AENC HERDING GROUP

GCH CH Wolf Creek’s Galaxy of Merivern

Our last group of the night here in Orlando was judge Robert Slay’s Herding Group.  He would send the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Wolf Creek’s Galaxy of Merivern, forward to judge Barbara Alderman’s final, while the Bred By Exhibitor BIS winner, the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect, would take the Group Two, followed by the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Stonepillar’s Steel Blu, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Coventry Allure at Wyndstar.  Mr Fritz become the fifth GSD to win the Herding Group at the AENC.

AENC BEST BRED BY BIS

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect

Tonight’s AENC Bred By Exhibitor Best In Show included two dogs that would again go head to head in the regular BIS competition, the American Foxhound, GCH CH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect.  

 Joining them in judge Dr Anthony DiNardo’s final were the Parti-Colored Cocker Spaniel, Galaksi This Is Me, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Robban's Invincible CD, the West Highland White Terrier, GCH CH Camcrest Andsurely Jasmine, the Shih  Tzu, GCH CH Krissy's Savvy Jasper, and tonight’s World Challenge winner, the Standard Poodle, CH Afterglow Maverick Sabre.  Dr DiNardo would choose the as his BIS, the OES, Swagger.   We will wait a little longer to see if Swagger can carry that into a National Championship.

AENC TERRIER GROUP

GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky

One  of the most anticipated groups tonight is the Terrier Group.  We have a Terrier, Clay Coady, judging and one of the most competitive groups assembled here this week.  Judge Coady’s placements did not disappoint.  First went to the country’s Number One Dog All Breeds, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky, second to the Number Two Terrier, the Russell Terrier, GCH CH Goldsands Columbus, third to the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Mcvan's To Russia With Love, and fourth to the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Ticket To Ride.  Sky is the defending AENC champion and is the first champion to defend its title.

AKC/EUKANUBA WORLD CHALLENGE

CH Afterglow Magic Sabre

Unique to the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship weekend is the World Challenge.  Argentine judge Miguel Angel Martinez had the happy task of reviewing 12 of the best dogs the world has to offer.  His First Runner Up (3^rd place) was the US’ representative, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici.  His Runner Up (2^nd place) was the Representative from Argentina, the Dogo Argentino C.E.G.L.I.A. Monika de Don Eloy.   The 2013 World Challenge Winner was the United Kingdom’s Standard Poodle, CH Afterglow Magic Sabre.

Ricky is the son of GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow, winner of last year’s Non-Sporting Group, and currently a top multiple BIS winner here in the US.  Ricky has been in a down to the finish line race for 2013 Number One Dog All Breeds in the UK.

AENC WORKING GROUP

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

(Photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

First up tonight at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is the Working group judged by Houston Clark.  His Number One Working Dog was America’s Number Two Dog All Breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse.  Finishing in second place was the Number Four Dog All Breeds, the Giant Schnauzer, GCH CH Kenro’s Witching Hour.  Rounding out the placements were the Akita, GCH CH CR-Wicca’s Trade Secret, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, GCH CH Derby’s Toast with Gusto.     

CLEVELAND HAT TRICK

CH Telltale American Ride 

 Before we get into tonight’s broadcast of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, let’s check in with the Western Reserve Kennel Club show in Cleveland. BIS judge Chris Walkowicz chose her top two from the English Springer Spaniel, CH Telltale American Ride, the Afghan Hound, CH Pahlavi Itz Not My First Rodeo, the Rottweiler, GCH CH Gamegard I’ll Have Another v Braeside, the Airedale, GCH CH Joval Angel’s Whisper, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Bells Will Be Ringing, the Bulldog, GCH CH Mytoys Epic Against the Wind, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Jesstar Nirvana. 

GCH CH Mytoys Epic Against the Wind 

(Photo by Rhinda Cassidy)

The two she chose were the Springer, Randy, and the Bulldog, Ralph. It was the third BIS of the set for Randy.

TONIGHT'S PICKS IN ORLANDO

GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

As we look forward to tonight’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Group and Best In Show judging, we have formulated our picks for tonight’s groups.  In the Terrier Group the odds on favorite will be last year’s AENC winner and this year’s Number One Dog All Breeds, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky.  The nation’s Number Two Terrier, the Russell terrier, GCH CH Goldsands Columbus, had been in Cleveland, but was here today to pick up the breed win.  Bosse is one of the few Terriers that has bested Sky this year.  There is also the Miniature Schnauzer, GCH CH Allaruth Just Kidding v Sole Baye, who topped Sky in Thursday’s Central Florida Kennel Club Terrier Group.  We also expect the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Ticket To Ride, the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, and the Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Shaireab Bayleigh’s Maid of Honor to be contenders for a placement.

GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse 

(Photo by Michael McGuire)

The Working Group has been the most contested group this year, with three Working Dogs in the Top Ten Dogs All Breeds and all three are here in Orlando.  The Number Two Dog All Breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, the Number Four Dog, GCH CH Kenro’s Witching Hour, and the Number Ten Dog, the Great Dane, GCH CH Longo Miller  Lore Diamond Lil.  We also like the Boxer, GCH CH Hi-Tech The King Of Sherry Shoot Jp, and the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Tiburon Arsenal.

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect

The Herding Group is a group where we might see some surprises.  While the Number One Herding Dog, the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect, is the favorite tonight in the group, he was bested in the group this week by the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Stonepillar's Steel Blu, who will make another attempt at an upset tonight.  We also expect the multi BIS winning Pembroke Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Coventry Allure At Wyndstar, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Wolf Creek Galaxy Of Merivern, to provide plenty of competition.

Now who will walk away with the richest purse in dogdom?  Should the Wire Fox, Sky, win, it will be the first time in the AENC’s 12 year history that the same dog won two national championships.  Sky’s handler, Gabriel Rangel, is the only handler to win the nation’s biggest all breed show twice.  Could he do a third time?  The most likely dog to thwart him is the PWD, Matisse.  Matisse’s handler, Michael Scott, piloted the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, to the title in 2008.  Michael and Matisse have bested Sky and Gabriel more often than any other pair this year.  However, we think that any of the other five finalists might play spoiler.  You do remember our Dog Show Poop axiom, “Never bet the lunch money”, don’t you?  Tonight’s live broadcast on line starts at 6:00 PM EST.