MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We have lots of Christmas traditions here in the Wheeler household. One is allowing the dogs to participate in opening presents on Christmas morning.

A Favorite Vintage Christmas Ad

It is the only time all year that our four canine children are allowed in the living room. The older three have a cautious reverence for the occasion, sitting and watching intently as the humans open presents. However, our youngest, our 18 month old Cairn, DeeDee, in typical Terrier fashion, grabs each discarded ribbon and streaks about the room until the next impromptu chew toy appears.

Showing characteristic Scottie seriousness of purpose, our five year old Bernie will begin to fidget nervously, should we take too much time between presents. Our four year old Toy Poodle, Fannie, has a smug, self satisfied look, certain that her position tucked into Brenda’s robe is the best seat in the house. Meanwhile, the old guy, our 15 year old Toy Poodle, Scooter, takes up a secure position out of the way of the others, just content to be included one more time.

The climax of the morning comes when the dogs open their presents. This year the stuffed animals that each have their own voices are the big hits. The plush wolf that howls is the clear favorite as Dee Dee steals it every time Bernie turns his back. Before the morning is over, Fannie will have carted all of her stuffed servants to some secret hiding place where they will remain until she tires of them.

Oh, the humans liked their presents too, but it will be this year’s Christmas memories that will be the real keepsakes for us. We hope you have collected some cherished memories as well. Merry Christmas to you all!

LAST SHOWS OF 2009

Our last show weekend of 2009 begins a little later than normal. You can spend Saturday returning that awful Christmas sweater that your cousin Lucy gave you and still make the opener Sunday in San Mateo CA. The San Mateo Kennel Club will kick of a four day stop at the San Mateo Expo Center just south of the San Francisco airport. The Kennel Club Of Salinas, the Santa Cruz Kennel Club, and the Oakland Kennel Club will host the follow ups.

The San Mateo Bridge, less glamorous than
her sisters, the Bay Bridge & Golden Gate

Last year’s “Cluster By The Bay” was the site of the final show down between the country’s top ranked dogs and decided the national title. There will be no such drama this year, but there will be plenty of beautiful dogs to see. San Mateo County is notorious as the home of the country’s first (1991) mandatory spay & neuter law. It is also the best example of why these laws do not work. Since 1991 euthanizations have increased 126 percent and dog licensing has decreased 35 percent. So, please, if you live in the Bay Area visit one of the four shows and show your support for our breeders and the AKC pure bred dog.

BULLDOG BIS

Our lone report today is from the Chicago neighboring Rosemont IL and day two of the Skokie Valley Kennel Club.

CH Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle

Judith Daniels' final included the Irish Setter, CH Vineyard’s Bad Boy, the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Baystar’s Get Smart, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, the Bulldog, CH Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle, and the Sheltland Sheepdog, CH Cirque Du Soleil.

BIS went to the nation’s number one Non-Sporting Dog, The Bulldog, Uli. It’s Uli’s 24th career BIS, her 20th this year, and may be good enough to put her in the number ten spot all breeds. Check back with us later in the week for an update.

THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN OR THE US

Through the miracle of modern chemistry, we have recovered sufficiently from our cold to bring you some Chicago results. Rosemont IL is the only game in town this weekend and it has drawn some top notch dogs, despite the winter storms raging.

CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice

At yesterday’s Chicago Goldcoast Kennel Club show Jon Cole’s final consisted of the Irish Setter, CH Vineyard’s Bad Boy, the Whippet, CH Starline Chanel, the Rottweiler, CH Cammcastle’s Friar Tuck, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J’Cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, the Bulldog, CH Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Shoal Creek’s Sangria V Barick.

His BIS was the Smooth Fox, Dodger. Dodger and handler Amy Booth are trying to move back into the top five and this win may have accomplished that.

CH Starline Chanel

Saturday, Dodger, the Whippet, Chanel, and the Bulldog, Uli, were back in the Charles Olvis’ final seven at the Skokie Valley Kennel Club show with the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, CH Flatbrook Royal Point Attitude, the Akita, CH Crown Royal's Start'N A Revolution, the Paipillion, CH Queen Bless Jp World Idol, and the Shetland Sheepdog, CH PaRay Cirque Du Soleil.

BIS went to the Whippet, Chanel. Chanel, who’s been in a dead heat for the number one Whippet in the US, has now strung three BIS together to win going away the title going away. Our congratulations to breeders/owners Lori & Carey Lawrence, co-breeder Dianne Bowen, and handler Lori Wilson.

DOGGY CHRISTMAS LIST

There is still time to get your dog a special Christmas present. Here are a few suggestions.

The Jingle Bells collar is crafted from emerald and siam blue Aurora Borialis Swarovski crystals, surrounded by rhinestone-encrusted balls, and sterling silver hand-made bells with a sterling silver heart toggle clasp. Available in a variety of sizes from The Upscale Pup for $96.95.


The Carlyle Heated Spa Bed is a radiant heat-enhanced fine furniture bed designed specifically for pets. It uses a non-contact radiant heat, completely safe for your dog. It is advertised to produce “far infrared” radiant heat tuned to the “Wellness Wavelength™”. You can get in from Bitch New York for a mere $995.


The Ultimate Pampered Dog Gift Basket includes doggie croissants, celestial smiles chew toy, doggie doughnuts, knotted rope bone, bouncy squeak toy, beef jerky, sample pack of dog treats, natural rawhide twists, bouncy chew toys, Berber fleece bear, bacon treats, and a natural dog shampoo & conditioner. Available at Amazon.Com for $99.95.


Finally, THE dog carrier, from Gucci, of course, beats the dog poop out of Paris Hilton’s line, $2580.

AKC 2009 BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Dr Claudia Orlandi
AKC Breeder Of The Year

From where we sit one of the most important awards given by the American Kennel is the annual AKC Breeder Of The Year. This year’s Breeder Of The Year is Dr Claudia Orlandi of Topsfield Basset Hounds. Dr Orlandi was chosen from seven finalists that included Leslie Russell of Avon Farm Irish Setters, Judith G Cooper of Tip’N Chip Great Pyrenees, Maripi Wooldridge of Terrydale Airedale Terriers, David Fitzpatrick of Pequest Pekingese, Jean & Robert Hetherington of Hetherbull Bulldogs, and Michelle Edling of Sky Acres Belgian Tervuren.

Dr Orlandi started her public dog career in the sixties with a Saint Bernard. It was 25 years later in 1987 that she purchased her first Basset Hound, whom she named Emma. It soon became apparent that Emma loved to hunt, prompting the formation of an AKC Basset Hound pack in Vermont. In the 1990s Dr Orlandi dubbed her kennel “Topsfield” and decided to focus on a bringing a hound that could hunt to the show ring. Dr Orlandi has bred over 100 champions, including many record holding Bassets within the breed and all breed arena. Topsfield Bassets have won multiple awards and have been dominated Westminster and the national rankings since 2000.

A teaching professional, Dr Orlandi has made incredibly significant contributions to education on purebred dogs, most uniquely Basset Hound University (www.bhca-bhu.org). She is the author of The ABC’s of Dog Breeding: What Every Breeder Should know and Discover The Basset Hound (www.abcsofdogbreeding.com). An in demand lecturer, she does an ABC's of Dog Breeding seminar and a workshop called Practical Canine Anatomy for Judges and Breeders. She also judges Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen's and Junior Showmanship.

Our congratulations to Dr Orlandi and all the finalists.

GOING, GOING, GONE

For most of us the dog show season is over. If however, you live near Chicago IL or San Francisco CA you will get a few more chances this year to see the nation’s top dogs.

Starting this Friday we get three chances in Rosemont IL courtesy of the Chicago Goldcoast Kennel Club & the Skokie Valley Kennel Club to get one last dog show fix or we can wait until after Christmas and head out to San Mateo CA for the four day end of year run starting Sunday, December 27th and running through the 30th hosted by the San Mateo Kennel Club, the Kennel Club Of Salinas, the Santa Cruz Kennel Club, and the Oakland Kennel Club.

Excepting the tenth all breed spot, we don’t expect changes in our national rankings but there are several breed contests up in the air. As always you will get the all the results here first.

2009 WORLD CHALLENGE

Axel del Monte Alago &
Handler Britte Ahrens

One of the unique features of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is the World Challenge. It is comforting that in a world where nations can rarely agree on anything that we all can agree on who is man’s best friend. The international crowd arrived for the evening’s final with all the panache of the red carpet at Cannes, dazzling people in tuxedos and evening gowns all accessorized with Eukanuba pink touches.

CH Shiraz California Dreaming &

Handler Nicklas Erikson

The 41 qualifiers were whittled down to twelve semi-finalists, three each from four competitive sections. The final competition was judged by Frank Sabella, a man who was a consummate showman and handler before he became a judge. He selected the Multi BIS & Multi CH Bracco Italiano, Axel del Monte Alago, bred by Anna Maria Matteuzzi, owned by Bitte Ahrens Primavera & Salvatore Tripoli and handled by Bitte. The Runner Up (second place) was the Saluki, CH Shiraz California Dreaming, bred by Michael & Elan Edwards & Valerie Nunes-Atkinson, owned by Nicklas & Ingunn Erikson, and handled by Nicklas. The First Runner Up (third place) was the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Sanherpinc Arepa, bred by Santiago Pinto and owned by Victor Malzoni JR.

CH Sanherpinc Arepa

All three dogs thrilled the crowd with their showmanship. We often see show dogs that are mechanical in their performance, but not these three. All were extremely animated and ready to do the job they were bred for. The Wire Fox had that electricity the breed is know for, eyes darting everywhere looking for the vermin. The Saluki, swept the arena well out ahead of his handler, easily covering the ground, a match for any gazelle. The Bracco Italiano, moved with an athlete’s stride, showing the strength and stamina of a dog that could hunt all day. Each one was met with enthusiastic and appreciative applause.

It was a thoroughly entertaining, exhilarating education we recommend to all.

(All Photos Courtesy of American Kennel Club)

TONYA & VEGAS DOUBLE DOWN

Now that we have caught you up on all the wins around the country, we can indulge in a little more sharing of this weekend’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Sunday evening’s main attraction may have been the crowning of our National Champion, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, but there were other events that we were glad we got to see.

CH Rush Hill's River Road Payoff &
Breeder/owner/handler Tonya Strubel
(Photo Courtesy American Kennel Club)

First, the Bred By Exhibitor Best In Show. Our professional handlers are a dedicated, talented lot, but for all out enthusiasm it’s hard to beat the Bred By class. Now that’s not to imply that these exhibitors are any less talented handlers. In fact, some of them are professionals.

With over 50 years as an AKC judge, Helen Lee James brought an incredible breadth of experience to the ring. Her finalists were the Golden Retriever, CH Rush Hill's River Road Payoff, the Basset Hound, CH Splash’s The Professor, the Boxer, CH R And G’s Mystical Dancer, the American Staffordshire Terrier, CH Castle Rock’s Sbigstaff Mad About You, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, CH Full Of Malarkey Miles Of Aisles, the Standard Poodle, CH Unique Jewel Of The Crown, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Kaleef's Katarina V Kenlyn.

Hitting the jackpot was Tonya Struble with her Golden, Vegas. It was a double down weekend for Tonya and Vegas. Not only did they win the Bred By BIS, they also won the breed over the number four dog all breeds and a Group Two in overall competition. Congratulations to Tonya, her co-breeders Mike & Suzzane Rapier, and co-owners Mark Strubelk & Kelsey Dunn.

Next, the World Challenge.

WHO WILL BE IN THE TOP TEN?

CH Dun Myrica Speaker Of Eagle

The Starved Rock Kennel Club had the unusual format of a Friday/Saturday weekend with Arlene Davis making the BIS call. Once again one of our top dogs pulled off a very strategic sweep taking both top prizes. It was the number twelve dog all breeds, the number two Hound, & number one Irish Wolfhound, CH Dun Myrica Speaker Of Eagle, taking home the big trophies.

On Friday Arlene Davis saw Tip, the English Springer Spaniel, CH Gentry’s Mesmerize, the Newfoundland, CH Skipper’s Eminence King Of Helluland, the Airedale Terrier, CH Stone Ridge Tobylinn, the Pekingese, CH Franshaw Hear Me Roar, the Bichon Frise, CH Bellcreek’s I Love Lucy, and the Briard, CH déjà vu Blond Ambition.

Saturday Luc Boileau also considered the same Newfie, Airedale, Bichon, the Brittany, CH Star Flight Jumpin Jack Flash NA NAJ, the Yorkshire Terrier, CH Lane’s Mini Cooper, and the Border Collie, CH Borfder Lane Jp Talisman Forever

You do remember that we told you that there is a possibility of a new number ten dog all breeds once the points are confirmed? We’ll have more on that later in the week.