WHOM TO WATCH AT WESTMINSTER

 GCH CH Whistlestop's Riley on Fire

It’s awards season and we have been treated to one red carpeted event after another.  In our world the coming week is the apex of recognition in the dog world, the 138^th annual Westminster Kennel Club show.  The show is the second longest running sporting event in America, second only to the Kentucky Derby.  It is also the only dog show that is live broadcast on television to a prime time audience.  To 90 percent of the public, it is the dog game.  Every film pundit in the world has published a list of Oscar contenders and there is no shortage of Westminster handicappers.  For the sixth year we are pleased to bring you our WWW list, Whom to Watch at Westminster.

The last time a Sporting Dog won Best In Show at Westminster was 2009 when the Sussex Spaniel, CH Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, became the oldest dog ever to win at Westminster.  The Sussex Spaniel is one of AKC’s rarest breeds, ranking 162 in the registry.  This year Westminster watchers will be treated to a Sporting Group this year that will feature some of the best examples of rare breeds ever seen.    

The Irish Water Spaniel ranks 141 in registrations, but boasts 2013’s Number One Sporting Dog, GCH CH Whistlestop's Riley on Fire.  Riley, the winningest IWS in AKC history with 41 career  BIS, was the Sporting Group winner at the huge AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December.  Riley was bred by Colleen McDaniel & Stacy Duncan, owned by Tom & Bethany Urban & Gregory M Siner, and handled by Richard Krieger.

GCH CH Promenade Pay It Forward

Field Spaniels rank 140^th and can boast 2013’s Number Five Sporting Dog, GCH CH Promenade Pay It Forward, who finished last year with eight BIS and 33 Sporting Groups in some of the toughest competition of last year.  Gideon was bred by  Jane Kellar Schildman & William Schildman, is owned by Jane, Jane Chopson, & Nicki Kuhn, and handled by Laurie Jordan-Fenner.

GCH CH Clussexx Collaboration with Traddles

The Clumber Spaniel boasts an enthusiastic following despite its 131^st ranking in the registry.  GCH CH Clussexx Collaboration with Traddles finished 2013 as the Number Two Sporting Dog with 21 BIS and 86 Group Ones.  Seymour was bred by Douglas Johnson, Jeanne Haverick, Jamie Hubbard & Sheila Musaeus, is owned by Jeane, A & P Jaramillo & M Capone, and handled by Jorge Olivera

GCH CH Chesterhope State of T Art

The Pointer, the symbol of the Westminster Kennel Club, has dropped ten places in the registry in the last decade and now ranks 114.  We like the Pointer, GCH CH Chesterhope State of T Art, for a Group Placement next week.  Miley was 2013’s Number Six Sporting Dog with 14 BIS and 62 porting groups.  Mile was bred by Diane O’Neil, owned by Jennifer Mosing & Jordyn O’Neil, and handled by Brian Livingston.

Next up:  The Hound Group