MARION KENNEL CLUB

GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie 

(photo by Ring 3 Studios)

With just eight venues hosting shows this week, one would think we would see some of the largest entries this year. However, there were no shows reaching 1500 entries. Only two had more than 1000, and two had less than 500. We hope that these numbers are just weary exhibitors taking a breather and not a continuing disenchantment with our sport. The bright spot of the week was the Golden Retriever Club of America National Specialty fletcher NC which drew over 1300 dogs of the same breed and color. 

GCH CH Clair Creek’s Impression de Matisse 

(photo by Michael McGuire)

The Old Ford Cluster in Fort Wayne IN was the largest venue on Saturday with almost 1400 entries. The big numbers and five opportunities to add points drew many of the top ranked dogs in the country. Judge Christopher Tilghman Neale’s final for the Marion Kennel Club featured three of the Top Five Dogs All Breeds, the Number One Dog, the Portuguese Water Dog, GCH CH Clair Creek’s Impression de Matisse, the Number Three Dog, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dawin Hearts on Fire, and the Number Five Dog, The Skye Terrier, GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie. Joining them were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Legacy Random Titleist, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, GCH CH Raquel Welch Of Malabo APD, the Toy Manchester Terrier, GCH CH Cottage Lakes Our Lady Of Fatima, and the Old English Sheepdog, GCH CH GCH CH Lambluv's Sultry Sensation. 

He chose the Skye, Charlie, for his Best and the PWD, Matisse, for his Reserve. Charlie and Matisse have been playing BIS leap frog, each taking two shows so far this week. The win brings Charlie’s 2014 resume to 26 BIS and 103 Terrier Groups.