| Submit your comments on this article |
| Life Is Going to the Dogs |
| 2004-02-11 |
The lovely wife and I have spent the last two evenings watching most of the Westminster Kennel Club’s dog show on television. I wanted to watch because I’ve been following the exploits of Lacey, a Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound) shown by Greg Hlatky, who blogs at A Dog’s Life. Don’t go look at that link until Monday, February 16 or so. He’s been in New York City and the blog has rolled to a blank while he’s out at the show. Lacey won Best of Breed but did not place in the Hounds Group. I did think she could have taken fourth over the Irish Wolfhound. She appeared a bit distracted during the Group and the Group winner was a determined Ibizan Hound. Best of Show was a gorgeous Newfoundland, though the wife and I were torn about the runner up, a Corgi with a lot of attitude and stage presence.Ch Soyara’s Chantilly Lace JC |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |
| #5 I own a Newf. Great big slobbery, shedding, teddy-bear. They're a bit on the high-maintenance side, and you can't even begin to keep the house clean, but we wouldn't trade him for anything. Naturally, we were delighted to see Josh win it all. |
| Posted by: Steve YAO 2004-2-11 3:16:56 PM |
| #4 Now this is cool,wish I had known.Would of checked it out.I like watching the Westmin.Rest of the Faimly doesn't Rantburg U.has a class in championship show dogs. Had a Golden retreiver ounce upon a time,best damn kid lovin dog I ever had. Had a couple of Chow-Chows,good family dogs.Even if they are a bit skittish. Thanks RKB CS |
| Posted by: Raptor 2004-2-11 1:53:04 PM |
| #3 ummm ... I think I got carried away & forgot this is Rantburg and not the Showdogs-L discussion list. Sorry! Dog show people can get a little ... intense .... (red face) It's awesome to get invited to the Garden and even more awesome to win the breed there - big congratulations to Lacey & her people! On a funny note, I watched the group judging in our family room with the dogs all lounging on the sofas & easy chair. They took it all in stride *except* when spaniel breeds were in the camera. Then, all of a sudden, the cockers crowded around the TV and started "WOO WOO WOO !!!! STRANGE DOG ALERT!!! " - ing. The Whippet puppy looked up, yawned and claimed the warm spot on the best chair while they worked themselves into a righteous frenzy. Pretty funny .... |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-2-11 1:14:31 PM |
| #2 Well .... the Ibizan is the best example of the breed that I have seen and that people I know who are much more experienced breeders have seen. The Borzoi might have been tense ... her movement was a bit more stilted than I expect in that breed which may be why she lost the 4th place to the IW. Gotta brag here - the English Cocker Spaniel breed winner is a litter sister of my foundation bitch (the girl my ECS line is based on). She is bred by my mentor and partner Judy Corbett & her mother is the top winning female ECS of all time: multiple Best in Show & multiple Best in National Specialty winner Champion Jaybriar's Heretic, who is also one of the top 3 mothers of champion offspring in the breed's history and competes in agility too. The father of the litter is a Best in Specialty and Best of Opposite Sex at the National specialty winner - his breeders own Roma, the littermate that won the Breed. Anyway, *I* wished the Whippet had placed in the Hound group - she's lovely, but a bit West Coast in type. Judy and I have a half-brother to her who finished his show title quickly as a puppy. The Sussex is a nice specimen of his breed, I like the English Setter a lot. The top English Springer didn't make it out of breed judging ... it would have been interesting to see what that judge would have done if he'd been there. I think she has given him some wins in the past ... And yeah - the Corgi was great. That breed ring must have been something - I wish the breed judging were televised so I could tape & watch it. Didn't take time off to attend this year, alas. Okay, end of brags. [smile] |
| Posted by: rkb 2004-2-11 1:04:21 PM |
| #1 Corgi, really? I thought Sussex Spaniel was much nicer, with that friendly wagging tail and all. But Josh The Newfoundland was truly magnificent - and the regal way he responded to the cheering crowd! I'm sorry I missed Lacey, she was one of my reasons for watching the show, too. My congratulations to G.Hlatky. |
| Posted by: Tatyana 2004-2-11 12:52:04 PM |