CHARMIN STRIKES BACK

The Bedlington Terrier, CH Velvety Angel Eyes, took another run at the country’s number one Terrier in Cumberland, MD today at the Upper Potomac KC show. However, Group Judge Betsy Dale, sided with the majority opinion and placed “Loppan” second behind the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, and Charmin justified her confidence by taking the BIS from Judge Paula Hartinger. I suspect that this is a rivalry we will see repeated up to and at Westminster 2009.

WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

CH Velvety Angel Eyes

Just two weeks ago, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, won the all terrier extravaganza at the venerable Montgomery County Kennel Cub show. Yet today Terrier Group Judge Keke Kahn relegated “Charmin” to a Group 4 win behind a dazzling Swedish import, the Bedlington Terrier, CH Velvety Angel Eyes at the Laurel Highlands KA show in Cumberland, MD. It was the worst showing by Charmin in over 18 months. Also bettering the Sealie, was the Airedale Terrier, CH Sterling Cool Hand Luke, with a Group 3, and the Norfolk Terrier, CH Cause For Celebration, who garnered a Group 2.

CH Cause For Celebration

The Bedlington, call name “Loppan” (Swedish for “Flea”, no kidding), was bred by Lise Lotte Nilsson and is owned by MS Nilsson and Anki Bengtson & Joan Weiskopf of Sinking Spring, PA. Loppan did have the good manners to win BIS after defeating the country’s number three dog in the Terrier Group. Judge Leonora Riddle gave this dog in lamb drag his second AKC Best In Show. His first was just three weeks ago in Oyster Bay, NY at the Westbury KA . This is a dog to watch.

DEL VALLE KENNEL CLUB SHOW

MT DIABLO, CA

I spent over 20 years of my life living in suburban San Francisco in the area known as the Diablo Valley. It is a beautiful place that epitomizes all the best that the US has to offer: breathtaking landscapes, exceptional schools, a thriving economy, and one of the country’s largest dog shows, the Del Valle Kennel Club show in Pleasanton, CA. Last year there were almost 3,000 dogs present and competing. This year, there is a warm up act of 49, repeat 49, specialty shows on Friday and Saturday, before this Sunday’s main event. If you will be in the Bay Area this weekend, plan to make it out to the East Bay and enjoy the mountain vistas and the canine drama. It won’t be bigger this year. See http://www.infodog.com/clubs/2008016301.HTM for particulars.

COLUMBUS DAY IN MARYLAND

Ch Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

Our top three dogs decided to make the most of the long weekend and stay over in Maryland for Columbus Day and the Maryland KC show. Joining the Giant Schnauzer, the Pointer, and the Sealyham Terrier, was the number nine dog, the Harrier. All managed Group one wins and the Pointer, Holly added one more Best In Show to her record courtesy of Judge Nancy Simmons. However, no one lost or gained enough points to change their current positions in the top ten. Perhaps this weekend a win at the giant Del Valle KC show in Northern California will shake up the top ten?

STANDINGS SHUFFLE

CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot

The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, has surpassed her highlands big sister, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv's Ouija, and moved up into the seventh spot on our real time top ten. Sadie managed two BIS over the weekend while Ouija did four shows, but could not do better than Group one. For you non-math majors out there, 'tis better to get a BIS at a small show than to get a Group one at a big show. Keep that in mind when mailing off the next entry.

IDAHO? I DON'T KNOW

And we pick up where we left off on Friday, In Boise Idaho, for the second iteration of the Idaho Capital City KC show. This show would go more to form, with our Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, getting the top prize from Judge Michael J. Dougherty, while Ouija and Taser watched. Once again Lincoln would fail to make it to the final seven. Saturday, the host was the Lizard Butte KC (Come on, folks, it’s Idaho) and Lincoln would take advantage of Taser’s absence and make it into the BIS ring. Once again Yes would take the big trophy, this time from Judge Arlene Benko with Ouija and Lincon standing by. Sunday, Lincoln and handler Paul Catterson would finally break through to the top spot taking the nod from Judge Kenneth Miller, with Yes and Ouija playing bridesmaids.

So where did Taser charge off to? Taser jetted down to Tyler, TX to watch Judge Doris Cozart to give the BIS to the Doberman Pinscher, Ch. Brachmars Magic Memory. “Kaiser” was bred by Barbara Weems & Marcia Harvey and is owned by Shannon Geiszlera. Sunday Taser would go home without a group placement. Meanwhile, Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, would go two for two in Boulder City, NV. On Saturday Judge Desmond J. Murphy awarded Sadie the Best In Show to Sadie at the Black Mountain KC show. On Sunday it was Judge Peggy Beisel-Macilwaine officiating and finding Sadie in the crowd. The question is is it good enough to regain the number seven spot? The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, made the most of a leisurely two days in Enid, OK, taking a BIS from Judge Donna Buxton on Saturday at the Sooner State KC, followed by a Group one on Sunday.

Our top three dogs were on the East Coast. On Friday, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, faced off at the Catonsville KC show in West Friendship, MD with the larger dog getting the big rosette from Judge Robert Moore. At the same time, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, would have an easier go of it in Augusta, NJ getting the BIS from Judge Jean Fournier at the smaller Monticello KC show. Saturday The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, would join Spirit and Charmin in the final seven, only to find that Judge Betty Regina Leininger would see it the same and hand Spirit the win. Likewise, Holly would garner another top prize from Judge Angela Porpora on Saturday.

I guess Holly was feeling lonely, or ambitious, because Sunday she and handler Michael C. Scott decided to join the crowd in Maryland. However, she would be surprised in the group by the Weimaraner, Ch Colsidex Seabreeze Perfect Fit. Spirit suffered the same fate, getting bested by the Mastiff, Ch Lazdys Dixieland Tupelo Honey. Coda took the Hound Group, but Judge S. Candace Way couldn’t overlook the top Pekingese, CH Pequest Matchpoint. Everyone is entered in today’s Maryland KC show. Check back here tomorrow for results and the new standings.

AND THE WEEKEND BEGINS

Four of the top ten dogs were in action yesterday, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija. All were in Boise, ID, for the Idaho Capital City KC show, and all, except Lincoln, made it into the BIS ring 0nly to take a back seat to the country’s number one Golden Retriever, CH Toasty's Treasure Island. Judge Linda C. More awarded the BIS, to Treasure, bred and owned by Pamela & Jerome Oxenberg of Boca Raton, FL.

CH Toasty's Treasure Island

Meanwhile, here in the Mid-South, we began a four day cluster with the Greater Shelby KC show just across the state line from Memphis in Southhaven, MS. Day one went to the country’s number three hound, the Basset Hound, CH Topsfield Silver Noodles, with Judge Richard Miller presiding. Noodles was bred by N Richmond & L Brackett & A Testoni & B Zetterlund (no one ever had more help at conception) and is owned by C Orlandi & A Testoni & K Steidel & N Richmond of Essex Junction, VT (I didn’t know Essex Junction had that many people living there). This spectacular mover is handled by Bryan Martin.

CH Topsfield Silver Noodles

I will be at the Tupelo KC show on Saturday at the Agricenter in Memphis. Please feel free to say “Hi” and tell me all your dog news.

ONE MORE DAY IN NEW MEXICO

New Mexico was so enchanting, that two of our top ten dogs decided to extend their weekend into Monday for the Chaparral Kennel Club show in Alamogordo. It’s an odd place for a four day dog show cluster, nestled between White Sands National Monument and the Lincoln National Forest (birthplace of Smokey the Bear) about 85 miles north of El Paso, TX. It is known primarily as site of the first atom bomb test on July 16, 1945.

The only known photo of the first atom bomb test

However unlikely a location for a dog show, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, made the most of it, picking up the BIS from Judge Allen Odom. It was the third BIS for Yes at that location. The Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade added another Group one to his total. For Yes it was more than cactus and tequila, as the extra day in New Mexico allowed her to bolt past the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and regain the fourth spot in our all breed top ten.

BRITISH KENNEL CLUB CAVES

The British Kennel Club has succumbed to months of pressure and announced the review of all dog breed standards. The review follows a anti-breeder BBC documentary which accused the Kennel Club of supporting the breeding of deformed animals through its standards. The documentary, titled "Pedigreed Dogs Exposed”, showed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with syringomyelia, a condition which occurs when a dog's skull is too small for its brain. It also singled out Boxers, Pugs, and Bulldogs for criticism.

Top US Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
CH Mondrian V H Lamslag, RE

Citing increasing public pressure, the Kennel Club stated that it was pushing through its review of all breed standards, “…with added urgency.” The RSPCA, which announced last month that it was pulling out of Crufts over concerns about the welfare of pedigree dogs, responded with this statement: "We welcome the (Kennel Club) review of breed standards and hope it will make a difference for pedigree dog health and welfare in the future."

Top US Boxer
CH Ein-Von's Just A Rumor

The Kennel Club also issued a statement against the action of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel national breed club for ousting a member that had appeared in the BBC documentary and criticized her fellow breeders. However, all of this did not placate the Kennel Club’s critics. The Veterinarian Director of the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog charity, sniped, “We are saying that the Kennel Club should look at the consequence of what it hasn’t done in the past 50 years. We are more than happy to help in every way to resolve the situation, but doing it at a snail’s pace is just not good enough.”

Top US Pug

CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu

The Kennel Club, determined to make the most of a bad situation, is asking that it be given the legal power to make its Accredited Breeder Scheme compulsory throughout the country, which would allow only Kennel Club members to produce or sell puppies.

Top US Bulldog

CH Cherokee Legend Rock

All of this bolsters two of my core beliefs.

1. Never give an inch to the animal rights wackos. I’m astonished that the British, of all people, fail to grasp the ramifications of appeasement, it didn’t work with the Third Reich and it won’t work with the RSPCA.
2. We have an obligation to police ourselves. If national breed clubs don’t take action to assure their breeds are protected, they risk having outsiders, who neither appreciate the breed or breeders, dictating to them.
   

Finally, take a look at these beautiful animals I have included in this post and imagine a world without them. How sad would that be?

TERRIER TOPSY-TURVY

We normally report results in a somewhat chronological order, but this week we will give you the big news first. It was the Sealyham, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, going Best In Show at the all terrier Montgomery County Kennel Club show in Blue Bell, PA, on Sunday. Charmin outlasted 1557 other terriers to top the 74th annual event. Our other terrier in the top ten dogs, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, never made it out of the breed, a frequent fate for top show dogs who come to Montgomery County. Most hardcore terrier breeders, would rather win a Montgomery County than a Westminster. Not only is this a major win for Charmin and owner/handler Margery Good. It puts them back in the number three all breed spot.

Charmin and owner/handler Margery Good

The remaining group placements were as follows:

2nd CH Hi-Kel Kerrydale Soldier of Fortune, Lakeland Terrier, Owner: Carol Dowd & B Dowd & C Ruggle & Terrydale Kennels of Southern Pines, NC. Breeder: M Wooldridge & D Hull McIndoe, Handler: Scott Sommer
3rd Of Skyeline Captain Hook, Skye Terrier, Owner: Eugene Z Zaphiris & Matthew H Stander & Krisi Sainio of Oyster Bay, NY. Breeder: Krisi Sainio, Handler: Scott Sommer
4th CH Stirling Cool Hand Luke, Airedale Terrier, Owner: Frank Pulice., Bloomfield Hills, MI Breeder: Shirley R Good & Susan S Rodgers, Handler: Ernesto Lara

It was the first weekend since we began reporting on the top ten dogs that the number one and number two dogs did not win a Best In Show. Yet, such was the result of the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, venturing into terrier territory this weekend. Each managed only to garner three group firsts. Spirit and Holly went to suburban Philadelphia seeking a share of the big point all breed shows that are the opening acts for the all terrier Montgomery County KC show.

Also competing In the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday preliminaries with the Sealie and Scottie were the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, and the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija. As previously reported Thursday the BIS winner, at the Hatboro KC 1, was the Sealie, Charmin, while Spirit, Ouija, and Holly also made it into the final seven. Coda finished Group two behind Ouija in the Hound Group. Charmin would repeat the win on Friday, but this time only Spirit and Coda, made it to the BIS ring. Ouija took a Hound Group two and Cookie failed to get a group placing.

Saturday, At the Devon Dog Association show, it was Ouija getting the nod and the big rosette, with Spirit and Holly getting Group one wins. However, Sadie and Charmin, finished Group two and three. This win was enough to move Ouija past Sadie into the number seven spot in our all breed top ten.

Sunday, the non-terriers were shown the door. Holly moved to western Pennsylvania for the Beaver Valley KC, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Aliquippa. Holly made it to the BIS ring only to be bested by the country’s number one Pekingese, CH Pequest Matchpoint. Spirit, Ouija, and Coda, all followed the Almighty’s example and took the day off.

CH Pequest Matchpoint

The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, spent a three day weekend in New Mexico, for three shows in Alamogordo. Yes sandwiched a Group one on Saturday between two BIS, Friday and Sunday, while Lincoln managed Group ones, the first two days, and a Group three on Sunday. Saturday’s big winner was the Boxer, CH. Ein-Von’s Just a Rumor. “Jasmine” was bred by Leontine M Branam & Zwei A Pierson, is owned by Jeff Bennett & F Casain & C Desmond & H Biermann of Riverside, CA , and is handled by Kimberlie Steele-Gamero.

CH. Ein-Von’s Just a Rumor

The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, the cute dog with the alarming call name, was in northern California for the two Donner Trail KC events in Roseville. Saturday, it would be Taser’s turn to be shocked as the Bichon Frise, CH. Paray’s Paragon took the Best In Show. “Jake” is the country’s number two Non-Sporting dog. He was bred by Tray Pittman & Paul Flores & M Nelson and is owned by David & Dianne Anderson & Dr Dan & G Blue & P Flores of Mukilteo, WA. He is handled by Tray Pittman. Taser would bounce back on Sunday and take home the top prize.

CH. Paray’s Paragon

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, would return to the show ring in Southern California, in the uber upscale community of Santa Maria (Remember the Michael Jackson trial? That was Santa Maria) for the Channel City KC and Santa Maria KC events. The Boxer, CH Duba Dae‘s Who’s Your Daddy, was awarded his first BIS on Saturday. “Boscoe” was bred by Lynn P. Jansson and is owned by Jansson & James & Wendy Bettis of Riverside, CA. Congratulations to all. Sunday the Lakeland Terrier, CH. Brocair’s Flower Power at Revelry, would get the nod. Bred and owned by Dawn Spencer & Danielle Green of Nice, CA, it was also the first Best In Show for the 22 month old bitch. This is a dog to watch. Applause to her and her breeder/owner/handlers.

CH Duba Dae‘s Who’s Your Daddy