DOGS HERE AND THERE

We began this site thinking of readers here in the US, but we have developed a faithful following from all over the world for which we are eternally grateful. The dog fancy is truly a universal interest. One of our regular readers, Sofie Wilbraaten from Norway, writes suggesting we begin a discussion on the differences between purebred breeds here in the US and in Europe and the UK. It’s a subject near and dear to my heart. It’s also a subject that never fails to stir up a lively debate. We have seen some excellent European dogs here as well as at least one Asian dog. So everybody join in, but keep it civil ;-)

Ok, I write this blog, so I will go first. When I got into this game some 40 years ago, we in the US looked to the UK for the best examples of many breeds, virtually all the terriers, and several other breeds as well. While the British terriers were imported to improve soundness and type, I remember British Pekingese were more extreme (larger heads, flatter faces) than American examples of the breed. Later in the 1970s and 1980s German Rottweilers and German Shepherd Dogs were imported to improve substance and soundness.

CH Hjohoo's Best Wishes To Hjo

Just recently we have seen a couple of Swedish imports that I believe will be an important influence here, the beautiful Bedlington Terrier, CH Velvety Angel Eyes, and a fine example of my own breed, the Cairn Terrier, CH Hjohoo's Best Wishes To Hjo (Hjo is a town in Sweden and is pronounced “you”) bred by Swede Elisabeth Theodorsson, owned by Brazilians Mario Duarte & Victor Malzoni and shown here in America by Armando Morales.

CH Exl's Leather N Lace
Number One Cocker Spaniel in the US

As far as consistent differences between American dogs and British and European dogs. Here’s my own, very personal opinion. We have here in the US many talented professional handlers and many breed enthusiasts who are master groomers. As a group Americans like their dogs like their movie stars, not a hair out of place. This leads to extremes in grooming like the sun flower faced West Highland White Terriers or the walking dust mops that are American Cocker Spaniels. In many breeds, the standard set by Americans is what the rest of the world aspires to. You simply do not see poor examples of grooming in our Poodle, Maltese, or Pekingese rings. I do not mean to imply that dog fanciers outside the US are poor groomers, but that outside the US, a more natural look is generally preferred.

CH Camcrest Bebe Queen Of Trouble
Number One West Highland White Terrier in the US

Another characteristic, this one lamentable, is the tendency of American breeders to refine breeds to the point of losing sight of the breeds original purpose. Four examples, happily now in the past, were Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Vizla, and Irish Setters of the 1980s. In an attempt to achieve a racy, elegant silhouette, some of the highly regarded dogs of the era were overly refined and lacked the substance to do the job for which they were bred. I could cite specific examples, but on the advice of my attorneys, I won’t.

An excellent examle of a US Doberman Pinscher
BIS Winner CH Aquarius Garbo V Tiburon

Finally, as I have written before, radical animal rights groups have had an impact on British and European breeds. I fear that some of our breeds will either evolve to an unrecognizable version of the breed or disappear all together. The same people that clamor over the Walrus, one of God’s most awkward designs, would deprive us of the Pekingese we have lived with for thousands of years. But enough of my ramblings, let us hear the your opinions. We will print all responses, excepting those not suited for the eyes of my 77 year old mother, who is my most dedicated reader.

SURPRISE SMASH

CH Smash JP Moonwalk

The country’s number two dog, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, won Saturday’s match up with the country’s number three dog, the Sealhyam Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, at the Middleburg KC show in Leesburg, VA. So who won Sunday’s rematch? Would you believe neither? The two dogs were surprised by the toy poodle, CH Smash JP Moonwalk, when the little dog and handler Kaz Hosaka caught the eye of Judge June A. Penta. When this lovely, little dog entered the 2008 campaign too late in the year to crack the top ten, we predicted that he would be a dog to watch nonetheless. So would somebody tell me where I can get a current photo so we can retire the above puppy picture?

YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE

CH Torquay Demitrio

As we remarked earlier, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, spent Thursday in Georgia and Friday in Massachusetts. We don’t know if it was some airline mixup or purposeful venue shopping, but Taser showed up in Sioux Falls, SD, Saturday to accept the Sioux Empire KC Best In Show silver from Judge Barbara Alderman. Sunday, Taser would play bridesmaid to Judge Paula Nykiel’s BIS selection, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Torquay Demitrio. The country’s number four terrier, a multi Best In Show winner, was bred by Marco Botelho, and owned by Marco, Clay Coady & Evelina Martini, of Paradise Valley, AZ, and Susan A. Kipp.

TOP TEN TRACKER

Five of our top ten dogs spent the weekend in sunny California, although it was partly cloudy skies for some of our four legged atheletes. Up in the north state in the town of Dixon, the Sacramento Dog Fanciers hosted two shows. After failing to make it out of the Working Group on Saturday, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee’s Pure of Spirit, took the BIS from Judge Douglas A. Johnson. Unfortunately, here traveling companion, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija would fail to be noticed by Hound Group Judge Kitty Steidel.

Three of our top ten would have mixed results in southern California at the Riverside KC double header. The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, made the most of it taking both Best In Show trophies, the first from Judge Debbie Campbell and the second from Judge Jerry Roszman. After being surprised in the breed on Friday at the Herding Dogs only event in Dixon, CA, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, decided to head south for warmer weather and a warmer reception, resulting in two Group 1 awards. The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, also would go home with a Group 1 win Sunday after failing to get a major award on Saturday.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

The rest of the top ten would scatter over the US in search of top awards. The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, took the top prizes on Thursday and Friday at the two Griffin Georgia KC shows, but decided to drive over 600 miles east from Marietta, GA, to Leesburg, VA, to watch Judge Linda More hand the big rosette to the Sealhyam Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. The Brussels Griffon, CH Celleine Masquerade, after starting the weekend on Thursday in Marietta, GA, with a group win, rode a 1,000 miles west to Austin, TX, to take two BIS at the Saturday/Sunday events hosted by the Travis County KC, Judges Jean Fournier and Jon R. Cole presiding. It’s not exactly a tribute video, but here’s a video of the 2008 Brussels Griffon National Specialty which Lincoln won. I think you’ll see why everyone thinks this dig is special.



As we previously reported, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, continues to play a game of “Where in the World is Canine San Diego” appearing in Marietta, GA, on Thursday (Group 2) and in West Springfield, MA on Friday (BIS). We are still checking the GPS to find out where he was Saturday and Sunday. We also are waiting for the results of the rematch Sunday in Virginia between the Sealie and the Pointer. Check back here tomorrow for more results. The number one ranking hangs in the balance!

LOVE THOSE ANONYMOUS COMMENTS

CH Windbourne High Performance

An anonymous commenter has identified the above photo as the winner of the Hound group at Saturday’s Queensboro KC show in Springfield, MA, “…the gorgeous up and coming Black & Tan Coonhound bitch, Ch Windbourne High Performance aka Maserati". Maserati, who won the group over top ten dog, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, was bred by Shelley Campbell, is owned by Shelley & Emily McCarthy & Seth Tasker of Arlington, MA, and handled by Alessandra Folz. We sincerely thank the commenter for the information and the photo of this lovely bitch. We wish Maserati luck in what appears to a very promising show career.

GREAT DOGS, SOME FAMOUS, SOME NOT

Two of our top ten dogs were in the Sacramento Valley in Northern California Saturday, but neither would make it into the BIS ring. The Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee’s Pure of Spirit, would finish a disappointing third in the Working Group, while the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, could do no better than fourth in the Hound Group. Judge David J. Kirkland would give the Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association Best In Show award to the Dutch import, Welsh Terrier, CH Noraly Of The New Husken, bred by P M J Krautscheid, owned by Bruce Schwartz & Richard Berg & Samantha Curran of Los Angeles, CA , and handled by local guy Wood Wornall. A dog that did make it to the final seven was he Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Caamora All Dolled Up PT, who had taken the breed over top ten dog, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, on Friday. Saturday, handler Sharon Stone and her charge would have an easier path to the BIS ring, when the country's number one Herding Dog decided to skip the breed judging.

CH Noraly Of The New Husken

As infrequent an event as it is to see top ten dogs not make it into the final ring, this is a testament to how tough the competition is out there. The Welsh Terrier is a multiple BIS winner and is owned by Bruhill Welsh Terriers, a kennel that’s been around for 35 years and has 150 BIS to its credit. Handler Wood Wornall may not be a household name, but he is one of the best around. Anyone who watches dog shows on television will recognize him from the Eukanuba and Westminster broadcasts. We admit to concentrating on the top ten dogs here, but our readers should not forget that many owners of truly great dogs choose not to put those dogs through the stress of a national campaign.

WHERE, OH WHERE, HAS MY LITTLE DOG GONE?

One of the challenges in bringing you timely, accurate reporting is finding where our top ten dogs are each day. This is a relatively easy task when the dog wins a Group placement or a Best In Show award. However, when a dog manages only a Best OF Breed or, even worse, gets dumped in the breed, we may not learn of the dog’s presence at the show at all. Such was the fate this weekend of two of our top ten dogs Friday.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, decided to attempt a limited breed show on Friday in Dixon, CA, hosted by the Northern California Herding Group Association. Limited breed and specialty events bring out folks we don‘t always see at all breed shows. Many of the exhibitors and judges are dedicated breed connoisseurs that only show up at these type events. As such the competition can be especially tough for those exhibitors that are used to focusing on what a Best In Show judge looks for. Carly would not even make it out of the Breed Friday, losing to CH Caamora All Dolled Up PT, bred and owned by Vicki Kirsher & Patricia Seifert of Tehachapi, CA, with Sharon Stone at the other end of the lead.

CH Aquarius Garbo V Tiburon

Meanwhile our Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, did win the Breed at Friday’s Queensboro KC show in West Springfield, MA (OK, he was the lone Harrier entered), but failed to make the top four Hounds, much less advance to the final to watch the Affenpinshcer, CH Tamarin Tug take BIS. Saturday Taser would be seeking greener pastures, fairer skys, and a more agreeable judge in Virginia, but Coda would still not make it to the BIS ring, managing only a Hound Group 2. Too bad, as Judge Roberta C. Davies put up the spectacular Doberman Pinscher bitch, Ch Aquarius Garbo V Tiburon. Aptly named Garbo, this vision was bred by Jim Briley & Ron Babics, is owned by the lucky Margaret Mee of Germansville, PA, and handled by Diego Garcia. For all you people who live where they show Dobermans au natural, take note. This is what a Doberman should look like.

JETSET AFFENPINCSHCER

One dog that racks up the frequent flier miles is the top ten dog, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug. The Arizona based “Taser” was In Georgia on Thursday, but managed to be in West Springfield, MA on Friday to accept the Best In Show award from Judge Carol A. Reisman. Taser is in a close race for 2008 Top Toy Dog with the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade. Thursday, the Griffon, Lincoln, took the Toy Group top prize over Taser, at the first of four shows this weekend in Marietta, GA.

CH Tamarin Tug

So far this year, Taser’s strategy of targeting the smaller, less competitive shows has paid off. He is currently 2500 points ahead of Lincoln with just over two months left in the year. However, if Lincoln and handler Paul Catterson pull of a BIS this weekend at the larger Georgia shows, they could wear the Toy Dog crown for a little while, at least.

PEACH OF A TIME IN GEORGIA

As we reported here ealier, we have a four day cluster of shows in suburban Atlanta this weekend. It kicked off yesterday with the first of two events from the Griffith Georgia KC. Based on the first day results, it looks like it’s going to be a star studded weekend. Three of our top ten dogs were in attendance and they were challenged by several other BIS winners. CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry managed to get the top prize from Judge Denny Mounce, but she had to beat the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, and the Petit Bassett Griffon Vendeen, CH Afterglow Ebeneezer, another top winner to do it.

CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams

The groups were no cakewalk either. The Griffon, Lincoln, had to get past the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, who got the second spot in the Toy Group, and the Pointer, Holly, left the country’s top Golden Retriever, CH Toasty's Treasure Island, a runner up in the Sporting Group. The county’s best German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodsides Pacino, a top 20 dog, also could do no better than a Group 2, behind the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams, the country’s number three herding dog and winner of nine Best In Shows. The dog with the dreadlocks was bred by P Turner, A Quigley, and A & S Lawrence; is owned by Susan Huebner & Jackie Beaudoin of Raleigh, NC; and handled by Linda Pitts.

Don’t wait until the lights go out in Georgia to see these dogs. (Sorry, Gladys)

COMMENTS AND CORRECTIONS

We encourage comments here at Dog Show Poop, especially as it relates to the accuracy of our reports. Much of what you read here is second hand. Obviously we don't witness first hand every Best In Show we report. We rely on a number of sources to help bring an overview of the AKC dog show world to you all around the globe. For most of our reporting we go to the official record , ie, the AKC and the show superintendents’ reports, although we do get reports from on site exhibitors.

We are always happy to correct errors in our reports and are grateful to our readers for keeping us informed. Two recent comments bear mention. One anonymous commentor first suggested that we had posted an incorrect photo of the terrific Swedish import, the Bedlington Terrier, CH Velvety Angel Eyes. Although the photo had appeared on the breeder’s website and had been labeled, we decided to err on the side of caution and replaced the photo. Later we heard from the breeder that the original photo was actually correctly published. In the end, we were left with an improved photo showing both handler and dog.

Today we received a comment that concerns us a great deal. We have since the first posting on this blog reported that the number one dog in the US, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, is handled by the well known handler, Bill McFadden. As a statement of fact, Spirit has always been entered as being agented by Bill McFadden. It is a common practice among professional handlers with several clients to enter all dogs under the name of one handler, even though the individual dogs may be routinely handled by other handlers in partnership with the principal in the business.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and Handler Taffe McFadden

We have been advised, again by an anonymous source, that Spirit is always handled by Taffe McFadden, Bill's wife and handling partner, a distinguished professional in her own right. We have every reason to believe our anonymous commentor is correct and apologize to all for any confusion our reporting has caused. Taffe has done a terrific job with Spirit and we certainly want her to get credit for the job she has done. We will amend our reports to properly show Taffe as the handler of Spirit.

Again, we are grateful for your readership and participation as making this site we can all enjoy together.