CENTRAL INDIANA KC DAY ONE

GCH CH Jaset's Satisfaction

Before we start off on the happenings in New York, we remind you that there is life outside of the Big Apple.  Yesterday Houston Clark’s final in Indianapolis IN at the day one show of the Central Indiana Kennel Club had some of the country’s finest.  They were the Golden Retriever, GCH CH My Buddy Boppity-Bop Blue Moon, the Whippet, GCH CH Karasar's Par Excellence, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Cammcastle's Friar Tuck, the American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Jaxstock Life Of Crime, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Brackley He's My Warrior, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Jaset's Satisfaction, and the Briard, CH Le Coeur D'Ange De Briardale.

His Best In Show was the Poodle, London.  London and handler Ann Rairigh finished 2010 with a flourish collecting seven of their 16 BIS in the last two months of the year.  They also grabbed 61 Non-Sporting Groups on their way to the a Number Three ranking in the group.  Congratulations to Anne, breeders/owners Sandra Tompkins & Chris Bailey, and owners B Harris & MJ Winters.

WWW: THE HERDING GROUP

GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins

Our last group is the Herding Group and we have an outstanding bunch of likely candidates.  First, we have the top Bearded Collie in history, GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.  Roy was the only Beardie to win an all breed BIS last year and he won 33.  He also finished as the Number One Herding Dog with a phenomenal 141 Group Firsts.  Roy was bred by Larry & Angela Stein, Lesley Woodcock, & Robert Lamm,  who co-own Roy with Ellen Charles & Susan Ross.  Roy is handled by Clifford Steele.

GCH CH Lambluv’s Gambolon Blue Thunder

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

Year after year Jere Marder shows up at the Garden with a great Old English Sheepdog.  This year it will be GCH CH Lambluv’s Gambolon Blue Thunder.  Elvis kept us entertained in 2010 with nine BIS and 64 Herding Groups.  Elvis was bred and is owned and handled by Jere for co-breeder Gail Radke and co-owner Kay Richardson.

GCH CH Mysharas Dream Girl

With 39 entries Australian Shepherds is one of the biggest entries this year at Westminster.   The one we think will make it to judge Lynette Saltzman’s final will be GCH CH Mysharas Dream Girl.  Beyonce charmed her way to seven BIS and 54 Herding Groups last year ending up as the Number Six Herding Dog.  Beyonce was bred by and is owned by Sharon Fontanini and handled by Jamie Clute.

GCH CH Segni At Coventry
(Photo by Carol Beuchat)

Worldwide the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is recognized as the dog favored by Queen Elizabeth II.  The Pembroke we think is the one to watch this year is GCH CH Segni At Coventry.  Shown only sporadically in 2010, Molly still collected six BIS and 18 Herding Groups.  She has already collected two BIS this year.   Molly was bred by  Sofia L Sadler, Steve Leyerly, Beckie Williams DVM, & Bill Shelton, is owned by Alexandra Geremia & Bill Shelton, and handled by Jenny Wornall and Wood Wornall.

WWW: THE NON-SPORTING GROUP

New Yorkers are already tired of the snow this season, but at the top of our Non-Sporting Group picks are a couple of snow white dogs we think they will love to see.

GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy

Garden watchers still remember handler Scott Sommer’s 2001 BIS win with Bichon Frise.  Scott will be back with a Bichon this year,  GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, currently the Number Three Dog All Breeds, with five BIS to his credit this year.  Drummer Scott are sure to better their 2010 record of six BIS and 45 Non-Sporting Group wins.  Drummer was bred by Sandra & Keith Hanson & Shirley & Richard Hamilton, and owned by Barbara Weidner, Laurie Darman, Kim Griffin, & Cecelia Ruggles.

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore

Last time handler Tim Brazier was in the BIS ring at the Garden it was with a black Standard Poodle.  This year he will be showing a white, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore.  Tim and Ally managed to shake up the blasé Poodle crowd by  winning the Poodle Club of America’s 2010 National Specialty from the classes.  She went on to win 18 all breed BIS and 39 Non-Sporting Groups in limited showing, rarely getting far from her Pacific Northwest home.  Ally was bred by L'Dyne Wicker Brennan &Debra Ferguson Jones and is owned by Toni & Martin Sosnoff.

GCH CH Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle

Our next two dogs are about as different from Bichons and Poodles as you can get.  The Number Three Non-Sporting Dog in 2010 was the Bulldog, GCH CH Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle, with 16 BIS and 67 Group Firsts.  Uli, the winningest Bulldog bitch in history, will be a hometown favorite, born on Long Island and now an uptown girl.  Uli was bred by Marjorie D Kepley & Jack Kepley, is owned by Joan Fisher, Robert D Speiser & Barbara Wolfe, and handled by Phoebe Jordan Booth.

GCH CH Vaje's Miss Jayne Hathaway

The Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Vaje's Miss Jayne Hathaway, was the Number Seven Non-Sporting Dog, logging two all breed Bests and 31 Groups.  Miss Jayne also snagged a Group Three at December’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.  Miss Jane was bred by and is owned by Jeff & Vicki Mauk and handled by Clint Livingston.

WWW: THE TOY GROUP

We always identify ourselves as Terrier people, but we also have a lot of history with Toy Dogs,  We showed Maltese for many years, and have shared our home with Pekingese and Toy Poodles.  We have several favorites among this year’s crop of Toy Dogs.

GCH CH PalaceGarden Malachy

The Pekingese, GCH CH PalaceGarden Malachy, came within a breath of being the Number One Dog All Breeds last year with 63 all breed Bests and an amazing 138 Toy Group wins.  Malachy and owner/handler David Fitzpatrick have only made cameo appearances so far this year, bur no doubt will be a favorite at the Garden.  Malachy is an English import bred by Jim & Jean Smith and owned by David, Iris Love, & Sandra Middlebrook.

GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari

The Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, is another of our European imports. Joey came from the Netherlands with an impressive resume as the Top winning Affenpinscher in European history, was the Number One Dog All Breeds in the Netherlands in 2009, and Reserve Winner at the huge 2010 World Dog Show in Denmark in 2010.  In an abbreviated season in 2010 he won 14 BIS and 46 Toy Groups.  He started 2011 with a bang winning the huge day one show of the Palm Springs Kennel Club.  Since then he has won an additional two BIS.  Joey was bred by Mieke Cooymans, is owned by Mieke & Zoila Truesdale, and handled by Ernesto Lara.

CH Ta-Jon’s Just Bee-Ing Silly

The last time we showed at Westminster, it was with a Maltese and we are delighted to have a Maltese on our short list, CH Ta-Jon’s Just Bee-Ing Silly.  Justine caught fire late in 2010, finishing the year with two BIS and ten Toy Groups.  This year she has been undefeated in the Toy Group with ten straight Groups, collecting four BIS along the way.  Justine was bred by Tammy Simon who co-owns her with handler Tim Lehman.

GCH CH Caper’s Serious Endeavor

One dog that has burst onto the scene lately is the Pug, GCH CH Caper’s Serious Endeavor, who has debuted in the Top Ten Dog All Breeds in the Number Two spot on the strength of four BIS in the last two weekends, including big back2back wins in Atlanta.   Rufus spent a leisurely 2010, winning  one BIS and two Group wins.  Rufus was the 2010 Westminster Kennel Club breed winner and the BISS at the 2009 National specialty of Pug Dog Club of America. He was bred by and is owned by Phil Fisher & Carole Fisher and handled by Linda Rowell.

GCH CH Powerpom High Performance

Handler Bill McFadden  has many Westminster wins under his belt including the 2003 BIS.  One of the dogs he will have at the Garden this year is the Pomeranian, GCH CH Powerpom High Performance.  Calvin, who hails from Thailand, had five BIS and 34 Toy Groups in 2010.  More impressively  He has collected several big wins this year including two BIS at the giant Portland shows in January.  Calvin was bred by and is owned by  Pongsakorn Pongsak.

WWW: THE TERRIER GROUP

Last year’s BIS cam out of the Terrier Group and whoever wins this group this year is sure to be giving it their all in the final ring.

GCH CH Castle Rock's Sbigstaff Mad About You

The American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Castle Rock's Sbigstaff Mad About You, is the reigning Montgomery County Kennel Club BIS winner and as such demands attention.  Maddy also collected 11 all breed BIS and 35 Terrier Groups in 2010.  Maddy was bred by Laszlo Silz Nagy & Dayna Pesenti, is owned by Dayna, Genoa Brown, & Ruth Sampson, and handled by Kim Rudzik.

GCH CH Slyfox Sneaks A Peek

Last year’s Number One Dog All Breeds  was a Smooth Fox Terrier, but another of that breed makes our list this year.  GCH CH Slyfox Sneaks A Peek, was last year’s Number Two Terrier and Number Ten Dog All Breeds with 25 BIS and 84 Terrier Groups, including the Terrier Group at the 2010 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.  He was also the Number One Smooth Fox Terrier based on breed points won.   Adam was bred by Joan Taggart & Mark Taggart, is owned by James W Smith, and handled by Edward A Boyes.

GCH CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman

The Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, has won the breed the last two years at the Garden and will be back for a third try at the Group win.  Buddy has had lots of practice winning 18 all breed Bests and 76 Terrier Groups in 2010.  He has already won one BIS and 11 Terrier Groups this year.  Buddy was bred by Eugene Zaphiris & Matthew Stander, is owned by Carolyn Koch & Victor Malzoni Jr, and handled by Larry Cornelius.

GCH CH Lomondview Clementina

Last year’s BIS winner was a Scottish Terrier, and while it would be unusual for the same breed to repeat, we do think you should look for the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Clementina, on  Tuesday night.  Phoebe was only shown sparingly in 2010, but collected a Group placement at the Montgomery County Kennel Club show, and BIS at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia in November.  So far this year she has one BIS and ten Terrier Groups to her credit.  Phoebe was bred by Carol Annan,  is owned by John & Daphne Eggert, and handled by Ernesto Lara.

WWW: THE WORKING GROUP

Only one Boxer will make it to Tuesday night’s Working Group.  We think these four dogs are likely to be in the final cut as well.

GCH CH Luck Be A Lady

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

The Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Luck Be A Lady, is sure to be called out as representing the breed owned by the First Family.  We hope it is mentioned that Ladybug is the top winning Portie of all time.  In 2010 she was the Number Three Working Dog with 12 BIS and 45 Working groups.  She is off to a great start this year, currently ranking as the Number One Working Dog.  Ladybug was bred by Craig Kuehn, Suzanne Kuehn, & Cathy Dugan, is owned by Mike & Cathy Dugan, Jerson Valle & Victor Malzoni Jr, and is handled by Amy Rutherford.

CH CH Cammcastle’s Friar Tuck

Last year’s Number Two Working Dog and Number 13 Dog All Breeds, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Cammcastle’s Friar Tuck, finished 2010 with 17 BIS and 63 Group Bests.  Tux and handler Holly Eldred already have three BIS this year.  Tux was bred by Susan Otto & Angela Payne, and is owned by Anthony & Vicky O'Brien.

GCH CH Szumeria's Wildwood Silver Six Pence

The Kuvasz is one of our rarer breeds and fanciers this year  will be treated to the top one in AKC history, GCH CH Szumeria's Wildwood Silver Six Pence. Tanner finished 2010 with five all breed BIS and 23 Working Group Firsts last year.  He now has a career total of eight BIS.  Tanner was bred by Beatrice Page, Clay Page, Lynn Brady, & Constance Townsend, is owned by Mercedes Vila, Lynn Brady, Constance Townsend, & Claudia Muir, and handled by Diana Wilson. 

GCH CH Nakodo’s Reign Of Glory

The Akita is one of AKC‘s more popular breeds and  GCH CH Nakodo’s Reign Of Glory is a glorious example of the breed.  Echo was 2010’s Number One Akita and Number Four Working Dog, garnering ten BIS and 44 Working groups.  She was bred by and is owned by Keith Venezia and handled by Paul Levesque.

WWW: THE BOXERS

We always are impressed with the high level of quality of our Boxers.  We think one of these beauties will emerge from the breed to be on Working Group judge Espen Engh’s short list Tuesday night.

GCH CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

Scarlett was the Number One Working Dog in 2010 and the Number Four Dog All Breeds, amassing 33 BIS and an impressive 110 Working Group top prizes.  Always stylishly presented by Diego Fernando Garcia, Scarlett was bred by Tina Porter & Lee Stanton, and is owned by Debbie McCarroll, Mark Fagan, Mrs Jack (Pat) Billhardt, & Sergio Tenenbaum.

GCH CH Winfall I Dream Of Style

Expect some healthy sibling rivalry from Scarlett’s lesser know litter sister, Macey. Macey spent most of 2010 close to her Texas home, but drew rave reviews every where she went while winning five BIS and 34 Working Groups. She also was the breed winner at December’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Handled by Mike Shepherd, Macey is owned by C & K Robbins, G & B Adkins, Tina Porter, Lee Stanton, & J Pinson. 

GCH CH R And G’s Mystical Dancer

Danny, one of our newer DOGS2WATCH, caught our eye by winning five BIS during the last two months of 2010.  He finished the year with seven all breed Bests and 37 Working Groups. Breeder handled by second generation Boxer specialist Kimberlie Steele-Gamero, Danny’s team includes breeder Gayann Jones and   owners Roberto Bezzera, Richard Servetnick, Barbara Bachman, Carole Desmond & Gary Steele

 GCH CH Duba Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy

(Photo by Carol Beuchat)

While Scarlett held court mostly on the east coast, Bosco dominated the west in 2010, winning ten BIS and 43 Working Groups.  He started 2011 with a Group One at the giant Palm Springs Kennel Club show.  Owner handled by Wendy Bettis, Bosco was bred by Lynn P Jansson, who co-owns with Wendy and Charles Vose.

WWW: THE HOUND GROUP

GCH CH Starline’s Chanel

(Photo by Carol Beuchat)

Over the past three seasons the Hound Group has been one of the most hotly contested groups.  Leading our Hound Group we have two great Whippets.  Last year’s Hound Group winner,  GCH CH Starline’s Chanel, was last year‘s Number One Hound finishing the year with 36 BIS and a dominating 110 Hound Groups.   Chanel was bred by Diane Bowen, Lori Lawrence & Carey Lawrence, is owned by the Lawrences & Nicole Lawrence, and handled by Lori Wilson.

GCH CH Sporting Field’s Bahama Sands,

Chanel will be challenged in the breed by GCH CH Sporting Field’s Bahama Sands, the current Number One Hound and winner of six BIS so far this year.  Tawny finished 2010 with 12 all breed Bests and 70 Hound Group Firsts.  Tawny was bred by AKC 2010 Breeder of the year, Debbie Butt. & Jesse Martin, and is owned by Debbie & Jane Cooney-Waterhouse, and handled by Amanda Giles.

GCH CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind

Whatever Whippet makes it to the Group judging will be challenged by last year's Hound Group Three, the stately Scottish Deerhound, GCH CH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind.  Hickory and handler Angela Lloyd collected 10 BIS and 57 Hound Group top prizes in 2010.  Hickory bred and owned by Cecilia L Dove & Dr R Scott Dove, is co-owned by Sally Sweatt.

GCH CH Torquay Midnight Confession

Sure to be a crowd favorite is the 15" Beagle, GCH CCH Torquay Midnight Confession.  Lola is the top winning 15" Beagle of all time, with 34 all breed BIS.  She finished 2010 as the Number Two Hound collecting 21 BIS and 71 Hounds Groups.  Lola is always elegantly handled by breeder/owner Marcelo Chagas for co-breeder/owner Alessandra Botelho, and co-owner Marco Flavio.

GCH CH Northgate’s As You Like It

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

This year’s Westminster will have a distinctly European flavor with Italian judge Paolo Dondina doing BIS and several European dogs competing.  One such dog is the top Pharaoh Hound in AKC history, GCH CH Northgate’s As You Like It.  Qing, who hails from Sweden, picked up 15 BIS and 51 Hound Group Ones in 2010.  He’s already won one of the year’s biggest prizes, Best In Show at last month’s Tualatin kennel Club show in Portland OR.  Qing was bred by Hanna Ukura, is owned by Jenny Hall & Annika Lundquist, and handled by Brian Livingston.

GCH CH GrandCru Erasmus

Despite taking maternity leave in 2010 the Greyhound, GCH CH GrandCru Erasmus, gathered 16 all breed BIS and 51 Group Firsts.  Era, last year's Hound Group runner up, is one of the showiest Hounds of recent years and is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  Era is handled by breeder/owner Rindi Gaudet.  Co-breeders are Melanie Steele & Clint Livingston.  Melanie is also a co-owner.

Next Boxers.

THE OTHER DOG SHOWS

 Albany Oregon Waterfront

Believe it or not there are dog shows outside the New York Metro Area this weekend.  Hoosiers are packing the SUV for four days in Indianapolis IN with the Central Indiana Kennel Club and the Hoosier Kennel Club.  The funs starts tomorrow.  Out in the Pacific Northwest, the Linn County Kennel Club & the McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers will host four shows in Albany OR from Friday through Monday.  Finally the West Texas Kennel Club will do the Saturday/Sunday thing in Midland TX.   We know from experience that not all the beautiful dogs in AKC will be at Madison Square Garden.  If you are in one of the above locations this weekend, do drop in and check out the local talent.

WWW: THE SPORTING GROUP

Though we frequently caution people not to “bet the lunch money” on a dog show, we cannot resist doing some handicapping on the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club show.  Such an endeavor is fraught with pitfalls.  All dog shows have a certain element of unpredictability and every weekend we report on big upsets and breakout winning performances, but no show is less predictable than the annual Garden Party.  Nonetheless, we promised you our choices for Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW) and here they are.

GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction

First up, the Sporting Group.  Two of our Sporting Dogs are repeat predictions from last year.  Currently sitting at the top of our 2011 rankings is the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction.  Beckham and handler Linda Pitts finished 2010 as the Number Five Dog All Breeds with 23 BIS and 96 Sporting Group wins.  Thus far this year they have garnered four Bests In Show, including an impressive win this past weekend in Atlanta.  Beckham was bred by Linda Moore, is owned by Bruce Vandeman, Carolee Douglas, Mary Walker, & C Cassidy, and handled Linda & Mike Pitts.

GCH CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed

The Irish Setter, GCH CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed, was last year’s Number One sporting Dog and Number Three Dog All Breeds winning a record 43 BIS and 123 Sporting Groups and becoming the winningest Irish Setter of all time.  Emily’s breeders are Debbie Burke, Timothy Burke & Ellen Bieler, owners Debbie Burke & Nancy Lee Conner, and handler Adam Bernardin.

GCH CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane

The Weimaraner, GCH CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane, is one of our dark horses, or at least a horse of a different color, that inimitable Weimaraner gray. Jimmie, 2010’s Number One Weimaraner, stayed pretty close to his west coast base last year, but still managed five all  breed Bests and 34 Sporting Group Firsts. Jimmie was bred and is owned by Cindy & Bruce Cassidy and handled by Keith Pautz.

GCH CH Cerise’s Tender Is The Night

Rounding out our Sporting Group picks is the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Cerise’s Tender Is The Night.  Zelda was the Number One English Springer Spaniel in the US last with three BIS and 23 Sporting Groups.  She has copped eight Group One’s so far this year, including one over the Cocker, Beckham, last weekend in Atlanta the big Conyers Kennel Club Of Georgia show.  Zelda was bred by Dorothy Cherry & Donna Herzig, is owned by Dorothy Cherry, Carl Blaine, & Fran Sunseri, and handled by Howard Huber Jr.