WWW: THE NON-SPORTING GROUP

The blogosphere is abuzz with predictions for the this year’s Non-Sporting Group at next week’s here Westminster Kennel Club show.  Here’s our list for Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW)

GCH CH Jaset's Satisfaction 

(Photo by Jeffrey Hanlin)

We have written here that the Standard Poodle is the epitome of the show dog and this year we have more than one contender in the variety.  GCH CH Jaset's Satisfaction finished the year as the Number Six Dog All Breeds, with 34 BIS & 91 Group Ones and has been on a roll since taking home the $50,000 check from December’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, adding six BIS to his tally in January.   London was bred by Sandra Tompkins & Chris Bailey, is owned Beth Harris, Michele Molnar, & Jamie Danburg, and handled Ann Rairigh. 

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore 

The Number One Non-Sporting Dog in 2011 was the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore.  Ally was Best Puppy at the 2009 Poodle Club of America (PCA) National Specialty and was BISS at the 2010 PCA National.  She finished 2011 as the Number Four Dog All Breeds with 47 BIS & 109 Non-Sporting Groups.  Nine of the BIS were with interim handler Taffee McFadden who stepped in for regular handler Tim Brazier who is convalescing from bypass surgery.  Ally was bred by L'Dyne Wicker Brennan & Debra Ferguson Jones, and is owned by Toni Sosnoff & Martin Sosnoff. 

CH Fantastico da Maya 

The black Standard Poodle, CH Fantastico da Maya, is literally a dark horse candidate.  New on the AKC show scene, Brazil’s Number  One Dog in 2010, has already collected two BIS in the last month.  Fantastico was bred by and is owned by Zuleika Torrealba and handled by Christian Manelopoulos. 

GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy 

Only one, Standard Poodle, will show up on Monday evening to see Group judge Randy Garren.  We think that the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy.  Drummer is handled by Scott Sommer, who has held the lead of the Westminster BIS winner twice, including the Bichon, JR, CH Special Times Just Right, in 2001.  In 2011 Drummer was the Number One Bichon, the Number Three Non-Sporting Dog, & the Number Ten Dog All Breeds with 25 big rosettes & 92 Non-Sporting Groups. 

GCH CH Surrey Sugar Baby  

Handler Kaz Hosaka is known to many as the man with the white Toy Poodles, but Kaz is also the breeder & handler of the Miniature Poodle, GCH CH Surrey Sugar Baby, 2011’s Number One Miniature Poodle. With ten BIS & 59 Group firsts.  Sugar Baby & Kaz already have two big rosettes this year.  Sugar Baby is owned by Ron Scott & Debbie Burke. 

GCH CH Spotlight's Ruffian 

The Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotlight's Ruffian, emerged as force in the last half  of 2011 winning four BIS & 41 Non-Sporting Groups.  Ian was bred by Connie Wagner, is owned by Jim Lyons & Barbara Lyons, and handled by Michael Scott.