MIDDLE PENINSULA KC of VA 1

GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction

(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

The catalog grinches are hard a-work in Doswell VA, keeping all of us away from InfoDog’s on line listings.  Happily one of our readers sent this in for all of us.  Ron Menaker’s Best In Show at today's Middle Peninsula Kennel Club Of Virginia show was the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction.  Beckham and handler Michael Piit were joined by the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Langrigg Star of the Stage, the Boxer GCH CH Hi-Tech Hi-Drama of Sherry Shoot Jp, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Cclementina, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe v Tani Kazari, the Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian, and the German Shepherd Dog to be named when they release the catalog.

Beckham leads our picks in the Sporting Group  for nest month’s big dance and could win the whole thing.  Congratulations to breeder/owner Linda Moore, owners Bruce Vandeman, Carolee Douglas, Mary Walker, & Cindy Cassidy, and handlers Linda  & Michael Pitt.

GOLDEN GATE KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Aviator’s Asta Primadonna

When we lived in the Bay Area we never missed the Golden Gate Kennel Club show at San Francisco’s Cow Palace.  Today’s GGKS final was judged by Barbara Dempsey Alderman whose line up included the Weimaraner, GCH CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Cabaret Come Chase The Dream, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Aviator’s Asta Primadonna, the Kerry Blue Terrier, GCH CH Perrisblu Kennislain’s Chelsey, the Pekingese, GCH CH Windemere’s Dusting of White Pevyne, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Victoire Gerie No Lemon Gemstone, and the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Hatch Tillie de la Salsa.

BIS was the PWD, Asta.  It’s the first for Asta.   We are sure it won’t be the last.  Congratulations to breeders Michael & Cathy Dugan, owners Matthew Davis & Bill Waters, and handler Amy Rutherford. 

ORANGE EMPIRE KC DAY ONE

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore

In Southern California the action was in San Bernardino where the Orange Empire Kennel Club opened their two day stop.  James Reynolds chose his BIS from the English Setter, Oakley’s B’Dazzled, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Quiet Creek’s Kiss and Tell, the Kuvasz, GCH CH Szumeria’s Wildwood Silver Six Pence, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH Steele Your Heart, the Pug, GCH CH Riversong’s Dog Holiday, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH PaRay's Wicked.

His Best was the Number One Non-Sporting Dog of 2011, the Standard Poodle, Ally.  Ally finished out the year with 47 BIS & 109 Group Firsts.  Congratulations to breeders L'Dyne Wicker Brennan & Debra Ferguson Jones, and owners Toni Sosnoff & Martin Sosnoff, and handlers Taffee McFadden & Tim Brazier.

ST CHARLES MO KC DAY ONE

GCH CH Sporting Fields Heiress HSAs

Our next report comes in from Lake St Louis MO and the St Charles Missouri Kennel Club.  Sharol Candace Way had her pick of the Golden Retriever, GCH CH My Buddys Boppity-Bop Blue Moon RN, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Bahama Sands, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH McVan’s Be Bop Baby, the Pug, CH House Poory JP Yum-Yum Zerohour, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hot N Spicy, and the Border Collie, GCH CH Sporting Fields Heiress HSAs.

It was the Border Collie, Heiress, picking up her first BIS of the year.  Heiress collected three big rosettes last season along with 14 Herding Groups.  Congratulations to breeder/owner Dionne Butt, owners D Einck, and Amanda Giles.

GREATER GAINSVILLE DFA 1

CH J-Cobe Broxden Danea

 Dr Gerard Penta was down in Ocala FL for the day one show of the Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association.  His seven finalists were the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Mr View’s Ripsnorter silver Charm, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Lochnaw Something good, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Ivoss Sonny’s Angel, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J-Cobe Broxden Danea, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, the French Bulldog, CH Coco Vialatte Robobull Hot Flash, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Karosel’s Kartwheels.

Best was the Smooth Fox bitch, Nea.  Just 14 months old, we expect to see a lot more of Nea.  Congratulations to breeder/owner/handler Amy Booth, breeders/owners William R Dalling & Phil Booth, co-breeder Stacy Turner, and owner Victor Malzoni Jr.

CHARLESTON KENNEL CLUB DAY ONE

GCH CH Dalarno Nite Song of Morningstar

Next we travel down to Ladson SC for the day one show of the Charleston Kennel Club.  The seven who survived to plead their case with Pat Trotter were the Weimaraner, GCH CH Nani’s Sophisticated Lady NA NAJ MH, the 13” Beagle, GCH CH Skyline’s Dream Big, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Aquarius Tantrum and Tiaras v Phillmar, the American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Benmars Shooters Arrow, the Pug, GCH CH Kenshei and That’s The Way It Is, the Bichon Frise, CH Cher-Amis Babeau Pour Vous, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Dalarno Nite Song of Morningstar.

Her BIS was the Corgi, Spencer.  Spencer and handler Frank Murphy picked up six big rosettes and 31 Herding Groups last year.  Congratulations to Frank, breeders Carrie P Harris & Anna T Wyatt, and owners Kiki Courtelis & Linda Dossett.

ERIE KENNEL CLUB DAY ONE

Our first show report of the day is in from Erie PA where the hometown Erie Kennel Club holds sway for two days.  Mark Kennedy drew the first day title and chose his Best of the Pointer, CH Marjetta In The Limelight JH, the Norwegian Elkhound, CH Tioka’s American Ride, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Royal Future Jp Izanagi of Dabney, the Smooth Fox Terrier, GCH CH Warfox High Mtn Sweetheart, the King Charles & Ruby English Toy Spaniel, CH Southdown Nevermind, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Hillwood Ale Kai Walking on Air, and the Australian Cattle Dog, CH Rick’s Smokin’ Thunder.

Best went to the Poodle, Fran. Fran & handler Dr Joseph Vergnetti had one BIS & five Non-Sporting Groups last year, in a breed that may be the toughest in AKC.  Congratulations to Joe, and breeders/owners Ellen M Charles & Karen LaFrak.

WWW: THE HOUND GROUP

Our picks for Whom to Watch at Westminster in the Hound Group include two Hounds that set breed records in 2011 and two standouts at last month’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC).  

GCH CH Starline’s Chanel

(Photo by Carol Beuchat)

Last year’s Number One Hound, the Whippet, GCH CH Starline’s Chanel, is the winningest Whippet of all time with 69 all breed BIS, 35 of which came in 2011.  She is also the winner of the 2010 WKC Hound Group.  However, as we have written here, Chanel will have to get past last year’s Number Two Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Bahama Sands, before she can contend for the Group win.  Chanel was bred and is owned by Carey & Lori Lawrence and handled by Lori Wilson.

GCH CH Northgate’s AS You Like It

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

Another breed record holder is the Pharaoh Hound, GCH Northgate’s As You Like It, who finished last year as the Number Eight Dog All Breeds, just behind Chanel.  Qing and handler Brian Livingston picked up 35 BIS in 2011, bringing Qing’s career total to 50.  Qing was bred by Hanna Ukura, is owned by Jenny Hall & Annika Lundqvist-Hemstrom.

GCH CH Downhome Hi-Tech Innovator

 (Photo Courtesy of AKC)

We think that one of  AKC’s rarest breeds, the Harrier, GCH CH Downhome Hi-Tech Innovator, may be among the final four.  Chet is the son of the breed record holder, CH Downhome Family Tradition.  Although Chet entered the race late in last season, he still managed five Bests In Show and 17 Hound Groups, most notably, the AENC Hound Group in December.  Chet was bred by Susan Lowder, Ken and Miriam Nell, is owned by Carla & Joe Sanchez, and handled by Jorge & Suzie Olivera.

(GCH CH Thaon’s Mowgli)

 (Photo Courtesy of AKC)

Rounding out our Hound choices is the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Thaon’s Mowgli.  Last year breeder/owner/handler Jay Hafford led Mowgli to seven all breed BIS, 26 Hound Groups, BISS at the Afghan Hound Club of America’s 2011 National Specialty by, & Best Bred By Exhibitor In Show at the 2011 AENC. Mowgli is owned by Jay, co-breeder James P Blanchard, A Sterner, and  D Rogers.

Next up, the Working Group.

ALEXANDRIA LA DAY TWO

GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy

Things today in Alexandria LA at the Baton Rouge Kennel Club day two show looked remarkably like day one as the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, took home his second consecutive BIS.  Drummer’s rivals in Stephen Hubbell’s final were the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Summits Emery It's In The Bag, the Saluki, GCH DC Shahtani Ivory Moon SC, the Boxer, GCH CH Winfall I Dream of Style, the Scottish Terrier, CH Kelwyn's History in the Making, the Chinese Crested, GCH CH Silvercreek's Friendship Is Golden, and the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH Harmony Hill’s Money Talks.

Drummer and handler Scott Sommer now have three BIS to add to their 2012 resume as they prepare for next month’s Westminster Kennel Club show.

ALEXANDRIA LA DAY ONE

GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy

(Photo by RJ Hamilton)

The show week began today down on the bayou in Alexandria LA where Houston Clark had the final for the Baton Rouge Kennel Club.  Joining him in the BIS ring were the Weimaraner GCH CH Pikes Peak Rocky Mountain High , the Saluki, GCH DC Shahtani Ivory Moon SC, the Boxer, GCH CH Winfall I Dream of Style,Scottish Terrier, CH Kelwyn's History in the Making, the Maltese, CH Chrisman’s Shiny Toy Gun, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery.

His BIS was 2011’s Number Ten Dog All Breeds, the Bichon, Drummer.  It's the second this year for Drummer and handler Scott Sommer.