WWW: THE NON-SPORTING GROUP

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire

(photo by Michael McGuire)

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), The Non-Sporting Group.  We often think of the Non-Sporting Group as the “Rodney Dangerfield” group.  Apart from the ubiquitous Standard Poodles, the group is full of breeds that are often overlooked. 

We do have two Standard Poodles at the top of our list this year.  The bitch, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, and the dog, GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow.  The bitch, Flame, was last year’s Number One Non-Sporting Dog and Number Three Dog All Breeds with 47 BIS and an impressive 121 Group Ones.  This year she has  two BIS and 11 Group Ones.  Flame was bred by and is owned by Linda Campbell and handled by Sarah Perchick.

GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow

The dog, Dino, finished 2014 as the Number Six Non-Sporting Dog with six BIS and 55 Group Ones so far this year he has picked up one BIS and Four Group Ones.  Dino was bred by Carlos Renau & Lazaro Anelo, is owned by Sloan Barnett, George Linderman Sr, Michael Gadsby, & Jason Lynn, and is handled by Amy Rutherford.

GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls

One dog who could dethrone the Poodles is the top winning Chinese Shar-Pei in AKC history, GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls.  Tinsel has been the Number One Chinese Shar-Pei these last two season and leads the Non-Sporting Group this year with three BIS, three RBIS and eight Group Ones.  Tinsel was bred by and is owned by Rebecca Pentecost DVM with Deborah & Robert Cooper & Linda Teitelbaum, and handled by Nina Fetter.

GCH CH Skyline's Unit Of Measure

Another dog who might get past the Poodles is the Keeshond, GCH CH Skyline's Unit Of Measure, who frequently goes head-to-head with Dino, the current Number Two Non-Sporting Dog with two and nine Group Ones.   Cubit was bred by Kristen Cullen DVM & Susan Cullen, is owned by Joshua Hargis, and handled by co-owner Jean Gauchat-Hargis.

GCH CH Dowat’s the Gladiator

Finally, we will always root for the Bulldogs and we have two great prospects this year, GCH CH Dowat’s the Gladiator and GCH CH Wilson’s I’m Your Handyman.  The former, Don Juan,  was 2014’s Number One Bulldog and Number Seven Non-Sporting Dog.  He was bred by Lucky and Donna Watson and Alisha and Sean Worleyand is owned by Jamie Vasquez, Randall Jenkins, &  Linda Scott, and handled by Dennis O’Connor.

GCH CH Wilson’s I’m Your Handyman

The latter, Decker, has just begun his career under the auspices of Bulldog maven Jay Serion,  Decker already has two BIS in just three final appearances this year.  Decker was bred by Cindy and Joel Wilson, is owned by Landon and Jennifer Jordan, and handled by Jay.

Next, the Herding Group.

WWW: THE TOY GROUP

GCH CH Hitime What the Inferno

(photo courtesy of AKC)

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), the Toy Group.  Terrier legend Ric Chashoudian once said that he thought the Toy Group was the most competitive year after year.  We’re not sure about that but it certainly was in 2014 and has been this season as well.  Friday’s all toy dog Progressive Dog Club show provided ample evidence of that.

Last year’s Number One Toy Dog, the Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitime What the Inferno, has carried the title into the new year, adding the title of Number Two Dog All Breeds on the strength of six BIS and 13 Group Ones, including two BIS at the big Rose City Classic in Portland OR in January.  Danny was bred by Joan D Caracsole & Ashley Carcasole, is owned  by Bonnie Bird & Udomsin Littichaikun, and handled by Curtiss Smith.

GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez)

2014’s Number Two Toy Dog, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez), finished 8,000 points behind Danny last year despite winning just one less BIS that Danny (27) and 12 More Toy Groups (93).  However, Sonnito lacks Danny’s momentum this year with just one BIS to date.  Nonetheless, we expect the smallest dog in the ring to make a big impact Monday.  Sonnito was bred by owner Romulo Sanchez Torres, is co-owned by James and Janet Moses, and handled by Erika Lanasa.

GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power

Last year’s Number Three Toy Dog, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH  Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power, finished 2014 with a flourish, winning the Toy Group at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando.    Rocket is holding down the Number Three spot again this year with one BIS and 19 Toy Groups so far.  Rocket was bred by owner/handler Luke Ericht  & owner Diane Ericht and is co-owned by Patricia Hearst Shaw.

GCH CH Fist Face A Penny for Your Thought 

(photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

Two of our Dogs2Watch joined the Top Five Toys this year, the Brussels Griffon, GCH CH Fist Face A Penny for Your Thought, and the Toy Poodle, GCH CH North Well Vivian Jp Rose Queen.  The Griff, Penny, whose father, CH Cilleine Masquerade, won the Group at the Garden in 2009,  has three BIS and six Group Ones this  year.  Penny was bred by Rodney & Linda Vance, is owned by Larry & Carol Pagacz & Kelley Catterson, and handled by Paul D Catterson.

GCH CH North Well Vivian Jp Rose Queen

In that final ring with Penny’s father in 2009 was the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, owned by New Yorkers Toni & Martin Sosnoff and handled by Tim Brazier .  This year Tim is handling the Sendoff’s Toy Poodle, Rosie.  Rosie is currently the Number Four Toy Dog with one BIS and five Toy Groups so far this year. 

Next, the Non-Sporting Group.

GOLDEN BIS IN FLORIDA

CH Bogy Of Taiwan HK 

 Dr Gareth Morgan-Jones named the Golden Retriever, CH Bogy Of Taiwan HK, his Best In Show at today’s Lakeland-Winter Haven Kennel Club encore. 

GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless

(photo courtesy of AKC)

We suppose the good doctor might have chosen his RBIS, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless, the Great Dane, CH Fame & VWF's I'll Have Another, the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Brynmawr 'N Seaplume's Built Tough, the Toy Manchester Terrier, GCH CH Rustic Lane Sunshine Daydream, the RBIS, the Bulldog, CH Dulin Tango The Perfect Man, or the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Quiche's Madness Full Throttle, but he didn’t. 

 It was the first BIS for the Chinese import, Regal. Congratulations to breeder Sui-Ken Chen, owner Fu Yuen Chan, and handler Aaron Wilkerson.

WWW: THE TERRIER GROUP

GCH CH Cragsmoor Goodtime Charlie 

(photo by Rhonda Cassidy) 

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), the Terrier Group. We have two Terriers in our home currently and we are always rooting for the earth dogs at the Garden. This year the favorite is the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie. Last Year’s Number One Terrier and Number Four Dog All Breeds, Charlie finished 2014 with a bang, taking the top prize at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando in December. Charlie finished the year with 33 BIS and 113 Group Ones. He leads the Terrier Group again this year with six BIS in 13 trips to the final ring. Charlie was bred by owners Eugene Z Zaphiris & Matthew H Stander, is co-owned by Victor Malzoni Jr, and handled by Larry Cornelius. 

GCH CH Shaireab’s Bayleigh Maid of Honor
(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

We expect Charlie to get plenty of competition from whichever Welsh Terrier makes it to the final ring. We expect to see the top winning Welsh Terrier bitch ever, GCH CH Shaireab’s Bayleigh Maid of Honor. Jennie finished last year with 23 BIS and 91 Terrier Groups and has four BIS and seven Group Ones so far this year. Jennie was bred by owners Keith Bailey & Sharon Abmeyer, is co-owned by Tony Lee & Xiangyu Xie, and handled by Luis Abreu. 

GCH CH McVan’s To Russia with Love 

(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

 Last year’s Number Three Terrier, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH McVan’s To Russia with Love, collected eight BIS last year, including two over the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, who is favored to go Best In Show on Tuesday. Knopa, bred by Vandra Huber & Michael Krolewski, owned by Marina Khenkina, and handled by Rebecca Cross, will be joining Marina in Russia shortly after Westminster. 

GCH CH Imaginabull's First Edition 

We are also excited by two bully breeds from the Pacific Northwest, the Miniature Bull Terrier, GCH CH Imaginabull's First Edition, and the American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Alpine’s Highwayman. The MiniBull made a stunning start to the year, taking five straight Terrier Groups in at the Rose City Classic in Portland OR last month. Saxon was bred by Teresa Moffit, owned by Teresa & David Moffit, and handled by Luke Baggenstos. 

G10CH CH Alpine’s Highwayman 

The AmStaff, Jelly, the top winning American Staffordshire Terrier of all time with 28 career BIS, is coming out of retirement to make one more appearance at the Garden. Five year old Jelly, who is at the peak of his maturity, will be handled by breeder/owner Ed Thomason. 

CH Yarrow Venerie Winning Ticket 

We would be remiss if we did not include one potential spoiler, the 2014 Montgomery County Kennel Club BIS winner, the Norfolk Terrier, CH Yarrow Venerie Winning Ticket. Bred & owned, and handled by the legendary three time WKC BIS winner, Peter Green, with breeders/owners Beth Sweigart & John & Pam Beale, the two year old will demand attention IF shown.

WWW: THE WORKING GROUP

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse

(photo courtesy of AKC)

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), the Working Group.  This year’s Working Group is likely to draw one of the largest and most knowledgeable crowds in Westminster Kennel Club’s lengthy existence.  The group is led by 2014’s Number One Dog, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, who finished last year with 134 BIS in 180 trips to the final ring, the best one year record of any dog in AKC history.  Matisse has collected 238 BIS in the past three years, more than any other dog ever, save one, the German Shepherd bitch, CH Altana’s Mystique, who amassed 275 BIS in four years in the 90s.  Matisse is currently the Number Six Dog All Breeds with nine BIS and 14 Group Ones.   Matisse was bred by owner Donna Gottdenker, is co-owned by Milan Lint & Peggy Helming, and handled by Michael Scott.

GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret

Although Matisse has only rarely been beaten in the Working Group, he is not invincible.  Last year’s Number Two working Dog, the Akita, GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret, bested Matisse at least twice last year on his way to 19 BIS and 59 Working Group Firsts.  Trader was bred by owners Joann Charnik & Carla Burke, is co-owned by Thomas Bavaria & Ann Bavaria, and is handled by Heather Bremmer.

GCH CH Pebbles' Run Play It Again Ham

The Samoyed, GCH CH Pebbles' Run Play It Again Ham, was 2014’s Number Three Working Dog and already has one BIS this year.  Bogey was bred by is owned by Amy Kiel Green and is handled by husband Andrew Green.

GCH CH Mephisto's Speak Of The Devil

There are always a Boxer and a Doberman Pinscher in consideration for the Working Group win at Westminster.  The ones we think will be in judge Theresa Hundt’s ring are the Boxer, GCH CH Mephisto's Speak Of The Devil, and the Doberman,  GCH CH Dezperado's Hallelujah CA CGC.  The Boxer, Devlin already has three BIS  in five final attempts.  Devlin was bred by Michelle Yeadon & Peter Yeadon & Monika Pinsker, is owned by Mrs Jack Billhardt & Sergio Tenenbaum, and is handled by Diego Fernando Garcia.

GCH CH Dezperado's Hallelujah CA CGC 

(photo by Gay Glazbrook)

The Doberman, Glory, had three BIS last year.  She has already matched that total this year in just eight trips to the final ring.  Glory was bred by handler Linda George, Hillary Zimmerman & Rick George , and is owned  by Jacqueline & Alan Wendt.

Next, the Terrier Group.

WWW: THE HOUND GROUP

GCH CH Flessner’s International S’cess

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), the Hound Group.  We love the Hound Group for its diversity and are happy to see both sighthounds and scent hounds among the contenders this year.  Leading the pack is last year’s Number One Hound, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Flessner’s International S’cess, finished last year with 24 BIS and 87 Group Ones.  Nathan is out to a quick start this year with four BIS and 14 Group Ones to lead the Hounds again this year.   Nathan was bred by owner handler Heather and Bryan & Chris Flessner and is co-owned by Shirley VanCamp & Zack Helmer.

GCH CH Tashtin’s Lookin’ for Trouble 

(photo by Kayla Bertagnolli)

Another scent hound, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Tashtin’s Lookin’ for Trouble, actually won more Hound Groups (91) in 2014, but trailed Nathan in BIS (19).   Miss P was bred by Lori D Crandlemire, is owned by Lori, Eddie Dziuk,  & Kaitlyn Crandlemire, and handled by Will Alexander.

GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless 

(photo courtesy of AKC)

Leading the sighthounds last year and this year is the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Shameless.  Brazen already has three BIS and nine group wins this year.   Brazen, the latest BIS winner from the legendary Sporting Fields Kennel, was bred by owner/handler Amanda Giles and co-owner Dionne Butt, and is co-owned by Barbara Call & Jane Cooney-Waterhouse.

GCH CH Tells Matrix Reloaded 

(photo by Gay Glazbrook)

First into judge Betty-Anne Stenmark’s ring Monday night will be the Afghan Hound.  Last year’s Number Four Hound, GCH CH Tells Matrix Reloaded is the favorite in the breed, after finishing 2014 with 17 BIS and 69 Hound groups.  Matrix was bred by Jorgen Collinge & Camilla & Marie-Louise Tell Collinge, is owned by Missy Ann Galloway, and handled by Christian Manelopoulos.

GCH CH Agha Djaris Eye Candy Of Sura CGC

However we expect the Afghan ring to be one of Monday’s most competitive.  We are watching the current Number One Afghan Hound, GCH CH Agha Djaris Eye Candy Of Sura CGC, who won the Hound Group all four days at the huge Rose City Classic cluster in Portland OR in January.  Katy was bred by Stefan Boieck and is owned by James Dalton, Suzanne J Neill, Dr A John Turjoman, & Jamie Souza Bartlet, and handled by Alicia Morrison Jones.

GCH CH Bayaway Jersey's Due Process of Law

For those of you who like a long shot, our dark horse is the Black & Tan, Coonhound,  GCH CH Bayaway Jersey's Due Process of Law, who is currently the Number Six hound with one BIS and three Hound Groups so far this year.  Moses was bred by and is owned by Debra & George Rezendes & Jinnie-Ann Stora and handled by Zach Helmer, the co-owner of the group leading Bloodhound.

Next up is the Working Group.