THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

GCH CH Flessner's International S'Cess

It was another memorable Westminster opening night.  Every year we do our predictions and every year, we are humbled.  It started early.  We had expected to see one of three Afghan Hounds, all recent BIS winners, in judge Doug Johnson’s Hound group.  However, it was a BIS winning Afghan we had not seen for a while, GCH CH Criston’s Enchanted, that showed up in the group.  Another Ghost from Westminsters Past was the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Fields Bahama Sands. 

We had predicted that judge Johnson might favor a scenthound and we were right.  In the end two of our picks finished one/two, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Flessner's International S'Cess, and the Basset Hound, GCH CH Sanchu-Topsfield Eeenie Meenie Miney Moe.  Rounding out the four were the Wolfhound, CH Kuriann Of First Avenue, and the aforementioned Whippet, Tawny.

GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare

While judge Keke Kahn’s Toy Group was more predictable, it too had its surprises.  First among them was her failure to even pull the Toy Poodle, GCH CH Smash Jp Beauty & Beat.   Judge Kahn also failed to find a group placement for the Pug, GCH CH Caper’s Sirius endeavor whom she had twice favored with a Group One this past year.  Few would quibble with her group winner, the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, 2013’s Number One Toy Dog.  Her Group Two  was an impressive nine year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, GCH CH Grantilley Galaxy Moon.  Picking up the last two spots were the multi-BIS winning Pomeranian, GCH CH CR Chase What Matters, and the Pekingese, GCH CH Yakee Easily Persuaded.

GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore

One of our Non-Sporting picks, the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Shine’s Deck the Halls, failed to enter and another, the Bulldog, GCH CH Mytoys Epic Against the Wind, failed to get past the formidable competition in breeder judge Jean Hetherington’s ring.  Our remaining two picks did finish at the top  of judge Jackie Stacy’s group, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, and the Tibetan Spaniel, GCH CH Kan Sing’s Tenzin.  Joining them there were the Miniature Poodle, GCH CH Bellefleet's Living In The Fast Lane, and the Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotted Bliss Oreo Delight.

GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh

However, Judge Walter Somerfelt reserved the most dramatic moment of the night for the last when he named the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Riverside Telltail Coco Posh, his Group One.  He did follow it up with three of our picks, but in reverse order, giving the Puli, GCH CH Cordmaker Topsy Turvey, the Number Two spot, the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Wolf Creek’s Galaxy of Merivern, the Number Three, and everybody’s for sure BIS winner, the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect, the Group Four.

At the end of the day, we are totally sated with dog show memories, having all the hard lessons we have learned over the years validated.   We were reminded that every Westminster breed winner is an outstanding specimen capable of winning a Group on any given day.  I did remember not to bet my lunch money on a dog show.  Did you?