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Blondie and Izzy would like to announce that Izzy's brother "Cash" (the Blue Roan boy) took Best in Sweeps at the English Cocker Regional Specialty in Middleboro this morning! Now Izzy will want to get groomed and look pretty, too! I was planning on entering her in the Columbus, Ohio, shows in Novenber....if I get caught up on everything else around here

Congrats to Cash! And I think Izzy is Purdy ALL the time!

Congratulations, Cash & Mom! Good job. You must be very proud!

congratulations to Cash and you too of course, are there show pictures? Would love
to see that pretty boy again.

Oh, Oh, Oh! Congrats to Cash! WooHoo Oh and you too!!! heheheheheheheheh

Are you trying to tell us that the 'Green-eyed Monster' has infected Izzy? Uh-oh!

If Kristin posts a picture I will try to pass it on...... Ms Izzy is too busy being full of herself and pestering the other dogs to worry about her looks.....

I knew he was a winner right from the start as a beautiful puppy.

Congrats to your beautiful boy.

Congratulations!! Like Wickedlady I too thought Cash was so beautiful he would be a winner. Don't be jealous Izzy you are beautiful too and we all love you!

He was pick of the litter.....but he went to a home that can afford to Special him later (after he gets his Championship) if his quality stands...something that is beyond my means ....usually takes advertising in Dog World and a Professional Handle!

What does "Special him" mean?

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Here is the long version....

In order for a dog to achieve their championship (per AKC shows) they must win a total of 15 points. Dogs gets points depending on the number of other dogs present that they beat. Smaller show with fewer dogs...1 or 2 points. Of the 15 or more total points at least two of the shows have to have been wins over larger entries with either 3,4 or 5 points. Dogs without their championships initially only compete against other dogs without their championships. Males (dogs) against other males and females (bitches) only against other females. The winner of each of these classes...called Winners Dog and Winners Bitch do have a chance to go back into the ring to determine Best of Breed against any Champions (dogs/bitches that have already won their titles) that have been entered at that show. Most of the time one of the Champions win to represent the breed (in this case English Cocker Spaniels) in the Group Ring (in this case The Sporting Group) ....but not always.

Okay, once a dog has their championship...they don't all go home to look pretty on the couch (like Izzy's brother Stuart!) or to birth those beautiful puppies (like 'the princess' Blondie!) SO.....As the dog or bitch matures...owners may enter them in the Best of Breed competition. Only by winning Best of Breed can a dog move forward to the Group ring....And only by winning the Group (in this case Sporting Group 1 ) can a dog move on to the Best in Show ring....where they compete against the best from each of they other groups.....and have a chance to win BEST in SHOW! .....SO after that long story.....to "Special" a dog/bitch...is to keep showing them after they have achieved their championship with the goal of winning multiple Best in Breed titles, hopefully some Group Placements and if the animal is really really good under a judge that really really likes him/her....a Best in Show.

The interesting part is that owners and handlers that special their dogs watch the judge list carefully. As you can imagine...there are usually three different judges, one at each level of competition (Best in Breed, Group Ring and Best in SHow). If you have past experience with a certain judge and know they really like your animal

There are individuals that only bring their finished dogs out once and a while and there are other dogs that are "Specialed" for several years...... Why...you ask. Different reasons for different people. For some it is a sport or a personal achievement as a breeder or an owner....for others it is to impress their social circle..... Dogs are ranked through several systems according to their wins and how many other dogs they have bested..... If you listen to the Westminster Show, you may hear the announcer state "this is the Number 1 Golden Retriever in the country"......
As you can imagine...it take some money to travel to that many shows....gas, food, lodging....as they gather their wins..... Not to mention if the dog is sent out with a professional handler and the owner stays home. Some of these "Specials" are then sought out for breeding purposes. (Stud fees!....more valuable puppies...)

Though Izzy's mom Blondie was only specialed a few times (she never had enough flowing coat!!!) her brother was specialed for two years and went Best of Opposite Sex at Westminster one year, won Best in Breed and National Dog show in California two years in a row and has a Best in Show....... Izzy's and Cash's pa, Nicholas, also has a Best in Show but was not specialed as long as Blondie's brother (before being retired as a stud dog). Nicholas is pretty but not a match for Blondie's brother Eddie. According to reports....the way Cash moves....reminds everybody of Eddie..... which is a good thing..... But, if Cash grows up to be "Specialed" someone else will be paying for all those entries and bills!........ I can smile and say, I bred that dog!....I knew him back when.....

Izzy's first show will be in Columbus, Ohio in November..... I have a lot of grooming between then and now! Miss fuzzy butt..... For me I like the other owner handlers and it is fun.....I also like competing in the performance events like Obedience and Rally....I need to do more training and do some agility! Stuart need to be kept busier!

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Wow - sure am glad I just like having dirty, buck-toothed Abby licking my face!

I love watching agility, especially the little dogs. Have you ever done fly ball?

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No, but I have enjoyed watching it. Some of those dogs are so intense...they put their mouth right on the board as they hit the release..... I have also read about some of the injuries that some of the dogs can get....think of all the force and twisting as they hit the boards......... It is the same with the high achieving super fast agility dogs....watching their bodies rocket through and twist and turn is amazing..... Me, I would just be glad to have my dog stay on the course and me not fall down!