WESTMINSTER MOMENTUM

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

The Cherokee Rose Cluster got underway a day late, after Thursday’s Griffin Georgia Kennel Club show was cancelled.  Friday’s Sawnee Mountain Kennel Club Of Georgia show drew almost 1900 dogs. 

GCH CH Wolf Creek’s Galaxy of Merivern 

(Photo by Michael Avery)

The seven that made it all the way to judge Robert Vandiver’s final were the English Springer Spaniel, CH Telltale American Ride, the Whippet, GCH CH Ableaim Que The Music, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Goodtime Charlie, the Pug, GCH CH Caper’s Sirius Endeavor, the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Wolf Creek’s Galaxy of Merivern.

The PWD, Matisse, continues his relentless march through January, collecting another BIS.  The GSD, Galaxy, added the RBIS to his already impressive 2013 total.  Matisse, 2013’s Show Dog of the Year, now has 12 BIS, one RBIS, and a Group Two in 14 shows this year.  That’s a lot of momentum going into the Westminster Kennel Club show, now just over a week away.

AKITA BIS IN NEW JERSEY

GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret

Dr Robert Smith had the final at Thursday’s Sand & Sea Kennel Club show in Wildwood NJ.  The seven dogs he considered were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Legacy Random Titleist, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Flessner’s International S’cess, the Akita, GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH Crispy Legacy, the Toy Poodle, GCH CH Smash Jp Beauty & Beat, the Tibetan Terrier, GCH CH Rinchen’s Blazing Icon, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Classical’s My Turn.

GCH CH Legacy Random Titleist

It was the Akita, Trader, taking the BIS and the Springer, Griffen.  It was the second BIS of the year for Trader and handler Heather Bremmer.  Trader will be one of the favorites in New York at February’s Westminster Kennel Club show.  Trader has two BIS and one RBIS in five final appearances this year.

DACHSHUND BIS IN NEW JERSEY

GCH CH Legibach Captain Crunch

This is a critical week as the dog show world prepares for next month’s Canine Super Bowl, the Westminster Kennel Club show. The largest entries were to be found in Atlanta GA where the four show Cherokee Rose Cluster had drawn nearly 8,000 dogs.  However, Mother Nature intervened with one of the coldest weeks on records, preventing many of exhibitors from reaching Atlanta.  Cluster officials decided to cancel today’s opener, the Griffin Georgia Kennel Club show, as a precaution. 

GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret

It’s colder in Wildwood NJ, but thanks to its beachfront location, the Atlantic Ocean Cluster opened on time yesterday with the Union County Kennel Club show.   Judge Larry Berg had the day one final and his pick of the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Sweetgrass White Diamonds, the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Legibach Captain Crunch, the Akita GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH Crispy Legacy, the Toy Poodle, GCH CH Smash Jp Beauty & Beat, the Schipperke, GCH CH De LaMer Point Break, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Ha’Penny Miramar the Fab Fawn.

His BIS was the Dachshund, Captain, and his RBIS, was the Akita, Trader.  It’s the first BIS in four final appearances this year for Captain and handler Angela Llyod.  Congratulations to breeders/owners Gina Middings & Pat Leone, and owner Sally Sweatt.

CHIN BIS IN CALIFORNIA

GCH CH Victory Spencer

We last visited San Bernardino CA on Saturday for the Orange Empire Dog Club’s Saturday opener .  Sunday judge Rita Biddle gathered the Clumber Spaniel, CH Clussexx Over The Legal Limit, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Thaon’s Wallstreet, the Black Russian Terrier, Cervena Holka’s Zeme, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky, the Japanese Chin, GCH CH Victory Spencer, the American Eskimo Dog, GCH CH Emerald City’s Wildcard Winner, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Mariels Harvest Moon.

GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky

She chose the two smallest dogs in the ring for the big prizes with the Chin, Spencer, taking the BIS, and the Wire, Sky, taking the RBIS.  It’s the first BIS of the year for Spencer who was 2013’s Number Ten Toy Dog with three BIS and 39 Toy Groups.  Congratulations to breeders Victor Cohen & Leslie Ann Engen, owners Maureen Cooley, Toni Bonnar & Marji McCormick , and handler Joseph Berkau. 

BACK2BACK BIS IN ILLINOIS

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire

The Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, made it two in a row, adding yesterday’s Chain O’Lakes Kennel Club BIS to her Saturday win.  Sunday’s win came in judge Stephen Dainard’s final.  Judge Dainard also liked the Russell Terrier, GCH CH Goldsands Columbus, more than he liked the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, CH Albridens The Show Must Go On, the 15” Beagle, CH Tashtins Lookin For Trouble, the Great Dane, GCH CH Gracyn Lost Creek The Descendant Of Elan, the King Charles English Toy Spaniel, CH LTO Prosperity, or the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Margaux Va-Voom.

GCH CH Goldsands Columbus 

(Photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

Flame is the daughter of 2010’s Number One Non-Sporting Dog, GCH CH Dawin Spitfire.  We just love it when greatness produces greatness.  That is why we do what we do.