SANTA CLARA VALLEY KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Seacrest's I'm Not What You Think 

Before we get into Westminster breed action let’s catch you up on the rest of the shows this weekend. When we lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, exhibitors fresh from Westminster would carry stories about the world’s greatest dog show to the Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club show to share with those of us who weren’t able to make the trip. This year everyone was checking their cellphones for Facebook and Instagram photos of friends at the weekend festivities preceding Westminster. 

The seven dogs that BIS judge Dr Ronald Spritzer considered Sunday were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Foxboro N Shardust Authentic, the Irish Wolfhound, CH Folkloire's All Jazzed Up, the Newfoundland, GCH CH Seacrest's I'm Not What You Think, the Kerry Blue Terrier, GCH CH Kallehan's Parallel Lines, the Pekingese, CH Imperial Palace Dunkirk Candy Kisses, the Dalmatian, CH Rock N Gold Rush Double Dipped Delight, and the Smooth Collie, GCH CH Travler Kelise Overdrive. 

The two he liked were the Newfoundland, Dexter, whom he gave the BIS, and the Springer, Maddox, whom he gave the RBIS. It was the second BIS of the year in eight final Appearances for Dexter. 

GCH CH Foxboro N Shardust Authentic 

On Monday judge Del Richards would see it the other way round naming Maddox BIS and Dexter RBIS, while the Longhaired Dachshund, GCH CH Walmar-Solo's IOU SL, the Airedale Terrier, GCH CH Brisline's Zeta Jones, the Havanese, GCH CH Oeste's Stealing The Starlight, the Lhasa Apso, CH Magic's Suck It Up, and the returning Collie looked on. It was the first of the year for Maddox who finished 2014 with two BIS and 18 Sporting Groups.

WESTMINSTER 2015 DAY ONE

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect Day 

Day One at Westminster brought some surprises. From the start we saw several of the favorites in the Toy and Non-Sporting Groups fail to get out of the breed. However, the biggest surprise was reserved for the Herding Group where last year’s group winner, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh, was bested by the top winning Cardigan of all time, GCH CCH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery. 

However, the Cardigan, Libby, was not able to break through to a group placement. Herding Group judge Klaus Anselm’s top four were the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect, the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Stonepillar's Steel Blu, the Australian Shepherd, GCH CH Copper Hills No Reservations CGC, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Lockenhaus' Rumor Has It V Kenlyn. 

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire 

We were not surprised that Non-Sporting Group judge Shirley Limoges went with the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, as her Group One. We were surprised that she left out the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls, and the Keeshond, GCH CH Skyline’s Unit of Measure. Rounding out her four were the Xoloitzcuintli, GCH CH Bayshore Giorgio Armani, the Bichon Saks Winning Card, and the American Eskimo Dog, GCH CH Nuuktok's Atka Inukshuk. 

GCH CH Hallmark Jolie Rocket Power 

While our top two picks, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolie Rocket Power, and the Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitime What the Inferno, made it into judge Elliot Weiss’ Toy Group, we did not predict that the Yorkshire Terrier, GCH CH Trio’s Big Shot (whom we love), would get the Number Three spot, or the Havanese, GCH CH Love's Havaheart Los Goodfellas (whom we have never seen) would come in as Number Four. 

GCH CH Tashtin’s Lookin’ for Trouble 

Finally, while we knew that judge Betty-Anne Stenmark would find room for her Hound Group winner, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Tashtin’s Lookin’ for Trouble, and her Number Two, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Flessner’s International S’Cess, we were pleasantly surprised that she found room for the Otterhound, GCH CH Aberedeen’s Under the Influence, and our dark horse, the Black & Tan Coonhound, GCH CH Bayaway Due Process of Law. After Day One we think we are headed for one of the most exciting Westminster finals ever.

HERDING GROUP UPDATE

GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery

You might remember that we warned you yesterday about Ghosts from Westminsters Past. This morning in judge Robert Slay’s Cardigan Welsh Corgi ring, last year’s Herding Group winner, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh, watched the top winning Cardigan of all time, GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery, take the breed. Tonight’s Herding Group judge, Klaus Anselm, gave Libby two BIS and several Group Ones before she retired.

PLUM CREEK KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Rainbow Splash’s Ruggedly Handsome 

(photo by Derek Glas) 

With Westminster previews out of the way we can return to our usual reporting and check in on Friday’s and Saturday’s shows. First we go to Denver where the Plum Creek Kennel Club (PCKC) hosted the first two days of the Rocky Mountain Cluster. Judge Pluis Davern had Friday’s final and her pick of the Brittany, GCH CH Rainbow Splash’s Ruggedly Handsome, the Whippet, GCH CH Starline’s Jimmy Choo, the Bernese Mountain Dog, GCH CH Snowbiz’s Blackmountain Berner Schultz, the Glen of Imaal Terrier, GCH CH Finnabair Ardmore Ned, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Shorepointe’s Buddy Dazzler, the Bulldog, GCH CH Wilson’s I’m Your Handyman, and the Shetland Sheepdog, GCH CH Thunderhill’s Apple Bottom Jeans. 

GCH CH Finnabair Ardmore Ned 

Best went to the nation’s Number One Sporting Dog, the Brittany, Beckett, Reserve to the Glen of Imaal, Ned. Beckett heads to New York with seven BIS on his 2015 resume. 

GCH CH Thunderhill’s Apple Bottom Jeans 

Returning to the final ring on Saturday were the Whippet, Glen of Imaal, Chihuahua, and Sheltie. Joining them in judge Dianne Miller’s ring were the Vizsla, GCH DC Boulders N Fusions Power Trip MH, the Mastiff, Friend’s Sargeant Breakthrough, and the Miniature Poodle, GCH CH Rosebell Pzazz Perfectly Charming.

GCH DC Boulders N Fusions Power Trip MH 

Judge Miller’s BIS was the Sheltie, Bindi, and her RBIS, the Vizsla, Trip. It was the first of the year for Bindi who finished 2014 with three BIS and nine Herding Groups. Congratulations to breeders/owners Michelle & Marty Miller and owner Anne Power.

BREEDER/OWNER/HANDLER BIS

CH Hill Country's Let's Get Ready To Rumble 

One of the things we have enjoyed the most about our sport is the variety of people we encounter in the show hall. We are always surprised to find out a fellow fancier is a high government official, a fabulously wealthy businessman, or an actor we did not recognize. We are also happy that the sports welcomes those of us that don't get around as well as others. Breeder/owner/handler Kristy Ratliff, who shows her Pug, CH Hill Country's Let's Get Ready To Rumble, using a wheelchair, is currently Number 15 in the AKC National Owner-Handled Rankings. Saturday Kristy and Rumble joined the ranks of regular Best In Show winners taking the top prize at the Guadalupe Valley Dog Fanciers show in Austin TX. 

GCH CH Alliebeckscion Love On The Rocks 

 Joining Kristy and Rumble in Pat Hastings final were the RBIS, the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Alliebeckscion Love On The Rocks, the Borzoi, GCH CH La Verite Belote, the Boxer, GCH CH Cinnibon N 4ms Shameless, the West Highland White Terrier, GCH CH Tullyblooms Classified Credentials, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Bar-None Pistolera, and the Belgian Tervuren, GCH CH Sindarins Where The Magic Begins. It was the first BIS and the first Group One for Rumble. Congratulations to Kristy and breeder/owner Kevin Ratliff.

WELSH TERRIER BEST IN IOWA

GCH CH Shaireab’s Bayleigh Maid of Honor 

(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

Another of our Westminster picks is out this weekend picking up another BIS on her way to the Garden. The Welsh Terrier, GCH CH Shaireab’s Bayleigh Maid of Honor, stopped off in Des Moines IA to pick up the top prize at Saturday’s Cyclone Country Kennel Club of Ames show. 

GCH CH Careva’s Boodelicious 

Joining Jennie and handler Luis Abreu in judge Nancy Liebes’ final were the Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Beaufield’s Boundary Waters At Pooles Ide, the Bloodhound, Loamy’s Lanes Magic for Sherick, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Phillmar Superman, the RBIS, the Pug, GCH CH Careva’s Boodelicious, the Lhasa Apso, GCH CH Shoyu Blowin My Horn At Orlane, and the Belgian Tervuren, GCH CH Stonewall’s Let’s Make It A Double. Jennie is the current Number Three Terrier with four BIS in seven final appearances this year.

WWW: THE HERDING GROUP

GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect

(photo courtesy of AKC)

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), the Herding Group:  Our Herding Group this year is topped by the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect.  Swagger came from the classes to win the first ever Westminster Kennel Club Reserve Best In Show in 2013 and had gone on to become the top winning OES in AKC history.  Last year Swagger finished with 88 BIS and 147 Group Ones, defeating 118,634 dogs along the way.  In any other year that would have been good enough to make him the Number One Dog All Breeds.  However, Swagger had to contend with the top winning male show dog ever and finished in the runner up spot.  Swagger was the clear crown favorite in 2013 and is sure to have a huge cheering section this year.  Swagger was bred by and is owned by Colton Johnson, Heather Johnson, & Douglas & Michaelanne Johnson, with  owners Ron Scott & Debbie Burke, and handled by Colton.

GCH CH Lockenhaus Rumor Has It v Kenlyn

Swagger’s main competition in the group will come from the current Number One Dog All Breeds, the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Lockenhaus Rumor Has It v Kenlyn.   Rumor has already has nine BIS, four RBIS, and 16 Group Ones this year, with the latest BIS coming over  last year’s Number One Dog All Breeds.  Rumor was bred by and is owned by Kent Bolyes &  Pamela McElheney, with owners Deborah Stern & A & M Derose.

GCH CH Cordmaker Topsy Turvey

Last year’s Number Two Herding Dog was the Puli, GCH CH Cordmaker Topsy Turvey, finishing  with 15 BIS and 68 Herding Groups.  Charlotte was the Group Two at last year’s Westminster and is sure to be in the contention this year.  Charlotte’s handler Linda Pitts won back-to-back Herding Groups at Westminster with the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field of Dreams, in 2009 and 2010.   Charlotte was bred by Sue Huebner, who co-owns Charlotte with Jacquelyn Beaudoin & Penny Kelly.

GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh 

(photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

Last year’s Herding Group winner was the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh.  Coco was 2014’s Number Three Herding Dog with 13 BIS and 50 Herding Groups.  Coco is in the same spot so far this year with one BIS and 11 Group Ones.  Coco was bred by and is owned by Julie & Bill Divens & Deborah Shindle, with Dina Manship Planche, and is handled by Lois DeMers.

So who do we think will win the heavy silver?  We never bet the lunch money, especially at Westminster, but we do think that the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Claircreek’s Impression de Matisse, is one of the most impressive dogs we have seen in our nearly 50 years in the sport.  However, we will leave you with this.  WATCH FOR THE SPOLIERS.  Rumors abound, but we do expect some of the dogs we expected to be in New York to stay home and there are always surprise appearances by dogs from Westminsters past and the possible interloper from abroad.

WWW: THE NON-SPORTING GROUP

GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire

(photo by Michael McGuire)

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), The Non-Sporting Group.  We often think of the Non-Sporting Group as the “Rodney Dangerfield” group.  Apart from the ubiquitous Standard Poodles, the group is full of breeds that are often overlooked. 

We do have two Standard Poodles at the top of our list this year.  The bitch, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, and the dog, GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow.  The bitch, Flame, was last year’s Number One Non-Sporting Dog and Number Three Dog All Breeds with 47 BIS and an impressive 121 Group Ones.  This year she has  two BIS and 11 Group Ones.  Flame was bred by and is owned by Linda Campbell and handled by Sarah Perchick.

GCH CH Del Zarzoso Salvame From Afterglow

The dog, Dino, finished 2014 as the Number Six Non-Sporting Dog with six BIS and 55 Group Ones so far this year he has picked up one BIS and Four Group Ones.  Dino was bred by Carlos Renau & Lazaro Anelo, is owned by Sloan Barnett, George Linderman Sr, Michael Gadsby, & Jason Lynn, and is handled by Amy Rutherford.

GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls

One dog who could dethrone the Poodles is the top winning Chinese Shar-Pei in AKC history, GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls.  Tinsel has been the Number One Chinese Shar-Pei these last two season and leads the Non-Sporting Group this year with three BIS, three RBIS and eight Group Ones.  Tinsel was bred by and is owned by Rebecca Pentecost DVM with Deborah & Robert Cooper & Linda Teitelbaum, and handled by Nina Fetter.

GCH CH Skyline's Unit Of Measure

Another dog who might get past the Poodles is the Keeshond, GCH CH Skyline's Unit Of Measure, who frequently goes head-to-head with Dino, the current Number Two Non-Sporting Dog with two and nine Group Ones.   Cubit was bred by Kristen Cullen DVM & Susan Cullen, is owned by Joshua Hargis, and handled by co-owner Jean Gauchat-Hargis.

GCH CH Dowat’s the Gladiator

Finally, we will always root for the Bulldogs and we have two great prospects this year, GCH CH Dowat’s the Gladiator and GCH CH Wilson’s I’m Your Handyman.  The former, Don Juan,  was 2014’s Number One Bulldog and Number Seven Non-Sporting Dog.  He was bred by Lucky and Donna Watson and Alisha and Sean Worleyand is owned by Jamie Vasquez, Randall Jenkins, &  Linda Scott, and handled by Dennis O’Connor.

GCH CH Wilson’s I’m Your Handyman

The latter, Decker, has just begun his career under the auspices of Bulldog maven Jay Serion,  Decker already has two BIS in just three final appearances this year.  Decker was bred by Cindy and Joel Wilson, is owned by Landon and Jennifer Jordan, and handled by Jay.

Next, the Herding Group.

WWW: THE TOY GROUP

GCH CH Hitime What the Inferno

(photo courtesy of AKC)

Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW), the Toy Group.  Terrier legend Ric Chashoudian once said that he thought the Toy Group was the most competitive year after year.  We’re not sure about that but it certainly was in 2014 and has been this season as well.  Friday’s all toy dog Progressive Dog Club show provided ample evidence of that.

Last year’s Number One Toy Dog, the Pomeranian, GCH CH Hitime What the Inferno, has carried the title into the new year, adding the title of Number Two Dog All Breeds on the strength of six BIS and 13 Group Ones, including two BIS at the big Rose City Classic in Portland OR in January.  Danny was bred by Joan D Caracsole & Ashley Carcasole, is owned  by Bonnie Bird & Udomsin Littichaikun, and handled by Curtiss Smith.

GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez)

2014’s Number Two Toy Dog, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH Sonnus Filho (Sanchez), finished 8,000 points behind Danny last year despite winning just one less BIS that Danny (27) and 12 More Toy Groups (93).  However, Sonnito lacks Danny’s momentum this year with just one BIS to date.  Nonetheless, we expect the smallest dog in the ring to make a big impact Monday.  Sonnito was bred by owner Romulo Sanchez Torres, is co-owned by James and Janet Moses, and handled by Erika Lanasa.

GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power

Last year’s Number Three Toy Dog, the Shih Tzu, GCH CH  Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power, finished 2014 with a flourish, winning the Toy Group at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando.    Rocket is holding down the Number Three spot again this year with one BIS and 19 Toy Groups so far.  Rocket was bred by owner/handler Luke Ericht  & owner Diane Ericht and is co-owned by Patricia Hearst Shaw.

GCH CH Fist Face A Penny for Your Thought 

(photo by Rhonda Cassidy)

Two of our Dogs2Watch joined the Top Five Toys this year, the Brussels Griffon, GCH CH Fist Face A Penny for Your Thought, and the Toy Poodle, GCH CH North Well Vivian Jp Rose Queen.  The Griff, Penny, whose father, CH Cilleine Masquerade, won the Group at the Garden in 2009,  has three BIS and six Group Ones this  year.  Penny was bred by Rodney & Linda Vance, is owned by Larry & Carol Pagacz & Kelley Catterson, and handled by Paul D Catterson.

GCH CH North Well Vivian Jp Rose Queen

In that final ring with Penny’s father in 2009 was the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, owned by New Yorkers Toni & Martin Sosnoff and handled by Tim Brazier .  This year Tim is handling the Sendoff’s Toy Poodle, Rosie.  Rosie is currently the Number Four Toy Dog with one BIS and five Toy Groups so far this year. 

Next, the Non-Sporting Group.