NEW DOG2WATCH IN NEW YORK

GCH CH Sonnus Silho

The Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Silho, fourth trip to the final ring this week paid off on Sunday when judge Deborah Anthony named him the Saw Mill River Kennel Club’s Best In Show. 

GCH CH Erin’s I’m Your Man

Also asking for judge Anthony’s consideration were the Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire, the Treeing Walker Coonhound, GCH CH Alexanders Gold Rush Xcetera, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Allure Playing With Fire, the Scottish Terrier, GCH H McVan’s to Russia with Love, her RBIS, the Dalmatian, GCH CH Erin’s I’m Your Man, and the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH Collinswood Sparks Fly. 

With three BIS and eight Toy Groups in the last 30 days, we think Sonnito is a Dog2Watch.

MONDAY MOP UP

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

(photo by Lynda Beam)

We have finished up all our real life chores and ushered out some unexpected visitors and can now turn our attention to ur Monday Mop Up. This week was full of heavyweight match ups, fresh faces, and breakout performances. 

Just a few hours south of this week’s giant Kentuckiana Cluster in Louisville KY, the Country Music Cluster in Franklin TN hosted several of the nation’s top dogs these past four days. Check our archives on the lower right side bar for Thursday’s & Friday’s results. The Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, bolstered his Number One ranking by taking both Saturday’s Tullahoma Kennel Club of Tennessee BIS and Sunday’s Nashville Kennel Club BIS. 

GCH CH Ha'penny Mirimar The Fab Fawn 

 Joining Matisse and handler Michael Scott in judge Clay Coady’s on Saturday were the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Easthill Broxden Woodland Lettuce Entertain You, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, GCH CH Raquel Welch Of Malabo APD, the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Shaireab’s Bayleigh Maid of Honor, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, and the RBIS, the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Ha'penny Mirimar The Fab Fawn. 

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect 

(photo by Bettina Bienefeld)

Sunday judge Barbara Dempsey Alderman would choose Matisse out of a lineup that included the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Ashdown's Time to Thrill, the Smooth Dachshund, CH Marginns Fredricka V Rufknabe, the same Welsh Terrier, the Papillon, GCH CH Fenice Le Beaudreaux, the above named Standard Poodle, and her RBIS, the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect. 

Matisse takes an impressive 2014 record of 22 BIS and 28 Working Groups into Louisville, where an entry of 12,500 dogs holds the potential of being a game changer for one or more of our hopefuls this year.

WHIPPET WINS IN VIRGINIA

GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless

(photo by Gay Glazbrook)

Judge Michael Faulkner had the Shenandoah Valley Kennel Club’s Saturday final in Harrisonburg VA and his pick of the Welsh Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Trystyn Statesman Cactus Blue, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless, the Samoyed, GCH CH Pebbles’ Run Play It Again Ham, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH Crispy Legacy, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Krissy’s Savvy Jasper, the French Bulldog, GCH CH Diva’s Bastille My Heart, and the Puli, GCH CH Cordmaker Rumpus Bumpus. 

GCH CH Cordmaker Rumpus Bumpus
(photo by Vicki Holloway)

Racing to the front of the line was the sleek Whippet, Brazen. Close behind was the Reserve winner, the Puli, Ziggy. It’s the first of the year for the latest BIS winner from the Sporting Fields kennel. Congratulations to breeders/owners Debbie Butt & Amanda Giles and owner Jane Cooney-Waterhouse.

IRISH WATER SPANIEL HAT TRICK

GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire 

The Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire, reminded us all on Saturday that there are more than two dogs in the race this year for Number One Dog All Breeds by collecting her third straight Best In Show in Milton NY this week. 

GCH CH Sonnus Silho 

Joining Riley and handler Richard Krieger in judge Hal Biermann’s final at the Saw Mill River Kennel Club show were the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Lacey’s Deck Plate Leader, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Allure Playing With Fire, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH McVan’s To Russia With Love, judge Biermann’s RBIS, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Silho, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Gala Brighton Lakeridge Reflections Of Me, and the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH Double R’s Alberta Clipper CGC. 

The three wins catapult Riley into the Number Two Sporting Dog spot with five BIS and 11 Sporting Groups including last month’s Westminster Kennel Club show.

POODLE BIS AT GARDEN CITY OPENER

GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow 

(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

 The Garden City Kennel Club opened their three day set in that Kansas city on Friday. The seven dogs who greeted BIS judge Dawn Hansen were the Vizsla, GCH CH Nyircsaszari Szilva Palinka JH, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Lionridges Annie’s Legacy HIC CGC, the Rottweiler, CH Brush Creek’s Chances Are I’Deal CGC, the Skye Terrier, CH Royalist Son Knight I Kulbreeze, the Havanese, CH Tigerlily Tamaran Smoke On The Water, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow, and the Shetland Sheepdog, CH PaRay’s Cimmaron Stellar. 

Stepping up to take the BIS was the Poodle, Dino. Close behind with the RBIS was the Skye. Dino becomes the nation’s Number Four Non-Sporting Dog with two BIS and 14 Non-Sporting Groups.

CATCHING UP IN CALIFORNIA

CH Newtnine Crown Of Queen 

Our next report comes in from Northern California where exhibitors are gathered in the town of Hanford CA for four days with the Sequoia Kennel Club and the Kings County Kennel Club. The KC had the Thursday and Friday spots, and chose judge Janet Turnage Nahikian to call the day one final. The seven dogs she considered the Golden Retriever, Doizaki Buckingham’s Legacy, the Borzoi, GCH CH Majenkir Bookstor Vintage Glamour, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Patriot’s Designer Girl, the Irish Terrier, GCH CH Rockledge McCallen Of Meath, the Toy Fox Terrier, GCH CH Ultra Quest Go For The Gold, the Bichon Frise, CH Newtnine Crown Of Queen, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH PaRay Preferential. 

GCH CH Ultra Quest Go For the Gold 

Topping the seven was the Bichon, Queen. Taking the Reserve was the Toy Fox, Oliver. It was the first BIS this year for Chinese import. Congratulations to breeder Cheng Wai Chung, owner Xu Ze Rue, and handler Paul Flores. 

GCH CH Tells Matrix Reloaded

(photo by Gay Glazbrook)

On Friday judge Dr Jose Luis Payro would get an all new seven, the Weimaraner, GCH CH Simpatico Equal Justice, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Tells Matrix Reloaded, the Boxer, CH R and G n Hunter Creeks Mystical Attraction, the Airedale Terrier, CH Penaire Cash Game Of Longvue, the Pekingese, GCH CH Dunkirk Imagine That, the French Bulldog, CH Bayou Ridge Hilsman’s Coco Bean At Homewood, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Mariels Harvest Moon. 

GCH CH Dunkirk Imagine That

That His BIS was the Afghan, Matrix, and his RBIS was the Peke, Tommy. The win, Matrix’ sixth BIS in 12 final attempts this year, will make him the nation’s Number One Hound.

BEST LI'L CLUSTER IN TEXAS

GCH CH Willow Ridge Risky Business 

The Kennel Club of Greater Victoria had the first two days of the Best Li’l Cluster in Texas, a four day stop in one of America’s most charming cities, San Antonio TX. Judge Murrell Purkhiser had the day one final and her pick of the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Hil-N-Don & Canyonwood Seemore Of Me, the Borzoi, GCH CH Soyara’s The Flying Dutchman, the Mastiff, GCH CH Willow Ridge Risky Business, the Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Thunderwood’s First Robin Of Spring, the Papillon, GCH CH InVolo The King of Pop, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Saks Winning Card, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh. 

GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh 

Finishing one/two were the Mastiff, Kruz, and the Cardigan, Coco. Kruz has been quietly working his way up the rankings and now is the Number Two Working Dog with three BIS in ten final appearances this year. We will have to wait until the weekend’s numbers are in to see if Kruz can crack the Top Ten Dogs All Breeds. 

GCH CH InVolo The King of Pop 

Kruz would be back on Friday for judge Dr Alvin Krause’s final, along with the above named Springer, Papillon, & Bichon. They were joined by the Saluki. GCH CH Appalachia’s Allamyrra Hajji, the Miniature Bull Terrier, GCH CH Dytona VIP, and the Border Collie, GCH CH F Si A Ge Of Fu You Yuan Kennel. 

GCH CH Saks Winning Card 

Dr Krause would go with the Papillon, Jackson, as his Best and the Bichon, Bingo, as his Reserve. Jackson is the country’s Number One Papillon with two BIS and 12Toy Groups this year.

BOXER BEST IN TENNESSEE

GCH CH Hi-Tech The King of Sherry Shoot Jp 

Here in Tennessee the place to see the AKC’s best is the Nashville suburb of Franklin where the four show Country Music Cluster is underway. Friday’s show was hosted by the Tullahoma Kennel Club of Tennessee and ended with Gloria Geringer’s final.

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire 

(Jeffrey Hanlin)

The seven dogs left at the end of the day were the Golden Retriever, CH Easthill Broxden Woodland Lettuce Entertain You, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, GCH CH Raquel Welch of Malabo APD, the Boxer, GCH CH Hi-Tech The King of Sherry Shoot Jp, the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Ticket To Ride, the Chinese Crested, GCH CH Koridawns In Your Wildest Dreams, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect.

Judge Geringer’s top two were the Boxer, King, and the Poodle, Flame. It’s the first BIS of the year for King, who finished last year as the Number Six Working Dog with six BIS and 32 Group Ones. Congratulations to breeder Shinryo Teragaki, owners Mrs Jack Billhardt, Sergio Tenenbaum, & Deb McCarroll, and handler Diego Garcia.

BACK2BACK BIS FOR IWS

GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire 

 One of the most impressive dogs we have seen these last two seasons is the Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire. Riley, the winningest IWS in AKC history, finished 2013 with a Group One at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December. She did it by besting the 2011 Number One Dog All Breeds, the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction. In February she did it again, advancing to the final despite the Cocker’s valiant efforts. 

GCH CH De LaMer Point Break

(photo by Angela Stein)

 This week you can see Riley at the Cabin Fever Cluster in Milton NY. Yesterday Riley made it two in a row, picking up the BIS at the Monticello New York Kennel Club. Joining her in judge Sonny Ambrosio’s final were the Longhaired Dachshund, GCH CH Stonybrook’s Phinto, the Newfoundland, GCH CH Cypress Bay’s Big Sur, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH McVan’s To Russia With Love, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Silho, judge Ambrosio’s RBIS, the Schipperke, GCH CH De LaMer Point Break, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Classical’s My Turn. 

The win brings Riley’s 2014 resume to four BIS and ten Sporting Groups.

OES BIS IN TENNESSEE

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect 

(Photo by Kayla Bertagnolli)

This week’s Country Music Cluster in the tony Nashville suburb of Franklin TN has attracted several of the nation’s top dogs including the current top two dogs all breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect. 

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

Judge Betty Regina Lenininger would make the OES, Swagger, her Best In Show and the Portie, Matisse, her Reserve, at Thursday's Nashville Kennel Club show. Judge Lenininger also considered the English Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Foxwood’s Dublin Diva, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Flessner’s International S’Cess, the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Shaireab’s Bayleigh Maid of Honor, the Chinese Crested, GCH CH Dejavu I Want a Talk About Me, and the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire. 

It’s the third consecutive week that fanciers have been treated to finals featuring Swagger and Matisse, we cannot think of any other year where our top two dogs have crossed paths so frequently. Thursday’s win brings Swagger’s 2014 resume to 11 BIS, eight RBIS, and 25 Herding Groups.