Homerun, and the Border Collie, GCH CH C Amo Jin Of Fu You Yuan Kennel. 

GCH CH Goldleaf’s Trouble Coming CGC 

The two rewarded with the top prizes were the Toller, Wrangler, and the Mastiff, Aji. It was the first of the year for Toller, who finished 2014 with one BIS and eight Sporting Groups. Congratulations to breeders/owners April Pasko & Linda Fitzmaurice, co-breeder Terri Krause, and owner/handler Kendyl Schultze.

SPRINGER BIS AGAIN IN FLORIDA

GCH CH Telltale American Ride 

(photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

The English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Telltale American Ride, made it two in a row claiming his second BIS of the weekend in Tallahassee FL at Sunday’s Ochlockonee River Kennel Club of Florida show. 

GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie 

(photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

Joining Randy in judge James Reynolds’ final were the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless, the Great Dane, GCH CH Old Missions Lucid Dream, the RBIS, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez), the Bulldog, GCH CH Cherokee Legend Cowboy, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh. Randy is the nation’s Number One English Springer and Number Two Sporting Dog with four BIS and 12 Sporting Groups this year.

STANDARD POODLE BIS IN NEW YORK

GCH CH Hillwood Dassin Ouspenskaya 

We start our Monday Morning Mop Up in Suffern NY where the Rockland County Kennel Club wrapped the four day weekend with judge Raymond Filburn Jr in the final ring. The seven dogs that stayed to the end to see him were the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Nautilus Keystone, the Black & Tan Coonhound, GCH CH Bayaway Jersey’s Due Process of Law, the Newfoundland, GCH CH Cypress Bay’s Big Sur, the West Highland White Terrier, GCH CH The Boss De New Gryffindor, the Pekingese, GCH CH Pequest General Tso, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Hillwood Dassin Ouspenskaya, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Classical’s My Turn CGC. 

GCH CH Cypress Bay’s Big Sur 

Packing up the set’s last big rosette was the Standard Poodle, Maria. Reserve was reserved for the Newfoundland, Sur. It was the first BIS in five final appearances this year for Maria and breeder/owner/handler Joseph Vergnetti. Congratulations to Joe and breeder/owner Ellen Charles.

DANDIE BEST IN OREGON

GCH CH Clossongrey As You Wish 

Our last Saturday report comes in from Albany OR where the Linn County Kennel Club completed their two day set with judge James White deciding the Best In Show. His seven options were the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Rush Hills DramaGeddon JH, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Foxtail’s Race For The Chase, the Akita, GCH CH Mojo’s Continuation of a Myth, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, GCH CH Clossongrey As You Wish, the Toy Poodle, GCH CH North Well Vivian Jp Rose Queen, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Lakeridge Atalanta Summer In Paris, and the Beauceron, GCH CH De Joie Du Chateau Rocher CA. 

GCH CH North Well Vivian Jp Rose Queen 

Best went to the Dandie, Wesley, Reserve, to Toy Poodle, Rosie. It was the first for four year old Wesley. Congratulations to breeder/owner Miriam Couto, co-breeder David Couto, owner Sydney Maehara, & owner/handler Amy Judge.

SPRINGER BEST IN DEL MAR

GCH CH Foxboro N Shardust Authentic 

It’s raining in normally sunny Del Mar CA, site of this weekend’s Silver Bay Kennel Club of San Diego shows, but it’s still in the mid-60s, a vast improvement over the rest of the US. The seven dogs enjoying the mild temperatures in judge Dr Wanda Spediacci’s final on Saturday were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Foxboro N Shardust Authentic, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Jakar Pamir Anam Cara Summer Storm, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Timaru Serag Mounir, the Border Terrier, GCH CH Surefyre’s Once In A Blue Moon, the Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitime What the inferno, the Keeshond, GCH CH Skyline’s Unit of Measure, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Dreamchaser Follow Your Dreams. 

GCH CH Surefyre’s Once In A Blue Moon 

Taking the BIS was the Springer, Maddox, while the RBIS went to the Border Terrier, Oliver. It was the second BIS this year for Maddox and his second in the last seven days.

BEAGLE BEST IN TEXAS

CH Blueprint’s Top of the Line 

The appropriately named Midland TX , site of Saturday’s Big Spring Kennel Club show, is literally in the middle of nowhere, about halfway in between Dallas and El Paso. The seven dogs that found their way to judge Murrel Purkhiser’s final were the Clumber Spaniel, GCH CH Clussexx Over The Legal Limit, the 15” Beagle, CH Blueprint’s Top of the Line, the Akita, GCH CH Stardust’s Broadway Joe, the Bedlington Terrier, GCH CH Patchwork’s Built To Last, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Tamarin Tanner, the Bulldog, GCH CH Dowat’s the Gladiator, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Heidelberg’s Austin V Melissa. 

GCH CH Dowat’s the Gladiator 

Her BIS was the Beagle, Masi, and her RBIS was the Bulldog, Don Juan. It was the first for the 21 month old bitch. Congratulations to breeders/owners Brooke Ayala and Rudy Ayala III, owner Rebecca Dirksen, and handler Brooke Young.

SPRINGER BEST IN MISSISIPPI

GCH CH Cerise Blindside 

 Our next stop is Hattiesburg MS where the hometown Greater Hattiesburg (now there’s an oxymoron for you) Kennel Club had the coveted Saturday spot. The seven dogs topping the 700 plus entry were the English springer Spaniel, GCH CH Cerise Blindside, the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Leoralee’s Supernatural MW, the Boxer, GCH CH Rummer Run’s Black Magic, the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Brynmawr N Seaplume’s Built Tough, the King Charles and Ruby English Toy Spaniel, GCH CH Novel Backroads Run For The Roses, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Vic-Tori’s Flirty Goes With Everything, and the Belgian Sheepdog, GCH CH Cibola’s Brazos De Dios Of Adagio. 

Judge June Penta’s top two were the Springer and the Dachshund. It was the first BIS for the Springer, Timmy. Congratulations to breeder/owner Dorothy Cherry, co-breeder Donna Herzig, and handler Howard Huber.

FRENCH BULLDOG BIS IN ARKANSAS

GCH CH Counterpunch Grandslam Homerun 

(photo by Bob Kohler)

Camden AR, some 50 miles due east of Hope AR, birth place of President Bill Clinton, was the site of Saturday’s South Arkansas Kennel Club show. Judge Dr Robert Indeglia’s BIS was the French Bulldog, GCH CH Counterpunch Grandslam Homerun. 

GCH CH Goldleaf’s Trouble Coming CGC 

Challenging Adam for the win were the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, GCHCH Javahill Surf2 An 8 Second Ride BN RN, the Otterhound, GCH CH Otterbee’s Killian Red, the RBIS, the Mastiff, GCH CH Goldleaf’s Trouble Coming CGC, the American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Explicit’s Full Throttle To Alpine, the Papillon, GCH CH InVolo The King of Pop, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Belmark Close Encounter. 

It’s the first AKC BIS for Adam and breeder/handler Jane Flowers. Congratulations to Jane, co-breeders Beverly Pope & Mike Miles, and owner Pisaisit Tanjasiri.

SPRINGER BEST IN FLORIDA

GCH CH Telltale American Ride 

(photo  by Lynda Beam)

The Greater Panama City Dog Fanciers Association show in Tallahassee FL was one of the few places you could find an above freezing venue. So we are not surprised to find several of the top ranked dogs, shown by handlers from less warm areas, competing at Saturday’s show. 

GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless 

Judge Judy Webb’s seven finalists included the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Telltale American Ride, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless, the Giant Schnauzer, GCH CH Kenro’s Time is Money, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Goodtime Charlie, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez), the Bulldog, GCH CH Cherokee Legend Cowboy, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh. 

 Judge Webb’s BIS was the Springer, Randy, who is handled by Robin Novack of Jackson MI. Her RBIS was the Whippet, Brazen. Randy is the nation’s Number One English Springer and Number Two Sporting Dog with three BIS and 11 Sporting Groups this year.

POINTER BEST IN NEW YORK

GCH CH Hipoint Here Comes The Sun 

This was one of the toughest weekends for fanciers with weather making travel to shows a major challenge. The Rockland County Kennel Club show on Saturday had more than 1300 brave entries. The seven whom BIS judge Rita Bell considered were the Pointer, GCH CH Hipoint Here Comes The Sun, the Black & Tan Coonhound, GCH CH Bayaway Jersey’s Due Process of Law, the Cane Corso, GCH CH Italica’s Fifty Shades Of Grey CA, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, GCH CH Ciera Homebrewed Born Free, the Italian Greyhound, GCH CH GDM Zenyatta At Lakeside, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Hillwood Dassin Ouspenskaya, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bagatelle Rolling Moon Stone. 

 

GCH CH Bayaway Jersey’s Due Process of Law 

Finishing one/two were the Pointer, Allegra, and the Coonhound, Moses. It was the first BIS in four final appearances this year for Allegra, who was 2014’s Number One Pointer with six Sporting Group Ones. Congratulations to breeders Joseph & Renata Mirto , owner/handler Frank Depaulo, and co-owner Linda Cayton.