PHOTO OP IN VALLEJO

Dog show fanciers and Presidential pundits had the opportunity to share common ground today in Vallejo CA where the Chief Solano Kennel Club kicked off their weekend with BIS judge Joe Walton.

CH Aviator’s Luck Be A Lady

Among his finalists was a Portuguese Water Dog, CH Aviator’s Luck Be A Lady, to give everyone a glimpse of an example of America’s new First Dog. Also on hand were the Flat Coated Retriever, CH Starworker’s Dealer’s Choice JH OA OAJ, the Basset Hound, CH Blossomhill’s Mamma Mia, the Bedlington Terrie, CH Boardwalk’s Bling Bling, the Pomeranian, CH Strlight’s Smile From Siam, the Bichon Frise CH Paray’s Rime Time, and the Bearded Colle, (take a deep breath) CH Brigadoondaybarbelieveitornot.

We in the fancy know that the PWD, Ladybug, is a serious competitor handled by a serious competitor, but they still must be having a little fun with the extra adoration courtesy of the Portie’s current notoriety. Ladybug was bred by Craig & Suzanne Kuehn & Cathy Dugan, is owned by Mike & Cathy Dugan, and handled Amy Rutherford. Congratulations to them all on their first BIS this year.

ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING

Our next report is from the wilds of Lewiston ID where the Palouse Hills Dog Fanciers staged day two with judge Dany Canino doing the honors.

CH Toasty’s Treasure Island

Her finalists were day one winner, the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Afterglow Ebeneezer, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Marienburg’s Inaqui Sukiyaki, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, CH Trugrip’s One Singular Sensation, the Affenpinscher, CH Pramada’s Naughty Natalie, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Melvard’s Doll Of Destiny, and the Bouvier Des Flandres, CH Sanrick’s Virtual Reality.

It may be April, but it was Groundhog Day for the Golden, Treasure, as she picked up her second BIS in as many days.

MAY WE INTRODUCE..

We are please to have some more early weekend results for you these courtesy of the Pioneer Valley Kennel Club who’s show today in West Springfield MA got the assist from judge Wayne Gurin on the Best In Show deliberations.

CH Whitebred’s Kissed By Kenningway

Lining up for the big rosette were the Brittany, CH Tonan-Hope's R U Kiddin' Me, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Gayleward Tiger Woods, the Akita, CH Sondaiza’s Seize The Moment, the Smooth Fox Gterrier, CH Avalon Eclipse, the Pekingese, CH Lin-Lee’s For The Good Time, the Bichon Frise, CH Whitebred’s Kissed By Kenningway, and the Bearded Collie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

We always love it when a dog whose name we have not heard before wins a BIS and now we are acquainted with the Bichon, Prince. The three year old dog was bred by Karen & John Graeber, who co-own Prince with Kendra James. Congratulations to them and handler Anibal Faria.

EARLY SOCAL RESULTS

We don’t often get west coast results in before the east coast shows, but thanks to one of our considerate readers we have these results from the LA burg of City of Industry CA and the Angeles Canyon Dog Club.

CH Coventry Vanity Fair

The judge was the fabulous Michelle Billings and her finalists were the English Setter, CH Artizoe High Caliber, the Afghan Hound, CH Jakar Winsong Elevate Your Game, the Portuguese Water Dog, CH Surfdogs Haole Boy GQ, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes At Maryscot, the Brussels Griffon, CH Cashin’s Walk The Line, the Shiba-Inu, CH Jogoso’s Notorious, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair.

Bill Shelton’s Corgi, Carly, has been quietly showing up for final after final these past two years and has been in and out of the all breed top 25 all year. This Best In Show, her fourth this year, should move her up a notch or two.

HOT HAVANESE IN FLORIDA

We are lucky enough to have some more early weekend reports for you. Today in Zolfo Springs FL (That’s about 90 minutes southeast of Tampa) Frank Washabaugh was the Best In Show Judge and the Heartland Dog Club was the host.

CH Harbor’s It Had To Be Me

The finalists were the Black Cocker Spaniel, CH Bracon’s Leapin Lily Pads, the Whippet, CH Karasar’s Jezebel JC, the Bullmastiff. CH Red Vico Woks In Paradise, a Miniature Schnauzer from the classes, Lakeside’s The Goodbye Look, the Havanese, CH Harbor’s It Had To Be Me, the Bichon Frise, CH Bodacious In Enemy Territory, and the Belgian Malinois, CH Taliesin’s La Boheme.

Picking up her second BIS of the hyear was the Havanese, Lotus. Congratulations to breeder/owner Connie Field and handler Harry Bennet.

LITTLE DOG,BIG WIN

We have a dedicated I-Reporter sending us results from Terre Haute IN this weekend and we now have today’s results from the second Terre Haute Kennel Club show.

CH Tupelo ShoBoat Tu China Tu

Donna Cole got to make the BIS call and she had the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Star K's Mile Hi Valentine, the Petiti Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Tanglewood's Bocephus, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Vigilangte Justice, the Pug, CH Tupelo ShoBoat Tu China Tu, the Chinese Shar-Pei (to be named later) and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino.

And the Toy Dogs continue to slug it out in the top ten. This round goes to the Pug, Boo, who collects BIS number twelve this year.

COUNT ONE FOR THE NORDIC BREEDS

One of our readers sent in this report from Terre Haute IN where Denys Janssen had the judge’s book for the Bloomington Kennel Club’s show.

CH Sno Klassic Play The Game

Five of Thursday's finalists were back, Thursday’s winner, the Petiti Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeeena Carte Blanch, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Vigilangte Justice, the Pug, CH Tupelo ShoBoat Tu China Tu, the Standrad Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside Pacino. They were joined by the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Star K's Mile Hi Valentine, and the Alaskan Malamute, CH Sno Klassic Play The Game.

For some reason, we haven’t seen a lot of BIS from the Nordic breeds lately. No wonder they want their own group. However, today the Malamute, Player, picked up the BIS, the second one by that breed this year. The five year old dog was bred by Cindy Benson & Martin & Patricia A Peel. Player is owned by the Peels & Carol Greenwald and handled by Laura King. Congratulations to them all.

IT'S GOLDEN IN IDAHO

We have one more final to tell you about. This one comes to you from the banks of the Snake River and Lewiston ID where judge Robert Stein was making the call for the Palouse Hill Dog Fanciers’ first show of the weekend.

CH Toasty’s Treasure Island

The line up included the Golden Retriever, CH Toasty’s Treasure Island, the Petiti Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Afterglow Ebeneezer, the Rottweiler, CH Von Behren’s Ryal, Flush, the American Staffordshire Terrier, CH Trugrip One Singular Sensation, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, CH Sheeba Happily Inspired, the Lhasa Apso, CH Suntory Prada, and the Bouvier Des Flandres, CH Sanrick’s Virtual Reality.

His Best In Show choice was the country’s number one Sporting Dog, the Golden, Treasure. The five year old bitch has been in the top ten all year and seems to like it there. However, there are a whole lot of dogs right behind her waiting for an opening.

SECRETS OF A LONG MARRIAGE

One of the reasons my marriage has lasted so many years is that my wife, Brenda, loves dogs more than I do. She doesn’t love the competition like I do, but she does understand and appreciate the dog fancy. So with her gracious leave, I take a moment on my 39th anniversary to give you a couple of show reports.

CH Tonan-Hope’s R U Kiddin’ Me

Up in West Springfield MA, judge Patricia Hess opened the weekend at the Springfield Kennel Club show by reviewing the Brittany, Tonan-Hope’s R U Kiddin’ Me, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Gayleward’s Tiger Woods, the Great Pyenees, CH Dieudonne William Of Orange., the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Avalon Eclispe, the Pekingesee,CH Lin-Lee’s For the Good Times, the Keeshond,CH Quest Stand By Me, and the Bdeardedcollie, CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

Brittanies are the firs dogs listed in a show catalog and the Britanny, Chevy, was the first dog today, taking home his first BIS ever. Congratulations to breeder Andrea Jordan, breeder/owners Anthony & Nancy Morabito, co-owner Douglas Tighe, and handler Jenny Krieger.

CEEJAY DRAWS FIRST BLOOD IN INDIANA

We just received a report from Terre Haute IN where Marjorie Martorella had the Best In Show hat today at that city’s Kennel Club first show of the weekend. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, went back to the RV with another BIS, which should keep him in the top five all breed dogs.

CH Rokeena Carte Blanche

Also making it to the final were the Irish Setter, CH Jewelset Second Attraction, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Tanglewood's Bocephus, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J'Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pug, CH Tupelo Shoboat Tu China Tu, the Standard Poodle, CH Dawin Spitfire, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Woodside's Pacino.

In addition to top ten dogs, the PBGV, CeeJay, and the Pug, Boo, a review of the Group winners and Group finalists reveals several multiple BIS winners. Should be a interesting weekend in Terre Haute.