TopDogWeekly’s Cover Dog... CAN SEL MBIS MBISS CAN GCH AOE BIS AM GCH SIGNATURE’S PHILIP MARLOW V KRIDLER CGN OFA
As breeders and exhibiters we are fortunate enough to own a dog like TOR once in a life time…..From the minute I saw this boy I knew he was something very special. He has captured all our hearts at Coppercliff and the hearts of everyone he meets. TOR was the first GSD we ever campaigned and weren’t quite sure how exactly to go about it. So we started off slowly with Raul Olvera and Emily Burdon doing a couple of shows just to see how TOR would do. After only showing for a couple shows his first great win was at the 2012 Purina National in Toronto. He went group one Under Judge Edgar Bajona in a beautiful group of dogs. Then on to the US with Emily finishing his US championship in three weekends and the first time stepping into the ring as a US special he took his first Best in Show over 1700 dogs in Syracuse NY, under esteemed judge; Michelle Billings!! WOW… WOW we were so overwhelmed with emotion and delight. From there, Raul and Emily did a fabulous job with our boy training, conditioning and working him in perfect form throughout 2012. In total they took Group one at the Show of Shows, six Best in Show wins and a Best in Breed Specialty in Canada. They captured the last BIS of the year under Fernando Rodriques, as well as his CGN and Grand Championship in both the US and Canada. Then on to the GSD Nationals TOR goes select under GSD judge Susan Godek again with Raul at the end of his lead. Eukanuba was next, with Emily winning an Award of Merit and finishing the year as Canada’s #1 GSD and #2 herding dog. TOR and Emily attended Westminster in February 2013 taking Best of Opposite Sex under Breeder /Handler and esteemed GSD Judge James Moses. What a thrill and honour it was for me to watch this magnificent boy do what he does best at the Westminster Dog Show in NY City. Then in March 2013 we brought Tor home for a rest and to do some breeding. From that breeding we got his beautiful solo baby “ Abbey”…Coppercliff’s Westminster Abbey. First time in the ring, she went Best Baby Puppy in Group for all three shows over eighteen stunning babies in the group class! She’s now half way through her Canadian championship in limited showings and waiting for her chance to run in her daddies’ paw prints. Everyone was asking….” where’s TOR”? Everyone missed his goofy antics and loving sweet personality. Up to this point we had very limited showings for 2013. Then Tammy Sawatzy asked me to send him to her for the AKC and MCA shows…. just to play for a bit and see how he does out west. He and Tammy affectionately nick named “TNT” (Tor N Tammy) just clicked and never missed a beat, they were off and running and TOR does it again. TNT finished in the group at these two shows and won back to back specialty wins against a very impressive lineup at MCA under Yvonne Savard and Tony Vandendool. Even after a five month break he didn’t forget what he was supposed to do. What a boy! Proving he could win in both the all bred and specialty rings. It has been such an honor and privilege to own, show and love this stunning once in a life time dog, we are truly blessed. Thank you so very much too all the judges who have pointed in his direction and to his wonderful handlers and all his followers who have cheered him on….but mostly, Thank you to Leslie & Joe Beccia and Tari Kridler who have bred such a wonderful dog and a true joy to work with. Thank you all,
Fay Brugger Coppercliff Kennels Reg’d
BEST IN SHOWS week ending September 8th, 2013
Skaha Kennel Club – British Columbia Friday German Shepherd GCh Kohlein’s Marchesa Judge: Yvonne Savard Saturday West Highland White Terrier Ch. Whitebriar Jaw Dropper Judge: Linda Kraft Sunday Pomeranian GCh. Valcopy Jamel Sir Crystalton Judge: Lois Wilson Pictou Kennel Club – Nova Scotia Saturday Show 1 Whippet Ch GCh Lorricbrook Fascinator Judge: Joe Lobb Saturday Show 2 Standard Poodle GChEx Vetset Kate Winsit Judge: Rosemary Shoreman Sunday Show 1 Whippet Ch.GCh Lorricbrook Fascinator Judge: John Rowton Sunday Show 2 Pomeranian Chriscendo Connoisseur Judge: Janet Lobb
UPCOMING SHOWS this weekend
Calgary Kennel & Obedience Club - Alberta Oakville & District Kennel Club – Ontario Club Canin De L’ Estrie – Quebec
INSIDE COVER DOG
BISS Can & Am Ch. Goldgrove Heaven’s Messenger, known as “GABE” began showing in 2011 as a puppy with my friend Greg Chan at the end of his lead. Colin Brownlee took over and collected three Best Puppy in Group placements very quickly. Since then GABE has been in the ribbons consistently! GABE completed his Canadian & American Championships in short order and is now well on his way to completing his Grand Championships in both Canada and the USA. Besides the conformation ring, GABE has completed his TT, CGN, Herding Instinct Certificate and is actively training in obedience, and tracking. We are also working towards our St. John Therapy Dog Certificate. Gabe was recently awarded Best in Specialty with Colin at the Greater Mid-Ontario Doberman Fanciers. I am so proud of this dog and his attitude towards everything. He is a ham and makes me laugh all the time. This amazing boy comes to me from Sharon Plueger in North Carolina. I cannot thank her enough for such a wonderful dog. Keep an eye out for Colin and GABE in the future. Owned by: Deborah Dorken & Sharon Pflueger Bred by: Sharon Pflueger & Doris Jean Molin Presented by: Colin Brownlee
TOP TEN ALL BREEDS Courtesy of CanuckDogs.com
1
Ch Whitebriar Jaw Dropper - West Highland White Terrier
14374
2
Ch Champagne Charly V. Tani Kazari - Affenpinscher
6027
3
GChEx Vetset Kate Winsit - Standard Poodle
5733
4
GChEx NicNak's Second To None - Yorkshire Terrier
5488
5
GCh Polo's Air Force One - Afghan Hound
5443
6
Ch Ahmahr Nahr's The Lost Angel Gabriel - Basenji
4438
7
GCh Roaneden's Int'l Harvester - Nova Scotia Duck Toller
4374
8
Ch Hearthside Riveredge Sure Is Summum - Australian Shepherd
4258
9
GChEx Goldgrove High Intensity - Doberman Pinscher
4006
10
Ch Flacon d'Paris of Neigenuveaux - Barbet
3031
10
Ch Flacon d'Paris of Neigenuveaux - Barbet
2578
(TopDogWeekly does not verify these stats. They are supplied as a courtesy to our readers)
MEET OUR JUDGE OF THE WEEK RICHARD (DICK) LOPASCHUK, Cranbrook, British Columbia
1) Home city? Cranbrook, BC 2) Breed or Breed’s you have bred? I started breeding and exhibiting German Shepherd Dogs in 1966. I have also bred and exhibited Miniature Schnauzers, Cairn Terriers, Wire Fox Terriers and now only Papillons, but we still have two Cairn Terriers. I have also owned and exhibited Pointers. 3) Years you have been Judging? Twenty four 4) Licensed for or, on Permit for? All breeds 5) Judged in what Countries? Canada, United States, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, India, Japan, Indonesia, Sweden, South Africa and Mexico. 6) All time favourite assignment? I have had many favourite assignments, but the most memorable was the Melbourne Royal in Australia, the largest dog show in the Southern Hemisphere, where I had the privilege of judging BIS. Another was judging BIS in Sweden with about 6000 entries. 7) Favourite dog or dogs Judged from the past? I have had many but probably the most memorable are the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, CH Hobergay’s Fineus Fogg, Kerry Blue Terrier, CH Torum”s Scarf Michael, and the Siberian Husky, Ch. Karnovanda’s Niklas Wolf, who I gave his first Canadian Best in Show to and went on to be one of Canada’s Top Dogs with 99 BIS wins. There are many other excellent dogs as well, far too many to mention. 8) Pet Peeves in your ring? Seasoned exhibitors who fail to listen or follow the judge’s instruction. Example: Please go part way down and back, and they go all the way down and back or; please go around in a small circle, they go all the way around a large ring. Another example is: set up in front of the numbers or in a particular place and they set up anywhere but that place. 9) Favourite way to relax? Reading or playing games on my iPad, the iPhone, or computer. 10) How do you occupy your time in travel? Reading and listening to music. Watching 4 or 5 movies on long flights. 11) What do you think is the biggest problem facing our Sport? Too many dog shows and the limited entry in large urban areas. 12) What are your thoughts on Limit Dog Show’s? They belong in remote areas and definitely not in large metropolitan areas. Thank you Mr. Lopaschuk! Welcome to the TopDogWeekly family!
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
If you could only attend one of these two shows, would you attend Westminster week in New York or the AKC/Eukanuba Invitational week in Florida and why? Edgar Rojas Westminster would be my choice because it is such a tradition in our sport and the prestige of doing well at this show can help a dogs career so much. Dr. John Reeve Newson Westminster in New York, tradition, history of the show and it is a class act Margaret Brown AKC/Eukanuba BY Far! I have attended Eukanuba, both in California and Florida and both were fantastic show sites. Eukanuba is spectator friendly, lots of ring side seating, lots of sight seeing if you choose to do it and very affordable to go. I have also been to Westminster many times and have had entries there and it was a mad house. New York’s Westminster is extremely expensive, crowded, most years the wins are predictable and the weather is usually bad. Both shows have entries with excellent exhibits of dogs. It seems like Westminster is the dream of most breeders to be able to enter, as it has always been the “Show of Shows”. My dream would be to have an entry and show at the Eukanuba show. Danik Dancause The Eukanuba/AKC Invitational is a relatively young show. Even if they are doing well they have not being able yet to create the myth and the history. I have only attended the Eukanuba/AKC Invitational once and it was in 2008 in California. I must say that my experience there was positive and I really enjoyed the show but for me something was missing. It felt like a large dog show on blue carpet. As you can imagine by now my preference is the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. This show for me is just GRAND it is where a long list of great stories happened. The greatest North American handlers come and exhibit there. Some exceptional dogs have won and lost. And yes it is possible for an “unknown” to win there. It is not rare that the favorite one looses to some “new” upcoming dog. I can speak from experience; I did it at my first time showing their back in 1996. New York is one of my favorite cities. Once you get out
of the car you can feel the excitement a feeling that I have yet felt anywhere else for any other show. Also being a sports fan, the fact that they kept the group judging at Madison Square Garden is part of my desire to go back. Every time, I walk into MSG I get goose bumps. So without a doubt Westminster in New York even in February in the cold and snow! -L’exposition d’Eukanuba/AKC Invitational est relativement jeune. Il semble qu’il y a une forte participation et que c’est très compétitif. Vous combinez ça avec une destination au soleil et vous avez une exposition qui est invitante. J’y suis allé seulement une fois soit en 2008 en Californie.Mon expérience là bas a été positive et j’ai réellement apprécié l’exposition mais il manquait un petit quelque. Pour moi,c’était comme une grosse exposition canine sur du tapis bleu. Comme vous pouvez déjà l’imaginer, ma préférence est l’exposition de Westminster Kennel Club. Cette exposition m’apparaît comme étant GRANDIOSE, on y retrouve une longe liste de grandes histoires qui ce sont déroulées. Les plus grands exposants en Amérique du Nord y ont présenté. Certains chiens exceptionnels ont gagné et perdue. Oui il est possible pour un « inconnue » de gagner. Ce n’est pas rare que le dit favori perd contre un « nouveau » chien en acensions. New York est une de mes villes préférée. Une fois que vous débarquez de la voiture vous pouvez sentir l’excitation, sentiment que je n’ai pas retrouvé nulle part ailleurs pour aucune une autre exposition. De plus étant un amateur de sport, l’aréna du Madison Square Garden est un endroit mythique où les Rangers ont remporté des coupes Stanley. Même si le jugement des races ce fait au Pier, ils ont tout de même gardé le jugement des groupes au MSG et j’aimerai bien pouvoir y retourner pour courir sur le grand tapis vert. Sans contredit mon choix est Westminster à New York même en février dans le froid et la neige! Gerry and Tammy Desjardins Although this year will be our first year to attend Eukanuba having been invited the last 4 years. We have attended the week of Westminster with 3 Specialties before the big show for the last several years and we absolutely love that week. We meet up with old friends from around the world, take in some shows and just enjoy the whole experience. I guess once we come back from Eukanuba we will be able to give a fair assessment of the two experiences but for now, the Westminster week would win. Elaine & Louise Paquette If the judging panels were equal I would attend Westminster. If a dog can win at that show it is more important for the dogs career in the long haul... If I wanted to have a good time and enjoy the venue and the show it would definitely be Eukanuba. William Alexander Westminster because it is a tradition, it is our history. Madison Square Gardens has seen all the great canines and people in our Sport that sentiment can never be replaced. Emily Burdon Absolutely Eukanuba in FLORIDA! I’ve had the pleasure of attending both these shows numerous times and overall the best experience is at Eukanuba... There is much more international focus... You see amazing dogs coming from all over the world. It’s more exhibitor and dog friendly... the venue is great! And the all breeds in conjunction really attracts handlers and breeders to stick around for all the days! And its not just the conformation they cover all aspects of the sport, It’s definitely a must go to show!
Pamela Bruce Wow that is literally comparing Apples (or The Big Apple) to Oranges isn’t it! I LOVE everything about NYC and the Garden - great city, great atmosphere, GREAT retail therapy!! WKC is the most famous show in the world. Everyone who owns a dog knows of the event and watches it on TV. The live streaming is phenomenal the entire event is a class act, and the added venue was a great success last year. Eukanuba is in it’s own right most definitely a world class event that is run by one of the best people in the dog world Michael Canalizo. Michael Canalizo is a perfectionist and works 24/7 to ensure the success of the show. I appreciate the emphasis on the dog breeders at this event. The climate is warmer and a great deal of exhibitors combine this trip with a few days of vacation time as well- two very different events in two very different climates... Something for everyone I guess!
BREEDER PROFILE
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What attracted you to your breed? I was showing my first “show dog� (a Saluki) in Edmonton around 1981, and was watching general specials at ringside with a couple of sighthound friends. The Mini Schnauzer won BPIS. Someone remarked, “That’s a really nice breed�. I thought to myself, “That IS a really nice breed�. A few months later I bought a bitch puppy from that breeder – Lynda Berar. It really wasn’t much more complicated than that. How many years have you been breeding and exhibiting? I went to my first dog show about 1980 – in obedience, and bred my first Mini Schnauzer litter in 1983.
What are your accomplishments in your breed? I’m not sure how many champions I’ve bred, it’s probably in the neighborhood of 100 in Canada, 40 in the US. I also bred the first Canadian MS to finish in the UK (in 8 days) and titlists in South America and elsewhere. I’ve bred or co-bred 8 Best In Show winners (including those with wins in other countries). Over a dozen have achieved US Top Producer designation and served as foundation for other successful kennels, which I consider the ultimate test of success. I’ve bred/co-bred several Canadian and two American national specialty winners – including the Canadian multi-BIS dog Am.Can.Ch.Reggae Indulgence (owned/ handled by Connie Krohn) and more recently, AmGCh.CanCh.Minuteman Goldikova, who won the breed at AMSC Montgomery County in 2012. AmGCh.CanCh.Minuteman Safety Last was my first to compete at Westminster, where he won the breed this year with his owner-handler Krystal Mason. In 2011, I campaigned Am/Can.GrCh. Minuteman Venus Flytrap to top bitch in both Canada and the US, while Goldikova was top bitch and a “top three” Mini all- systems in the US for 2012. I handle my own dogs, and seldom advertise, so I’m particularly proud of the achievements of those girls. I retired Golda in May, going Select at the AMSC national at Schnauzapalooza (the all-schnauzer national specialty weekend in Missouri) but didn’t get much of a breather – my bred-by dog “Toxicology” took the breed from the classes on the final day, so it looks like I have a new one to play with! Did you have a mentor in your Breed? No, I didn’t – and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Not to say I didn’t get help and advice, but I found my true mentors in other breeds, and in thousands of hours spent studying the breed, its history, and pedigree patterns. I’ve been able to develop my own distinct family, and so am not beholding to any particular “camp”. Do you believe Judges have a good understanding of your breed? A handful do. Some good judges seem to overthink what they’re doing, or are intimidated by the trim. It’s not a difficult breed! Start with “basic square dog” structure and balance, check for the distinctive elements of breed type, forget who’s on the end of the lead, and you can’t go too far wrong. In as few words as possible describe the essence of your Breed? The Mini Schnauzer should be squarely built, and robust - a “big dog in a small package”. He has alert, confident expression, proud carriage, and owns the ground he stands on. He should appear “all of a piece”, with each part of the dog flowing smoothly into the next. He’s a balanced, powerful mover in the spirit of the working breed he was fashioned after, and always dressed in crisp, tailored attire.
What are the medical problems in your breed? Autoimmune disorders, urinary/renal, hepatic shunts, PRA, cataracts, dental disease/early tooth loss probably top the list of concerns of most breeders. Fault wise, currently what needs the most improvement in your breed? Consistency of type – it’s all over the map. There are low, dumpy ones; tall, narrow ones; long tubey ones; barrel chested ones with wide fronts; and sometimes, cute little windup toys. None of those are correct. What do you believe to be the best dog you have bred? Boy, that’s a tough one. There have been several best ones in their own way. The best in terms of “the total package” of structural quality, breed type, movement, and showmanship has been Goldikova. What dog of your breed would you have loved to own? Am. Ch. Skyline’s Storm Signal )PX NBOZ EPHT EP ZPV OPSNBMMZ IBWF JO ZPVS LFOOFM We try to have no more than 6 permanent residents, though puppies and client dogs often push the number higher. There is no kennel, per se. The dogs all live in the house. How many litters do you have in a year and what is the average size of your litters? 1-2 litters, and the average is around 4. Are you having trouble selling or placing your puppies? No. How many Canadian Shows do you attend in a year? I don’t show much in Canada – mostly a few local shows to support the clubs. Perhaps 5 weekends a year. How many American Shows do you attend in a year? That varies quite a bit, but this year I’ll probably end up doing the equivalent of 8 weekends, most of those will involve Mini Schnauzer or terrier specialties. Do you attend your Canadian or American National Specialty Shows? Almost always the American National, the Canadian National is dependent on proximity. Unfortunately the MS fancy here in Canada are rather dormant, and so it’s hard to justify the expense required in cross country travel for a small specialty entry. 5IBOL ZPV ,JN .D.JMMBO GPS TIBSJOH ZPVS MPWF PG UIF .JOJBUVSF 4DIOBV[FS XJUI UIF 5PQ%PH8FFLMZ 'BNJMZ 8F XJTI ZPV DPOUJOVFE TVDDFTT