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BEST

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Editor’s Welcome Pg.5

AUGUST

OWNER HANDLERS IT’S OK TO BE HAPPY RISING STARS OF THE NEW MILLENIUM THE GREATEST POODLE SHOW ON EARTH BISDFRESH CELEBRATING CHAMPIONS

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Calling All Non-Sporting Dogs & Great Western Wrap-up

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WHO’S WHO AT BISD Publisher/Founder Kayla L. Kurucz Associate Publisher Richard F. Goldman Editor-in-Chief Leah Bertagnolli

Associate editors Laura Reeves, Elizabeth Turner-Brinkley, Deborah Davidson-Harpur Marlene Groves Art & Photography Director Megan Cloudman

Creative Director Keith Flemming Social Media Maven Jen Smith Intern Karissa Groves

Sales Jess Pearson B E ST

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Leah Bertagnolli

EDITOR

from our Editor

Summertime is here Hi there, Summer’s here and we couldn’t be more

is always great fun, the embroidered towels are

If you’re a poodle breeder, exhibitor, fancier

useful and beautiful. I want to thank each Show

or Handler, you’ll appreciate Allison Foley’s

Committee for all their hard work.

first person account of her Best Standard Poodle

excited as the year is in full swing with beautiful

win with Ch Afterglow Maverick Sabre “Rickey”

All Breed, Regionals and Nationals in high gear!

Laura’s been everywhere this first half year,

at the Poodle Club of America and a glimpse

I’ve been fortunate to be on the road with our

covering most of the Northwest & West. If you

into her challenges to get there. Todd Foley

beagles, showing in Utah and Idaho. The shows

follow her columns, you’ll know it’s not been

contributed the photos that provide all the emo-

were wonderful. Hats off to all the Show

without challenges. Heat, mudslides, torrential

tion and drama of the “Greatest Show

Committees and Clubs that work so hard to

rains, some unplanned stops for car repairs, and

On Earth!”

make the events positive for everyone. Things

wrangling some new puppies. In between, she’s

that really worked: hospitality; creating an

developed a series that we’re kicking off on the

I want to thank our advertisers and all our

atmosphere so exhibitors felt like guests; the

next generation of Handlers. This month, six will

readers to that contribute to Best In Show

Board and Membership present talking with

be presented. Laura goes in-depth, providing a

Daily’s success. If you have suggestions for

exhibitors, asking how to improve for next year;

360 view into their passion for dogs, their world

us, send them over! Wishing you a wonderful

throwing fun events like the Luau evening;

outside of the shows and what it’s like to be the

Summer and lots of success.

5 BEST

trophies, the Golden Potato

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next generation of Handlers.

OHAPPY

wner Handlers:

It’s OK to be If It Weren’t for the Grousing

Once again, I find myself comparing the work-

never actually helps. My most demonstrative

keep your thoughts to yourself. Some are actu-

place to the showplace. There was a time in my

story along these lines involved the Top 20 event

ally at the National to enjoy themselves via com-

(real) career that I honestly thought my job was

from many Nationals ago that I had helped on.

petition or re-connecting with fellow fanciers on

to find the pitfalls in my company’s way forward.

The next day I was accosted by a professional

the national scale; not by finding as much fault as

I looked at it as an opportunity to head off disas-

handler who was also a club member with a litany

possible with the show committee.

ter – the well prepared is well armed approach.

of complaints about the event. ‘Trust me, I have

The problem was, I didn’t realize how this was

been to dozens of Top 20’s and I know how they

The Hijacker

perceived by my bosses and my co-workers.

should be run!’ he told me in no uncertain terms.

This complainer is much cagier than your normal

I thought I was being a go-getter, showing my

‘That is good to hear,’ I replied, ‘So I guess you

grouser. They wade into a fun, and lively conver-

eagerness to tackle any challenge, and ever

will volunteer to run next year’s event. I know

sation and turn the topic to themselves and what

so clever to have spotted the problem areas

that the committees are always looking for good

they have a problem with. And they have found

in our new policies or procedures. How I was

people.’

a shiny new way to inflict their opinions. It’s

perceived of course, was as a complainer;

called ‘social media.’

someone who didn’t see how to move forward

That statement was not only met with silence,

In the olden days, the Hijacker’s opportunities

and get things done because they were too busy

but with a look that let me know he thought I

were somewhat limited to ringside conversations

spotting why we should never proceed in the

was completely off my rocker. Him? Volunteer?

or perhaps over the group lunch at supported

first place. So I made a change, and I am much

You must be joking! I would love to say that was

events. A friendly conversation would be going

happier for it.

an isolated incident but unfortunately, it is the

on about the day’s proceedings or plans for a

norm. The loudest critics at the Nationals seem

litter and then they strike. Very often, their

I am sure we have all had experience in this.

to always be the ones who have never offered to

complaining revolves around how they should

I can’t be the only one who didn’t want a certain

actually work on one. And finding fault is not

be winning but are not and how everyone else’s

someone on their project team because they

simply something that happens in the course of

entries are clearly inferior in one way or another

knew this person would bog down the simplest

the week as things may go wrong, it is actually

to theirs. The breed in general is too big or too

of tasks in a quagmire of complaints. But in the

sought out. Part of the goal of the week is to

small, for instance, while their kennel represents

dog world, we seem to have 10 negative nellies

find as much wrong (real or imagined) as possi-

the perfection that we should all be striving for

for each one I know of at work! And since I am

ble and complain about it loudly to all who will

(of course). What was a productive conversation

not paid to deal with these, my patience is wear-

listen. It never crosses their mind to go to the

is instantly dampened as the hijacker tries to

ing

show chair and say instead ‘Hey, I noticed no one

make everything about them. With the advent

a tad thin. I find that there are a few sour flavors

was at the Ways and Means table when I went to

of Facebook and Twitter, they can hijack

to this behavior that often mix together for an

buy a tee shirt. I’m not showing a dog tomorrow

discussions from a distance. Social media is

unpalatable sundae. Here are my categories.

morning and can man that table for a few hours if

such a double edged sword. We have the ability

you need me.’

to remain connected to each other in ways we never could before. I can see what others are

The Non-Volunteer As my own National Specialty approaches,

Look, sometimes suggestions help, but they

producing in their litters, discuss

I am reminded almost daily of this characteristic

usually come in that form: a suggestion or offer

their whelping box set ups, and

which I am sure is all too familiar. This is the

to assist. In a sense, if you are not willing to put

naturally listen to everyone brag

person that can find fault with an event but

yourself in the volunteer seat, you may want to

about their wins. It also brings

a certain lack of reality since most people aren’t

many of us have run into the lead time necessary to

forward. And usually these hardy souls are the ones

going to post about how much debt they may

secure a judging panel and how sometimes, we re-

with a very balanced approach to the world, so

be carrying but will go on at length about how

ally have to go with the panel to save money. Look, when they speak, people listen. There is an

successful their children are or the home remodel

if there is one thing to realize it is that it is the rare

essential aspect to pointing out ways to improve

that looks so fabulous.

judge that everyone likes. In fact, I think that crea-

things or blowing the whistle when things are

ture is a myth, somewhere on the scale between

wrong. However, if you are doing nothing but

the Lock Ness Monster and a Unicorn.

grumble, people stop listening. So when the AKC

We are also connected to those that we may not want to hear from so much and there is a certain

and judges and clubs hear nothing but complaints

etiquette to our friend list that makes it hard to ex- So when I send out the notice on mailing lists, and

from us individual Owner-Handlers and Breeder

clude people. And these aren’t necessarily trolls

group lists on Facebook with the details about the

Owner-Handlers, we run the risk of getting their

in the traditional internet sense, but they are some

show, the prizes, the lunch, the Sweepstakes I am

deaf ear. We become the group that can never be

sort of monster. And they will take advantage of

offering, the superintendent link for you to peruse,

happy, so why should they even try? We lose the

the social media experience to make all your posts and the list of judges, I don’t expect everyone to be leverage we need to effect change. about them and what is upsetting them. So your

happy about it. I do, unfortunately, expect to hear

fun story about your preparation for this year’s Na-

from a few about how unhappy they are. The ‘sorry

So what if this was your job? Now I know, for us it

tional is turned to how they

I won’t be able to make it this year’ is one thing;

is a passion as well as a fun activity and I am not

won’t be going because it is too expensive or

but the ‘why didn’t you get a better judge’ is a

talking about becoming a professional dog show

they don’t like the judge. If your contribution to

whole different animal. They get to wrap their gen-

handler. I am thinking more along the line of just

a discussion makes everyone turn from laughter

eral displeasure at this or that judge right up with

being professional in your approach. Would you

Rhoda Springer started dog showing by accident in 1993 when she got her first Rhodesian Ridgeback. She has been addicted to the sport ever since despite numerous family intervention attempts. to smiling through gritted teeth, you may just be

how I am clearly deficient for not having consulted

complain at work all day? If you did, would you

a Hijacker. We are all egomaniacs in dog show-

with them in the first place. After all, I should have

expect your job to be there the next morning?

ing but if you can’t have a fun conversation with

filled out all that paper work, spent all that money,

There is an adage in the business world that you

someone without making it about how the world is

and worked my butt off just so they could win. And

should never go to your boss with problems, only

against you, you may find everyone walking away.

of note – I have never noticed one of these people

solutions. It’s not a bad rule to keep in mind.

Oh, and the judges! Another favorite topic! That

supporting an entry . . .

When you think of solutions for an individual issue

is where my next flavor shines.

you may have, it requires a bit more thought and And Now, Why is This Important?

planning. And if you can’t think of a solution, may-

The Opportunist

Perception is key. All of us at one time or another

be that’s something you should just let go. So while

Nothing and no time is off limits to the Opportun-

has been faced with some evidence that the world

I don’t advocate the appearance of happiness for

ist. They hijack, don’t volunteer, and complain on

does not see us how we think we really are. Our

appearances sake, I think it is okay to be a happy

a regular basis. They are the Olympic medalists of

actions are interpreted and a conclusion is drawn, a

Owner Handler. You become a person with more

grousers. And we all have our stories. Here is one

conclusion that can be unflattering like that we are

confidence that people will want to be around, and

of mine.

an obstacle instead of an asset. So if all we do as

eventually (perhaps) listen to. Leave behind the

non-professionals is complain, we will be seen as

thinking that complaining makes you important in

One of the most prevalent occurrences of the

unproductive – just like that co-worker that nobody

same way – because many of us think that without

Opportunist is when discussing judges, even if your

wants on their team.

it, you would have nothing to talk about. And keep

conversation didn’t start out that way. I support

in mind that a bad day at a dog show is still better

my breed entry at my all breed

There are things that need to be changed; big

than a good day at work. And with that, I will stop

club’s show. I’m sure that many

things. And we need loud mouths in our commu-

complaining about complainers!

of us do this. And I am sure

nity that are brave enough to bring these issues

Rhoda Springer

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Rising Stars of the New Millenium I hear a lot of folks decrying the woeful state of our sport populated, as I have been repeatedly assured, by all-about-me Millennials who never learned to work and requiring a participation ribbon just for showing up. I’ve even been known to mutter on this topic myself. Thus, it was with a bit of trepidation that I succumbed to the nudging of none other than Mr. Bill to touch base with some of the young people in the Fancy. A few of these up and coming handlers, breeders and owners, all 30 and under, were known to me, but a great many were not. I was absolutely blown away! These young men and women express the insight, the work ethic, the commitment and the passion to lead us forward into what may well become a new “Golden Age” of the sport. I see an awful lot of talent and smarts in this group.

Laura Reeves

Shine on Twentysomethings!

Aaron Bradshaw, 21, Handler, Dallas, TX

What lesson did you take away from your most

How many years have you been “in dogs?”

humbling loss?

12 years now… they go by quickly!

After every loss, work harder than before.

What breed was your first dog?

What is your #1 “secret to success”?

A Labrador Retriever

An unhealthy amount of black coffee, everyday…..

What is your primary breed now?

15 years from today, what do you hope will be your

As of recently, Airedales!

“claim to fame”? My dogs are always happy, well cared for, in

Who is/are your mentor(s)? Ed Thomason, Randy

excellent condition, and exhibited perfectly.

Schepper and Brian Livingston have made a big

impact in my life. But there are so many that I have

Bonus question: If you were “King/Queen

looked up to and have helped me along the way. I

for a Day,” what one change would you make to

am grateful for their help and willingness to share

the sport to revitalize it?

their knowledge.

Can one change revitalize our sport? We all need

What was your favorite or most memorable win?

to do more for the sport we are passionate about.

Its a tie! Being awarded bjh at Westminster with

Public education, judges education, being

my bullmastiff under Mrs. Jennifer Pahl, and

involved with clubs, reducing costs, breed

winning my first best in show with Am Staff

legislation, coming together as a group to make

GCH Alpine’s Highwayman “Jelly” under

change happen. I would like to share my passion

Mrs. Lee Canalizo.

with my children one day, it would be nice to not have uncertainty about the future of our sport.

Amber Leonard, 20, breeder/owner/handler,

Antonio Vidmar, 27, Handler’s Assistant,

Blake C. Hansen, 23, Handler, Breeder,

Brazil

Menifee, CA

AKC juniors Judge, Merritt Island, FL

How many years have you been “in dogs?”

Nine years

11 years

12 years in dog actively.

What breed was your first dog?

Standard smooth dachshund

Labrador retriever

My first dog I grew up with was a German Shepherd bitch from AKC breeders, Ben and

What is your primary breed now?

Joe McGovern. My first dog I actively showed

Standard longhaired dachshunds

Don’t have any dogs of my own at moment,

myself was a Kerry blue terrier!

Rhodesian ridgeback in close future. What is your primary breed now?

Who is/are your mentor(s)? The biggest ones are Nicole Cooper, Mary Freibert

Who is/are your mentor(s)?

My primary breed would be Kerry Blue Terriers.

and Carlos Puig.

My boss and dear friend, Valerie Nunes Atkinson.

I breed Wire Fox Terriers. I show many Giant

What was your favorite or most memorable win?

Schnauzers, Brussels Griffon, Norfolk Terriers and

I can’t pick one! Winning the longhair variety at the My very first All Breed Best in show with our Bornational in 2011 when I was 15 and winning it again zoi, Lucy this years RBIS winner from WKC. BOB at in 2015.

Cruft’s 2012 with Clumber Spaniel.

What lesson did you take away from your most

humbling loss?

Losing is an important component to winning and

To learn and grow more and always be a good

being a good winner.

sport, never be bad loser.

What is your #1 “secret to success”?

Always being dedicated to learning and never

I believe it’s always the same in every aspect of our

believing you know it all.

lives, believe in yourself and never give up no matter how hard it is sometimes.

15 years from today, what do you hope will be your “claim to fame”?

15 years from today, what do you hope will be

Breeding consistently honest and sound dogs

your “claim to fame”?

for many generations while incorporating some

I’ll keep that for myself :)

foreign blood to produce a dachshund without extremity that appeals to more judges around the

If you were “King/Queen for a Day,” what one

world. Uniting American dachshund breeders and

change would you make to the sport to revital-

all other foreign breeders of the breed is important ize it? Less shows or new rating system that is not based on how many shows a person can take their to me and I hope to play a part in breaking some barriers internationally, at least in the standard long variety.

dog to.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers. Who is/are your mentor(s)? I worked for Jamie and Jaki Clute; Lance and Tracy Deloria; Larry Cornelius; Keith Bailey and Sharon Abemeyer Bayleigh Shaireabs, Welsh Terriers kennel. What was your favorite or most memorable win? My favorite win would be winning the Kerry blue terrier national specialty by going Best of breed at Montgomery County Kennel club terrier show when I was 17. My best in show with my Giant Schnauzer, Ch Skansens Jose Cuervo V. Eastwood, would be my close second favorite win. Judging junior showmanship at Westminster kennel club I have to stay is my favorite new memory ! What lesson did you take away from your most humbling loss? Always be kind and courteous to those around you, inside and outside of the ring. There’s always another dog show tomorrow and you never know whose watching!

What is your #1 “secret to success”? Love and believe in your dog. Always be willing to

What lesson did you take away from your most

make time to help others! The sport of dogs needs humbling loss?

humbling loss?

more people and juniors participating. The juniors

The lesson I took away from my most humbling

I started in 4-H and they have a competition motto

are the future of our sport.

loss, along with every other loss, is that you’re not

that says, “Keep your head when you win and your

always going to have the best dog in the ring. You

heart when you lose.” I strive to live out that motto

15 years from today, what do you hope will be your

have to be able to take your losses just as gra-

and am always reminded of it in my losses. But my

“claim to fame”?

ciously as you take your wins.

most humbling experience was having a dog wick-

Piloting a dog to best in show at Montgomery County Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club

eted for the first time back when I was about 11. What is your #1 “secret to success”?

I was pulled into the center of the ring in a large

When I’m standing at the dog show surrounded by

Lab entry at the Rose City Classic and had to wait

all the top breeders and handlers in my breeds, I

what felt like a lifetime for the wicket to arrive.

feel like this a question for them, not for me.

During this insanely embarrassing moment several handlers ran over to tell me what to do. I learned

15 years from today, what do you hope will be your

that day that dog show family sticks together and

“claim to fame”?

someone is always there to look out for you and

10- 15 years from today, I hope my claim to fame

support you.

will be continuing to breed good dogs and being respected by my peers.

What is your #1 “secret to success”? “ Attitude makes the difference” 15 years from today, what do you hope will be your “claim to fame”? Integrity. I don’t care if I’m ever the biggest and most well known handler, but I want those who know me to think of me as a respectable and kind handler with good hands and great dogs. If you were “King/Queen for a Day,” what one

Brandon Edge, 24, Breeder/Owner/Handler,

change would you make to the sport to

Laurinburg, NC

revitalize it?

How many years have you been “in dogs?”

The AKC has actually implemented several things

I have been showing dogs for 8 years, however I

lately that I think are great ideas for revitalizing

have been involved with purebred dogs since I was

the sport, from allowing mixed breeds in the

a small child.

companion events, to adding the Grand Championship titles in conformation. As the

What breed was your first dog?

economy continues to get better, I hope these

The breed of my first dog was a Dalmatian, that

events continue to increase attendance but

I received on my fifth birthday from my parents. What is your primary breed now?

Cheyenne Schlecht, 24, breeder, owner

something I would love to see changed is the

and professional handler, Ridgefield, WA

|cost of participating in these events. I realize

How many years have you been “in dogs?” 20

the expense of hosting dog shows is increasing,

My primary breeds are French Bulldogs and Bulldogs. Who is/are your mentor(s)?

but from what I have seen we would have more What breed was your first dog?

participation if the cost of entries and things like

My family had Labs and Goldens, but my first dog

grooming and parking weren’t so high.

was an English Cocker Spaniel.

I consider myself to be very fortunate when it comes to mentors, because I have had some of

What is your primary breed now?

the best in our sport. Jean Hetherington, Chris

English Cocker Spaniels and German

Manelopoulos and Rachel Corbin, Allen Weinberg, Shorthaired Pointers. and Mike and Linda Pitts. Each one of these individuals have taught me many, many lessons,

Who is/are your mentor(s)?

and they each hold a special place in my life.

Randy Schepper and Kay Belter.

What was your favorite or most memorable win?

My most memorable win was when I won my first

One of my most memorable wins was getting my

group on my first French Bulldog special, GCH

first Group 1 after going out on my own. I had won

Dub’l-J Devine Springular Sensation, Tula.

several on Randy’s client dogs as his apprentice

but there was something extra rewarding about getting my own Group 1 on my own client dog.

THE GREATEST

POODLE SHOW

ON EA RTH Allison Foley

An event I look forward to every year. I say, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”

Then more recently in 2014 I was fortunate enough

was semi retirement from dog shows

because, well, just like Christmas it really is a world-

to show my own poodle that I co-owned with my

I had plans to show her at a dog show at the end

wide poodle holiday. Never do poodles look

husband and Dr. Michael Tipple “Ellie Mae” to first

of the year but her front bracelet hadn’t quite

better; never do you work harder then when you’re

in her class.

grown in enough. Then she was entered at West-

showing your dogs at this great event.

minster with plans to show her there, but she had We didn’t go winners bitch but we were the crowd

come in season it was just a week too pregnant to

If we fast-forward from 1987 when I first

favourite and that was good enough for me!! In

attend the event

attended Poodle Club of America, to the past

2015, Ellie Mae won a coveted Award of Merit and

few years things have changed as much as they

I had dreams of winning PCA with her.

have stayed the same. As a handler, I have been

Then my dream was that Ellie Mae would retire at PCA but Ellie Mae had another dream… with six

lucky enough to pilot several different dogs in all

Later in 2015, Ellie Mae had a fluke accident and

six week old puppies she wasn’t quite looking her

three varieties to major awards at PCA.

broke her leg, which put her into what I thought

fit self then she decided to scratch out a big piece

of her topknot, and self trimmed a bracelet on the

Now if we go back to 2013 that was the year I had

Plonkey of Valcopy fame, Ricky and I won the

show side. So although I thought I could make her

been asked by Michael Gadsby and Jason Lynn to

coveted title of best standard poodle in show at

look good I didn’t think I could make her look like

show Ricky in the open dog class. Ricky and I went

the prestigious Poodle club of America.

the Ellie Mae of my dreams.

on to win the class and winners dog, but things weren’t done yet. With Jason piloting, Ricky went

I would like to thank everyone involved from the

At this point, I was fortunate enough to have the

best of winners… so it wasn’t as though Ricky and I

judges and committee members of PCA, all of

infamous Ricky Ch Afterglow Maverick Sabre living

had never been in that ring together it’s just I never

Ricky’s fans who have sent cards and notes of

in my kennel. Originally it had been our plan to

thought it would happen again.

congratulations.

Mae out of the picture it became apparent that

Somehow the stars magically aligned… I thought

And to Michael and Jason, to my family, to my

this is what was meant to be and I was going to

Ricky was in his prime physically and mentally. He

wonderful assistants, to Ilaria and most of all to

show Ricky at PCA something I considered a rather

showed his heart out for me (or rather showed me

Ricky thank you for believing that even the

daunting task.

what to do) and under a poodle breeder judge

strangest dreams can come true.

show Ricky in the stud dog class only, but with Ellie

that I had admired from a very young age when I used to live on the West Coast of Canada, Mr. Dana

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