FOUR FROM GRIDLEY CA

Many west coast exhibitors spent four days last week in the small California town of Gridley, an hour north of Sacramento, with the Butte County Kennel Club & the Shasta Kennel Club. 

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore

The BCKC had the Thursday & Friday and they chose Jon Cole for their first final.  He chose his BIS from the Brittany, GCH CH Mich's Mt Ready Aim Fire, the Norwegian Elkhound, GCH CH Vin-Melca's The Norseman, the Alaskan Malamute, GCH CH Catanya’s Latin Lover, the Airedale Terrier, GCH CH Penaire's Chip Leader at Longvue, the Pekingese, GCH CH Windemere's Dusting Off White At Pevyne, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Aubrey's Tails Of Mystery.  Taking home the first big rosette of the stop was the Standard Poodle, Ally.  It’s the ninth BIS of the season for Ally.

GCH CH Windemere's Dusting Off White At Pevyne

Friday the Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistle Stop's Wind on the Water, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, GCH CH Angranian Derry Mucker would join Ally and the above named Elkhound, Malamute, Peke, & Corgi in Dana Cline’s final.    He would pick the Peke, Dusty, as his Best In Show.  Dusty and breeder/owner/handler Cody Koch have eight all breed Bests this year.

GCH CH Vin-Melca's The Norseman

Saturday it would be the SKC’s and Richard Beauchamp’s turn to select a Best In Show.  He would have the now familiar Elkhound, Malamute, Peke, Standard Poodle, & Corgi, the Weimaraner, GCH CH Sanbar's Truth or Consequences, and the Irish Terrier, GCH CH Rockledge McCallen of Meath.  The one he liked was the Elkhound, Eric.  Because of breeder/owner/handler Pat Trotter’s busy judging schedule, Eric doesn’t make it to the shows as much as some, but that has not stopped him from collecting two BIS and 11 Hound Groups in 2012.

GCH CH Catanyas Latin Lover

(Photo by Jill Wagner)

Kathleen Grosso brought it home on Sunday with the previously seen Brittany, the Elkhound, the Malamute, the Peke, & the Standard Poodle and the West Highland White Terrier, GCH CH Wyndbrae's MacLaren, the Japanese Chin, GCH CH Nisyros Al Pachino, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Coventry allure at Wyndstar.  It was the Malamute, Ricky, taking home the last BIS of the set.  It is the second BIS in 2012 for Ricky, who has been the top winning Alaskan Malamute in the US for the past three years. 

FOUR DAY BILOXI BLOWOUT

GCH CH Mt View’s Ripsnorter Silver Charm
(Photo by Lisa Crof-Elliott)

We are going to start our Monday Morning Mop Up down on the Gulf in Biloxi MS with the Riverside West Kennel Club Of Greater New Orleans & the Northlake Kennel Club Of Greater Covington.  The two clubs teamed up to give us four shows in the beachside town.

The first two days belonged to the RWKCGNO & the country’s Number One Dog, the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Mt View’s Ripsnorter Silver Charm.  On Thursday Bettyann Hale would choose Oakley from a seven that included the Pharaoh Hound, CH Faouziah's Faramir, the Black Russian Terrier, GCH CH Zilya's Chicago Blues Fusion At Runes RN CD, the American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Alpine’s Ring of Fire, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Vogel flight’s “Honor” to Pillowtalk, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch.

Friday Thomas Hale would prefer Oakley to the same AmStaff, MinPin & GSD, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Lochnaw Something Good, the Boxer, GCH CH Ho-Pa's Grand Slam, and the French Bulldog, GCH CH Hilsman Bandog Holy Moses!.  We have Oakley’s 2012 total at 23 BIS, the most by any dog.

GCH CH Bigwig's Mack The Knife

Saturday the NKCGC would send Steve Hayden the Brittany, GCH CH Dual Lanes Cam JH, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, GCH CH Wayamba's Heaven Sent De Soleil, the Rottweiler, GCH Ecko Ridge's Big Easy Fast And Furious, the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Bigwig's Mack The Knife, the Italian Greyhound, GCH CH Cantex Gris Gris' Sonofa Doc, the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Chaoyang Best Of My Love At Asia, and the above named GSD. 

His BIS was the Norfolk, Mackie.  It’s the first for the three year old.  Congratulations to breeders/owners Heidi Cole, Deane Hall, & Kenneth Slump and handler Klayton A Harris.

GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch

Sunday Sonny Ambrosio closed the set with the now familiar Brittany, Boxer, AmStaff, MinPin, & GSD, the Whippet, GCH CH Karasar's Remembrence, and the Keeshond, GCH CH Snowtyme's Happy Feet.  He chose the country’s Number One Herding Dog, the GSD, Capi.  Capi has amassed nine BIS & 30 Herding Groups so far this year.

BACK2BACK BIS IN VIRGINIA

GCH CH Kiarry's Pandora’s Box   

We are used to seeing intensity in the Working & Terrier Groups, but we’re not sure that’s an adjective we would use for a Hound, but then we are struggling to describe the juggernaut that is the American Foxhound, GCH CH Kiarry's Pandora’s Box.  Jewel and breeder/owner/handler Lisa Miller have been taking no prisoners while collecting five BIS in the last three weeks.

The latest wins came in Charlottesville VA where Jewel took BACK2BACK BIS at the Charlottesville - Albemarle Kennel Club’s two shows.  On Saturday, Jewel was Margaret Michleson’s choice over the Irish Setter, GCH CH Bellary N Beaubriar Wolverine, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Tiburon Ariel Bella Dona , the Smooth Fox Terrier, GCH CH High Mtn Warfox Thunder Rolls, the Pekingese, GCH CH Pequest Bamboo, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Fantastico da Maya, and the Briard, GCH CH Majestique Brave Heart.

Sunday Lisa Warren might have chosen the aforementioned Doberman, Wire Fox, Standard Poodle, the Irish Setter, Kellyglen’s I’m All In, the Italian Greyhound, CH Integra’s Masquerade Party, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Wolf Creek Galaxy Of Merivern, but she didn’t.

Jewel now has 12 BIS this season.  Did she make it into the Top Ten?  We will be the first to tell you.

BIS FROM THE PUPPY CLASS

GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari

We start this week’s show reports up in New England where the Ladies' Dog Club and the Framingham District Kennel Club gave us two shows  in Wrentham MA.  Saturday Edeltraud Laurin chose her BIS from the Irish Setter, GCH CH Northwind’s First Reign, the GCH CH Hallam’s Ethan Ramel MC, the Newfoundland, GCH CH Longship’s new England Patriot, the Lakeland Terrier, GCH CH Larkspur Acadia Save Me A Spot, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, a Standard Poodle  from the Nine to 12 Month  puppy dog class, Hillwood Ale Kai Celebration, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Lambluv Gambolon Blue Thunder.

We love a good surprise and a BIS from the puppy class always qualifies, but then when it’s another beautiful Standard Poodle bred by Wendell Sammet & Anna Fisher, owned by Ellen Charles & Anna Fisher, and handled by Joe Vergnetti, it can not be unexpected.  Congratulations to them all.  Now we know that someone must have a photo of the Best Puppy at April’s Poodle Club of America 2012 National Specialty.

Sunday Christine Calcinari would see the above named Pharaoh Hound, Newfie, Lakeland, Affenpinscher, & OES, the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Skypoint’s Our River Runs Free, and the Miniature Poodle, GCH CH Surrey Sugar Baby.  She would choose the country’s Number One Toy Dog, the Affenpinscher, Joey.  That’s an incredible seven BIS in the last three weekends for Joey and handler Ernesto Lara.

TERRIER HAT TRICK IN TULSA

GCH CH Skyscots Texas Hold’Em

(Photo by Annette McDonald)

Our last report from last week comes in from Tulsa OK where the Seminole Kennel Club & the Mid-Continent Kennel Club Of Tulsa set up camp for four days.   One little dog made the most of the four days taking three of the available big rosettes home.

The Norwich Terrier, GCH CH Skyscots Texas Hold’Em, roared out of the gate at Friday’s SKC show and never looked back.  Annemarie Moore would prefer Decker to the German Shorthaired Pointer, Ehrenvogel Say Cheese, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, GCH CH Soletrader Maggie May, the Samoyed, CH Polar Mist Cruz'n T'Party At Zamosky, the Japanese Chin, CH Jaimy From The Olympia Girls, the Tibetan Spaniel, GCH CH Kan Sing's Tenzin, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Aubrey's Tails Of Mystery.

Saturday Paula Hartinger might have chosen the Golden Retriever, CH Summit's Sonny Side Up, the Whippet, CH Starline's Oxford Victim Of Love, the above named Sammie, the Pomeranian, CH Bar-Net Rocky Road Of Samron, the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Jade East Do You Know The Way To San Jose, or Border Collie, GCH CH Borderframe Signature, but she didn't.

GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery

Sunday Decker would play Best Man to the Best Dog, the aforementioned Cardigan, Libby.  Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna’s remaining options were previously seen Golden & Whippet, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Chancellor Flirt's High Flyin' Gladiator, the Shih Tsu, Taimaria's-Baron's Forever Freedom's Finnegan, and the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin’s Hot N Spicy.

Libby is the country’s Number One Cardigan with two BIS and 24 Herding Group top prizes this year.

Monday Decker would bring it home with his fifth BIS of the year, accepting the win from  Fredrick R Stephens while now familiar Whippet, the Sammie, the Tibetan Spaniel, & Cardigan, the Pointer, CH Seasyde Edgehill Heart Of Gold, and the Havanese, GCH CH Yayas Dancing Through Life, all watched.  It’s Decker’s fourth BIS in the last 30 days.  Handled by Terrier maven, Brenda Combs, and cheered on by one of the most enthusiastic owners we know, Dr Sharon Esposito, we think DOG2WATCH Decker is destined for great things.

THREE DAYS IN ANCHORAGE AK

CH Susitna Royal Strider Of Tara Dells

We continue our week long catch up reports in Fairbanks AK where the Tanana Valley Kennel Club spent the Memorial day weekend hosting three shows.  They started on Saturday with Michael Benson pondering the Golden retriever, Amice Mocha Locomotion, the Basset Hound, Sasquatch My Best Friend, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Foxfire's Best To Come Along, the Norwich Terrier, Den-Mar's 8ft Tall & Bullet Proof, the Affenpinscher, CH Hanuman V. Tani Kazari, the Keeshond, CH Markwright 'N Arctic Sun Long Haul, the Rough Collie, CH Susitna Royal Strider Of Tara Dells. Congratulations to breeders Courtney Dowling Andrew Dowling & Cheryl Mallonee and owner Margaret Nelson.

CH Markwright 'N Arctic Sun Long Haul

Sunday Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine would see the Irish Setter, GCH CH Willowbrook At Harvard, the Whippet, GCH CH Arwen Love Gottcha Claymar, the Samoyed, CH Subarktika Northface Atigun, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Redrock’s Desert Storm, the Chinese Crested, Daretobebares Flashy Treads, the above named Keeshond, and a different Rough Collie, Taradell's Timeless At Sterling.

Her Best would be the Kees, Journey.  The five year old dog is another first timer.  Congratulations to breeders R & G Beckhart & Mary E.Meyer, and owners Lori Mihm-Kunz & Ingrid Oliver.

GCH CH Foxfire's Best To Come Along

It all came to an end on Monday with Chris Levy in the final ring with the now familiar the Spinoni Italiano, CH Vericool L'Arte Della Leggenda, the Scottish Deerhound, Graybeard's Bog Myrtle O'Riverspruce NA NAJ, the previously seen Doberman, StaffyBull, Chinese Crested, Kees, & Rough Collie, Taradell's Timeless At Sterling.

It was one of the repeaters, the Doberman, Amanda, taking home the last big rosette of the stop.  This first timer has been bouncing around the show scene the past few months collecting several group placements including appearances in 6 finals this year.  Congratulations to breeder/owner Teresa Ross, co-breeder Michelle Santana, and owners  Norman and Pearl Besand.

We point out that 15 different dogs occupied the BIS ring at this cluster including a Spinoni Italiano.  Even in Alaska you get to see the best of the dog world at an AKC show.

FOUR IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

GCH CH Scylla's Small Kraft Re-Lit

The Spokane Kennel Club & the Coeur D'Alene Dog Fanciers had a novel take to the Memorial Day weekend.  The SPKC hosted fanciers on Saturday & Sunday in their hometown and then sent them packing for the 40 minute drive to beautiful Coeur D’Alene ID for the CADF’s two shows.

The seven who made to Saturday’s final were the Irish Setter, GCH CH Mi Jean's Reason To Believe SH NA NAJ, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Lafara's King Of Hearts O Kalani JC, the Kuvasz, H Mattiaci High Voltage At Glacier Creek, the American Staffordshire Terrier, GCH CH Alpine’s Highwayman, the Maltese, GCH CH Scylla's Small Kraft Re-Lit, the French Bulldog, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Barkshires Take It To The Limit.

Houston Clark’s BIS was the country’s Number One Maltese, Hank.  Hank’s sixth BIS of the year will put Hank on the doorstep of the nation’s Top Twenty All Breeds.

GCH CH Whistlestop's Fire & Ice

Dorothy MacDonald would see the Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistlestop's Fire & Ice, the Redbone Coonhound, GCH CH Eskai's Sir Kasper, the Tibetan Mastiff, GCH CH Dreamcatcher Major Victory Of Loki, the Above named AmStaff, the Maltese, Hank, the Dalmatian, CH Blackflash Star's Comet, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Mariel’s Harvest Moon.

It was the IWS, Annah, picking up her first all breed Best of the year.  Mahy was a very good month for Annah who won the Irish Water Spaniel Club of Ameirca’s 2012 National Specialty earlier in the Month.  Congratulations to breeders/owners Colleen McDaniel & Stacy J Duncan.

GCH CH Alpine’s Highwayman  

Dr Dale Simmons greeted the first finalists to Coeur D’Alene.  The were the aforementioned Coonhound, AmStaff, & Maltese, the Weimaraner, GCH CH Diamond MK The Eagle Has Landed, the Great Dane, Burke's Pinocchio Of BNV, the American Eskimo Dog, GCH CH Silveroaks First & Foremost, and the Bouvier de Flandres, GCH CH Cobeauche Jakabo Xavier.

It was the third final in a row for the AmStaff, Jelly, and it earned him his fifth BIS of the year, his third in the last month.

GCH CH Charisma Maxim Von Diable

David Krogh had the very last final of the very long Memorial Day weekend.  The seven survivors he saw were the previously seen Irish Setter, the Pharaoh Hound, CH Reedly Road Globetrotter, the Standard Schnauzer, GCH CH Charisma Maxim Von Diable, the AmStaff, Jelly, the Pug, GCH CH Sycamore's Blonde Ambition, the Bulldog, Rugby's Pinto Bean, and the Belgian Tervuren, GCH CH Sky Acres Flying Solo.

Taking home the last BIS of the week was the Schnauzer, Max.  It was the first BIS for  six year old Max, whom you may remember took a Working Group Four at last December’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.  Congratulations to breeder Constance C Adel and owners Linda & John Adiletti.

WICKED WEEKEND IN NORCAL

GCH CH Jamora Mystic Topaz

For our next report we are going out to NORCAL (northern California) for a report on the Hangtown Kennel Club Of Placerville & the Kennel Club Of The California Sierra three shows.  The HKCP took the first two days and gave their first final to Robert Stein.  He chose his BIS from the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Robin Crest Great Expectations, the Saluki, GCH CH Jamora Mystic Topaz, the Doberman Pinscher, Delkamar's Rising Star Of Manorie, the Airedale Terrier, CH Sterling’s Tunes Of Glory, the Pekingese, GCH CH Windemere's Dusting Off White At Pevyne, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH PaRay Power & Privilege, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH PaRay's Wicked.

It was the Saluki, Sebastian, taking home the big rosette and the signature HKSCP bathrobe.  Three Jamora Salukis have taken home four of the bathrobes over the last decade, enough for all four of the Forsyth family.  

GCH CH PaRay's Wicked

The rest of the stop would belong to the aforementioned Sheltie, named for the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba.  Sunday Neil Graves’ would give Elphaba her very first BIS while the Vizsla, CH Wasatch Mtns Early Ride to Victory, the Saluki, Sebastian, the Alaskan Malamute, GCH CH Catanya’s Latin Lover, the American Staffordshire Terrier, CH Parastone's Call Me Mon Cheri, the above named Peke, and the Boston Terrier, Campbell Clan's Idol Chatter, watched.

Joining Elphaba and judge Connie Redhead in Monday’s KCCS final were the previously seen GSP, Saluki, Malamute, AmStaff, Peke, & Bichon.  With breeder Tray Pittman holding the lead, we expect that there will be many more BIS in Elphaba‘s future.  Gives new meaning to “And your little dog too.“ Congratulations to Tray, co-breeders Michelle & Marty Miller and owner Kim Furlong.

KEY CITY KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Pem We-Syng Lucky Mi

The Key City Kennel Club gave us two shows this past weekend in St Paul MN.   On day one the seven that stayed all day to see Francine Schwartz were the American Water Spaniel, GCH CH Game Crk Hot Diggity, the Whippet, Dashing Paisley Bellbottoms, the Samoyed, GCH CH Millcreek's Jesse James, the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Max-Well's Diamond Thief, the Japanese Chin, GCH CH Pem We-Syng Lucky Mi, the Bulldog, GCH CH Evergreen's Miss Congeniality, and the Bearded Collie, Isle Teacher's Pet.

It was our DOG2WATCH, the Chin, Mimi, taking home her eight BIS of the year.  We’d keep an eye on this one.

GCH CH Game Crk Hot Diggity

On day two Desi Murphy would see five of Saturday’s finalists plus the Newfoundland, CH Bright Str Berrin Charles Jager, and the Border Collie, GCH CH Sporting Fields Heiress HSAs.  HIS BIS would be one of our rarer breeds, the American Water Spaniel, Digger.  It’s the second BIS this year for Digger.  Now when was the last time we could say that about an American Water Spaniel?  Well done.

GREATER FORT MEYERS DOG CLUB

GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare

When You live in Florida everyday is a holiday.  This Memorial Day weekend fanciers in N Fort Meyers spent Saturday & Sunday with the Greater Fort Meyers Dog Club.

Joe Gregory had the final ring on day one and his pick of the Golden Retriever, CH Alexander Romance Gold Legend, the Whippet, GCH CH Karasar’s Remembrance, the Doberman Pinscher, , the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, GCH CH Lonsdale Sir Joseph Porter, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, the French Bulldog, CH Klasse Forjoy Ben Dreamin', and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Sunburst One Cool Dude. 

His BIS was the Number Six Dog All Breeds, the MinPin Classie.  Classie and owner/handler Armando Angelbello have collected 13 BIS so far this season.

GCH CH Sunburst One Cool Dude

Sunday Classie was back to see Lee Canalizo along with the Flat-Coated Retriever, GCH CH Destiny As Good As It Gets JH, the Whippet, GCH CH Bo-Bett’s Speed Demon, the Siberian Husky, GCH CH Mileka's Belle Starr, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Ainle Villanova Mouth of the South, the Standard Poodle, and the above named Sheltie.

Her Best In Show was the Sheltie, Fonzie.  It’s his second this year.  Can we get two thumbs up and an “Aaayy!”