WWW: THE HERDING GROUP

GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch

We conclude our Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW) with the Herding Group.   The Herding Group this year was one of the closest races with two dogs going all the way to the wire.  The Number One Herding Dog of 2011 (in the over all number of dogs defeated) is the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch.  Capi was the Number One Herding Dog & the Number Two Dog All Breeds in his native Mexico before joining the US’ most celebrated Shepherd handler, the legendary Jimmy Moses and collecting 27 BIS & 105 Herding Groups.  Capi was bred by Carlos Navarro who co-owns Capit with Jimmy, D Stern, J Lange, & M Deschamps.

GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins

The Number One Herding Dog in Herding Groups won is the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins, the winningest Beardie of all time.  Roy and handler Cliff Steele also won 27 BIS, but won seven more groups than Capi.  Roy was bred by and is owned by Larry & Angela Stein, Lesley Woodcock, & Robert Lamm,  and co-owned by Ellen Charles & Susan Ross.  Alas, we won’t get to see a re-match at the Garden as Roy is not entered.

GCH CH Lambluv Gambolon Blue Thunder

(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)

The good news is we have more Herding Dogs to fill our picks.  The Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Lambluv Gambolon Blue Thunder, is handled by Old English icon Jere Marder.  She & “Elvis” rolled to 11 BIS & 71 Herding Groups in 2011 finishing as the Number Three Herding Dog.  Elvis’ fan club includes co-breeder Gail Radke, and co-owner Kay Richardson.

GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery, spent much of the year under most people’s radar, mine included, until late in the year when Libby and handler Sherri Hurst started coming on strong winning two of her four BIS in the last quarter and finishing with a flourish taking a Group Three at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC).  Libby’s 2011 record  includes four BIS, BISS at the National Specialty of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America, and 31 Herding Group top prizes.  Libby was bred by Shawn Michael, & Cynthia & Vincent Savioli, and is owned by the Saviolis.

GCH CH Rocheuses Me and My Shadow

Rounding out our picks is the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Rocheuses Me and My Shadow.  Casper and handler had an impressive enough 2011 with six BIS & 29 Group 1s.  He finished 2011 with a Group 4 at the AENC and already has two BIS this year. Casper was bred by Douglas W Johnson & Karen Brown, is owned by Frank & Corrine Dreyfus & M Johnson, and handled by Heather Johnson.