2010 Brags

February 2010

BRAGS: My English Setter, DeDe, went WB, BOW at the shows in Denver for two points under a breeder judge. Submitted by Lishka Schwab

BRAGS: Heidi earned her Rally Excellent title at the Portland Rose City Shows. Her Daddy (John) is especially proud of her. Submitted by Thea Sperline

BRAGS: Finn was the number one Swedish Vallhund in all seven classes of the NADAC agility system in 2009. Submitted by Marion Erp

BRAGS: Pixie earned her Outstanding Novice Jumpers NADAC title and her Novice Hoopers NADAC title at the home town trial last October. Woohoo!!! =) Submitted by Heidi Mann

BRAGS/DOCNA: Rayzn (Intrepid's Rayzn Cane,AX,AXJ,NF,AD,FDX) qualified for the DOCNA (Dogs on Course in North America) National Championships this September with a 2nd place finish in the Veteran's Division of the North American Challenge on February 14. The National Championships are in Grand Junction, CO this fall, so I will be attending.

BRAGS: Two of my Old English have been certified therapy dogs through International Therapy Dogs, Inc. I've attached a copy of the ad about them - along with bio paragraphs. They each received a beautiful medallion and ribbon from AKC at our recent Old English National Specialty. Kobi began her Therapy Dog career at 6 months of age – serving as the Therapy Dog for Lakewood Elementary School in the Puget Sound area. From January to June of that year, she spent every Thursday along side the School Counselor. Together, they would go from class-to-class participating in large group activities and/or meeting with individual students in crisis. For 2 summers in a row, Kobi provided “doggie therapy” for teens in a specialty residential summer program. More recently, she was the Official Therapy Dog in a k-12 school where she spent most of her therapy time with needy Middle School students. Kobi is now in semi-retirement. Most of her “therapizing” is on an informal basis – when we are out-and-about in the community.

All sheepdogs seem to be a “therapy magnet.” People want to touch them – hug them – and just be with them. Chaddie was no exception. Much of his “therapizing” occurred when he was out-and-about in the community wearing his therapy backpack. He loved wearing his therapy pack – and even though he was a clown at heart, he took his therapy job very seriously. People would come up to get a lick – to pet him – even to have their picture taken with him. His official “therapizing” time occurred in schools and in a residential summer program for visually impaired teens. Chaddie continued “therapizing” informally in schools and the community even after becoming a quadriplegic due to a sports injury. Throughout his life, he had the uncanny ability to bring joy and laughter to everyone he met. Submitted by Barbara Lierson.

January 2010

BRAGS: Rita & Milts CH Glacier Valleys Knows the Game (RHETT) was ranked the number nine Norwegian Elkhound in the United States for 2009. We are especially proud because he was owner handled for all of his wins.

Because this was the 125th Eukunuba Show, they offered a Best Bred By Exhibitor in Show, however, the rules were changed a bit and any dog/bitch being shown in a breed (in this case Papillons) by the breeder was eligible to compete for the Best Bred By Exhibitor in Show at the breed level That meant that the Bred By class dog winner and the Bred By class bitch winner would compete also against any Specials that were being shown by their breeder. In Papillons, that included six Specials, two of which had won the Award of Merit. Milt's papillon Topflite's Hottest Game In Town (MEGAN) won Best Bred By Exhibitor Papillon, winning over the 6 Specials, some of which were dogs as well as the Bred By Class dog. It was a very special win for the breeder who is Sandy Schumacher from Great Falls and, of course, Milt is VERY PROUD! Megan was also Best of Winners at the show. Submitted by Rita Munson

March 2010

BRAG: I finished my Shar-Pei girl TIAN TIAN'S CHARMING FUSHETE, (that I bred out of my champion stud, Beckett) at the June 2009 Billings, MT show which qualifies her for the Eukanuba Show of Champions from the Bred By Exhibitor Class. This means she was only shown in the Bred-By-Exhibitor Class in Conformation and finished her championship from only that class. We will be attending the Televised Eukanuba show in Long Beach, CA Dec. 4-5, 2010. So watch the show and root us on! Submitted by Nancy & Lee Nicholson

April 2010

Brag: Kosnik’s Black Canyon Ridge is now an AKC Coonhound Bench Show Champion. And his brother, Kosnik’s Black Mr Maximilian took Best of Show Male in a UKC Coonhound bench show. Both events were held in Laurel MT in April. Submitted by Janet Kosnik

Brag: Vixen and Kota Jo both earned two legs towards there Rally Novice Title at the Moses Lake shows April 17 & 18. Submitted by Thea Sperline

Brag: Ch. TudexMtnAyres Spellbound, RN, RA, CGC(Spirit) completed her Rally Advanced title at the Phoenix, Arizona shows in April. Kachina Kennel Club-First Place Kachina Kennel Club-First Place Arrowhead Kennel Club-First Place Submitted by Susan Ayres

May 2010

Brag: Kosnik's Black Canyon Ridge is now an AKC Coonhound Bench Show Champion.  And his brother, Kosnik's Black Mr Maximilian took Best of Show Male in a UKC Coonhound bench show.  Both events were held in Laurel MT in April. Submitted by Janet Kosnik

Brag: Vixen and Kota Jo both earned two legs towards there Rally Novice Title at the Moses Lake shows April 17 & 18. Submitted by Thea Sperline

Brag: Ch. TudexMtnAyres Spellbound, RN, RA, CGC(Spirit) completed her Rally Advanced title at the Phoenix, Arizona shows in April. Kachina Kennel Club-First Place Kachina Kennel Club-First Place Arrowhead Kennel Club-First Place  Submitted by Susan Ayres

June/July 2010

Smoketree's Razin Da Barr (Aaryn) was entered in Golden Retrievers, Twelve to Eighteen Month Dogs, in Great Falls Friday June 25, and in Missoula June 28 & 29.  He was expertly handled by Rita Munson!  He achieved 1st place ribbons in all three showings!  Now it is out of the puppy classes and into American-Bred dogs.  Aaryn is owned by Allyn Ann Cummins. Submitted by Allyn Ann Cummins

Kosnik's Black Montana Two Dot received her AKC Coonhound Bench Show Grand Champion title. Kosnik's Black Canyon Ridge received his AKC Coonhound Bench Show Champion title.  Ridge got Best of Winners/Major at the Great Falls show . Kosnik's Black Mr Maximilian is now a UKC Bench Show Champion.  Max got Winners Dog/Major at the Missoula show. Submitted by Janet Kosnik

Ivan went WD/BOW in Great Falls last Saturday and got his first conformation point! Submitted by Jeannine Blaner

Ruffie did the Idaho/MT circut and came home with five firsts, three majors, one reserve winners and one best of winners. She came home a champion- Ch Kesslers Born to Glory. Riffie is owned by Sue Cercle Submitted by Caroline Hudnall

Vlad finished his RAE in Bozeman at the GDC trial. Submitted by Jeanine Blaner

Ember received her first leg in Rally Novice today at the Bozeman show. Submitted by Krista Hamilton

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· Clipper got another pass towards her Master Hunter Title. Submitted by Vicky MacLean

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· Rainy made her debut in Open A at the Spokane shows earning her first leg and fourth place out of 14. Way to go, Rainy! Submitted by Dianne Armstrong

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· Copper got his first leg in Open Jumpers Preferred and second place, as well as his first leg in Open Standard Preferred and third place, at the Helena agility trial this spring. Submitted by Chris McGonigle

Terra and Catherine were invited to participate in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge in San Diego June 11 and 12.  Terra participated in the 30 up and back weave pole challenge and agility.  The event was amazing – well organized and upscale hospitality – and just plain fun!  Purina is very generous to the local animal shelter and the participants.  Terra was the only “large” dog and one of only three dogs total to have two clean runs for the competition.  Terra earned a Second Place in the agility and did her absolute best in the weave pole challenge.  It was quite an honor to be invited and was well worth the 2600 mile trip! Submittted by Catherine Lecours

Gail and Cowboy got their first leg on their Junior Herding Dog (JHD) at the AHBA herding trial June 19 th at Peggy's.  Adele and Indy also passed the JHD and actually slowed down from their last run, it took him a whole 2.38 minutes this time !  Submitted by Adele Delp

Nordictouch Ella Enchanted at Artistree (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), Co-owned/bred by Linda Compton and Siv Jendresen,  won her AKC CH in the Bred By Exhibitor class on June 19th in Blackfoot, ID. Thank you to Judge L. Boutwell for her 5 pt major and to Judge C. McGowan for her finishing point!  Thanks also to Rita Munson for all her ring training which paid off! Submitted by Linda Compton

I am pleased to brag about my Kota Jo and Vixen - They both finished their RN titles at the Bloomington IL Trials over Memorial weekend.  They were so good after spending 3 weeks traveling in a car with minimal practice and little opportunity to run and romp in the sun (which, by the way was VERY SCARCE on this trip).  Submitted by Thea Sperline

So we drove to Flagstaff last week. I'd never been to southern Utah or northern Arizona and I must admit that the scenery was spectacular. Lots of red cliffs, just like in calendar pictures!  :-)  We came specifically for the MVV or Most Versatile Vallhund competition, a special competition apart from the regular breed ring stuff.  A dog had to pass some kind of herding contest, had to place in the Top 10 special conformation class, and in addition qualify in either agility, obedience or rally.  Finn was in everything. Points were available in each field and the highest pointed dog at the end would win the MVV title. 

Our first contest was herding in Chino Valley, 80 miles away.  I had entered two of the tests as a backup in case I flunked one, but he actually, with some coaching help from the judge, earned an official first leg of the Herding Tested (HT) AKC title.  We plan on going for Leg #2 and hopefully the title over the 4th of July weekend here in town (or rather, close by in Silver City).  We also passed the Herding Instinct test.   I owe ALL our success in herding to Jeanine Blaner and Peggy Duezabou for their coaching and providing opportunity to have access to sheep. 

There was no agility at the specialty, but the organizers had a plan:  they had you pick a local trial date in advance, and the Saturday trial of that weekend would be your official contest.  I moved Finn to Open Preferred at our hometown trial in Helena and he qualified his JWW class.  Next came the special conformation class in the banquet room of the host hotel -- there were 17 entries, spayed and neutered dogs were allowed.  The English judge moved us all as well as he could in rather cramped space, and placed Finn SECOND, gaining high points.  The first place dog got 100 pts., Finn got 80, so we were still a bit behind at that point.

The following day came our obedience and rally tests as part of the regular all-breed Flagstaff Kennel Club show.  Both the first place dog Apollo and Finn were in Open obedience, and both flunked dramatically and totally.  The show grounds were on asphalt, but they had a few areas of grass in between smaller buildings where they placed the obedience/rally rings and where we guessed a lot of people came to potty their dogs.  So there was lots of sniffing going on, plus some of the dogs including almost ALL of the Vallhund bitches, peed in the ring for the NQ.  

Rally was all that was left.  Apollo and Finn were neck in neck in points.  I had two advanced rally classes and qualified in both, for RAE Leg # 22, again not with terribly high scores because we were on one of those grassy areas.  Apollo's Rally run was in Novice, on leash.  Mike, his owner, either wasn't there for the walk-through or missed the pertinent piece of information that the judge gave to all of us (courses were similar):  do a definite left turn at the Left Turn sign and DON'T round that corner on to the next obstacle -- it would be scored as a missed obstacle, or a flunk.  We all walked very carefully and deliberately to that sign and made very careful left turns, but Mike curved it, never saw it, I don't know, but the judge called it a missed obstacle and so he flunked.  The prize for Most Versatile Vallhund was MINE!!

I will eventually get a nice picture taken of Finn and all the loot we won.  We have a very nice stained glass Vallhund piece, lots of ribbons, one huge ribbon which is longer than Finn, and the prize money was split among the top 4 winners, so we earned $109 for our first place win.  It was a fun trip, very productive for us, and probably our last Vallhund National, in that next year's is in Florida and the one after that in St. Louis, I think, but Finn will be 9.  This was our year, with a National close enough to drive to within a couple of days, and a dog still young enough to compete in so many different events. Submitted by Marion Erp

August 2010

BRAG: Ivan had a terrific weekend at the HMKC herding trial.  On Saturday, he finished his HSAs and went High in Trial.  He also earned his first HSAd and HSBd legs and earned the High Scoring Sheep & High Scoring Ducks awards.  On Sunday, he earned a "bonus" HSAs leg, and went RHIT / High Scoring Ducks while earning his second HSBs leg. Submitted by Jeanine Blaner

September 2010

BRAGS: Here in the past few weeks we've been busy! I took the crew to Billings for the trials at the end of July. Tina, Ch. Stormrunner's Sierra Windsong, RN, OAP, AJP, got her first leg of her AXP and a MJP leg. Marlin, Rain Dance A Touch Of Gray, RAE 4, CD, GN, OAP, NJP, got his first CDX leg and first place in veterans obedience both days. Elise, Aluk's Fur Elise, RN, got her first RA leg and first in Pre novice both days. In Missoula , we went up for one day to the Five Valley KC agility trial. Elise finished her NJP there. It's hot out, but it has been worth the summer trips ! Submitted by Kim Sullivan

BRAG: Clipper has earned two more JAMs (Judges award of merit) in the Qualifying stake at AKC field trials. One was with me handling at a trial in Twin Bridges with a class of 50 some dogs, the other was at the Northwest Retriever Club with our trainer handling her and in a class of 40 some dogs. There she also got the trophy for the oldest dog finishing the trial. This award was started to encourage people doing hunt tests to give the field trial game a try. Submittted by Vicky MacLean

BRAG: Clipper won the Qualifying stake at Roberts Idaho over a field of 40+ dogs. She was handled by the pro I train with as I had to stay home and spray my log house. Submitted by Vicky MacLean

BRAG: Rhett was Best of Breed at the Olympic Kennel Club in Enumclaw WA.  He beat the #1 Elkhound in the country that was being handled by Mrs Pat Craig.  It was a fantastice win and then he went on that day to take 3rd in the Hound Group . Submitted by Rita Munson

BRAG: Edel vom Haus Rentz (Sirius) earned his Schutzhund BH title this month at the Big Sky Schutzhund Club trial in Belgrade .  I'm thrilled he's finally maturing at the ripe old age of 4.  Now we'll see how he does in the AKC ring at the September shows. Submitted by Janice Bogy

BRAG: We did the Belgrade NADAC trial last Saturday.  Rio totally bombed the regular, touch and go, and chances.  But she did earn a Q in Novice Weavers and Novice Jumpers . Submitted by Patty Mott

BRAG: Terra and Catherine earned their first leg towards the Novice Freestyle Dog with the Musical Dog Sport Association. Submittted by Catherine LeCours

BRAG : Kosnik's Black Canyon Ridge is now a UKC Grand Show Champion. CH Kosnik's Black Montana Two Dot won the AKC Coonhound Northwestern Championship Bench Show Event, as Best Overall in Worland WY on August 21, 2010. Submitted by Janet Kosnik

October/November 2010

BRAGS: Our Heidi girl, Trout Creek's You're Just Jealous RE CD, finished her CD at our September Cluster with the score of 192 giving her a second place ribbon.  Her attention and focus was incredible.  I am very proud of her performance and I can tell she is just SO EXCITED to start training for Open. Heidi says CONGRATULATIONS to everyone else who finished their title and/or got legs towards new titles. ADDENDUM: I got an update from AKC about my Heidi girl's placement.  Instead of a 2nd place finish on the day she got her CD she has been moved up into first place.  What a nice way to have the official records read for her final leg of her CD. Submitted by Thea Sperline

BRAGS: October was a busy month out here in OR.  Harley (Unicorn's Regarding Harley RN) and Jester (Jester CD RAE OAP OJP) entered their first CPE agility trial in Turner OR, and had a fabulous day.  Harley earned Q's in L1 Standard and L1 Colors, and Jester earned Q's in L2 Standard and L2 Colors.  This was Harley's first agility trial, and Jester's first in over 2 years.  Their runs were clean and fast, and so much fun! 

In Freestyle, Jester earned two Q's in Musical Freestyle Novice (dancing to Need You Now by Lady Antebellum ), Chip (Bejai B'witchn Midnight Dancin) earned two Q's in Musical Freestyle Beginner to get his W-MFB title (dancing to Love Is Like A Butterfly by Dolly Parton ), and Chip & Harley earned one Q in Musical Freestyle Brace (dancing to Black or White by Michael Jackson ).  Harley got the zoomies on day 2, but he really had ALOT of fun doing it. Submitted by Lori Bond

BRAGS: Heads Up Roxy's Got Moxie (Roxy) earned First Place and the first leg of her Beginning Novice Obedience Title at the Great Falls Dog Training Obedience/Rally Trials in September. Submittted by Jean Norderud

BRAGS: DOCNA Championships - Rayzn and I competed in the DOCNA Championships on September 24-26, 2010 in Grand Junction, CO .  The showcase event is the North American Challenge.  We were in the 16" Veteran's Division for dogs 7 - 10 years old.  After a magical run, Rayzn was in first place and awarded the Gold Medal for the Western Region.  DOCNA holds their Championships in two locations on the same day, the Eastern Regional was in New York .  They merged the times from the East and the West to determine the National winner.  Rayzn's time was good enough for the Silver Medal.

DOCNA is a fun venue; it has become very popular in Colorado .  I have noticed there are some trials being held in Utah.  The 2011 Championships will also be held in Grand Junction .  I would encourage agility enthusiasts to try this exciting agility venue. Submitted by Sue Erickson

BRAGS: Nixe vom Leerburg earned her last leg for her CD at the fall shows.  Three times in the rings, three legs, title.  Not bad for 11 ½ years old! Edel von Haus Rentz (Sirius) earned his first leg and a second place win even after losing 8 points for his overly enthusiastic recall.  As soon as he learns a sit-stay, he'll earn his CD.  That's my boy – either brilliant or DQs. Submitted by Janice Bogy

BRAGS : Milt Munson's Papllion "Megan" finished her championship with Best of Winners and the following day was "Select" over 2 champions. Milt & Rita's Norwegian Elkhound "Rhett" received a Group 3 three out of the four days. Submitted by Rita Munson

BRAGS: Terra and Catherine traveled to Gillette WY for the NADAC National Championships and placed fourth overall and earned the highest number of bonus points in their group for the Silver Stakes class (working distances up to 80 feet from each other).  From there, they proceeded to St. Louis MO to participate in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge where they placed 2 nd in the Large Dog Agility .  The entire PIDC is scheduled to air on January 15, NBC the hour before the NFL playoffs.  In August, Terra also earned her first leg of Novice Freestyle Dog with the Musical Dog Sport Association.  Terra is simply amazing!  Submitted by Catherine LeCours

BRAGS: At our shows in September, Marlin got another CDX leg, 2nd place 191...one more to go! At our agility trials, he finished his NFP.  Elise finished her RA with a 97 in Utah, and her NJP in August in Missoula. She also got her first Open Jumper's Preferred leg at our shows this past weekend. Tina got her second AXP leg and another MJP leg at our shows this weekend, she also got her first RA leg in Utah in September. Anyway...thanks for letting us brag! :) Now we're off to our National in Denver!  Submitted by Kim Sullivan

BRAGS: Rio earned two Excellent Rally legs at the HMKC show and she also finished her NJP title and earned her first Open Fast Preferred Q. Submitted byPatty Mott

BRAGS: Vlad took first place in Veterans obedience both days at the Great Falls DTC trial. Ivan earned all 3 legs for his Rally Novice title at the Great Falls DTC trial.  Two weeks later, we traveled to Colorado for the Collie Club of America Central & Western Regional herding trials.  Ivan went High in Trial all 4 days!  Along the way, he finished his HSBd, and earned legs toward his HIBd, HSBs, and HSAd.  At our cluster show, he went RWD on Sunday. Submitted by Jeanine Blaner

BRAGS: Dillon earned his CD at the fall roundup. Submitted by Susan Cercle

CONGRATULATIONS MYRTLE! Some of you know my Mom and many of you don't, she is 96 years young, lives by herself and her two Bostons, gardens, sings and is very active.  She lives in Anchorage where my Sister Sam sort of watches over her.   Anchorage has several Farmer's markets and the newest one is the South Market.  Recently they held a poetry contest to help promote the market and my mom entered and won the first prize.  She won a wonderful basket of lots of nice personal items, like bath soaps, I think a bottle of wine too.  Anyway here is the text from the newspaper with her poem.

For the Saturday Anchorage South Side Farmers' Market :

We would like to thank everyone who participated in our first poetry contest. We received lots of great poems and it was difficult to choose.

Here are the winners and their poems.

First Place: Myrtle H. Who I might add is 96 years old! Way to go Myrtle!

GROW VALLEY GROW

Valley vegetables are just great, the very best you have ever ate.

Always fresh as the morning dew , picked each morning just for you.

Healthy bodies keep you strong, when you eat your veggies you can't go wrong.

Peas and beans and carrots too, are the very best for you.

To store bought veggies I'll say no, farmers markets are the place to go.

Submitted by Caroline Hudnall