Superb weekend of education, friends and reuniting with Darwyn Welshies!

I have just come home from a FANTASTIC weekend away on Vancouver Island!  Michael stayed home to 'hold the fort' (and I'm sure to enjoy some quiet reading time hanging out with Paisa and puppies :-).  I went primarily to attend a 2 day seminar by Patricia Craig Trotter (click here for the seminar details).  You'll see from the pictures below (and in the attached link), that much more happened!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES FROM OUR SUNDAY GATHERING

I was very excited about attending this seminar, as Pat Trotter has been breeding top quality dogs for many decades, consistently produced Best in Show winners, won the Hound Group at Westminster Kennel Club (breeder-owner-handled!) many times, was a Professional Handler, was on the AKC Judges Education Curriculum when that was still being done and is now an AKC Judge.  One of those "must meet" people in the history of dogs!  I have owned her book for some time now.  It is a must have, but the opportuntiy to hear her speak in person was definetely worth the money, time and distance to go.  I was thrilled to find out that the Tyee Kennel Club was hosting this seminar - what a great group of people they are!

The seminar didn't disappoint - it was excellent!  Great information, good discussions and a number of good bits of insight that I have picked up (or shall we say ... the 'penny dropped for me' :-) and things that I know will help me in the future as a breeder, a handler, as a judge of my puppies and if I ever venture into the world of judging in years to come ... I know that things that I picked up this weekend will be with me years from now. 

Bottom line - this weekend was a great INVESTMENT in myself and my breeding program!

I decided to bring one of my 5.5 month old puppies that I am currently 'growing up' (I currently have 2 from KSee and 2 from Paisa ... Dora & Donny; Cosmo & Monty).  Kate, who has 11 year old Becky (a girl I imported from Wales years ago) lives in the (relative) area and when she found out that I was coming over,  organized a small gathering of people that have one of my dogs that I have bred (they usually get together, as friends now, every once in a while.  So, a mini Darwyn Welshie walk and dinner happened right after the seminar was over - thank you Kate!  Since everyone that was expecting to come had a female, I decided to bring a boy (just to be different :-).  And, since Donny is only 1/2 trimmed, it was an easy decision to bring Monty who I fully stripped out a few weeks ago.  Monty and I hung out all weekend, going for walks, and spending time with a few of my 'doggie' friends that also attended the seminar.  He took it all in stride ... never stopped waggin his tail, always interested in what was going on and didn't bark once!  The hotel was very close to a beautiful walkway beside a salmon river, which made the evening walks very enjoyable.

Well, the seminar finished on time at 4:30 and as I came out the hotel I saw a whole 'gaggle' of welshies, and the people that I love so dearly that own them!  It has been a few years since I had seen some of them, and only a few months, like Haley's new owners that also joined.  I felt like crying I was so happy!  6 adult welshie girls, a cairn terrier and my 5.5 month old puppy boy Monty - all getting along great, all happy, all healthy.  What a wonderful sight!

Here's a picture that a friend took of us all (I'm in the purple top 4th from the left, and John is holding Monty's leash) as we gathered in the parking lot ... sorting out the upcoming walk and where to go for dinner :-)  FOR MORE PICTURES CLICK HERE!

Dogs from left to right (click on the photo to see the full thing):
  *Becky (11 years old)
  *Haley (5.5 years old) ... who is very patriotic with her home-made Maple Leaf sweater on :-)
  *Monty (5.5 months old)
  *Megan M (7 years old)
  *Mandi; a Becky daughter, (5.5 years old)
  *Lily; a Becky daughter, (7 years old)
  *Cairn (not one of mine - but still wonderful!)
  *Megan T; Megan M.'s sister (7 years old)

Here's a photo of my puppy Monty having a great time with all of these older welshie women!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES FROM OUR SUNDAY GATHERING

Well, we had a very nice walk.  It was wonderful to catch up with people that have become my friends, and to get to spend some time with dogs that I had bred (or in Becky's case, owned and loved).  The choice for dinner was great - good food and a nice relaxed atmosphere at a local brew pub/restaurant.  I took the last ferry home and arrived home just after midnight to greet my wonderful husband who was hanging out with Paisa (Monty's mom).

What a truly wonderful weekend!  I still cannot believe just how much got packed into the weekend - it was productive, informative, educational, I met new friends, I caught up with other friends, great one-on-one puppy time, seeing dogs that I had bred 6 - 7 years ago and seeing again the wonderful people, who have been good friends of mine for some time now, again after a long absence.

Thank you all for the great weekend!

Parker wins an Award of Merit at Westminster Kennel Club!

The Garden .... wow!  New York City in Madison Square Garden .... wow!

OK, first of all, I know this post is out of order - the important day was over a week ago - Feb 16, 2010.  But, that's OK, I'm still getting used to this blog thing :-)

It was a pretty amazing place and a really amazing win!  Michael and I are thrilled!  Wood and Jenny Wornall and Andrew Peel (and Caitlyn!) really did a superb job!  In amongst the tens of thousands of people walking around (or more??), and rows of people deep outside of the (relatively small) ring, they prepared and presented Parker as if there was no one around - it was if it was just Woody, Parker, the judge and the dogs that the judge asked Woody to spar Parker with.  It was breath taking to watch them together.  I'm happy with the result - but after watching that performance, and seeing the absolutely beautiful condition that Parker was in ... he could have walked out of there without anything and I know that he was in the best condition possible, presented impecably and while I know I'm biased, I'm truly happy that he's the dog in that ring that I own and love.

Well - to the judging.  It really was a tough breed ring this year.  Certainly not a 'shoe-in' for any of the dogs there.  There were 8 welsh entered and 7 showed up (click here to see the entries).  Three were National Specialty Winners (including Parker) - 2 from our primary specialty at Montgomery from the last couple of years.  Parker's sire, a BIS dog was there, along with another couple of Group Winning Welsh (in addition to Parker and Spyder).  And the other dogs entered were also in superb condition, presented beautifully and were well seasoned show dogs.  So, for the BOB and only 1 Award of Merit available - a very exciting (and nerve wracking) competition was held!  Michael and I had really good seats that were in the stands and fairly close to the rings.

It was really nice to see the judge spar the dogs.  This isn't something that is done very much in Canada, but when it is done well with people that understand their dogs, it really does help make for a show and to show off the beautiful dogs (looking at each other).  A couple of the dogs, to my surprise, were not very happy about being that close to another dog (but, with all of the stress in the air, I'm sure that the dogs picked up on that).  Parker was very controlled and focussed when he was sparred with both his sire and his half-brother.  He really did look great!  And, I was really excited about seeing him and his close relatives spar together - it was nice to see how they are similar ... and different.

Eventually the judge pointed to Parker's 1/2 brother for the BOB award (a dog they call Josh) ... then one of the 2 bitches entered was given the BOS award ... and then PARKER WAS AWARDED THE ONE AWARD OF MERIT!  WOO HOO!  

Beth Hilborn got a couple of nice pictures of Parker, which I have included.  The top picture is a profile of him (Ch. Darwyn's Webslinger) and the bottom one here is him (on the right) sparring with his sire (Ch. Bayleigh Shaireabs Superhero - Spyder, on the left).

Congratulations to all that attended!
The dogs looked spectacular and were presented very well! 

Michael and I are already looking forward to attending next year!  We just have to figure out which musicals to attend - the 2 that we attended this year were amazing (Avenue Q and Wicked) ... we just hope we can find a couple that are just as good!

Athena's DEBUT in Canada with 2 Group placements!

OK ... still tired from our New York trip to Westminster and definitely have the makings of a bad cold. And as these things go, Michael is also now coming down with it. Darn. So, needless to say, I haven't been really motivated to unpack or do much in the way of dog trimming. Just hanging out with the dogs, catching up with the news and for the most part seem GLUED to on-line streaming of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics! Those athletes, from all over the world, are amazing at what they do! And, it sure does make me proud to be a Canadian. They are all truly skilled in their area of passions. In a way, sort of like dog showing - but OH so much more! :-)

Well, being so close to the computer has meant that I have been anxiously awaiting the results of Athena's (Am Ch Darwyn's Heroic Endeavour) FIRST weekend out in Canada with Doug Belter. In Canada, http://www.canuckdogs.com/, does a fantastic job of getting group results up on the same day as the show.

The first 2 days - nothing.  Darn.  I had to look into who was entered that was being placed in the group above my girl.

Well, as it turned out, this was not a small show that Doug went to, in fact this show (Ontario Breeders Association) is one of the larger shows associated with the "Eukanuba Top 100 Competition" for Canada!  I had no idea!?  By the looks of it, there are some pretty nice dogs there - and quite a few terriers (double to what we see here at a typical show and triple to what a lot of parts of Canada see)!  The group placing terriers included: 
- a Norwich that has had multiple Best Puppy in Show (BPIS) wins and one of the top Norwich in 2009
- a SCWT that also has some BPIS wins and multiple group placements
- a Lakeland that ALSO had some BPIS wins AND Group Wins in 2009 in their show record!
- the #1 Australian Terrier in Canada AND a group winner!
- the #1 Kerry Blue Terrier which ALSO happened to be the #1 TERRIER in Canada AND #6 dog ALL BREEDS (I now understand that this show ALSO hosted the "Top 100 Competition" show)
- AND a multiple Best in Show Westi!

There may have been a few other top terriers in the competition, however, these are the ones that got group placements on the first couple of days that I could see entered. I was disappointed, but understood. Athena was certainly at a show where quality terriers were also - NOT some small show away from the competition.

Day 3 ... Athena got a Group 4 placement!  WOO HOO!
Day 4 .... a GROUP 2!
YIPPEE! 
Athena (Am Ch. Darwyn's Heroic Endeavour) is actually 1/2 to her Canadian Championship since there were so many terrier breeds represented!

WHEW!  Now I can relax and let this darn flu bug run it's course!  Athena is well on her way to finishing in Canada and will come home sometime soon.  Now, we just need to wait for a couple of more shows. 

My US Specialty Winning girl is clearly catching the attention of some of the Canadian judges, and I'm sure capturing the hearts of the spectators and everyone she meets. :-)  Next summer (hopefully) she will become a mother and a new generation will start!  I'm very excited about what she might produce and very excited about the dog I am planning on breeding her to!

Cross your fingers for us in the middle of March - that's when her next show will be!  That one is connected with the big PURINA / CKC National Championship (in a way, it is sort of like the Canadian equivalent, or want to be, of the US Eukanuba/AKC National).  However, I must tell Doug that if he wants to go to a small show, that's fine with me ... he doesn't have to only go to the big shows where all of the top dogs are!  :-)

So ... fingers crossed for her please!

We're back from New York!

Arrived home REALLY early this morning (3am early ... which is 6am New York time!) ... but, it was a great flight.  I have the early indications of a flu bug and neither of us got much sleep last night.  But, we are home and the weather is GREAT!  Went around and picked up the dogs and puppies today and everyone did really well and by the sounds of it had a blast!  Donny and Dora (our K-See puppies) hung out with a Wire Haired Dachi puppy and a couple of bigger dogs - and when we went to pick them up, Donny and Dora were the only ones NOT barking!  Just hanging out and enjoying the sunshine :-)  Next up - Paisa and Joe at the local kennel (got to enjoy each others company all week) ... they both received A+ marks and are welcome back anytime!  And, just now picked up my Paisa puppies (Monty and Cosmo) from next door - who spent the week running around the acreage with a couple of BIG Bernease Mtn Dogs and MINI Dachi's ... all happy to be home, but all had a grand time away!

Next up is ATHENA!  I'm a bit nervous.  She went to Doug Belters after she finished her American Championship a couple of months ago to make her debut in Canada.  I originally planned to show her myself, but we have a small thing going on here now called the WINTER OLYMPICS!  For a couple of months dog shows have shut down!  So, to take advantage of of the fact that she is ALREADY in great coat, and not to have to keep it up here, along with my puppies and other dogs, Doug (who has access to more shows) was a great choice (especially since he really understands terriers and terrier coats and temperament).  So, while Athena hasn't been in the ring for a couple of months, and even then, she was only in the ring a few weekends since she finished so quickly (starting with her 5 point major at Montgomery!) ... well ... FINGERS CROSSED for the next couple of days for her!

I'm off to take some cold medication, wash dogs and hopefully get some sleep tonight!  Ciao!

Parker WON his FIRST Group WIN - and went BIG!

I drove down to the Portland Dog Show this weekend for the Rose City Classic, since Wood, Jenny and their team drove up for the shows from California. While it was a 6 hour drive for me, it was my opportunity to see Parker, as well as have Wood and Jenny see my puppies and how they are progressing.

It was a whirlwind of a trip that's for sure! And while the driving rain today wasn't ideal, it could have been worse. Last year there were record cold temperatures and snowfall! Definitely worse!

Well, today Parker's sire won the breed. I was ringside and watched. Parker showed and looked great (he really did actually, and, I know I am biased, but just ask anyone who knows me, I am really hard and critical on my dogs!), but I guess today's judge liked Spyder just a bit better. Oh well, that's the way it goes ... and it seems like that's the way it has been going this month, sometimes Parker wins and sometimes his sire wins the breed. What I can say is that both of these boys are in EXCELLENT condition, both are handled beautifully and both (albeit each are different styles of Welsh Terrier - one a bit more extreme and the other a bit more moderate) are beautiful dogs. So - kudos to Parkers sire today - nice win and good luck in the group ring!

Now yesterday ... that's a different story ... Parker won the breed and then WON THE GROUP! 311 Terriers entered!

When I was in the stands at the group ring, people around didn't know I was associated with him, and the comments were so wonderful to hear! I was so happy, and proud, to be his breeder/owner. Out of all of the beautiful terriers in that ring, I must have heard "the beautiful Welsh Terrier" referenced at least a half-dozen times! I wanted to say something, but felt very awkward - especially as time went on! When he was pulled out in front, and given the Blue Rosette, I was beside myself! Best in Show was on very late last night, so by the time I got back to my hotel room, saw to the puppies that I had with me and called Michael, it was very late and I was exhausted!

While I was at the show yesterday, I took the opportunity to get Parker DNA tested and "collected" and semen frozen ... being a first time, and young, dog, I was expecting this to be a difficult process, but I went to the company that Wood Wornall recommended and it "just worked". Perhaps that was why Parker showed so well in the group last night! :-) I also got a chance to spend some quality time with my boy ... what a wonderful dog he is.

What an exciting day - and weekend it has been!

On top of this great win for Parker (and getting him collected successfully), I heard some great comments about the puppies. I was told that if I wanted to place either of my 2 puppy bitches, OR, either of my 2 puppy dogs, that I was growing up, that a number of very good show homes were available and that they were 'specialty winning' potential quality! YIKES! :-) I don't know ... we'll have to just wait and see how they turn out, but that was very exciting to hear! I knew that I liked them, but it is nice to hear positive comments from people that have been around GOOD terriers for many decades. Very exciting! Well, the girls are staying here that's for sure ... Dora is my only girl out of my group winner KSee (Am/Can Ch Saredon Chasing Secrets), who has now been spayed and placed. And, Cosmo, co-owned with my friend Bruce, is one that he and I want to grow on given that she is out of our multi BIS bitch, Paisa. And, for the 2 boys (Cosmo and Dora's brothers) ... well, right now I think that I just want to grow them up at home. I LOVE both of their pedigrees, think they are terrific puppies and am just enjoying watching them grow. Perhaps one day they will be available to the right home - but it really would have to be the RIGHT home.

Next stop - New York City in a couple of weeks for the famous Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden! Michael and I will both be going, and will likely make a holiday of it (see the city, go to a couple of musicals ... enjoy our time away!). I can't wait! Of course I am hoping for the best for Parker, but I am sure that he will look beautiful and we will enjoy ourselves!

So, as always, a huge thank you to Wood and Jenny Wornall for presenting and conditioning Parker ... and of course a big thanks to Andrew Peel and Caitlyn for all of your support and help! It wouldn't happen without you guys there! Thank you!

Best of Breed at Eukanuba / AKC National!

It's been a nail biting week with a number of top Welsh Terriers competing here in Long Beach California. It has been the run-up to "Eukanuba - AKC National Championship". It's not as large of a terrier entry as Montgomery had, but the dogs that are here are all of top quality! So far, Parker has won best of breed some of the days and his sire, Spyder, won the breed the other days.

However today, the main show day, PARKER did it - Best of Breed!

With a record breed entry for this prestigious show (competition from across the US, Canada, England and Australia), Mr. Walter Goodman's Best of Breed dog was chosen to be Parker - Ch Darwyn's Webslinger!

My bad habit (biting my nails) was my drug of choice this afternoon while we all watched the beautiful dogs go around, individually judged and then waited until the winner was pointed to! It was such an intense time period for me. Truly wonderful. And, watching Parker and Jenny Wornall in the Group ring tonight brought tears to my eyes. When Mrs. Robert Forsyth pulled Parker in her 'cut', I gasped for breath! He showed SO beautifully, I cannot wait to see the televised version of tonight show!

I was also very happy to watch my friends Lakeland Terrier, Ch. Manoirs Match Point, from Ontario win the breed and watch him in the group.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful words and encouragement about this young dog.

I can't wait to go home tomorrow, see Michael (who has so kindly stayed home to take care of our puppies) and just cuddle with potential future Best in Show dogs!

What a Birthday!

It's my birthday today and I received some really terrific news!

Parker (Ch Darwyn's Webslinger) got his first Group Placement TODAY - a Group 2 in Arizona (Judge; Linda C. More) - WOW! Next goal ... compete at Eukanuba - the AKC National Championship!

And, Athena (Am Ch Darwyn's Heroic Endeavour), got 2 more AKC majors this weekend and is also now officially finished her American Championship! What a good girl she is :-) Next goal for her is to come back to Canada and get her Canadian title ....

Woo Hoo!

THANK YOU WOOD & JENNY WORNALL AND ANDREW PEEL! Yippee!

WOW! This birthday, which was going to be fairly low key ... I think will have to be one where we go out for dinner!

Parker and Athena BOTH won the Welsh Terrier Club of America Specialty today!

I woke up to some amazing news today! When it first sunk in I screamed so loudly Michael thought something was wrong with one of the puppies or dogs ... but thankfully that wasn't the case. This was good news - VERY good news!

Today is the Welsh Terrier Club of America National Specialty, held at Montgomery County Kennel Club (the most prestigious terrier show in the world!). We have 2 welsh entered, both a non-champion dog and a non-champion bitch (Parker and Athena). Our goal? Well, at this prestigious breeder show, our main goal was to have our kennel represented well with dogs that were competitive, and be seriously considered for one of the winners classes (ideally Winners Dog (male) and/or Winners Bitch (female) and if they did, to be competitive for Best of Winners once the champions came in to compete for Best of Breed).

Well - they both were certainly competitive! And, Wood and Jenny Wornall and Andrew Peel, as they do with all of their terriers, conditioned them and presented them beautifully! This is definitely something that has to be done for this level - there are many professional handlers in the Welsh Terrier ring, and all do a marvelous job!

PARKER (Darwyn's Webslinger) won WINNERS DOG & BEST OF BREED!

ATHENA (Darwyn's Herioc Endeavour) won WINNERS BITCH!

I have been told that this is the FIRST time in the Welsh Terrier Club of America history that the BOB, WD AND WB were all owned and bred by the same person! WOW!






Whew!

I am somewhat disappointed that I was not there in person to witness this myself. For the first time in 11 years I missed going to Montgomery. But, I had a very good reason. Haley (Parker AND Athena's mom from 2 different litters) had a litter of 3 healthy boys just over a week ago, and Paisa (Am/Can Ch. Sanherpinc Paisa), my (US) multiple Best in Show bitch had a litter of SIX healthy puppies a couple of days ago.

Well, I guess as I let this all sink in, I will go and cuddle with the puppies and celebrate with Michael tonight!

Go hug your dogs - we will!