MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING

Monday morning means show results and we have them aplenty. First, we had previously reported that the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, had taken the BIS at the Saturday iteration of the Malibu Kennel Club. Here are how the other top dogs fared in Costa Mesa CA. The Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, took a group three behind Hound Group winner, Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Pupukea Ridge Ikaika of Springvalley , and the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, finished second in the Terrier Group behind the Welsh Terrier, Sanherpinc Paisa. Joining Spirit in Judge Hans Brunotte’s final seven were the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair.

CH Pupukea Ridge Ikaika of Springvalley

As is our practice, we gave you the first of Sunday’s results on Sunday night and here are the rest, working east to west. The Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, has been hunting a BIS all week. To reiterate, he started out auspiciously enough, on Thursday taking a Toy Group one in Biloxi over number one toy dog, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug. However, on Friday Lincoln failed to place in the Toy Group in Biloxi. Saturday he resurfaced in Belleville IL taking another Toy Group first. Finally, on Sunday, Lincoln broke through and grabbed the big rosette from Judge James G Reynolds at the second show of the Edwardsville Illinois Kennel Club in Belleville.

CH Cilleine Masquerade with Handler Paul Catterson

As we said, number one Toy Dog, the Affenpinscher, Taser, was in Biloxi MS on Thursday (Group 2), Winston-Salem NC on Friday (BIS), and Ridgefield WA on Saturday (BIS). He decided to stay in Ridgefield one more day, but Judge Lester Mape gave the Greater Clark County Kennel Club Best In Show title to the Welsh Springer Spaniel, CH Royailes Hasta B A Cut Above. Congratulations to breeders Nora & Gerald Carlton and owner Dayna Maddox on a very impressive win. Nonetheless, Taser picked up an impressive 292 points for the group win.

CH Coventry Vanity Fair

Of course the real drama was at the glamorous Malibu Kennel Club show in Costa Mesa. One of the warm up shows for the Eukanuba National Championship, this show drew five of our top ten dogs and four of them made it to Judge W. Everett Dean Jr’s BIS ring, the Scottish Deerhound, Ouija, the Scottish Terrier, Sadie, the Standard Poodle, Yes, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Carly. Proving, that all ten of the top dogs are exceptional, the number ten dog, Carly, trotted away with the title. Congratulations to Carly and her breeders/owners/handler on a spectacular win.

Oh! And the remaining ranked dog, the one that didn’t make it to the final seven? That would be the country's number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit, who was defeated in the breed. We are feverishly searching for the name of that dog and his owners who will certainly have bragging rights for a while. Fear not, there is another iteration of the Malibu show today and we we expect Spirit will fare a little better. And you will read it here first.

COUNTDOWN TO THE BIG DANCE

Judge Diane Malenfant (now, there’s a name with an interesting derivation, like some eight year old did something really bad 1200 years ago) must have had a bad case of a déjà vu (wow, two French references in the first sentence) today as she surveyed her final seven at the second day of the Eastern Dog Club show in Boston MA. Five of the seven were In Peter Green’s final the day before. Once again the Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche finished ahead of the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition. Once again the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, were joined by the Boxer, CH Dramatic Story Of Sherry Shoot JP, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, CH Pinecrest Rock The Boat.

CH Surrey Sweet Spice

Joining the party for the second time this weekend was the Bearded Collie, CH Brigadoon`s Firecracker. Only the Non-Sporting Group winner, the Minature Poodle, CH Surrey Sweet Spice, was a newcomer. And once again, the Pointer, Holly, sang another chorus of “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” challenging number one dog, Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, to come up with another BIS to hold onto the top ranking. We knew they loved tradition in Boston, but we weren’t expecting anyone would win four in a row.

And speaking of lightning striking twice, our source in Biloxi tells us that the Chinese Shar Pei, CH Elite’s By Design, took her second BIS of the weekend, quite a feat at just 16 months old. All of this is leading us up to the big event, the Eukanuba National Championship. How about a poll? Who are you rooting for? Who do you think will win?

TOP DOG VIDEO

Susan Lowder, co breeder/owner of our number eight dog, the Harrier, Downhome Family Tradition, has been kind enough to provide us with reports on some of our west coast shows. However, I found this video of Coda on my own.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Coda is the top winning Harrier in history. We, on behalf of all rare breed lovers, thank Susan and her partners for promoting this wonderful specimen. Have you contacted your elected representative to tell him/her that you care about the preservation of rare breeds?

WEEKEND WARRIORS

Well, once again we have help from a couple of readers and that workaholic on the AKC “Weekly Wins” desk. First from an anonymous reader (Do include your name on the comments, so we can give you credit for your generous reports), the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, did pull off the BIS yesterday at the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association Of Orange County show in Costa Mesa CA. Spirit just won’t let the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, have that first place ranking, not even for one day. I guess that’s why they call them Alpha Dogs.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit

Second, Terri Erikson was the first to tell us that the dog with the electric call name, that is, the Affenpischer, CH Tamarin Tug, aka Taser, took another BIS up in Ridgefield WA, at the Greater Clark County Kennel Club event yesterday. We learned from our AKC weekend warrior that Taser was in Winston Salem NC on Friday taking a Best In Show from Judge Dennis Kniola. Will someone please verify that Taser and handler Jorge Olivera have a Taser International corporate jet at their disposal? Seems it isn’t just Detroit that knows how to travel.

CH Tamarin Tug

One of our anonymous tipsters had already told us that the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, had won BIS on Friday at the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association Of Orange County in Costa Mesa CA. From the AKC comes these details. Judge J. Andrenia Brunotte-Canada (the only AKC judge with more names than the dogs entered) had a plethora of top ranked dogs to choose from. Joining Sadie in the final seven were the Giant, Spirit, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair.

CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot

Finally, we learn that the Brussels Griffin, CH Cilleine Masquerade, is still looking for a BIS win. To refresh your memory, Thursday, Lincoln lost to Taser, in the Toy Group in Bilox MS. On Friday, he was left out of the ribbons in the group at that location. Saturday, he adjourned to Suburban St. Louis, and the Edwardsville Illinois Kennel Club show in Belleville IL (go figure), where he made it to Judge Mildred Bryant’s BIS ring just in time to watch the country’s number 13 dog get lucky, number one Doberman Pinscher, CH Cambria's Victoria Secret.

CH Cambria's Victoria Secret

There it is, folks, we have confirmed that all of the nation’s top 20 dogs are competing this weekend. Check back with us tomorrow for more results and a rankings update. Once again thanks to Terri and all the others who have contributed to this post.

WHO'S NUMBER ONE?

We have one show to report on tonight. The results from the Eastern Dog Club show in Boston MA are in. Once again three of our top ten dogs showed up to compete, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. The Harrier, failed to make it to Peter Green’s BIS ring, falling to the country’s number five hound, Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche.

CH Rokeena Carte Blanche

Peter Green is arguably the greatest terrier man alive, but today he gave the Best In Show to the Pointer, Holly, over the Sealie, Charmin. This makes the Pointer three for three this weekend and puts her within striking distance of the number one position. Unless, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, answers today with a Best In Show of her own, Holly will take over the number one ranking if only for a day. Anyone out there have the results from today’s show in Costa Mesa?

AND THIS JUST IN FROM THE WEST COAST

One of our readers sends us in this late report from the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association Of Orange County show in Costa Mesa CA. The Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv’s Ouija, took a hound group three, while the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, joined the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot in the final seven. Surprisingly (at least to the Giant) the Scottie took home the big rosette. That's six BIS for Sadie in the last month. She isn’t shown with the same intensity as some of the other top dogs, but never count this Scottie out. We can expect some real fireworks from these California shows. By the way, have I mentioned I own a Scottie?

KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERS COMING

From one of our readers taking advantage of the sun and fun on the Gulf, comes the report of a major upset at the Slidell Dog Fanciers Association Show in Bilox MS. The sixteen month old Chinese Shar Pei bitch, CH Elite’s By Design, went BIS over the previous day’s winner, the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino. Congratulations to breeder/owner/handler Sandy Woodall and her co breeder/owner Jerry Doka. Having even a worse day was the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, who failed to place in the Toy Group. Thanks again to all of you who help us get the news out to our readers. Anyone have results from Costa Mesa show? ;-)

CH Smash JP Moon Walk, "Walker"

Up at the Ladies Dog Club in Boston MA, where tradition in revered and social position matters, things went more to script. All three ranked dogs made it to Judge Cindy Vogels, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice. Joining them was the white hot Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk. “Walker” was responsible for a bit of an upset, defeating the country’s number 11 dog, the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, but then again, we expect Walker to be one of our 2009 dogs to watch. Once again, it was the Pointer, Holly, receiving the BIS win. Holly is steadily closing the gap between her and number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, making the showdown at the Eukanuba National Championship even more dramatic.

EARLY WEEKEND RESULTS

The first of the weekend’s results are in from the Middlesex Kennel Club show up in Boston MA. We have been concentrating on the nation’s top ten dogs, but as we often have stated there are always good dogs at an AKC event. This show drew three top ten dogs and an additional two from the top twenty. Not all made it to Judge Charles Foley’s Best In Show ring. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition was the most notable victim of the day’s extreme competition, failing to place in the Hound Group.

CH Dramatic Story Of Sherry Shoot Jp

The remaining four all gathered for the final festivities, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, the Boxer, CH Dramatic Story Of Sherry Shoot Jp, the SealyhamTerrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, and the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu. The Pointer walked away with the best silver and 834 points to get just a little closer to the number one ranking.

CH Woodside Pacino

Finally, we have this just in from a reader, two of our top ten dogs were at the Northlake Kennel Club Of Greater Covington in Biloxi MS today. the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, and the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug were duking it out in the Toy Group. Taser’s been on a streak lately, but today was Lincoln’s day, as he took the top Toy award. However,it was the country’s number 20 dog, the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino, who went Best In Show. “Tony”, who is handled by Shepherd legend James Moses, is one of our picks for dogs to watch in 2009. Thanks to all you readers who help us keep up to the minute.

THE WEEKEND BEGINS

I admit to having a fascination with the state of California (who doesn’t), but I have to admit I went to more shows when I lived on the east coast. After all, it’s 800 miles from one end of California to the other, the same distance between New York NY and Savannah GA. So now the price of gas is lower, you can afford to drive a little further to a dog show.

Boston's Paul Revere Monument and the Old North Church

The Bay Colony Cluster is an impressive group of shows in Boston MA starting tomorrow with the Middlesex County Kennel Club and culminating Sunday with the Eastern Dog Club. These four shows will have entries ranging up to 1600 dogs and should draw some of the country’s top dogs. If you fancy gumbo and gambling, come on down to our Redneck Riviera where the Gulf States Holiday Classic will host four shows in Biloxi MS starting tomorrow. The entries will be larger than last year and the locals will be friendly as ever. Visit Winston-Salem NC for the Christmas Classic cluster, a trifecta hosted by Greater Hickory and Forsyth Kennel Clubs and drawing as many as 1600 dogs, starting Friday.

Miami's South Beach

There are traditional weekend events in both northern Florida and Southern Florida, Lake City (due east of Jacksonville) and Miami, to be specific. Lake City will draw entries of about 1300 and Miami has South Beach. St Cloud MN and Belleville IL will also draw over 1000 dogs for Saturday/Sunday events. Two shows in Ridgefield WA, just north of Portland OR, will draw entries of 1600 to 1700. Out in middle America you will find smaller entries and warmer weather in Amarillo TX and Fayettevill AR. Finally we have a one day show in Gettysburg PA. Must be a special show for football fans and Civil War enthusiasts. Whatever excuse you need, get out to your local show this weekend and see the endangered species we keep in our homes before they disappear.

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

My Momma says. “Nothing great was every done by a moderate.” If you’ve ever spent any time in California, you know that most of its natives practice that philosophy. When I lived in New York, I subscribed to the Woody Allen observation that the only cultural advantage to living in California was being able to turn right on a red light. However, after living in California for 21 years, I now believe that Neil Simon had it right when he penned, “New York isn’t Mecca. It only smells like it.”

Angelyne, Sunset Strip Billboard Perennial

So from the land that of excess that gave us Paris Hilton and five Rocky movies, comes the ultimate dog show gluttony, nine days of all breed shows starting on Friday, 5 December, culminating in the Best In Show at the Eukanuba National Championship on 14 December. That’s right, dog lovers, nine out of ten days of every purebred dog in the AKC registry, nine days of celebrity watching in and out of the ring, nine days of shopping at the ultimate doggie boutiques, nine days to abuse the silly PETA people that dare show up.

Rodeo Drive

All of this will take place in just two locations only 19 miles apart. The first four days will be at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa with shows sponsored by the Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association Of Orange County and the Malibu Kennel Club. Then the action heads up the Pacific Coast Highway to the Long Beach Convention Center, for three shows sponsored by three kennel clubs, Beverly Hills, Los Encinos, and Long Beach. It all wraps up with the Eukanuba National Championship, by invitation show, which brings dogs in from all over the world for conformation, obedience, and agility. While I am among the traditionalists that believe that Westminster is really our National Championship, the Eukanuba show has captured the public’s imagination and is an extravaganza worthy of it’s host state.