TERRIER TOPSY-TURVY

We normally report results in a somewhat chronological order, but this week we will give you the big news first. It was the Sealyham, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, going Best In Show at the all terrier Montgomery County Kennel Club show in Blue Bell, PA, on Sunday. Charmin outlasted 1557 other terriers to top the 74th annual event. Our other terrier in the top ten dogs, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, never made it out of the breed, a frequent fate for top show dogs who come to Montgomery County. Most hardcore terrier breeders, would rather win a Montgomery County than a Westminster. Not only is this a major win for Charmin and owner/handler Margery Good. It puts them back in the number three all breed spot.

Charmin and owner/handler Margery Good

The remaining group placements were as follows:

2nd CH Hi-Kel Kerrydale Soldier of Fortune, Lakeland Terrier, Owner: Carol Dowd & B Dowd & C Ruggle & Terrydale Kennels of Southern Pines, NC. Breeder: M Wooldridge & D Hull McIndoe, Handler: Scott Sommer
3rd Of Skyeline Captain Hook, Skye Terrier, Owner: Eugene Z Zaphiris & Matthew H Stander & Krisi Sainio of Oyster Bay, NY. Breeder: Krisi Sainio, Handler: Scott Sommer
4th CH Stirling Cool Hand Luke, Airedale Terrier, Owner: Frank Pulice., Bloomfield Hills, MI Breeder: Shirley R Good & Susan S Rodgers, Handler: Ernesto Lara

It was the first weekend since we began reporting on the top ten dogs that the number one and number two dogs did not win a Best In Show. Yet, such was the result of the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, venturing into terrier territory this weekend. Each managed only to garner three group firsts. Spirit and Holly went to suburban Philadelphia seeking a share of the big point all breed shows that are the opening acts for the all terrier Montgomery County KC show.

Also competing In the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday preliminaries with the Sealie and Scottie were the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, and the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija. As previously reported Thursday the BIS winner, at the Hatboro KC 1, was the Sealie, Charmin, while Spirit, Ouija, and Holly also made it into the final seven. Coda finished Group two behind Ouija in the Hound Group. Charmin would repeat the win on Friday, but this time only Spirit and Coda, made it to the BIS ring. Ouija took a Hound Group two and Cookie failed to get a group placing.

Saturday, At the Devon Dog Association show, it was Ouija getting the nod and the big rosette, with Spirit and Holly getting Group one wins. However, Sadie and Charmin, finished Group two and three. This win was enough to move Ouija past Sadie into the number seven spot in our all breed top ten.

Sunday, the non-terriers were shown the door. Holly moved to western Pennsylvania for the Beaver Valley KC, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Aliquippa. Holly made it to the BIS ring only to be bested by the country’s number one Pekingese, CH Pequest Matchpoint. Spirit, Ouija, and Coda, all followed the Almighty’s example and took the day off.

CH Pequest Matchpoint

The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, spent a three day weekend in New Mexico, for three shows in Alamogordo. Yes sandwiched a Group one on Saturday between two BIS, Friday and Sunday, while Lincoln managed Group ones, the first two days, and a Group three on Sunday. Saturday’s big winner was the Boxer, CH. Ein-Von’s Just a Rumor. “Jasmine” was bred by Leontine M Branam & Zwei A Pierson, is owned by Jeff Bennett & F Casain & C Desmond & H Biermann of Riverside, CA , and is handled by Kimberlie Steele-Gamero.

CH. Ein-Von’s Just a Rumor

The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, the cute dog with the alarming call name, was in northern California for the two Donner Trail KC events in Roseville. Saturday, it would be Taser’s turn to be shocked as the Bichon Frise, CH. Paray’s Paragon took the Best In Show. “Jake” is the country’s number two Non-Sporting dog. He was bred by Tray Pittman & Paul Flores & M Nelson and is owned by David & Dianne Anderson & Dr Dan & G Blue & P Flores of Mukilteo, WA. He is handled by Tray Pittman. Taser would bounce back on Sunday and take home the top prize.

CH. Paray’s Paragon

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, would return to the show ring in Southern California, in the uber upscale community of Santa Maria (Remember the Michael Jackson trial? That was Santa Maria) for the Channel City KC and Santa Maria KC events. The Boxer, CH Duba Dae‘s Who’s Your Daddy, was awarded his first BIS on Saturday. “Boscoe” was bred by Lynn P. Jansson and is owned by Jansson & James & Wendy Bettis of Riverside, CA. Congratulations to all. Sunday the Lakeland Terrier, CH. Brocair’s Flower Power at Revelry, would get the nod. Bred and owned by Dawn Spencer & Danielle Green of Nice, CA, it was also the first Best In Show for the 22 month old bitch. This is a dog to watch. Applause to her and her breeder/owner/handlers.

CH Duba Dae‘s Who’s Your Daddy

TONS OF TERRIERS

I am a terrier owner. That admission is part boast, part confession. I and my dogs resist house breaking and will sulk for days if spoken to harshly. We are suspicious of strangers and loathe all forms of vermin. We also tend to be a little argumentative. The late Anne Rogers Clark once said, “You always know where the Scotties are in the show hall. They’re the ones using the bad language.” However, we are loyal to a fault and are the ones to have on your side in a fight.

Anne Rogers Clark

Terrier people have many idiosyncrasies, other than a penchant for tweed and comfortable shoes. Among the best is the annual Montgomery County Kennel Club terriers only show. The 74th iteration of this tribal celebration is Sunday, October 5, in Blue Bell, PA, a pristine suburb of Philadelphia. I know there are other group gropes supported by the rest of dogdom. Today the Greater Atlanta Toy Dog Association is hosting what will be likely the largest gathering of its kind this year, with 371 entries. However, the terrier world, which counts among its registry only three breeds in the AKC top 50, mustered almost 2,500 entries for last year’s Montgomery County event.

2007 BIS Montgomery County Kennel Club
Ch. Evermay's High Performance

Almost every terrier national specialty club will host an entry in conjunction with the weekend. At no other show in the United States will you get 131 Scottish Terriers or 143 West Highland White Terriers. The top five terriers in the United States are:

1. Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice (see sidebar)

2. Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot (see sidebar)

3. Lakeland Terrier, CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Soldier Of Fortune

4. Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Torquay S Demetrio

5. Smooth Fox Terrier, CH Broxden Dress For Success

However, don’t expect terrier people, or judges, to be predictable. Last year’s winner, the Airedale, Ch. Evermay's High Performance, won over not only the Sealie, Charmin, but another top ten all breed dog, the Irish Terrier, CH Geordan Tiger Lily. If you are anywhere near Philadelphia on October 5th, put on your Harris Tweed Jacket and your Hushpuppies, jump in the Jag, and motor on out to Blue Bell, PA. You’ll be speaking with a brogue by day’s end.