ORLANDO, DAY THREE

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 GCH CH Casablanca's Thrilling Seduction 
While the Number One and Number Two Dogs were doing an endof year tango in Cleveland, much of the dog world was in Orlando Fl at the lastwarm up before the AKC/Eukanuba National championship.  The Central Florida Kennel Club drew over3300 dogs and every breed ring was actively contested. 
The seven dogs that made it to Houston Clark’s final werethe Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction, the AmericanFoxhound, GCH CH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box, the Boxer, CH Hi-Tech The King ofSherry Shot JP, the Wire Fox Terrier, GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky, the MiniaturePinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare, the Schipperke, GCH CH Dante’s FireWhen Ready HOF, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch.
GCH CH AfterAll Painting the Sky
(Photo by Infocusbymiguel)
Reserve went to the country’s Number One Terrier, the Wire Fox, Sky and  Best In Show wentto the winningest Sporting Dog ever, the Cocker, Beckham.   Beckham and handlers Michael and  Linda Pitts have collected 121 career BIS, 29this year.  Beckham is currently the NumberThree Sporting Dog and Number 11 Dog all Breeds.

SHARING A NATION'S GRIEF

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Before I head over to the Orange County Convention Center to cover the first day of the 2012 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, I join the millions of people in the US and around the world that grieve over the tragic loss of life yesterday in Connecticut.  Any loss of life is tragic, but the death of one so young is bewildering and incomprehensible.  I may be a maudlin old man, but as a father and grandfather, my tears are genuine.

I will gather up my gear and go to the dog show this morning because that's the only response to senseless tragedy, keeping moving forward.  I don't want to hear the "what ifs" or another debate on gun control.  I simply hope that those families that lost their precious children find the support and strength to keep moving forward.  As you go about your business today take a moment and grieve with those families, send them your support, and be thankful for the day you have today.

I will enjoy myself today, but I won't be quite as exuberant as usual.  I know I don't won't to hear any complaints for those that don't win today.  Whatever happens you are here today. 

WHERE THE DOGS ARE

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We are sitting at the press table here in the Orange CountyConvention Center arena awaiting the Hound Group judging at the 12^thAnnual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, but neither of the Top Two Houndswill be here.  The Number One Hound, GCHCH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box, was in Allentown PA, picking up the big rosette atthe Lehigh Valley Kennel Club show while the Number Two Hound, the Harrier, GCHCH Downhome Hitech Innovator was in Cleveland OH collecting a Group One at theday two show of the Richland Kennel Club.
Also missing from tonight’s groups will be the Number OneDog All Breeds, the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Mt View’s RipsnorterSilver Charm, who took the Sporting Group today in Allentown, and the NumberTwo Dog, the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova, whofollowed suit in Cleveland.  We will seethe Number One and Two Toy Dogs tonight, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe VTani Kazari, and the Miniature Pinscher, GCH CH Marlex Classic Red Glare.
But don’t despair.  Connie francis Might have thought that Florida was where the boys are, but tonight it's were the dogs are.  Wehave seen plenty of talent here in Orlando during the past three days. We willbring you the excitement as it happens. We do expect some surprises.

DSP CONTRIBUTORS, DRIVE BYS, & DOGGIE BAGS

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We spent the past year visiting every corner of the US talkingto doggy folk about the game we love. What I have found is that technology has made our sport moreenjoyable.  Everywhere I went people wereaware of what was going on all over the US. Many had a firm grasp on the global fancy. 

We are going to attempt a few enhancements to Dog Show Poopthis year.  The first is a nobrainer.  To encourage participation bythe average exhibitor, we are creating the Dog Show Poop Contributor.  The first person that emails us a show report(bill38112@aol.com) with the registerednames of the BIS, the RBIS, and the other five finalists, will be recognized asa DSP contributor.  We will feature his/herdog’s photo along with the BIS and RBIS from the show with a report on the dog’sperformance, e.g. “This report was contributed by John Doe, whose Pug, DSP Fan,was Reserve Winners Dog, today.”  We areseeking to increase the average owner/handler’s participation, but we will makethis open to all.  In the event ofduplicate show reports, we will use the one with the earliest timestamp.  For those with a limited, or nonexistent, advertisingbudget, this is an great way to get your dog before the public eye.
"Drive By" Multnomah Falls on your way home from Portland OR
We are also going to return to our weekly preview of shows,including a designated “Drive By”.  Somany of us go to shows in spectacular locations, but come home never havingseen anything other than the show grounds. We understand that a show weekend gets hectic, but most of us findourselves heading home long before the day is over.  Rather than go home muttering about the judgethat left you out of the ribbons, drive by something beautiful and make thatyour favorite memory of the weekend. Please send us your recommendations for a Drive By to the above emailaddress.
Jantzen Beach Bar and Grill, Portland OR
Finally, apart from our family and our dogs, our greatestloves are food and opera.  We have eatenway too many bad meals on show weekends.  We are always on the lookout fora reasonably priced spot frequented by locals, serving regional dishes, that getsus in and out quickly.  Let us know whatyour favorites are and we will add them to our weekly  “Doggy Bag”.
We have already designated 2012 as Our Favorite Year, but we think the best is yet to come. Help us make 2013 a great one!

IT'S A NEW SHOW SEASON!

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We haven’t even said a proper good-bye to 2012, but we arealready looking forward to 2013’s first shows.

It’s hard to beat the Kennel Club of Palm Springs and itslimited breed warm-ups for a place to start the doggy new year.  The venue combines all the glitz and glamorof Southern California in one of the US’ most beautiful areas.  In addition to the palm trees, mountains, andthe rat pack history, you get a look at some of the most beautiful dogsanywhere.   The Desert Empire Terrier Club Of SouthernCalifornia, the Toy Dog Breeders Association Of Southern California, and theSand To Sea Non-Sporting Association Of Southern California will kick it offwith entries of 372, 356, & 369, respectively.  They will be joined on Friday by the SouthernCalifornia Sporting Dog Fanciers and the Inland Empire Hound Club Of SouthernCalifornia bringing the total entry to over 2400 in the five groups.   This year’s two all breed shows have drawn 6500dogs.   Now if you want to play what if games, a dog couldwalk away with over 7000 points to start the season.
If you are going to Palm Springs for the first time, or ifyou have never strayed very far from the Indio polo fields on your past trips,we think you should do a DRIVE BY of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, billed asthe world’s largest rotating tramcar. The ten minute rid takes you up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon to thetram’s mountain station, 8,516 feet above sea level.  Just a half hour from the show grounds onyour way back to your regular life, it’s worth the time Not for those squeamishabout heights and it will be cool in January, but you’ll get a view you willremember a lifetime.
We haven’t eaten there ourselves, but we hear really goodthings about El Mirasol, 140 East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.   One of the things we learned in our 25 yearsin California is that Mexican food can be every bit as complex as our owncountry’s.  Put something adventurous inyour DOGGY BAG.
There are other options this first weekend.  Columbiana County Kennel Club and theRubber City Kennel Club will team up for three all breedshows in Tallmadge OH.  The take won’t beas large as Palm Springs, but the over 3300 points available could make for avery nice beginning.    The North Star ToyDog Club, the North Star Working Group Association, and the North Star HerdingGroup Club will open on Friday for the Land O' Lakes Kennel Club’s two allbreed offerings Saturday and Sunday.  Wecan’t think of a better excuse to wear your fur coat.
Texas fanciers will head for Glen Rose TX wherethe North Texas Non-Sportinng Association will open fot the Nolan River KennelClub’s two all breed shows. Our three remaining options are thoughtfully arrayed fromNew England to Florida.   The Merrimack Valley Kennel Club opens theseason with a weekend in Fitchburg MA, the Clemson Kennel Club will do two inPendleton SC, and the Greater Daytona Dog Fanciers Association will keep youwarm for two days in Deland FL. 
Remember, you can get your dog’s photo and win on Dog ShowPoop for free, just become a DSP Contributor and send us in a show report.  This week we had to do our own research for aDRIVE BY and DOGGY BAG recommendations. Hopefully, our readers will help us out next week.  This is gonna be a great year.

LEHIGH VALLEY KENNEL CLUB 1

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GCH CH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box(Photo by Kayla Bertagnolli, courtesy of Best In Show Daily)
As we told you yesterday, a few of our Top Dogs are not herein Orlando competing at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.  The Number One Dog All Breeds, GCH CH Mt View’sRipsnorter Silver Charm, was in Allentown PA yesterday at the Lehigh Valley KennelClub show picking up a Sporting Group 1. He was joined in judge Richard Powell’s final by the country’s Number NineDog, the American Foxhound, GCH CH Kiarry’s Pandora’s Box, the DobermanPinscher, GCH CH D’s Remember When, the Colored Bull Terrier, GCH CH BanburyBedrock Bright Star Bright, the Pekingese, CH Yakee’s Easily Persuaded, the Dalmatian,GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian, and the Rough Collie, GCH CH Devinwood A PerfectStranger.
Judge Powell’s Top two were the Bull Terrier, who got theReserve, and the Foxhound, who t0ok the Best In Show.  Jewel’s 33^rd BIS of the year movesher past the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Jaset’s Satisfaction, into the NumberEight spot all breeds.

RACE FOR NUMBER ONE IS OVER

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GCH CH Downhome Hitech Innovator (Photo by Kayla Bertagnolli, colurtesy of Best In Show Daily)
The National Title of Number One Dog All Breeds was decidedtoday at the Western Reserve Kennel Club show today in Cleveland.  Sandy Wheat handed the big rosette to theHarrier, GCH CH Downhome Hitech Innovator, and the Reserve ribbon to the ShihTzu, GCH CH Hallmark Jolei Bells Will Be Ringing, while the Number Two Dog AllBreeds, the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova,watched.
GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova (Photo by Lights, Camera, Canines)
Rounding out the final seven were the Boxer, GCH CH DracoGreets Dassin With Fourbears, the Russell Terrier, GCH CH Goldsands Columbus,the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dassin Hillwood Rock On By, and the Briard, GCH CHLightning Strike El Xargall.
While the bad news is that the Springer will fall short ofcatching the Number One Dog, GCH CH Mt View's Ripsnorter Silver Charm, the good news is the win should be sufficient to putthe Harrier, Chet, into the prized Top Ten, subject to final verification.

THE 2012 NUMBER ONE DOG IS...

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GCH CH Mt View’s Ripsnorter Silver Charm (Photo by Kayla Bertagnolli courtesy of Best In Show Daily)
We don’t have the complete results in, but we wanted to letyou know that the German Wirehaired Pointer, GCH CH Mt View’s Ripsnorter SilverCharm, has just been awarded Best In Show by judge Dennis McCoy at the DelawareWater Gap Kennel Club show in Allentown PA. The win worth over 1300 points will make Oakley the 2012 Number One DogAll Breeds.  Congratulations to breeders ClaireWisch, Kelly Wisch, & Helen George, owner Victor Malzoni Jr, and handlerPhil Booth.