MILWAUKEE'S FINEST

Our computer staff at the AKC has been burning he midnight oil, so we can bring you some of the weekend’s results already. First let’s play some catch up.

First from the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis WI where the Wisconsin Kennel Club had a double header, we had told you that the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu Chine Tu, had picked up a BIS on Saturday. Now we can tell you that Judge Harry Smith also was considering the English Cocker Spaniel, CH Majestic’s Keeping The Drama, the Longhaired Dachshund, CH Solo’s Drag Queen SL, the Portuguese Water Dog, CH Carowynd Creed Bois DuPortugal, the Norfolk Terrier, CH Max-Well’s Viper, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Teesha’s How Cute Am I Cedar C, and the German Shepherd Dog, Aramist’s Ta-Dahh V Braunhaus.

CH Highcroft Bourne Ultimatum

Today, it was Judge Denise Dean with the magnificent seven of the Irish Setter, Windwood Inferno, the Otterhound, CH Scentasia’s Double Trouble, the Great Dane, CH Elan’s Coming Decision Raimroc, the Norfolk, CH Max-Well’s Viper, the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, the Standard Poodle, CH Bar-None Dawin Tavelin Man, and the Rough Collie, CH Highcroft Bourne Ultimatum. Eventually, the Collie, Brett, prevailed. This is the first BIS for the precocious 15 month old, bred by Don & Leslie Jeszewski, who co-own him with Judith Belluomini. Congratulations to his breeders/owners and handler Dylan Kipp.

We will be right back with more results.

WALKING IN MOTOR CITY

CH Smash Moon Walk

We've just been advised by a reader that the Detroit News is reporting that the Toy Poodle, CH Smash Moon Walk, has been named Best In Show on day one of the Detroit Kennel Club show. We’re not sure if the local press has a sudden interest in dog shows or if things are a little slow in Motor City, but we’re happy for the local coverage. That’s number five this year for Walker and one of his biggest victories yet. Is it just us or are the little guys dominating these first couple of months?

HOT DOG IN COLD MILWAUKEE

CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu

It’s snowing here in Memphis, but we’re sure it’s even colder in Milwaukee WI. However, one of this year’s hottest dog was there busy collecting another BIS. The Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, logged 2009 BIS number six today on day one of the Wisconsin Kennel Club show. When we tabulate this weekend’s shows we expect there to be a real slugfest for the top ten spots.

WE HAVE FRIDAY RESULTS!

We thought that we would have to wait until Monday morning for detailed show reports, but we have been alerted to the fact that AKC’s staff has been busy posting results this morning. First to the predictable, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure of Spirit, has won yet another BIS.

CH Galilee's Pure of Spirit

This one came on Day two of the Sequoia Kennel Club show in Hanford CA. Also on hand in Judge Donna Buxton’s ring to watch Spirit march toward the century mark were the Weimaraner, CH Smokycity Silhouette Dbl Ur Pleasure, the Whippet, CH Sonsteby’s In A Pickle, the Standard Manchester Terrier, CH Medley's War Hunt, the Pomeranian, Starlight's Smile From Siam, the Standard Poodle, CH Penndragon Masaniello, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Caamora All Dolled Up PT.

CH Rokeena Carte Blanche

Not as predictable, but now particularly surprising, were the events down on the deep south mega cluster. Not since Sherman has there been such a march through the south. Yesterday they gathered in Fort Walton Beach FL (which bears no resemblance to South Beach) to get Judge Gloria Geringer’s opinion on our merry band of travelers. Lining up for inspection were the Labrador Retriever, CH Robnie’s Chantilly At Lighthouse, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the Portuguese Water Dog, CH Driftwood Call Me Sexsea, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspicem the Pekingese, CH Franshaw’s hear Me Roar, the French Bulldog, CH Raindrops Justus Life’s A Game, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Shoal Creek’s Sangria V Barick. With so many shows and so many BIS judges, no one dog could dominate this circuit. Friday belonged to the PBGV, CeeJay, who picked up his fifth BIS of the year.

CH Roundown Mercedes Of Maryscot

Finally, the heavy action was in Scottsdale AZ where we had twice as many dogs as the other two shows combined, with over 2300 dogs entered in the Suoerstition Kennel Club event. Judge Nancy Simmons definitely had a stellar group of dogs to choose from. In her final were the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Afterglow Ebeneezer, the Boxer, CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundown Mercedes Of Maryscot, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, the Bichon Frise, CH Paray Rime Time, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair. Winning another big one was the Scottie, Sadie, who is now threatening to take over the number one spot in the national rankings. And, if it happens, we will be the first to tell you about it.

ABC TO APE BBC?

We have learned that the ABC news program, Nightline, is preparing as a story on canine health, including breeding practices, similar to the last August’s BBC expose, Pedigreed Dogs Exposed. AKC has told us that it appears that ABC is following the current media fashion and preparing a biased, sensationalized story that will be critical of our fancy.

AKC has been advised by their attorneys (who else) not to cooperate with ABC in the preparation of this story. They have even asked the AKC faithful to politely decline ABC’s requests for interviews and refer them to the AKC’s Communications dept at communications@akc.org or 212-696-8343. AKC has issued the following statement:

“The American Kennel Club is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to canine health, breeding and responsible dog ownership. The AKC’s breeding policies and high ethical standards have made us the most widely respected registry in the world. Each year, the AKC performs approximately 5,000 kennel and breeder inspections to ensure the proper care and conditions of dogs and has led the charge in regards to advancing canine health, including founding the AKC Canine Health Foundation in 1995. Since that time, $22 million has been given to more than 500 research projects at 74 vet schools and research institutes worldwide to improve the health of all dogs.”

Nonetheless, should you like to let ABC know you support our fancy and you believe that AKC dog shows are a forum to educate the public on how responsible breeders are improving the health of our pets, then you can write to them here. (We did)

CENTURY BIS COUNTDOWN

We have a pair of our 2008 top ten dogs that are marching toward the century mark on lifetime Best In Shows. Last night we reported that the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, has recorded career BIS number 94. This morning we can tell your that the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice, has picked up lifetime BIS number 95.

CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice

Charmin’s latest win came on day two of the Ocaloosa Kennel Club show in Marianna Fl. On hand to watch Judge Charlotte Clem McGowan were the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Bracon’s Leapin Lily Pads, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the potential Presidential pooch, the Portuguese Water Dog, CH Driftwooe;s Call Me Sexsea, the Pomeranian, CH Velocity’s Shake Ur Bon Bon, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Araki’s Tinckle Winckle Of Dialynne, and the Puli, CH Cordmake Field Of Dreams.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit

Keeping the Giant, Spirit, company in Judge Judy Webb’s BIS ring were the Flat Coated Retriever, CH Starworkers Dealers Choice, the Long Haried Dachshund, CH Insight Rumorhasit At Pramada, the Standard Manchester Terrier, CH Medley’s War Hunt, the Chinese Crested, CH Crestline Butters Scotch, the Dalmatian, CH Xanadu's Angel Sabrina, and the Old English Sheep Dog, CH Barkshire’s Nick Of Time. Congratulations to Charmin, Spirit, and all the finalists on their wins. We suspect that we will see more BIS for these two before the weekend is over.

ANOTHER SPIRITED BIS

We have word in from the Sequoia Kennel Club that the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, has picked up her 94th career BIS today from Judge Judy Webb. We will let you know the names of the other finalists as soon as we have them.

WHERE THE DOGS ARE

We are a little behind it letting you know who is where this weekend. So open a window on Google maps and follow along. We have already briefed you on the traveling circus in Florida . You do know that the Ringling Brothers Museum is in Sarasota in the former mansion of PT Barnum, the Moorish fantasy castle known as Ca D’Zan? But we digress.

Ca D'Zan, Sarasota FL

For those of you who have been amazed at the nothingness that exists along the I-5 corridor in between Los Angeles and San Francisco, there is the town of Hanford, distinguished this weekend by four shows beginning today sponsored by the Sequoia Kennel Club and the Kings Kennel Club of California. Southern California fanciers also have the option of a four day cluster in Scottsdale AZ hosted by the Superstition Kennel Club and the Scottsdale Dog Fanciers Association beginning tomorrow.

Those of you who are not vacationing in the sun belts of Florida or California will have to make do with traditional Saturday/Sunday offerings in suburban St Louis (Belleville IL courtesy of the Belle-City KC), suburban Milwaukee (West Allis WI courtesy of the Wisconsin KC), New York Metro (Secaucus NJ courtesy of the Monticello NY KC & the KC of Northern NJ), the big city of Detroit (Detroit KC hosts), and the small town of Wichita Falls TX (Faith City KC hosts). Have no fear, each of these will have some top notch quality AKC dogs to take your breath away.

CHARMIN HIS WAY THROUGH FLORIDA

CH Araki Tinkle Winkle of Dialynne

The Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice continues to charm in Florida winning another installment of the deep South road show. The latest win came yesterday at the second day event of the Greater Panama City Dog Fancies Association in Marianna FL. Also on hand for Judge Marjorie Underwood’s consideration were the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Ripsnorter’s Mt View Lookout, the Petit Basset Griffon , CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the Great Pyrenees, CH Saddle Ridge Power Of Won, the Pug, CH Ivanwold Diva At Riversong, the Tibetan Terrier, CH Araki Tinkle Winkle of Dialynne, and the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams.

For those of you keeping score, and who isn’t, that was BIS number six and lifetime number 95 for Charmin and owner/handler Marjorie Good. For those of you following this caravan through Florida, it continues today with the fist of two shows from the Okaloosa Kennel Club in Fort Walton before moving on to Pensacola for the Saturday and Sunday shows of the Pensacola DFA.

IS THE PWD BS?

There’s a reason you don’t dance in the end zone until they’ve reviewed the video tape. No sooner was I doing my victory dance celebrating the first family’s selection of an AKC registered pure bred dog as family pet than a reader sent this to me.

It appears that the first family is having a difficult time “vetting” the first dog. I don’t know why. Dogs don’t have to file tax returns. I do know this. I’ve been married almost 39 years. And if my wife told the whole neighborhood something, ain’t no way I’m gonna say she don’t make the decisions in the family….but he is a first term President.