SPIRIT ROLLS TO ANOTHER WIN

Last year’s number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, continues her dominance of the show ring with another BIS at today’s Golden Gate Kennel Club show.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit

Judge Keke Kahn also had the Weimaraner, CH Smokycity Silhouette Dbl Ur Pleasure, the 15” Beagle, CH Cabaret Come Chase The Dream, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Warfox Double Exposure, the Standard Poodle, CH Penndragon Masaniello, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Voodoo Slam Dunks Susant’s to consider, but like so many before her she went with Spirit. Congratulations once more to Spirit & handler Taffe McFadden and everyone else associated with this splendid representative of our fancy.

GETTING DOWN IN LOW COUNTRY

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

After having her BIS winning streak broken at ten in a row, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, has picked up where she left off last Monday, winning another Best In Show. This one came today under Judge Kenneth Miller at the Charleston Kennel Club show in Ladson SC. That makes it ten BIS in 11 shows this year. The only sport we know where someone can beat that record is skydiving.

Check back with us later for the rest of the Charleston finalists and results from the Golden Gate Kennel Club show.

AND THE SECRET WORD IS....

DOGS2WATCH. Come on, some of you must be old enough to remember Groucho Marx’s TV game show, You Bet Your Life, but I digress. As I said, no sooner had I used the DOGS2WATCH appellation, I got the show results from the Glens Falls Kennel Club event in Queensbury NY reporting that DOG2WATCH, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Moon Walk, had won his first BIS of the year. Walker had an abbreviated 2008 campaign, but did manage to win three BIS last year.

CH Smash JP Moon Walk

Joining Walker in Judge Sandy Gunn’s ring, were the English Setter, CH Reidwood Red Alert, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorian Gray JC, the Irish Terrier, CH Fleet St Fenway Fan, the Bulldog, the Portugese Water Dog, CH Ebb Tide's Poetry In Motion, CH Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Windfall Slamdunk. Hound Group Judge Gary Doerge could not find a place in his top four for the 2008 top Hound, CH Downhome Family Tradition, giving the Group 4 to a class dog, the Afghan Hound, Gengala Nobody Bizness, an Australian champion. And tomorrow’s secret word is…Ringer.

Gengala Nobody Bizness

EARLY SATURDAY RESULTS

The first of the weekend’s results are in and they are from the Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association in Ocala. Judge Skip Herendeen chose the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton as his Best In Show. It was the second BIS for the three year old bitch and the second this month. Need we say this is a DOG2WATCH?

CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton

The rest of the final seven were no pushovers either. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, has already won three BIS this month and the Puli, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams, has won two in the same period. Also puttin up a fight for the big rosette were the ASCOB Cocker Spaniel, CH Somerset’s Sweet Talkin’ Girl, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, CH Prada Classic Aran Isle At Donnellas, the Silky Terrier, CH Lamplighter’s Bingo, and the Bichon Frise, CH Bodacious In Enemy Territory.

Check back with us later tonight for more show results.

AKC'S BOTTOM TEN

This week the AKC released it’s annual report on the ten most popular dogs. Given the popularity of the recent film, Marley And Me, no one should be surprised that once again the Labrador Retriever is the most registered dog in the US. However, here we want to focus on the ten least popular dogs in the US. So here is the countdown of the ten dogs that most of the American public have never seen.

CH Laurelwood's Noah's Ark Av JNKR

10. The Swedish Vallhund, comes in at 149 of 158 AKC breeds. This short legged little dog is relatively new to AKC, receiving recognition in 2007. We are optimistic that it will climb in the registration given the relative popularity of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi it resembles.

9. The Canaan Dog, a medium sized, short haired breed that fits into all sorts of households, comes in 150. Although this is a dog with an impeccable service dog pedigree, it has steadily declined in the registry since it’s initial admission to the registry in 1997.

8. The Komondor, number 151, the giant Hungarian walking mop, is a connoisseur’s breed, with space and grooming requirements that would be off putting to anyone, but those with a penchant for the unique. However, they are always a favorite of the crowds at shows as a walking advertisement of the diverse international community that is the AKC.

CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice

7. The Sealyham Terrier, number 152, is well known to our readers, but is a rarity outside our rarefied world. CH Efbe’s Hidalgo At Goodspice has been a fixture on the world stage for the last three years, but the Sealie has dropped nine spots in the registry during that time.

6. The Finnish Spitz, at 153 in the registry, has been in the registry for over 20 years, but still is struggling to get established. Having dropped 12 spots in just the last five years, this is truly an endangered breed.

5. The Otterhound, a large economy sized dog, with an everyman appearance is number 154. It’s regular dog look and affable demeanor might make it a favorite, but the size is more than many modern homes can accommodate .

4. The Harrier, one of three foxhound types in the bottom four, had the ultimate poster boy in 2008 in CH Downhome Family Tradition. However, this breed comes in at 155. Hunting the hare may be a thing relegated to another century, but this breed need not be. Any suburban home can readily accommodate one.

CH Downhome Family Tradition

3. The Glen of Imaal Terrier, number 156, is also fairly new to AKC, joining the registry in 2004. Outshined by the other short legged, hard coated terriers in the show ring, the Glen of Imaal has yet to gain a real place in the American home.

2. The English Foxhound, number 157, must rely on a dedicated handful of fanciers. It has neither the size, appearance, or national identity to rally the general population to it’s defense. Nonetheless, one would be a handsome addition to anyone with the space and energy necessary.

1. The American Foxhound, at number 158, is the least popular dog in the US. Think about that. The breed made famous by our first President, the iconic symbol of life during the American Revolution, is dying out for lack of interest by a public that thinks the current President should get a “Labradoodle”, but we shall reserve a future post for that subject. The American Foxhound is our standard bearer in the war against breeding restrictions.

CH Kiarry's Reflections Of The Sun

One editorial point, breeding restrictions will hit the rare breeds the hardest. Our general economic situation makes it all the more difficult to preserve these rare breeds. Make sure your elected officials know where you stand on breeding restrictions. You don’t want to be helping your grandchild with his American history and have him ask you, “What kind of dog, did George Washington have?” and you have to say, “an American Foxhound. They’re gone now, but I saw one once.”

TRADITION

This coming weekend almost everyone in the US will be within driving distance of a dog show. We have shows scheduled from Alaska to Florida. The good news is that there are shows in eleven different cities this coming weekend. The bad news is there are no cluster shows.

For the first time since we began reporting for you, there are no extended weekend shows. That’s right folks, we are limited to just the traditional Saturday and Sunday events. And as long as we are going retro, it doesn’t get any more traditional than the Golden Gate Kennel Club show at San Francisco’s legendary Cow Palace.

San Francisco Cow Palace

The show is one of the country’s last benched shows, an anachronism of which we are extremely fond. For those of you unacquainted with the format, benched shows require that the entered dogs be available for the public to view during the time the show is open to the public. “Benches” are a form of doggy cube farm like canine office space, normally arranged by breed, allowing spectators to locate their favorite breed as easily as picking up a quart of milk at the local food store.

As a newbie, benched shows were my classroom where I could sit and listen to veteran exhibitors who had nothing to do but talk about dogs for the bulk of the time they were confined to the show hall. The Cow Palace is not Madison Square Garden, but the Golden Gate KC does afford a glimpse of dog shows as they once were and it always draws some of he best dogs around. There are just over 1400 dogs entered on both Saturday and Sunday.

However, if you are seeking a larger entry and a shorts & sandals environment, go down south to San Bernadino CA and the two shows hosted by the Orange Empire Dog Club. Sun seekers on the east coast can try out the Great Gainesville DFA’s two shows in Ocala FL. Other clubs hosting double headers include the Alexandria KC (Alexandria LA), St Charles MO KC (Lake St Louis MO), Erie KC (Erie PA), and the Abilene KC (Abilene TX).

Anchorage, Alaska

Rounding out the weekend are the Glen Falls KC & the Saratoga NY KC in Queensbury NY and the Park Shore KC and the Chain O’Lakes KC in Grayslake IL. And just to prove that it never gets too cold for a dog show, there are the Kenai and Anchorage KC shows in the very northern city of Anchorage AK and you can bet there will be some spectacular AKC dogs present.

WE RAISE OUR GLASS TO

While compiling data for our regional rankings, we get to delve deeper into the show reports. A lot of really good dogs are just knocking at the door. You never know when one is going to burst onto the national scene.

CH Paragon’s Red Red Wine

While reviewing the Region Six shows I noticed that on the last day of the Portland OR cluster, that the Siberian Husky, CH Paragon’s Red Red Wine, copped a Group Two at the second Tualatin KC show. “Merlot” bred by Terri Erickson, is handled by Scott Price. Terri Erickson is our go to reporter for west coast shows. She has been largely responsible for the super timely reports that we are able to bring you.

Merlot, a four year old bitch, had two BIS last year. Our congratulations to Terri and Scott. And our heartfelt thanks for Terri’s assistance.

RANKINGS, RANKINGS, AND MORE RANKINGS

CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu
Number One Dog, Region 1

We are now fully caught up on our number crunching and we have up to date rankings completed for both the traditional top ten, on the left hand side of this page, and our top ten, on the right hand side of this page. A cursory glance reveals that there is little difference between the two. This does not surprise us much.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry
Number One Dog, Region 2

First, the basic intent is the same, recognize the dogs that are winning. Second, the 2009 season is barely underway with just three weekends in the books. We expect that throughout the season, that both lists will have many of the same dogs. We do not anticipate too much variation in the lists until participants start exceeding 100 shows. Remember our list will only count the 100 best performances.

CH Lambluv's Daydream Believer
Number One Dog, Region 3

We have had a few questions about our regional rankings. We have posted a regional top ten only for Region 2, the Southeast Region. The reason for this is there have been 25 all breed shows already in Region 2, giving the dogs competing plenty of chance to distinguish themselves. Every dog in the Region 2 Top Ten has won at least one BIS.

CH Chebaco Blame It On Trabeiz
Number One Dog, Region 4

By contrast Regions 3 & 5, the Great Lakes and South Central Regions, each have held eight shows. There have been a total of 12 shows (not counting two in Hawaii) in Regions 6 & 7 combined, the West Coast regions, and two dogs, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, have won seven of them, leaving little room for nine other dogs to distinguish themselves. Regions 1 & 4, the Northeast and the North Central Regions, have logged only four shows each.

CH Toasty's Treasure Island
Number One Dog, Region 5

There are 39 all breed shows scattered over all seven regions scheduled for the coming two weekends. We feel confident that we will be able to post regional rankings for all the regions by the first week of February. So look for your winner here.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, Number One Dog

Traditional & Dog Show Poop National Top Ten
Number One Dog, Dog Show Poop Regions 6 & 7

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

And so must all winning streaks. The American Foxhound, Ch Kiarry's Reflections Of The Sun, has ended the BIS winning streak of the top winning Sporting Dog in history, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry. "Sunny", bred and owned by Harry & Lisa Miller and Les & Donna Millman and handled by Lisa, is the winningest American Foxhound in history.

Ch Kiarry's Reflections Of The Sun

Rounding out Judge Helene Nietsch's final seven were the Bernese Mountain Dog, CH Adesa The Heat Is On, the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Tamedale Orinoco, the Italian Greyhound, CH Honore’s Lily-Belle, the Standard Poodle, CH Dassin De-Lovely, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins. Congratulations to the Sunny team. And our thanks to Holly and Michael Scott for giving us in the dog fancy one more thrill ride.

PORTLAND FINALISTS

We now have the identities of the two mystery dogs from the Tualatin KC final seven. The German Shorthair Pointer, CH Robin Crest Charismatic, and the Portugese Water Dog, CH Aviator's Luck B A Lady joined our previously named finalists for the last day of Portland OR’s giant contribution to the dog world.

CH Aviator's Luck B A Lady

Check back with us later for a report on yesterday’s Annapolis KC event in West Friendship MD.