TERRIER TOPSY-TURVY

We normally report results in a somewhat chronological order, but this week we will give you the big news first. It was the Sealyham, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, going Best In Show at the all terrier Montgomery County Kennel Club show in Blue Bell, PA, on Sunday. Charmin outlasted 1557 other terriers to top the 74th annual event. Our other terrier in the top ten dogs, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, never made it out of the breed, a frequent fate for top show dogs who come to Montgomery County. Most hardcore terrier breeders, would rather win a Montgomery County than a Westminster. Not only is this a major win for Charmin and owner/handler Margery Good. It puts them back in the number three all breed spot.

Charmin and owner/handler Margery Good

The remaining group placements were as follows:

2nd CH Hi-Kel Kerrydale Soldier of Fortune, Lakeland Terrier, Owner: Carol Dowd & B Dowd & C Ruggle & Terrydale Kennels of Southern Pines, NC. Breeder: M Wooldridge & D Hull McIndoe, Handler: Scott Sommer
3rd Of Skyeline Captain Hook, Skye Terrier, Owner: Eugene Z Zaphiris & Matthew H Stander & Krisi Sainio of Oyster Bay, NY. Breeder: Krisi Sainio, Handler: Scott Sommer
4th CH Stirling Cool Hand Luke, Airedale Terrier, Owner: Frank Pulice., Bloomfield Hills, MI Breeder: Shirley R Good & Susan S Rodgers, Handler: Ernesto Lara

It was the first weekend since we began reporting on the top ten dogs that the number one and number two dogs did not win a Best In Show. Yet, such was the result of the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, venturing into terrier territory this weekend. Each managed only to garner three group firsts. Spirit and Holly went to suburban Philadelphia seeking a share of the big point all breed shows that are the opening acts for the all terrier Montgomery County KC show.

Also competing In the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday preliminaries with the Sealie and Scottie were the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, and the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija. As previously reported Thursday the BIS winner, at the Hatboro KC 1, was the Sealie, Charmin, while Spirit, Ouija, and Holly also made it into the final seven. Coda finished Group two behind Ouija in the Hound Group. Charmin would repeat the win on Friday, but this time only Spirit and Coda, made it to the BIS ring. Ouija took a Hound Group two and Cookie failed to get a group placing.

Saturday, At the Devon Dog Association show, it was Ouija getting the nod and the big rosette, with Spirit and Holly getting Group one wins. However, Sadie and Charmin, finished Group two and three. This win was enough to move Ouija past Sadie into the number seven spot in our all breed top ten.

Sunday, the non-terriers were shown the door. Holly moved to western Pennsylvania for the Beaver Valley KC, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Aliquippa. Holly made it to the BIS ring only to be bested by the country’s number one Pekingese, CH Pequest Matchpoint. Spirit, Ouija, and Coda, all followed the Almighty’s example and took the day off.

CH Pequest Matchpoint

The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, spent a three day weekend in New Mexico, for three shows in Alamogordo. Yes sandwiched a Group one on Saturday between two BIS, Friday and Sunday, while Lincoln managed Group ones, the first two days, and a Group three on Sunday. Saturday’s big winner was the Boxer, CH. Ein-Von’s Just a Rumor. “Jasmine” was bred by Leontine M Branam & Zwei A Pierson, is owned by Jeff Bennett & F Casain & C Desmond & H Biermann of Riverside, CA , and is handled by Kimberlie Steele-Gamero.

CH. Ein-Von’s Just a Rumor

The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, the cute dog with the alarming call name, was in northern California for the two Donner Trail KC events in Roseville. Saturday, it would be Taser’s turn to be shocked as the Bichon Frise, CH. Paray’s Paragon took the Best In Show. “Jake” is the country’s number two Non-Sporting dog. He was bred by Tray Pittman & Paul Flores & M Nelson and is owned by David & Dianne Anderson & Dr Dan & G Blue & P Flores of Mukilteo, WA. He is handled by Tray Pittman. Taser would bounce back on Sunday and take home the top prize.

CH. Paray’s Paragon

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, would return to the show ring in Southern California, in the uber upscale community of Santa Maria (Remember the Michael Jackson trial? That was Santa Maria) for the Channel City KC and Santa Maria KC events. The Boxer, CH Duba Dae‘s Who’s Your Daddy, was awarded his first BIS on Saturday. “Boscoe” was bred by Lynn P. Jansson and is owned by Jansson & James & Wendy Bettis of Riverside, CA. Congratulations to all. Sunday the Lakeland Terrier, CH. Brocair’s Flower Power at Revelry, would get the nod. Bred and owned by Dawn Spencer & Danielle Green of Nice, CA, it was also the first Best In Show for the 22 month old bitch. This is a dog to watch. Applause to her and her breeder/owner/handlers.

CH Duba Dae‘s Who’s Your Daddy

THE HONEYMOON IS OVER

The Pocono Mountains are a popular newlywed destination, but it's been no honeymoon for the number one dog, the Pointer, Ch Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, or the number five dog, the Sealyham Terrier, Ch Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice. Thursday the little known Rottweiler, Ch Blackrocks Kazanova, true to his namesake, loved them and left them without the BIS rosette at the Pocono Mountains KC show in Gilbert, PA. The two year old “Ace” and handler Michelle Ostermiller Scott surprised the two favorites on the first day of a four day weekend.

Ch Blackrocks Kazanova

The Pointer, Holly, and the Sealie, Charmin, have played the cluster shows to their benefit, each picking up several bests in the past two weekends, to close the gap between them and the other top contenders. However, we will have to wait for the rest of the weekend to see if the gamble pays off.

LONG, LONG WEEKEND

When I first starting showing shows rarely occurred on week days. We doggy people were pretty much restricted to the traditional weekend, Saturday/Sunday events. However, fancier enthusiasm and skyrocketing transportation costs have conspired to popularize the “Cluster” concept. This allows exhibitors to park the gas guzzler at one location and attend three, or more shows. Add in a Federal holiday, like Labor Day, and you have a Dog Show Happy Meal.

Charmin and Owner/Handler Margery Good

And no dog took more advantage of the Cluster Craze this past week than our number five all breeds dog, the Sealyham Terrier, Ch Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice. Charmin parked the RV at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh and romped to five BIS at the Cary, Alamanace, Durham, Salisbury NC, and Raleigh KC shows, August 28-September 1, defeating 4937 dogs along the way.

So how did the rest of the top five fare? The number one bicoastal team of CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and Taffe McFadden started off the long weekend in Kentucky, going Group one on Thursday, at the Lexington KC show, and BIS the following day at the Northern Kentucky show. They then hopped on a plane and showed up fresh enough in Grass Valley, CA to go BIS on Saturday and Group 1 Sunday at the Gold Country KC shows, amassing 3531 points.

Ch. Ab-Rafiki The Icon Of Cool

The number two dog, the pointer bitch, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, spent the long, long weekend in Kentucky. Thursday, Holly and Spirit faced off in the final seven, but it was the Basenji, Ch. Ab-Rafiki The Icon Of Cool, who ended up BIS. Holly didn’t even make to the BIS ring to face Spirit on Friday, going Group two behind the English Springer Spaniel, Ch. Cerise Jesse James. On Saturday with Spirit 2,000 miles away in California the path to BIS was clear for Holly. However, it was the tiny Long Coat Chihuahua, Ch. Tradewinds Star Dust that got the top prize. However you can’t keep a good dog down and Holly is one of the goodest dogs. She finished the weekend with BIS on Sunday and Monday, ending up with 3690 points for the five days.

Ch. Tradewinds Star Dust

The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, the number three dog spent a leisurely weekend in St Helens, OR, going Group one and BIS at the Longview-Kelso KC shows on Saturday and Sunday, defeating 3259 dogs. Rounding out the top five is the pint size short coat Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade. Lincoln was bred by Denise Barney, is owned by Mamie & Evalyn Gregory & Anne & Harlowe Jahelka, and handled by Paul D Catterson. Paul lives just north of Kansas City, MO and spent the weekend in Amana, IA, where he and his charge went Group 4 on Friday and BIS on Sunday, picking up 1031 points.

Lincoln and Handler, Paul Catterson

Look for the energetic Sealy to move up two spots when August results are tallied.

ENDANGERED AKC BREEDS

Have you seen the “Save The Polar Bears commercial“? I, like all animal lovers, am distraught that many animals that were once plentiful are now in danger of becoming extinct in the wild.


This commercial is narrated by some vaguely familiar actress who once was on a program only remembered by people dedicated to the preservation of 80s night time soaps. I do what I can to help endangered species (animals, not out of work actresses), but I wonder why some of the celebrities, who are rabid about the dwindling numbers of bears and various marine mammals, aren’t concerned about the possibility that some of our most interesting and charming dogs may disappear.

Sealyham Terrier

I once owned a Sealyham Terrier. She was one of the most endearing dogs I ever owned. Sealies are small enough for the most compact apartment. They are loving and friendly to family and friends, but woe be upon the burglar that trips over one in the middle of the night. Yet they are in danger of becoming extinct. There were only 68 Sealyham Terriers registered in the US in 2006, the last year for which we have complete statistics. In most parts of the country you can go to shows on six consecutive weekends and never see a Sealy. When one does show up, it inevitably causes a stir. There has been a Sealy in the Top Ten Dogs for the last three years. Memorable appearances include BIS at the 2007 Eukanuba National Championship show by CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. Charmin is owned by Margery Good & Richard Good & Sandra Middlebrooks of Cochranville, PA and was bred by France Bergeron.

CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice

Twenty percent of the breeds recognized by the AKC had less than 200 registrations in 2006. That’s 30 separate breeds in danger of vanishing from our world. The conservation group Polar Bears International estimates that there are 15,000 Polar Bears in Canada alone. Now, I am one of those guys that is depressed for weeks whenever I hear that another animal has been placed on the endangered species list, but I am also one of those guys that thinks that we need to solve the poverty and disease in US cities before we increase our donations to the United Nations. I’m going to keep supporting politicans that protect the environment and defend endangered species, but only if they also support the rights of dog lovers to protect our homegrown endangered species. Personally, I would miss the Sealyham Terrier way more than the Polar Bear. After all I never shared my home with a Polar Bear for twelve years.

A Sussex Spaniel
79 registered in 2006

If you are thinking about adding a purebred dog to your home consider one of the rare breeds. There are small ones and big ones; hunting dogs and guard dogs; short coats and long coats. You can start your own conservation project.