CLEMSON KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Briardach's Rock Star

South Carolina anted up on the dog show new year with the day one show of the Clemson Kennel Club in Pendelton SC.  The seven dogs that joined James White's final were the GCH CH Reece Afterhours The Buck Stops Here JH, the Longhaired Dachshund, GCH CH Briardach's Rock Star, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Aquarius Tantrums & Tiaras v Phillmar, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Clementina, the Toy fox Terrier, GCH CH Barbary Rough 'N Ready, the Miniature Poodle, GCH CH Surrey Sugar Baby, and the Puli, Cormaker, GCH CH Rumpus Bumpus.

Best went to the Dachshund, Jagger, his first.  Congratulations to breeders/owners Minika & Paul Martin, owners Sue Bennett & Paul Chapman, and handler Angela Lloyd.

RUBBER CITY KC

GCH CH Whirlaways Ida Belle's A Ringing

Our first show weekend of 2012 is now underway, with shows in Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, and here in Palm Springs CA.   You can check our archives for a report on Friday's show in Talmadge OH.

Saturday it was the Rubber City Kennel Club hosting in that city with Robert Slay finishing the day mulling over the Vizsla, GCH CH Artisan Grouse Point Pink Panther JH, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, GCH CH Whirlaways Ida Belle's A Ringing, the Boxer, GCH CH Bocas Royal Palms Splish Splash, the Lakeland, GCH CH Tallydale's Friend of the Force, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Austin Powers, the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Chaoyang Take It To The Limit, and the Pyrenean Shepherd, GCH CH La Brise Sun Bear.

It was the Ridgeback, just shy of her second birthday, picking up her very first all breed BIS.  Congratulations to breeders/owners Jennifer Lazowski & Christine Kitsch, owner Lynn Fitzgerald, and handler Michelle Scott.

NOLAN RIVER KC DAY ONE

GCH CH Mt View's Ripsnorter Silver Charm

(Photo by Lisa Croft Elliot)

Texans joined the new year fun with the first of the Nolan River Kennel Club's two shows in Glen Rose TX.   Pat Mowbray-Morgan greeted the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Mt View's Ripsnorters Silver Charm, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, GCH CH Vyrtuous Command Performance SC, the Samoyed, GCH CH Azteca's Pink Camilla, the Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Skyscot's Texas Hold 'Em, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, GCH CH Miletree North Star at Shirmont, and the Border Collie, GCH CH Borderframe Signature.

It was the GWP, oakley, grabbing his first brig rosette of the year.  Oakley and handler Phil Booth gathered seven all breed Bests & 43 Sporting Groups last year.  Congratulations to Phil, breeders/owners Claire Wisch & Kelly Wisch, and co-breeder Helen George.


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KENNEL CLUB OF PALM SPRINGS 1

GCH CH Oakley's B'Dazzled

Saturday's Kennel Club of Palm Springs show ended with all the excitement and glamor we expected.  Stephen Hubbell's final seven  included the English Setter, GCH CH Oakley's B'Dazzled, the Whippet, GCH CH Starline's Chanel, the Boxer, GCH CH R and G's Mystical Dancer,  Kerry Blue Terrier, GCH CH Perrisblu Kennislain's Chelsey, the Blenheim & Prince Charles English Toy Spaniel, GCH CH Royalist Ready to Reign, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, and the Australian Cattle Dog, GCH CH Carben Copy's If The Shoe Fits.

Taking home the heavy silver and more than 3000 points was theEnglish Setter, Dazzle.  Dazzle and handler Bruce Schultz finished 2011 with six BIS and40 Sporting Groups. They now get the big  head start on the field In the race to be Number One Dog All Breeds.   Congratulations to Bruce, breeders Jim Jannard & Paula Dempsey, and owners  Donald & Georgejean Jensen & Erik & Jennifer Strickland

IT'S FLORIDA'S TURN

GCH CH Sporting Fields Bahama Sands

Frank Sabella was in FL to kick off the show season in the Sunshine State For the Greater Daytona Dog Fanciers Association.  The seven dogs making their first final of the rear were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Cerise Tender Is The Night, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Bahama Sands, the Great Dane, GCH CH Longo Miler n Lore Diamond Lil, the Kerry Blue Terrier, GCH CH Heritage Mickey Devine of Kilgawny, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, the Bicon Frise, CH Glenleigh Gangs 'n Roses, and the Border Collie, GCH CH Sporting Fields Heiress HSAS.

His BIS was the Whippet, Tawny.  Tawny wrapped up last year with 14 all breed big rosettes & 65 Hound Group wins.  Congratulations to breeder/owner Dionne Butts, co-breeder Jesse Martin, and owner Jane Cooney Waterhouse.

FIRST ALL BREED OF 2012

GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Austin Powers

Tallmadge OH joined the new dog show year with the Columbiana County Kennel Club's all breed show. Peter Green's final showcased the Weimaraner, GCH CH Northwood's Send Money Honey, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Whirlaways Ida Belle's a Ringing, the Great Pyrenees, Saddle Ridge Power of Won, the SkyeTerrier, CH Of Skyeline's Captain Hook, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Austin Powers, the Standard Poodle, CH Hillwood Dassin Rock On By, and the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Quiche's Grand Finale. 

Taking home the first all breed BIS was the Shih Tzu, Austin.  Austin & breeder/handler Luke Erlicht finished 2011 with five BIS & 57 Toy Groups.  Congratulations to Luke, co-breeder Diane Ericht, and owners Joe & Roberta Walton. 

PALM SPRINGS DAY ONE

 

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore

There have been the occasional Palm Springs week when the weather wasn't perfect, but yesterday wasn't one of them.  Today was the day for the Desert Empire Terrier Club of Southern California, the Toy Dog Breeders Association of Southern California, & the Sand to Sea Non-Sporting Association of Southern California limited breed shows and a plethora of local Specialty shows.

While we did spend most of the day enjoying the hospitality of DETCSC Show Chair, Dr John Low, we ducked out late in the afternoon to catch the SSNSASC Group judging.  Dr Jerry Klein Group winner, was the Standard Poodle, GGCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, handled beautifully by Taffee McFadden for Tim Brazier.  Rounding out the placements were the Bulldog, GCH CH Itsa Brix, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH PaRay's Power & Privelege, and the French Bulldog, GCH CH LeBull Wooly Bully.

Ally & Tim started their 2011 campaign with an all breed BIS here in Palm Springs.  We think it's just as lovely the second time around.

BE THE FIRST ON YOUR BLOCK

Beautiful Palm Springs CA

We’ve made our last run to the airport to drop off holiday visitors, packed away the Christmas decorations for another year, and now turn our attention to the coming week and our first dogs shows of the new year.

We will be at the legendary Empire Polo Grounds in Indio CA this first week in January for two of the largest shows we will see all year, the Kennel Club of Palm Springs two all breed offerings. We expect to see many of 2012’s serious contenders for the first time, vying for a share of the 6500 dogs available on Saturday & Sunday.  As a bonus there are seven of the largest limited breed shows we will see all year, the Inland Empire Hound Club Of Southern California Friday show and Thursday/Friday twofers hosted by the Desert Empire Terrier Club Of Southern California, the Toy Dog Breeders Association Of Southern California, & the Sand To Sea Non-Sporting Association Of Southern California,

For those of you who can’t make it to California’s desert playground, there are plenty of regional contests to enjoy.   The Land O' Lakes Kennel Club’s two weekend shows in St Paul MN will also feature Friday limited breed warm ups, the Northstar Working Group Association, the North Star Toy Dog Club, & the North Star Herding Group Club shows.  The North Texas Non-Sporting Association will do the Friday kick off for the Nolan River Kennel Club’s Saturday/Sunday shows in Glen Rose TX, 80 miles southwest of Dallas.

There are three all breed shows for Great Lakes residents in Tallmadge OH starting Friday courtesy of the Columbiana County Kennel Club & the Rubber City Kennel Club.  Finally weekend warriors will be in Clemson SC & Deland FL for traditional Saturday/Sunday fare with the Clemson Kennel Club & the Greater Daytona Dog Fanciers Association.

We hope you will join us and our Best In Show Daily partners on the Polo Grounds to help us celebrate the launch of our new site and to see 2012’s Top Dogs for the first time.  If you can’t be in Palm Springs, do take in the AKC dog show nearest you.  Be the first on your block to see the new crop of contenders for Number One Dog All Breeds!

A VERY GOOD YEAR

 We had Two Standard Poodles 

in the Top Ten All Breeds

We don’t know if it’s the sentimentality of advanced age or just the wisdom that comes with the passing years, but we come each year to appreciate more each new place we visit, each new person we meet, and each new show dog we encounter.  2011 has been a year when we’ve been treated to many new friends, both the two legged and four legged kind.

When we look back on this year we marvel on what experiences life laid out for us.   Three things that will remain in our scrapbook were the close races in individual breeds, in the individual Groups, and even in the all breed race; the number of breed records that fell during the year; and dramatically, the intervention of the very real natural world into our cloistered sporting world.

2011 Top Two Hounds

We had dramatic races in the breed in English Springer Spaniels, Maltese, & Standard Poodles.  The Poodles were especially interesting as both the Number One & Two, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore & GCH CH Jaset’s Satisfaction, were in  the Top Ten All Breed Dogs.  Also galloping toward the finish line were two Hounds, another pair in the Top Ten, the Whippet, GCH CH Starline’s Chanel & the Pharaoh Hound, GCH CH Northgate’s As You Like It, with the Whippet pulling ahead in the stretch.

Lurking just outside the Top Ten were the Top Two Herding Dogs, the German Shepherd, GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch, & the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins, who ended the year separated by just a handful of points.  We also had a down to the wire race in the Terrier Group between the Smooth Fox Terrier, GCH CH Slyfox Sneaks a  Peek, & the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH Steele Your Heart, with the Wire pulling out in front the last week of the year. 

We had several breed records set during the year.  In addition to the aforementioned Pharaoh Hound & Whippet, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Torquay Midnight Confession, also set a breed record 45 career BIS this year.  Another Top Ten Dog that finished the year as the breed record holder was the Kuvasz, GCH CH Szumeria’s Wildwood Silver Six Pence.  Though they failed to make it to the top in all breed points,  both the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, and the above named Beardie, captured the most Group Ones in their respective Groups while setting new breed records, the Skye breaking an almost 40 year old record.

Lightening in Florida, Floods in New Jersey

Finally, we started the year with show cancellations in Florida caused by severe thunderstorms & lightening, endured September interruptions in New Jersey caused by flooding, and finished with show stopping November blizzards in New England.  Nonetheless, exhibitors and fanciers returned to the ring unabated, finishing the year with a record setting AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando FL.

We think this has been our favorite year.  Did we mention that we also welcomed our second grandchild, Olivia Willow Wheeler, to the family on November 16th?  A very good year.

LONG BEACH CLOSEOUT

GCH CH Perrisblu Kennislain's Chelsey

West Coast dog fanciers finished out the old year at the site of  the 2010 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, Long Beach CA.  You can read our report on Friday’s Beverly Hills Kennel Club show here.

The Los Encinos Kennel Club took over on Saturday and gave Carolyn Cederman her pick of the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Otein Cap'n Jack Sparrow, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Quiet Creek's Kiss And Tell, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Fishbay's Faith Hope And Love, the Kerry Blue Terrier, GCH CH Perrisblu Kennislain's Chelsey, the Long Coat Chihuahua, GCH Kokura Yama JP Silent Rose, the Keeshond, GCH CH Summerwind's Rumor Has It, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Aellen Jive Talkin'.

Her BIS was OUR DOG2WATCH, the Kerry, Chelsey.   Chelsey and handler Bill McFadden now have as many BIS as all the other Kerries in the US combined, five.  We like that.

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore

Sunday, it was Ken McDermott in the final ring for the Long Beach Kennel Club.  Back for one more try at the last big rosette of the season were Chelsey, the aforementioned Bloodhound, & Portie, the English Setter, GCH CH Set'r Ridge's Exclusively Gold, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Peking Midnight Vision At Wenshu, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, and the Australian Cattle Dog, GCH CH Carben Copy's If The Shoe Fits. 

It was the winner of the Friday BHKC show, the Standard Poodle, Ally closing the season with her 46th Best In Show.  Ally finishes the year as AKC’s Number Four Dog All Breeds.