We are Terrier people and that makes our picks for Whom to Watch at Westminster (WWW) in the Terrier Group all the more difficult. We do not profess an expertise in even our own breeds, just an admiration for those dogs which have won twice as many Westminster BIS than any other group.
GCH CH Steele Your Heart
(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)
The Wire Fox, GCH CH Steele Your Heart, finished the year with a bang, grabbing a big BIS at the Central Florida Kennel Club in Orlando FL two days before winning the Terrier Group At December’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. The two wins made Eira the Number One Terrier of 2011 with 17 BIS & 51 Terrier Groups. Eira was bred bys Torie Steele, is owned by Torie and Mary Ann Roma, and handled by Gabriel Rangel.
GCH CH Slyfox Sneaks a Peek
The Terrier that was Number One Terrier for much of last year, the Smooth Fox Terrier, GCH CH Slyfox Sneaks a Peek, was the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Terrier Group winner. Adam did not pursue as aggressive a show schedule in 2011 as many dogs, but still gathered 21 BIS & 61 Terrier Group wins. Adam was bred by Joan Taggart & Mark Taggart, owned by James W Smith, and handled by Eddie Boyes.
GCH CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman
The above 2011 rankings are based on the number of dogs defeated, all breeds, but If you count the number of Terrier Groups won the Number One Terrier last year was the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman, who won 106 Terrier Groups, more than the top two Terriers combined. Buddy also managed 16 BIS as well. Buddy was bred by Eugene Z Zaphiris & Matthew H Stander, owned by Carolyn Koch & Victor Malzoni Jr, and handled by Larry Cornelius.
GCH CH Perrisblu Kennislain’s Chelsey
(Photo courtesy of Best In Show Daily)
Rounding out our picks is the Kerry Blue Terry, GCH CH Perrisblu Kennislain’s Chelsey. Chelsey is handled by the only man to pilot a Kerry Blue to a Westminster title, Bill McFadden. Chelsey only spent half of 2011 in the show ring and collected six BIS & 23 Terrier Groups. Chelsey is off to an excellent start in 2012 with two BIS & eight Group firsts and is currently leading all Terriers. Chelsey was bred by Brendan & S Laing, and owned by Ed & Lynn Yingling & Phil Davies.
Not one of the two Amstaffs???
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't take a genius to use these four dogs. Let's use 4 dogs that are not campaigned every weekend and shown coast to coast, heavily advertised and see which breeds will prevail. One can read 1 issue of DOG NEWS and anyone could judge the group and place these 4. Just because these breed have won before doesn't mean they need to be used in this year's placements. When asked why you used these dogs the judge always says because it fir the standard and didn't miss a step. It is always the same response.
ReplyDeleteI was actually hoping to see an AmStaff as well!
ReplyDeleteOf these dogs, I love Buddy! I've seen him numerous times and have enjoyed watching him place in and win groups.
To the post negatively regarding judging:
Yes, it can become slightly redundant to see the same dogs win again and again. Judges do generally give generic answers. That's the nature of the dog show beast. Still yet, many top dogs are truly stunning paradigms of their respective breeds. I feel they deserve many of the wins they receive and sometimes, just sometimes, the judge is right in saying it fit the standard and didn't miss a step. Perhaps I'm naive, but the best dog does occasionally win because it deserves to and not because of campaigns. And, AS always, Westminster can be full of surprises.
Last time I checked the smooth was on a pretty light campaign schedule compared to folks flying all over the country. I would bet his "batting percentage" is better than a lot of the top all breeds. I'm looking forward to seeing the wire and smooth go head to head one more time and would be equally as excited to see someone else crack the top four.
ReplyDeleteFrom one terrier person to another, Look for a group of us wearing bright green t-shirts as we all volunteer for Col. Potter Cairn Rescue. We bring the word to folks suggesting they "Don't shop, adopt" We have been rehoming Cairn Terriers since 2001 and each year the applications to adopt is multiplied.
ReplyDeleteWe would love to meet you at Westminster. Just a couple of days before the big event.
I will be at the Garden State All Terrier Club show at teh Meadowlands on Sunday, but I will be back and forth between the main arena at the Garden and the Theater where the Terriers are being shown. I would love to thank all you guys for the wonderful job you do for my breed.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be back and forth between the arena and the Theater also. Setting my alarm so we can be there by 8 am to see our breed. Look for our green t-shirts and if you spot us, by all means give us a shout.
ReplyDeleteI'm coming from Central NY...taking the Amtrak along with 3 other gals and will be in NYC from Monday early afternoon until Wednesday early afternoon.
Bill,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that two of the dogs were shown on a lighter schedule. Another commented about "batting average."
Is there statistics available anywhere that maybe go more in depth than just BIS and Groups? Maybe showing total times shown, win percentage, or maybe even head-to-head stats?
It would be interesting to see if the numbers play out the way some have hinted this year.