APRIL IN NEW ENGLAND

GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Ticket to Ride

We have not checked in with New England lately, so let’s catch you up on the dog news in that brave region.  The April action started in West Springfield MA with the Troy Kennel Club and the Trap Falls Kennel Club shows.

GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire

Thomas Fenies had the TKC final on Saturday, April 6^th, and his pick of the Irish Water Spaniel, GCH CH Whistlestop’s Riley on Fire, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, GCH CH Monkham’s Famous Grouse, the Giant Schnauzer, GCH CH Skansen's C'Sofia Of Grandeur, the Norfolk Terrier, GCH CH Yarrow Venerie Ticket to Ride, the Maltese, GCH CH Ta-Jon’s Pawstively Pawparazzi, the Tibetan Terrier, GCH CH Rinchen's Blazing Black Icon, and the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Dunhill Celebration.

Taking the BIS was the Norfolk, Rider.  Picking up the RBIS was the IWS, Riley.  It’s the first BIS this year for the Country’s Number One Norfolk.

GCH CH Yakee Easily Persuaded

Five of Saturday’s finalists would show up for Ken McDermott’s TFKC final on Sunday with the Lakeland Terrier, GCH CH Larkspur Acadia Save Me A Spot, and the Pekingese, GCH CH Yakee Easily Persuaded, joining them.  Once again the IWS, Riley would get the Reserve ribbon, but the Best In Show rosette went to the Peke, Rodger.  Rodger, breeder/owner/handled by David Fitzpatrick, has only been shown sparingly this year, but has still racked up three BIS this year.

GCH CH Larkspur Acadia Save Me A Spot

(Photo by Kayla Bertagnolli courtesy of Best In Show Daily)

The following weekend the game moved to Warwick RI for the Rhode Island Kennel Club’s two shows.  On Saturday the seven Jay Richardson saw were the English Setter, GCH CH Sleepy Hollow's Scarlett O' Hara, the 15” Beagle, GCH CH Bridgehill's Mr. Mason's Misbehavin', the Akita, GCH CH Sondaisa Tough Act To Follow Stardust, the above named Lakeland & Maltese, the Keeshond, GCH CH  Foxfair Rudy Valentino, and the now familiar Beardie.

GCH CH Dunhill Celebration

The Lakeland, Spot, scampered away with the BIS and the points, while the Beardie, Olivia, took the RBIS, and the photo op.  Spot is the Number Six Terrier in the US with two BIS this year.

GCH CH Bridgehill's Mr. Mason's Misbehavin'

Sunday’s final was in the hands of Barbara Keenan.  The seven she saw were the IWS, Beagle, Lakeland, Maltese, & Beardie, the Great Dane, CH MJM's Hi-Air All Eyes On Me, and the French Bulldog, GCH CH Bowhunter De La Bete.   The Beagle, Mason, took home the Best and the Lakeland, Spot, got the Reserve.

GCH CH Nuuktok's Atka Inukshuk

This past week the whole crowd returned to West Springfield where the Springfield Kennel Club, the Pioneer Valley Kennel Club, and the South Windsor Kennel Club teamed up for a three day weekend.  Ken Buxton had the opener and his choice of the English Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Blackstone Very Vassar, the American Foxhound, GCH CH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box, the Saint Bernard, GCH CH Jamelle's Aristocrat V Elba, the Smooth Fox Terrier, Lil'Itch Pretty Woman At Foxwatch, the Peke, Rodger, the American Eskimo Dog, GCH CH Nuuktok's Atka Inukshuk, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Lambluv's Daytime Hustler.

GCH CH Jamelle's Aristocrat V Elba

His Top Two were the Eskie, Inuk, and the Saint, Cookie.  The win makes Inuk the first of his breed to win a BIS this year.  Congratulations to breeder/owner Sharon Robertson and handler Graeme Burdon.

GCH CH McMagic Mojo

Saturday Graeme and Inuk were back to see judge Fred Ferris along with the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Splendor Castle's Feelin Groovy, the Foxhound, Jewel, the Samoyed, GCH CH McMagic Mojo, the American Staffordshire Terrier, Vaca Valley's Bold Ruler for Fraja, the Peke, Rodger, and the Beardie, Olivia.

Inuk would take the Reserve award and the Sammie, Mojo, would take home the BIS.  It’s the first BIS for the two year old.  A big congratulations to breeder/owner Patricia McCallum.

GCH CH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box

Judge Polly Smith had the closer and a last look at the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Suncoast Wil-Orion Anticipation, the Foxhound, Jewel, the Great Dane, CH MJM's Hi-Air All Eyes On Me, the aforementioned AmStaff, the Peke, Rodger, the Eskie, Inuk, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Pine Hill's Payday Of Hays Hill.

Taking home the last big rosette of the set was the Foxhound, Jewel, while Inuk would add a second RBIS to his tack box.  Jewel is the country’s Number One Hound and Number Five Dog All Breeds.

SIX SHOWS IN TEXAS

GCH CH Derby's Toast with Gusto

Texas is a big state, bigger than most European countries, big enough to have shows in two locations in one weekend.  Texans started the month choosing between the San Jacinto Kennel Club’s two shows in  Crosby, 25 miles northeast of Houston, or a weekend with the Big Spring Kennel Club in their hometown, 300 miles due west of Dallas. 

Seven who opted to visit Anne Bolus’ final Saturday in Crosby were the Clumber Spaniel, GCH CH Clussexx Collaboration with Traddles, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH  Maya's Mockingbird, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, GCH CH Derby's Toast with Gusto, the Lakeland Terrier, CH Hi-Kel Terrydale Fortune Forward, the Pug, Sweetbriar Boo-Koo Bucks, the Standard Poodle, Firenzes Fascinating Allure, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Karizma’s Ike of Edale.

The two she liked were the Greater Swiss, Gus, and the GSD, Ike.  We don’t get to see too many BIS winning Great Swiss Mountain Dogs, but Gus already has four all breed Bests to his credit this year.

GCH CH Karizma’s Ike of Edale

Sunday Gus, Ike, and the Clumber, Seymour, would all be back to plead their case with judge Houston Clark.  They were joined by the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH M&M's Fear The Beard, the Miniature Schnauzer, GCH CH Rockyhill Icees Raisin' The Bar, the Maltese, GCH CH Rhapsody N Cherub's Oh So Henry, and the Bulldog, Ancrum's Magic Man. 

GCH CH Clussexx Collaboration with Traddles

(Photo by Kayla Bertagnolli courtesy of Best In Show Daily)

Judge Clark would like the Ike and Seymour as his Best and Reserve.  It’s the first this year for Ike and handler Pat Quinn.  Congratulations to Pat, breeders Iza Kabiska & Carlos Arguibau, and owners Pamela Buckles, Pam Stern & Stuart & Sharon Birch & Jim & Sheree Moses

CH Sayo's Jai Ho

Meanwhile out In Big Spring Judith Brown would wrap Saturday with the Pointer, CH Chesterhope State Of T Art, the Ibizan Hound, CH Serandida East So Bigstar, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Treu's Above Suspicion V Touchstone, the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua, GCH CH South Fork's Sweet Harmony, the Miniature Poodle, Sandstorm X's In Texas, and the German She[herd Dog, Baylor De Oro.  

Her Best would be the Smooth Fox, Tessa, while the Mini Poodle would pick up the Reserve.  It’s the fourth of the year for Tessa.

Sunday judge Michelle Billings would choose the same two, though she would give the BIS to the Poodle, and the Reserve to the Smooth Fox, Tessa.  Waiting in the wings were the above named Pointer, the Basenji, GCH CH Ahmahr Nahr's Hallelujah Makes A Joyful Noise, the Leonburger, Kalahari's Call To Attention, the Papillon, GCH CH Involvo The King of Pop, and the Shetland Sheepdog, Shone Lil Acre All That Glitz.  

It was the first for the two year old multi-titled bitch.  Congratulations to breeder/owner/handler/ Joannn Neal.

GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery

The following weekend everyone headed for the state capital, Austin, for the Austin Kennel Club’s two shows.  Robert Shreve closed Saturday with the Golden Retriever, GCH CH Scion Another Won, the Basset Hound, CH Kelmic's Anjo Pepper of Bugle Boy, the Greater Swiss, Gus, the Smooth Fox Terrier, Tessa, the Pomeranian, GCH CH Oakrose High N' Mighty, the Miniature Poodle, GCH CH Alegria History In The Making, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery.

His Best was the Corgi, Libby, and his Reserve was the Greater Swiss, Gus.  It was the fourth of the year for Libby.

CH Jokar's N Happy Tail's Fergalicious

(Photo by Lynda Beam)

Sunday BIS judge Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna would consider the same Golden, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Vyrtuous Nobu, the Boxer, CH Jokar's N Happy Tail's Fergalicious, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Kelwyn's History In The Making, the Long Coat Chihuahua, Stonehill Move It Move It At CeeGee’s, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Saks Winning Card, and the Corgi, Libby.

She would choose the Boxer, Fergie, as her BIS and the Golden, Tally as her RBIS.  It’s the first for the 20 month old ingénue.  Congratulations to breeders Carrie Cole & Amy C. Bieri, owners Mary Frances Burleson, Amy Bieri, & Marci Bell, and handler Lori McClain Ferguson.

MONDAY MORNING MOP UP

GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky

Our Monday Morning Mop Up again showcases the nation’s Number One Dog, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky.  Sky and handler Gabriel Rangel stayed closer to their southern California home this week and collected four straight all breed BIS.

GCH CH Victory Spencer

The Angeles Canyon Kennel Club offered up the first two shows on Thursday and Friday, giving Roy Prado the day one final and his choice of Sky, the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Dogwdcreek's La Vite E Bella, the Harrier, GCH CH Hitech Innovator, the Great Dane, GCH CH Longo Miller N Lore's Diamond Lil, his Reserve, the Japanese Chin, GCH CH Victory Spencer, the Miniature Poodle, GCH CH Durandel Bella Donna, and the Bouvier des Flandres, CH Take Aim's Playing For Gryffindor.

GCH CH Longo Miller N Lore's Diamond Lil

Friday Lawrence Stanbridge would prefer Sky and the Above Great Dane, Scout, to the Golden Retriever, Trance Mission JP Cunard Adventure, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Quiet Creek’s Kiss and Tell, the same Chin, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Karmel’s Banana In Pajamas, and the previously seen Bouvier.

GCH CH Hitech Innovator 

(Photo by Kayla Bertagnolli courtesy of Best In Show Daily)

The Burbank Kennel Club took over on Saturday and asked Arlene Davis to choose her top two, Sky, and the Harrier, Chet,  from a group that also included, the now familiar GSP, Belle, and Bouvier, Gryf, the Akita, GCH CH  Ruthdale's Candy From A Baby, the Pug, GCH CH Winsome-Nirvana-Blaque Triple Play, and the French Bulldog, GCH CH Lebull's El Morocco At Lecirque.

Sunday Sky and Gabriel closed it out with Lowell Davis choosing the Great Dane, Scout, as his RBIS.  He might have chosen the Clumber Spaniel, GCH CH Clussexx Collaboration with Traddles, the Harrier, Chet, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Tamarin Tarheel, Friday’s Bichon, or the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Wigglesworth Thriller.

Sky and Gabriel now have 22 BIS in 41 final appearances this year, including five this month.  More remarkable are the 16 straight Terrier Groups they have collected.  We can’t  recall a Terrier so dominant since the great Kerry Blue, CH Torum’s Scarf Michael.