Parker has arrived in Australia!

Parker (BIS/BISS Am & Can Ch. Darwyn's Webslinger) has arrived safe and sound in Australia!  He is now co-owned with a wonderful friend, Mrs. Sonya Cornick of Sydney in Australia.  Michael and I hope to visit this beautiful country sometime over the next couple of years.  If you want to follow them, I have created a webpage and I will try to keep it updated (click here).
Big hugs to my Montgomery Best of Breed winning boy!  I hope you have fun in both the show ring and playing on the beaches!
Click here to get some more pictures and story about Parker with Sonya Down Under!

Dora & Joe had puppies!

We are very excited to announce that Dora (Am Ch Darwyn's Dora the Explorer) recently gave birth to 6 healthy puppies!  Dora is our girl that won Winners Bitch at the Welsh Terrier Club of America National Specialty at Montgomery County Kennel Club (PA, Oct/11).  She hasn't hit the show rings in Canada (yet), but when she eventually does, I'm sure we will have some fun!
The sire of this litter is our dog Joe - Multi Best in Show and Best in Specialty Show Grand Champion Am. & Can Ch. Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That (who this weekend, got a HAT TRICK - 3 shows and 3 Group Wins -- WOW!).
We will place a couple of these boys in companion pet homes when they are 9 or 10 weeks old, but I am thinking that we might just grow up a few of these guys to see how they will look.
Everyone is doing very well - plump and happy and growing very nicely.  And mom .... well, she LOVES being a mom.  Dora is one of the best!
Click here to read more about this litter!

Older female puppy now available

Recently we decided to place a 12 month old girl into a companion pet home.  Click here for a video we took a couple of months ago. 
Roxi is active, but settles down when she is one-on-one.  Please contact me if you might be interested at larisa@hotchin.net
*Apr 5, 2012 update -- Roxi is in an awesome home!  Thank you everyone for your interest in this sweet girl who is full of kisses -- all the time!* :)

2012 Custom Darwyn Calendar now available!

Joe! 
MBISS/MBIS GCh Am & Can Ch. Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That
Order yours here!

I have included a few puppy photos from Joe and Paisa's litter born in July 2011, some of Jessie who is from Dora's litter that was sired by Monty in March 2011, one of Gracie who is, of course, a Parker daughter, some of Grover (Monty's brother from Paisa's first litter), Monty is back on the beach and I have snuck one show photo in - Dora at the National Specialty in PA in Oct/11 where she won 2 days!  And, of course, some stunning photos of my boy Joe !  I tried to keep show pictures to a min in the calendar, since I see so many show pictures all year round! 

Anyone can order one (click here) - so if you want to, go ahead. I know it is early - but here's hoping that 2012 is a good year all round for all of my friends and family!

I can't wait to do the 2013 Darwyn Calendar!

Introducing DORA! Am Ch. Darwyn's Dora the Explorer - my 23rd Champion!

NEW Am Ch Darwyn's Dora the Explorer!
Bred/Owned:  Larisa Hotchin
Handled by:  Wood & Jenny Wornall & Andrew Peel (CA, USA)
Montgomery County (WTCA) 2011 - Winners Bitch (5 pts)
Hatboro 2011 - Winners Bitch (5 pts)
California & Arizona (Oct/Nov 2011) - WB x 4 to finish her Am. Ch.!

Dora is Darwyn's 23 champion - of which 16 are also American Champions (remember, I live and primarily show in Canada) AND she is my 12th Welsh Terrier to win Winners or higher at a Welsh Terrier Club of America Specialty! 

For a relatively small kennel, I am shocked at these numbers, given that I got my first bitch in 1999 - a very nice bitch from Saredon Kennels in England.

I haven't written much about Dora, and realistically haven't written much this year on this blog at all (and even less on my main website!  Yikes!).  Bad... 2012 resolution coming up! 
I have written a couple of posts about Dora's beautiful litter whelped in Mar/11 (puppies & lead training).

A couple of mths after the puppies were born, I was playing with her and thought that she would be one that I would really like to see in competition at Montgomery ... so, I stripped off her jacket (and most of her furnishings, which were really beaten up by puppies) and off Michael and I go to the local parking lot, video camera in hand.  I sent the video to my handlers in California (Wood & Jenny Wornall) and ask if they would be interested in showing her this year at Montgomery?
Fast forward to October 2011, the next time I see Dora is when she is in the open bitch, then the Winners Bitch line-up at Hatboro I with Andrew Peel, under Terrier breeder expert judge, Mrs. Connie Clark .... I know I am biased, but Dora looked amazing!  Correct size for the breed and was one of the welshiest looking bitches in the ring (well her and her 1/2 sister who was the #1 Welsh Terrier in the US - Ch Bruhil's First Lady), and another darwyn bred bitch (Ch Darwyn Esmeralda in Sanperpinc) who was WB, to finish, at Devon. 

Then Dora was pointed to!  Her first time shown in breed competition and her first points -- at a WTCA specialty!  WOW!

On Montgomery County day (the WTCA National Specialty), first off her 6 month old daughter, Jessie, wins her puppy class (!!!!wow!!!!) with her co-owner Jane Erdman handling (and doing a lovely job!) and then Dora wins the Open Class, then Winners Bitch!  In the end of the day, Monty (Am/Can Ch. Darwyn Bruhil's Flying Circus) was also pointed to for the Grand Championship Select Dog Points 3 out of the 4 days (including Montgomery day) and an Award of Merit the other day, Dora was Winners Bitch 2 out of the 4 days, and Monty's sister (Emme) was Winners Bitch one of the days!  WOW!

The Montgomery Day wins (Jessie, Dora, Monty) were very special to me.  The judge, Mrs. Carole Beattie from Florida, is a well-respected judged, long-time Welsh Terrier breeder (owned and bred some of the best!).  This day Wood Wornall was able to make the welsh ring and show her.  Mrs. Beattie's nod in the direction for my breeding program (Monty and Dora both bred and raised and trained here and Jessie - their daughter), at an extremely well-attended and competitive show, made me want to cry. 

2011 will be a year at Montgomery that I will never ever forget - and Dora, whom just had puppies recently, wasn't even on the schedule to attend but a few months earlier.

Trophies & Ribbons received from WTCA on Montgomery County Show Day (National Specialty)
Monty (Am/Can Ch Darwyn Bruhil's Flying Circus) = Grand Ch. Select Dog Award!
Dora (New Am Ch Darwyn's Dora the Explorer) = Winners Bitch AND Award of Merit!
Jessie (Darwyn Jesterr's Holding Court) = 1st place in 6-9 puppy class!

I am so happy that I did that parking lot video tape, that Woody & Jenny wanted to show her, that they were able to get her into such awesome condition, and that the judges (and my peers, other exhibitors and friends from all over the world that were there watching!) were so positive towards her, and saw the quality in her that I saw when she was just a baby puppy. 

Dora being handled on Montogmery Weekend by Wood Wornall
New Am Ch Darwyn's Dora the Explorer

Thank you.

We are thrilled with her successful (but very short) US career...
... looking forward to showing her in Canada (even if it is just to finish her CH) ...

... we are happy she is home now. 

This picture, taken an hour after she got home tonight shows how quickly she settled back into home routine.  :-)

Joe Wins 2 Terrier Group First's at Canada's Largest Show at LMDF!

Joe! 
MBIS/MBIS GCh & Can Ch Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That
Handler:  Milton Lopes
Show:  Lower Mainland Dog Fanciers (Canada); Oct 28, 2011
Judge:  Mr. Carl-Gunnar Stafberg (Sweden)

Joe is now the #2 Terrier and #8 Dog (among all-breeds!) in Canada!

I have just returned from a thrilling and fun-filled weekend at Canada's largest show - Lower Mainland Dog Fanciers (LMDF) held at Tradex in Abbotsford, BC.
My dog Joe attended along with 15 of the top 20 dogs (all breeds) in all of Canada, and over 1000 other dogs!  Not only was it the largest show in Canada so far this year, but also hosted the largest Terrier entry so far this year!

Joe was awarded TWO GROUP WINS!  One of whom is a well renowned terrier expert, Mr. Carl-Gunnar Stafberg of Sweden!  Mr. Stafberg is a renowned breeder of Border Terriers since 1963 (bred over 100 champions!), but other terriers he has owned and bred include Airedale, West Highland, Irish and Welsh Terriers!  He has been judging since 1967 and has many international accomplishments.  What an honour for me to have Mr. Carl-Gunnar Stafberg choose my boy Joe as his Terrier Group Winner, especially given his background in terriers and my breed!  WOW!

Joe's second Group Win on the weekend was from the well respected judge from Russia, Mrs. Elena Yerusalimskaya, who qualified as a judge in 1981.

I was so proud to watch Joe in the Best in Show line-up twice this past weekend.  As you can see from these photos he is in excellent condition, coat and trim, works perfectly with Milton and Tracy who present him and he absolutely loves to show! 

Many people at the show were captivated by Joe!  A friend came out to watch the show and took some amazing photos -- in a few days I'll update this blog with a link to some of her photos!

For now - here is a sample of Elaine Hu of SquAire Dog Grooming of Joe showing how Joe won the groups at LMDF 2011!

11 week old puppies having fun - video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grr_UoFuLEY 

The picture above is when Paisa and Joe's puppies were 6 weeks old - but the link above is when 2 (of the 5 puppies) are 11 weeks old, and it was taken tonight (the boy is Trooper).

Paisa, the mom, has recently gone to her new home in Los Angeles and is doing very well.  Joe, the sire, got his 9th Best in Show, his 7th Reserve Best in Show and his 51st Group 1st win this year.

Lot's going on - and in a few days I leave for Montgomery County Kennel Club!  Monty is there as a special (Am/Can Ch. Darwyn Bruhil's Flying Circus).  Dora is there as an open bitch (she's a K-See daughter), and Jessie, a 6 month old Monty x Dora daughter is there with her co-owner, Jane Erdman (who has done all of the trimming work!).  I can't wait!

Hope you enjoyed the video.  :-)

3rd weekend in a row -- BIS for Joe!

As of today, Joe (GCh and Can Ch Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That) is Canada's #6 dog all breeds!

2 weekends ago, Joe was awarded his 2nd Best in Show in a line-up that included both the #1 and #2 dogs of all-breeds.  Truly a thrilling experience for us! 

Last weekend Joe won a Terrier Specialty, an all-breed BIS and an all-breed RBIS!  It was the Terrier Breeders Association National Specialty, and NACA, a well known, and well-attended, all-breed show in Canada.

This weekend Joe and Milton flew up to the Yukon to go GOLD prospecting!  You see, it is a tradition for the Yukon Kennel Club (which surprisingly, even though it is far away, sees some of Canada's top dogs in their line-up each year!) gives a Gold Nugget for their BIS and BPIS wins! 

The gold nugget Joe won yesterday isn't enough to retire on, but it could be made into a beautiful piece of jewelry that can be worn with a lot of pride!

Thank you Mr. Rick Fehler for this wonderful award!

Another Best in Show and a Best in Specialty -- Joe is now #7 Dog ALL-BREED!

June 6, 2011
Best in Show
JOE! BISS/MBIS GCh Am and Can Ch Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That
Judges: Mr. Ralph (Skip) Scoggins (BIS); Mr. James Ham, USA (Group 1)
Handled by Milton Lopes and Tracy Tuff
CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS!

Today was Joe's 31's time in the ring in Canada this year - and every single time he has gone into the ring (except once) he has either won the terrier group or placed!  I am just so darn proud that he has been received so well. Click here for Joe's page

I loved this dog right from when he was 5 weeks old!  Granted, he took a while to mature (so didn't always win or place), but to those with an eye, he showed great promise.  His second time out he got a Best Puppy in Show, his 3rd time out, with me handling him at Northern California Terrier Association at 7 months old he was awarded a Group 2 in Bred-By Exhibitor (adult) Group!  And, shortly after that he was awarded 2 AKC majors (breeder-owner handled :-)

His (short) US career last year was truly amazing, and now back in Canada he certainly has matured into the promissing puppy I had hoped for.

This past weekend in Edmonton Alberta, at NACA, was a very competitive weekend with the Terrier Breeders Assocation of Canada National Specialty, and 4 All- Breed shows.  Joe (GCh and Can Ch Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That) WON the Terrier Specialty plus Group 1st at 3 out of the 4 all-breed shows, one Reserve Best in Show and Best in Show!  He placed in the other group, while it was won by a beautiful Bull Terrier (one who also won a US National Breed Specialty) ... like I said, a very competitive terrier group (and the largest one in Canada so far this year!).

We are very thankful to the judges that found the quality in Joe to give him these awards this weekend - and so far in his career.  We are very happy.
Our appreciation from this past weekends awards are to:
Elaine Mathis (Florida, USA) for Group 1st and Reserve Best in Show
James Ham (MI, USA) for Group 1st
Fred Dewsbury (Ontario) for Group 1st
Ralph "Skip" Scoggins (Texas) for Group 1st, Best in Specialty and Best in Show!

Joe rocks! G1 and RBIS at the largest terrier entry in Canada so far this year!

June 3, 2011
Group 1 and Reserve Best in Show
JOE!  BISS/MBIS GCh Am and Can Ch Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That
Judge:  Mrs. Elaine Mathis (Florida, USA)
Handled by Milton Lopes and Tracy Tuff
CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS!

I am bursting with pride today! 
First off, a beautiful 11 week old puppy bitch went to her new home (a very knowledgeable Welsh Terrier breeder who has been involved for over 25 years).  She's on the other side of the continent from me and I have a lot of trust with my new co-owner (and am very excited about this).  Jessie's safe, happy and her new co-owner is thrilled!  Stay tuned on this one, more will be said about Jessie in future posts...
The other reason that I am so proud tonight is that my boy Joe (MBIS/BISS GCh and Can Ch Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That) won the Group and was awarded Reserve Best in Show today at NACA!  Click here for results.  I believe this weekend has the largest terrier entry in the country so far this year, and it was a very competitive line-up in both the group and BIS level!
Today's Group and BIS judge is the well known, and respected Mrs. Elaine Mathis from Florida USA.  From the personal notes I have received tonight, Joe showed his heart out and looked amazing even though the weather could have been a tad bit warmer!

As you can see by the photos above, Milton Lopes and Tracy Tuff have Joe looking AWESOME!  Thank you to everyone for your support of this wonderful team!