I always go to this show … not because it’s particularly lucky … it’s not. Not because it’s particularly lovely … it’s not, usually at least once during the weekend we have a downpour and then it’s not only hot, but hot and humid. No, I go to this show because it is literally 10 minutes away from my house. That’s driveway to parked in the parking lot, takes 15 minutes if I get lost (which I did the first time I went there after I moved here because I turned North on Route 47 instead of South … who puts  a fairgrounds in the middle of town?!)

This year was no exception. I had Mr. Trouble in his summer underwear as a move up, mostly just because Holli Levine had entered Edward. Trouble (as you may remember) had finished his championship the week before and probably deserved to be pulled due to lack of hair, but he needed the practice because he was generally acting like a horse’s butt on the table.

So we get to the show nice and early and show in my LEAST favorite building there, which is dark and rather dirty and ring runs right into the wall which does freak out some dogs. At least that wasn’t a problem on this day.

Our judge was Mrs. Rita Holloway and the entry was Holli’s Edward (Hi-Jinx Sirius Black), Yori’s male Daiko (Daiko No Kyoutenmaru Go) and Trouble moved up to BOB. That was it! So I show Edward in his puppy class, Yori shows Daiko in BBE, and Edward is Winners Dog. I go back in on Trouble who was clearly embarrassed to be shown in his summer underwear, Jonathan comes back in with Edward because Holli doesn’t really want to show Jonathan wins the breed from the classes. He loves to beat me

Fortunately due to the short distance to and from the show, Jonathan and I return home because it’s hotter than you know what at the show. Poor Holly went to the Farmer’s Market because I said she couldn’t come over because the house was not company ready (which is pretty much true most of the time), although I did tell her if she got desperate to come on over. She managed to survive.

I returned later to show Edward in the group and he showed very well for being a puppy and his second time in group, AND outdoors and very hot. He was a good boy.

The following day, we were back again with the addition of JT and MaryAnne Vogt and their new little girl Nara (Tobishi’s I’m Such A Hottie At Nekatzuki) who goes back to the Mouseman which makes her perfect in all ways. Even more perfect than JT’s Hanako

Our judge on this day was Mrs. Sandy Wheat who seems to judge here every other year. Fortunately though, she is a very nice. My only problem with her was that she wiped her hands with antiseptic just before going over Trouble and he wasn’t happy about it, so it was 1 step forward this weekend and 2 steps back for him … but I digress

Edward was WD once again (and we finally got Holli into the ring for BW woohoo, she has these neat shorts that zip bottoms on and voila! pants!), Nara was the only bitch and so she was WB. Trouble was there … Evidently Mrs. Wheat agreed with me that Nara is perfect in all ways because she gave her the breed at her very first show, duplicating what she did two years ago when she gave Nara’s dam a Best of Breed from the classes (2007). 2 years previous to that she gave my Jimmy the breed (2005) but he was a champion so she doesn’t dump specials all time and you can see I was quite serious about her judging shibas there every two years Nara was also obviously Best Puppy. Edward was BOS, so unless you looked at the results online or read my blog, no one can prove he was there!

I decided to hang around and give moral support to MaryAnne in groups (I think she was hoping I would take Nara in for her … yeah me show on grass? I’d really rather not!). So hung all with JT and Mary Anne all day while we were waiting. Trouble did too! Had my handy dandy camera there and shot some of the groups and decided I rather enjoy taking photos. You can see them at http://lyndabeam.zenfolio.com, go to All My Photos, then click on the Fox River Valley KC shows.

At my recommendation, Mary Anne elected to only show Nara in the Puppy Groups. I felt that considering it was her first show and she really wasn’t completely trained, her best shot was in the puppy group and there was no sense in having her melt in the adult group and have nothing left for the puppy group. Yes, it was still quite warm. I was hot and I wasn’t even standing up, much less running around! And a storm was coming!

While Nara did not place, I think she may have finally become lead broken by the time she was done in the group. Pretty much she got out of group, and the downpour began. Ran back to the car (ok, walked fast) and zipped on home in 12 minutes (due to the weather it took a tad longer).

As far as facilities, there are several buildings there, most are kinda dark, and the one that shibas are usually in is dingy as well. The outdoor rings are nice and big, although lumpy. Bathrooms are those portable things, although I believe there are some indoor facilities if you wish to walk around and look for them. There is really only one food vendor that I can recall, although there are a fair amount of other vendors. There is a McDonald’s nearby though, along with other restaurants.  This fairgrounds was supposed to be sold, and a new one constructed nearby. Hope it happens, but have heard that the deal fell through, so we may be there yet for a few more years!

Overall, it’s a really close show and I have fond memories of the site because I have won there sometimes, but I sure will be glad if they build a new one with A/C!

It was a bit of a hassle doing this show this year for sure. At the time I was working at Kraft Foods and we were off on Friday to make it a four day holiday so decided to go ahead and enter this group of four shows. To make it even more tempting, Katrina Nielsen was coming up as well and we were going to make it a girls’ weekend out!

However, the week before I noticed that Trouble had a little sore on his mouth which was not going away and he was blowing coat severely (and I had thought he was done the week before!).  I ended up taking him to the vet on the absolutely worst day of the year LOL and had to wait 3.5 hours to get it checked out. It isn’t usually that bad, except that there were many people coming in because they were going away for the holiday and needed immunizations before they took them away or to a boarding facility. Plus one of the vets had to leave early, and then 2 emergencies came in and it was downhill after that. By the time I found out people had been waiting so long, I already had an hour invested and by golly, I was going to see it out. Several hours later and having found out it was nothing serious, just needed some antibiotics to clear it up, I was back home and trying to get ready for the show.

Left the house bright and early on Thursday morning and made it to the show in about 3 hours, which left me plenty of time to find grooming, etc. However, there were SO many spots taped off that even on the first day it was hard to find a spot. Fortunately Jane Chapin’s friend Joyce had taped off space for herself, Jane and Leslie Anderson (who was also entered), but Leslie had to back out until the last day so I took her space for me and Katrina. And a lovely space it was! Very close to the air conditioning vents, loved it!

I would talk more about this location which was pretty nice, except next year they won’t be there as I believe it’s been sold and is no longer available for the dog show

The first day there were only 3 shibas entered, Trouble was in 12-18 under Jim Reynolds, Rexann’s Buffalo Bill was in Open. Trouble was Winners, and then went in for Best of Breed against Brenda Richardson’s Ku. Ku was Best of Breed.

After judging I did a little shopping at the vendors and bought Trouble a belly band to just be SURE that there were no “accidents” at the hotel, and then I left around 3ish to go get the hotel room.

We stayed at the Country Inn which was probably a whole mile away from the Interstate Center. Very nice hotel, lots of dog people there, very welcoming to the dog show in general. Had baggies in the lobby in case they were needed, but also chocolate chip cookies and a small library of books to read. The breakfast room in the morning was also really nice and appreciated by both me and Katrina and it was FREE! Free is good…

Katrina arrived later that evening and we had plenty of room for all three dogs with their crates. We spent a little time exercising the dogs and then hit the sack as we were on fairly early the next day.

Our judge on the second day was a provisional, Mr David J Kirkland. He was nice to exhibitors, checked for full dentition. Unfortunately that apparently disturbed Trouble because I suspect he aggravated the sore on his mouth when he looked at his molars. It made for an interesting few weeks as I retrained him to stand still for exam, but that wasn’t really the judge’s fault. On this day there were a few more shibas. In addition to Trouble and Rexann’s Buffalo Bill, Yori Green had joined us with her BBE Dog, Daiko.

Much to my delight (and surprise) Trouble was again Winners, with Yori’s boy going Reserve.

There was a major entry in bitches, but due to many circumstances, that broke all the way to 1 point with only 2 bitches being present. One was Katrina’s Kanani (co-owned by Kim & Bill Fletcher), and the other was Cleo owned by Rebecca Powell and Jane Chapin. Kanani was WB. I had to grab a handler ringside to take her back in, because the original intent was for me to show her for BW, but then Trouble won so that wasn’t possible.

Two champions were entered, Katrina’s new champion Draco and again Brenda Richardson’s Ku. Draco was victorious, Trouble was Best of Winners (!!!! I was VERY surprised), Kanani was BOS, and Ku was Select Dog.

That evening Katrina and I went out for sushi that night and found a great place not too far away. Unfortunately now I cannot remember the name of it! But it was really good Maybe Katrina will remember …

Up early again for the third day in a row, fortunately we slept well … our judge on this day was David Alexander, another provisional. Only 2 males, as Yori was only entered the one day. Really enjoyed Mr. Alexander’s judging even though we lost to Kathy Bube’s Rexann’s Buffalo Bill. The judge took the time to explain to me (without me asking of course) why he placed the other dog over us and he had the right reason.

For bitches, Jane joined us today with her Ziva, so it was 3 bitches. Cleo was Winners Bitch, and Ziva was Reserve.

Same specials, same ring, same result … Draco was Best of Breed again. Cleo was Best of Winners, and Ku was Select Dog.

My dad and Carol came to watch, along with Letha Gast (great to see you Letha!), and Katrina and I went to lunch with Dad and Carol to a Chinese Buffet that had sushi(!). Again really really good, and again cannot remember the name! I need to do these in a morely timely fashion (I can see people probably nodding their heads). In my defense though, I left Katrina at the site for some reason, maybe to take photos? or help someone? There was a place listed very close by, but it was closed, then went to another one, it was no longer there (the hazards of looking for restaurants via GPS). Found another one, that I called and they were open, so sent my Dad and Carol off because I was going back to get Katrina. By the time we were on our way, Dad had called on the cell and had found yet another one they wanted to go to. It WAS a very nice place though.

By the third night, Katrina and I were pretty well done in … so we just went to Cracker Barrel for a light dinner (after Chinese buffet, we needed just a little!). I watched TV and downloaded photos from the group while Katrina worked on ads for the Shiba E-News, she spent quite a lot of time on that!

The last day we fortunately had later judging because now we had to take everything out of the room, and get it back into our respective cars. Somehow it always seems to take up more room on the way back, I don’t know why!

At this point Trouble only needed one point to finish, but he also had to be Best of Winners because the other dog was not entered … I was extremely nervous for some reason. Probably because I hate needing BW, would rather just compete for the points, and then I just wanted to get him done so he could sit back and mature for a while.

Our judge on this day was Kent Delaney who has an interesting sense of humor to be sure. People were having difficulty remember what he wanted to do on the up and back so there was much fun made of that. He’d say take them down and back, and some people would make a triangle. By the time I got there, he said “go down one of the mats and come back to me, it’s your choice”  :)
Today we added yet another bitch (but major was still broken) as Leslie Anderson joined the party with her bitch Peach. After a lot of back and forth, Mr. Delaney selected Ziva as his Winners Bitch with Kanani as Reserve from the puppy class.

Onward to Best of Breed, where Draco and Ku battled it out once again while I just was nervous (and I think that was traveling right down the lead). Happily the judge said at the end, everyone gets a ribbon! Draco was again Best of Breed, Ziva was BOS and Ku was Select Dog. And Trouble was BW!

Oddly, I finished my very first show dog, Meska the Alaskan Malamute, on Memorial Day in 1978 needing BW for a major, I’m not sure I was much less nervous!

Packed up quickly as a storm was coming, unfortunately it got there before I was packed, so I was a bit wet on the way home and it was a bit of an adventure driving through it. I should have just stayed and watched group because Katrina said that it was fine when she left …

Overall, a pretty nice weekend. Liked the show site, the hotel was great, company was great, and Trouble managed to pick up 4 points total to finish. Can’t beat that!

Thanks to Laura Perkinson & Susanne Ozasa for results from these specialties!

Shiba Inu Fanciers of Northern California

Friday, May 21, 2010
Held at Solano County Fairgrounds , 900 Fairgrounds Drive Vallejo, CA
Web Site:http://www.sfnc.org

Show I, Judge: Mr. G A Dunlop (36 Ent – 14d – 22b)

Best of Breed or Variety: CH Taichung Oso Handsome, L Perkinson

Best of Opposite Sex: CH Copperdots Beikoku Chika, D Smiley

Select Dog: CH Dragon House Mr. Jones, S Smith

Best of Winners/Winners Dog: Kawamaisou’s Mizumoto Jiro, M Ross

Reserve Winners Dog: Jogoso’s California Gold Rush, N Gillespie/M Neville

Winners Bitch: Taichung She’s All That, L Perkinson

Reserve Winners Bitch: Sanshou’s Enchanted, K & L Tracy

Dogs (8d 4 pts)

Puppy 6 – 9 Mos.
1. Ranchlake Riverview Okami,  D Warren

Puppy 9 – 12 Mos.
1. Jogoso’s California Gold Rush,  N Gillespie/M Neville
2. Kuniko’s Fine By Me Master Chief W,  L Durfor

Bred By Exhibitor
1. Kawamaisou’s Mizumoto Jiro,  M Ross
2. Copperdots Kenji Beikoku,  D Smiley
3. Ichiro Fujiyamaso Of Paladin,  M Reid

Open
1. Des-Mar’s Hachiko,  M Cole/D COLE
2. Kazakoshi No Koryuu Go Yokohama Atsumi,  J Morningstar

Bitches..(19b 5 pts)

Puppy 6 – 9 Mos.
1. San Jo Foxy Lady De Lemaitre
2. Fallscreek Kahlua Pancake At Tendai “Lulu”,  C Bork/T Duncan
3. Jogoso’s Enchantress Of Nichibei,  M Sako/S Ozasa

Puppy 9 – 12 Mos.
1. Ranchlake’s Sassy Sashi,  D Onstott/M Onstott/D Warren
2. Ito No Chiyo Go Chikuzen Shigematsusou,  H Dickey/D Dickey

Bred By Exhibitor
1. Sanshou’s Enchanted, K & L Tracy
2. Dragon House Vera Wang,  S Smith
3. Morningstar Peach In Pink,  J Morningstar
4. Totoro “Memoirs Of A Geisha” @ Kuniko,  A Fong/L Durfor

Open
1. Taichung She’s All That,  L Perkinson
2. Hanabi No Akihime Go Nichibeisou,  M Sako
3. Kuniko’s Sasha The Sorceress,  J Williamson
4. Totoro Humiko H3 of Kuniko, A Fong

Non-Reg Veteran, Dogs
1. CH Ryoma Go Kashu Yamanaka ,  M Sako/B Stoeckle/K Stoeckle

Non-Reg Veteran, Bitches
1. CH Fuji Go Nukui Omura ,  D Smiley

Puppy Sweepstakes #1 Judge: Mrs. Joanne Nash

Sweepstakes, Puppy Dogs 6-9 Months

1. Sanshou’s Slice of Life, K & L Tracy
2. Ranchlake Riverview Okami, D Warren

Sweepstakes, Puppy Dogs 9-12 Months

1. Copperdots Kenji Beikoku, D Smiley
2. Ichiro Fujiyamaso of Paladin, M. Reid
3. Jogoso’s California Gold Rush, N Gillespie/M. Neville
4. Kuniko’s Fine By Me Master Chiefw, L. Durfor

Sweepstakes, Puppy Bitches 6-9 Months

1. Dragon House Vera Wang, S Smith
2. San Jo Foxy Lady De LeMaitre, D & M Cole
3. Sanshou’s Shadow of His Smile, K & L Tracy
4. Jogosou’s Enchantress of Nichibei, M Sako/S Ozasa

Sweepstakes, Puppy Bitches 9-12 Months

1. Ito No Chiyo Go Chikuzen Shigematsusou – H & D Dickey
2. Isuzu Fujiyamaso of Paladin,  M. Reid

Sweepstakes, Bitches 12-18 Months

1. Sanshou’s Enchanted, K & L Tracy
2. Rising Sun Amaya Rainbow in the Mist – M & J Williamson

Best in Puppy Sweepstakes: Copperdots Kenji Beikoku

Best of Opposite Sex: Unknown (please let me know if you know, the catalog was not marked here)

Veteran Sweepstakes #1 Judge: Mrs. Joanne Nash

Veteran Sweepstakes, Dogs 7 years and older

1. Ch. Ryoma Go Kashu Yamanaka, M Sako & B&K Stoeckle

Veteran Sweepstakes, Bitchs, 7 years & older

1. Ch. Fuji Go Nukui Omura, RA Sartori/D Smiley

Best in Veteran Sweepstakes: Ch. Ryoma Go Kashu Yamanaka

Best of Opposite Sex: Ch. Fuji Go Nukui Omura

Show II, Judge: Mr. D A Alexander (39 Ent – 16d – 23b)

Best of Breed or Variety: CH Dragon House Mr.Jones ,  S Smith

Best of Opposite Sex: CH Ranchlake’s Beatrix Potter ,  D Onstott/D Warren/V Hevia

Select Dog: CH Cantebriar’s Hot Toddy ,  D Lucero/F Lucero

Select Bitch: CH Copperdots Beikoku Chika ,  D Smiley

Best of Winners/Winners Dog: Jogoso’s California Gold Rush,  N Gillespie/M Neville

Reserve Winners Dog: Kazakoshi No Koryuu Go Yokohama Atsumi,  J Morningstar

Winners Bitch: Hanabi No Akihime Go Nichibeisou,  M Sako

Reserve Winners Bitch: Mokelumne Reno Sakura At Shalimar,  J Geletich/J Holden

Dogs (10d 5 pts)

Puppy 6 – 9 Mos.
1. Ranchlake Riverview Okami,  D Warren

Puppy 9 – 12 Mos.
1. Jogoso’s California Gold Rush,  N Gillespie/M Neville
2. Kuniko’s Fine By Me Master Chief W,  L Durfor

Bred By Exhibitor
1. Copperdots Kenji Beikoku,  D Smiley
2. Kawamaisou’s Mizumoto Jiro,  M Ross
3. Ichiro Fujiyamaso Of Paladin,  M Reid
4. Sanshou’s Slice Of Life,  K Tracy/L Tracy

Open
1. Kazakoshi No Koryuu Go Yokohama Atsumi,  J Morningstar
2. Des-Mar’s Hachiko,  M Cole/D COLE
3. Mokelumne Reno Sakura IV,  J Geletich/K Geletich

Bitches..(20b 5 pts)

Puppy 6 – 9 Mos.
1. San Jo Foxy Lady De Lemaitre
2. Jogoso’s Enchantress Of Nichibei,  M Sako/S Ozasa
3. Fallscreek Kahlua Pancake At Tendai “Lulu”,  C Bork/T Duncan

Puppy 9 – 12 Mos.
1. Ito No Chiyo Go Chikuzen Shigematsusou,  H Dickey/D Dickey
2. Ranchlake’s Sassy Sashi,  D Onstott/M Onstott/D Warren

Bred By Exhibitor
1. Totoro “Memoirs Of A Geisha” @ Kuniko,  A Fong/L Durfor
2. Sanshou’s Shadow Of His Smile,  K Tracy/L Tracy
3. Dragon House Vera Wang,  S Smith
4. Morningstar Peach In Pink,  J Morningstar

Open
1. Hanabi No Akihime Go Nichibeisou,  M Sako
2. Mokelumne Reno Sakura At Shalimar,  J Geletich/J Holden
3. Taichung She’s All That,  L Perkinson
4. Kuniko’s Sasha The Sorceress,  J Williamson

Non-Reg Veteran, Dogs
1. CH Ryoma Go Kashu Yamanaka ,  M Sako/B Stoeckle/K Stoeckle

Non-Reg Veteran, Bitches
1. CH Fuji Go Nukui Omura ,  D Smiley

This was all the photos I had or received for the major winners. Please send photos of your dogs to me, especially if you have a specialty win or group placement, etc.

Puppy Sweepstakes #2 Judge: Mrs. Brenda Turner

Sweepstakes, Puppy Dogs 6-9 Months

1. Sanshou’s Slice of Life, K & L Tracy
2. Ranchlake Riverview Okami, D Warren

Sweepstakes, Puppy Dogs 9-12 Months

1. Copperdots Kenji Beikoku, D Smiley
2. Ichiro Fujiyamaso of Paladin, M. Reid
3. Jogoso’s California Gold Rush, N Gillespie/M. Neville
4. Kuniko’s Fine By Me Master Chiefw, L. Durfor

Sweepstakes, Puppy Bitches 6-9 Months

1. Sanshou’s Shadow of His Smile, K & L Tracy
2. Dragon House Vera Wang, S Smith (I think!)
3. Fallscreek Kahlua Pancake at Tendai, C Bork/T Duncan
4. Jogosou’s Enchantress of Nichibei, M Sako/S Ozasa

Sweepstakes, Puppy Bitches 9-12 Months

1. Isuzu Fujiyamaso of Paladin,  M. Reid
2. Ito No Chiyo Go Chikuzen Shigematsusou – H & D Dickey

Sweepstakes, Bitches 12-18 Months

1. Sanshou’s Enchanted, K & L Tracy
2. Rising Sun Amaya Rainbow in the Mist – M & J Williamson

Best in Puppy Sweepstakes: Copperdots Kenji Beikoku

Best of Opposite Sex: Unknown

Veteran Sweepstakes #2 Judge: Mrs. Brenda Turner

Veteran Sweepstakes, Dogs 7 years and older

1. Ch. Ryoma Go Kashu Yamanaka, M Sako & B&K Stoeckle

Veteran Sweepstakes, Bitchs, 7 years & older

1. Ch. Fuji Go Nukui Omura, RA Sartori/D Smiley

Best in Veteran Sweepstakes: Ch. Fuji Go Nukui Omura

Best of Opposite Sex: Ch. Ryoma Go Kashu Yamanaka

for full results, please see http://www.shibaclassic.com/ClassiccatResults.pdf

I drove to Ohio to attend the Shiba Classic on May 13th, arriving in the late afternoon. This year the event was held at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Maumee (never have I been so close to Cedar Point and not ridden a roller coaster!). Anyone staying here without a shiba was in for a surprise as they were EVERYWHERE. Had a nice dinner with Pat Doescher and Pam & Leah Crowley at the Italian place just steps from the entrance of the hotel. There was also a Mexican restaurant within walking distance and I’m pretty sure some people went there at some point during the weekend as well.

Judging began at 1:00pm on Friday, May 14th with Sweepstakes after a short demonstration of how to show a Japanese Dog. There were a total of 18 shiba puppies entered in the Sweepstakes, along with some Kai and a Shikoku. Unfortunately the Kai arrived too late for actual competition, but the judge, Yoshikuni Tanozaki, was kind enough to do an evaluation of them later on.

It was a warm day, but the puppies took it in stride.

This is the way the judging went:

Judging at a Nippo show is quite different from AKC. Each dog is brought into the ring individually and there is little “handling” involved. The judge spends a great deal of time observing each individual dog after the initial examination, which included patellas. There was no measuring done on the little puppies.

After the individual exams were done for all the puppies, then we moved into the class judging stage where the dogs were placed 1st through 4th and were presented with beautiful rosettes. Trophies were awarded as well for certain wins.

First class was Yochiken, Dogs (2 months to 4 months).

1st: Hi-Jinx Black Robe – Patricia Doescher
2nd: Daiko No Tendou – Yori Green
3rd: Red Wings Xerxes the Great – Patricia Hartman
4th: Kimi Ki Tomi No Gen Go Fanfair

Next class was Yoken, Dogs (4 months to 7 months)

1st: Shakori Give It Up For Kringle – Gladys Mueller
2nd: Hi-Jinx Oujin – Patricia Doescher
3rd: Topaz’s Masarro

Then it was time for the puppy bitches!

Yochiken, Bitches

1st: Daiko No Canna – Yori Green
2nd: Red Wings Xeno Warrior Princess – Patricia E. Hartman
3rd: Hi-Jinx Black Habit – Patricia Doescher

and finally Yoken, Bitches

1st: Fairwyn’s First Edition with Fanfair
2nd: Fairwyn’s Givamousakouki From Fanfair
3rd: Hi-Jinx Ouka
4th: Topaz’s Kimiko – Nick Tracano

Best Puppy was Hi-Jinx Black Robe

Best of Opposite to Best Puppy was Daiko No Canna

One Shikoku was present and was Best Puppy: Yamato Go Nidai Iwahorisou – Margaret Graham and Katja Weber.

This was the end of judging for the day. Many people were still arriving that were not competing in the Sweepstakes, and Bonnie Gibbons was one of them. One of my memorable moments was trying to talk her to the hotel using landmarks that I could see from the ring area … one word for dog show folks … GPS! She finally did make it though, although I was wondering for a while!

I have many more photos from the Classic that can be found at Facebook, I’ll put the public link (meaning you don’t have to be a member of Facebook to view them) at the bottom of this report.

That evening is a bit of a blur to me right now (writing this up in May instead of July might have helped, eh?). I can’t honestly remember much of what happened, although I think I might have had chinese takeout with Bonnie and her mom! I also remember I had to run out and find a battery for my camera as it had gone dead as a doornail! All I remember is that I didn’t get much sleep!

On Saturday, judging began at 8:00 am (zzzzzz, that’s 7:00am for me because I’m in a different time zone, I’m not sure how Bill or Yumi managed it!)

Scott Wolfe, an AKC judge, was assistant judge and he measured and checked teeth on all the dogs before they entered the ring.

Here are the results for the various classes:

Waka Inu I, Dogs (12 months to 18 months)

1st: Kobushi Justa Draco Rosso – Katrina Nielsen
2nd: Royal’s The Ring of Fire – Pamela Peterson
3rd: Koku Ryus Shadow Dragon – Leah & Pam Crowley
4th: Sullo’s Kuro Kuma’s Cub – Nicholas Tracano

Waka Inu II, Dogs (12 months to 18 months)

1st: Daiko No Kyoutenmaru Go – Yori Green & Aaron Hilt

Soken, Dogs (18 months to 2 1/2 years) 9 competing

1st: Ch. Kobushi Swords of the Samurai – Katrina Nielsen & Rachel Kennedy
2nd: Kuranishiki Go Ichikawa Zaousou – Laura Payton and Mark & Debra Peterson
3rd: Ch. Kumi One Ten Soldier – Pamela Peterson
4th: Tobishi’s Rough ‘N Ready – Tammy & Alex Szabo

Seiken, Dogs (over 2 1/2 years) 11 dogs competing in this class

and since I was drafted to show Daku and Mimi, any photos from those two dogs and their respective classes were not mine, but probably Katrina, or possibly Bonnie or Tammy. I was passing off my camera in a hurry, giving vague instructions and not paying that much attention!

1st:  Kurokoma Go Fuji Hachimansou – Yumi Hagiwara
2nd: Ch. Fanfair’s Without a Trace at Glenchester – Mark & Debra Peterson and Jack Dirksing
3rd: Kyuudou Go Minato Kouzansou – Yori Green & M. Sato
4th: Ch. Katai’s the Tenth Doctor – Mary Anne Vogt

Now onto the girls!

Waka Inu I, Bitches (7 months to 12 months)

1st: Kanani Hauoli Shiba – Bill & Kim Fletcher and Katrina Nielsen
2nd: Kimi Ki’s Katsuko of James Bond – Sharon Shulick
3rd: Tobishi’s Hot Topic at Regal – Lynea McDonald

Waka Inu II, Bitches (12 months to 18 months)

1st: Royal’s Tease Me Please Me – Robert J & Paula Norris and Pamela Peterson
2nd: Ch. Katai’s Screamin’ Mimi – Bonnie Gibbons

Soken, Bitches (18 months to 2 1/2 years)

1st: Glenchester’s Bombshell at Fanfair – Debra & Mark Peterson
2nd: Hi-Jinx Bouquet – Patricia Doescher
3rd: J-Ann’s Topaz – Jane A. Chapin
4th: Ch. Kyree Reap the Whirl Wind – Nicholas Tracano (Leasee)

Seiken, Bitches (over 2 1/2 years)

1st: Ch. Epic’s All American Girl – Carla Ross & Jennifer Eley
2nd: Hirose No Tamatsubasa Go Enshuu Hirosesou – Yori Green & M. Sato
3rd: J.A.P. Jewel Pearl Buttons – Cynthia Strehle

Shiba Inu Saikosho (Best of Breed) was the very handsome black and tan dog Kurokoma Go Fuji Hachimansou owned by Yumi Hagiwara

and Jun Saikosho was Katrina Nielsen & Bill and Kim Fletcher’s lovely Kanani Hauoli Shiba – Bill & Kim Fletcher and Katrina Nielsen

The day ended with the Kai & Shikoku judging where the results were as follows:

Shikoku Saikosho was O-Ikon’s Legends of the Fall owned by Margaret Graham.

Then the Saikosho for all three breeds competed for the Supreme Award:

Supreme was the Shiba Inu and Reserve Supreme was the Shikoku.

I actually had meant to send these reports from the hotel while I was there but the internet access didn’t seem to be very happy with all those dog people there trying to use it, so I had to wait and I’m trying to do everything in order so… here it is for historical sake anyway

Photos from the Classic can be seen at

Classic Photos Part I

Classic Photos Part II

Classic Photos Part III

Classic Photos Part IV

Classic Photos Part V

Feel free to share these links and photos, there is no charge to use them, but if you really like any of them please consider a donation to rescue if you use one. Also, if there is a photo shown that is not to the owner’s liking, I will remove them upon request.

Thanks for reading!

These shows could have been so nice with some better weather … Showsite is a typical older fairgrounds in Jefferson, Wisconsin. What I really didn’t like (because it was affecting MY movement) was the fact that the rings were very uneven. The building was pretty dark too.

Anyway, Friday was Badger KC, judge was Mr. Ray Filburn. We actually had some points which is pretty unusual for a Friday show. Best of Breed was Tammy Szabo’s Rowdy, Ch. Tobishi’s Rough N’Ready, Best of Winners was Trouble, Katai’s Trouble with a Capital T, Winners Bitch was Karen Drentlaw’s Bred by girl Te-Shi Desirae. Holli Levine’s new B/T boy Edward, Hi-Jinx Black Sirius was Best Puppy. Needed to hang around all day so that I could show Edward in Puppy Group, and despite it being quite a huge (and full of nice NS puppies) group, Edward managed a Group III! I do not know who the group judge was for puppy group.

 

 

 

 

 

The following day was Janesville KC and our judge was Susan St. John Brown, a basenji and ibizan hound breeder originally. She is a provisional judge I believe and did a nice job of sorting through a major entry in shibas. BW, WD to finish his champion was Monica Flynn’s Finn (say THAT fast three times) also known as Hi-Jinx Kenzou. Now Monica can train him in obedience and agility!  Also receiving a major from the BBE class was J-Ann’s Exotic Beauty, a lovely black and tan girl that I haven’t seen since she was just a little thing. She really is a beauty but I can’t remember her call name, I think it has something to do with a television show Thank goodness for Facebook, I looked at Jane’s profile and found her name is Ziva. Ziva also placed in the BBE group, a 4th place. Tammy’s Rowdy was once again Best of Breed, Rowdy is aka Ch. Tobishi’s Rough N’ Ready.

 

 

The last day was also Mother’s Day and a beautiful day so no coats for us and it seemed like Pat Doescher’s whole family was there, and maybe they were! It was a nice day for Pat as her Orange, Hi-Jinx Clementine was WB for a major. I really like her, and I was very worried that Trouble would not manage BW (oh yeah, he was WD) over her, but our judge Norman Kenney gave him Best of Breed, so no worries there.  I might have been even more nervous if I had known that Orange was also in season! Pat generously offered trophy baskets for BOB & BOS and the other shibas have enjoyed helping Trouble eat the biscuits.

We stayed for group, but unfortunately there no placements for shibas anywhere around here on this weekend as far as I could tell, but at least Edward and Ziva did us proud in the Puppy & BBE groups earlier.

 

 

 

 

 Photo above is Trouble, couldn’t get the captioning to work!

 

While I realize this is old news, I’m putting it in to provide some photos but to also keep it available historically.

Tullahoma KC of TN March 13, 2010, shiba classes were designated as a specialty by the NSCA.

Sweepstakes: Judged by Mr. Scott P. Wolfe

Best in Sweepstakes: Royal’s The Ring of Fire. Breeder: Owner. By Ch. SanJo Hey Y’all Watch This – Ch. Royal’s Bee Bop Baby. Owner: Pamela Peterson

Best of Opposite: K-Bar’s Make a Wish. Breeder: Owner. By Ch. Justa Grand Wizard at K-Bar – Ch. K-Bar’s Light My Fire. Owner: Betty Rarick

Puppy Dogs 6 mos & under 9 mos

1st: Royal’s The Ring of Fire – Pamela Peterson

Junior Dogs, 12 mos & under 18 months

1st: Morningstar Million Dollar Man -  Joan Morningstar
2nd: Roscka’s Kokoro No Sensai – Dr. Kyle & Carla Ross and Cheryl Giffin.

Puppy Bitches, 9 mos & under 12 mos

1st: Royal’s Annie Get Your Gun - Pamela Peterson
2nd: Marma’s Surprise Package – David & Gail Gordon (P)

Junior Bitches, 12 mos & under 18 mos

K-Bar’s Make a Wish – Betty Rarick

Veteran Sweepstakes: Judged by Mr. Scott P Wolfe (1 competing)

Best in Veteran Sweepstakes: Ch. Kaizens Harlem Nights. Breeder: Dwayne & Lyndsey Isley. By Ch. Tanasea’s Gold Rush – Ch. Tanasea’s Manhatten Mary NA. Owner: Katrina Nielsen & Elicia Surface.

Regular Classes: judged by Mr. Fred Bassett (5-8-8-2) 1 vet dog

Best of Breed: Ch. Kumi One Ten Soldier - Breeder: Tia McLaughlin. By Ch. Tenkai Go Ryuukyuu Uruma – Ch. Kumi’s Summer Fling. Owner: Pamela Peterson.

Best of Opposite Sex, Best of Winners, Winners Bitch (and also Group III in the BBE Group); K-Bar’s Make a Wish. Breeder: Owner. By Ch. Justa Grand Wizard at K-Bar – Ch. K-Bar’s Light My Fire. Owner: Betty Rarick.

Winners Dog: Royal’s The Ring of Fire. Breeder: Owner. By Ch. SanJo Hey Y’all Watch This – Ch. Royal’s Bee Bop Baby. Owner: Pamela Peterson.

RWD: Morningstar Million Dollar Man. Breeder: Owner. By Ch. Akio Chousei Sou Morningstar – Morningstar Kazumi of Sullo. Owner: Joan Morningstar.

RWB: Marma’s Surprise Package. Breeder: Owners. By Marma’s Corey – Ch. Marma’s Mystical Illusion. Owner: David & Gail Gordon.

AOM: Ch. Fanfair’s Without a Trace at Glenchester. Breeder: Laura Payton. By Ch. Akio Chousei Sou Morningstar – Ch. Fanfair’s Esprit D’Corps at Eubar. Owner: Mark & Debra Peterson and Jack Dirksing.

12 to 18 mo Dogs

1st: Morningstar Million Dollar Man – Joan Morninstar

Bred-by-Exhibitor Dogs

1st: Royal’s The Ring of Fire – Pamela Peterson

Open Dogs

1st: Miasia’s Setsuhen Kara Fuji-San – Rhonda Sluder & Julie McComb
2nd: Morningstar Spy’s Golden Eye – Betty Rarick & Joan Morningstar
3rd: Roscka’s Kokoro No Sensai – Dr. Kyle & Carla Ross and Cheryl Giffin

Puppy Bitches, 6 mos & under 9 mos

1st: Goldkress Trick or Treat – Lonita Kress (Agent, Judy Stone)

Bred-by-Exhibitor Bitches (5 competing)

1st: K-Bar’s Make A Wish – Betty Rarick
2nd: Marma’s Surprise Package – David & Gail Gordon
3rd: Morningstar Peach in Pink – Joan Morningstar
4th: Royal’s Annie Get Your Gun – Pamela Peterson 

Open Bitches

1st: We-Sedso Born to Be Wild – Carla Ross
2nd: Red Wings Under the Sea – Patricia Hartman

Veteran Dogs, 7 yrs & under 10 yrs

1st: Ch. Kaizens Harlem Nights – Katrina Nielsen & Elicia Surface

Sorry for the late report, but I was waiting for Onofrio to publish complete results and in the meantime I got sick! I’m feeling a little better today so time for some catch up.

I was not entered at the Thursday and Friday shows, but here are the results.

On Thursday Mrs. Peggy Lloyd was the judge and only half the shibas entered actually showed up. Bonnie Gibbon’s Mimi, Katai’s Screamin’ Mimi was BOS, WB and Lori Pendergast’s Ichi was BOB. NOthing in group, but the groups were STRONG as usual at IKC.

Friday, however was another day, with all new winners. Katrina Nielsen traveled all the way up from TN to visit the Windy City and nearly missed her judging. Partly my fault as I had advised her to park in Lot A which was right next door to the dog show … LAST YEAR! Yes, they moved the show to the other side of the lake. I think Katrina found this out before she actually parked though, but it did cause a delay. So sorry, Katrina! and a belated Happy Birthday!

Judge on Friday was Mrs. Connie S. Clapp and Best of Breed for a major the hard way was Sandra Rolenaitis’ Kokusho Go G-Typhoon JR JP. He is a black and tan boy.  His kennelmate Tenko Go G-Typhoon JR (also owned by Sandra) was WB. BOS was Katrina’s Dolce, Ch. Kobushi La Dolce Vita, who is also co-owned by Bill & Kim Fletcher way out West somewhere, somewhere past Iowa. Way out there

On Saturday I’m proud to say I took the expressway for the first time since 2003 when I had an anxiety attack on the Kennedy brought on by a bad prescription on my glasses. Ever since then I was literally terrified to drive to that show on the expressway which made for a really LONG drive in.

This year, I just made up my mind I was going to try and I managed to make my way all the way to the IKC show where I happily parked my car in Lot A and went into the doorway to find … a Dentist convention. That’s very nice if you’re looking for toothpaste, not so much if you’re dragging a dog, grooming table and crates.

Ended up walking through the building and over Lake Shore Drive, that’s roughly three city blocks, to the shores of Lake Michigan to get to the dog show in the building where it has not been for YEARS. Seems they couldn’t break down the auto show fast enough to put the dog show in the other building. They are so not getting A+ for parking this year.

Fortunately I had given myself PLENTY of time to get settled so it was not a time crunch or anything. Was happy to see Katrina Nielsen and Mark Peterson there so I wasn’t alone on the bench as most of the shibas were in the handler section. I shudder to think of how it would have been if not for them and then Jaclynn Lewis being there as well on Sunday.

Happily Trouble took it all in stride and truly seemed to enjoy his public. He also remembered how to walk on a leash!

The judge on Saturday was Mr. James G Reynolds from Canada. So tall … he also has a great voice too! I got to be the first dog in the ring in our time frame. Oh joy, never got to see the pattern. Fortunately it was nothing too weird. Amazingly Trouble went all the way around the ring without shaking his head. A miracle! I was so happy that I kissed him when I put him on the table, I’m sure the judge was wondering … oh so professional!

Trouble went on to take Winners Dog, his littermate Mimi was BW, WB and Mark Peterson’s Tracer, Ch. Fanfair’s Without a Trace at Glenchester was BOB with Dolce picking up the BOS.

Then back to the bench and crowds of people. In case you don’t know, a benched shows means the dogs are on the benches from 9:00am till 3:30-4:00 depending on the day so that people can come into the show and meet the breeds/breeders, etc. And a lot of people attend this show! We alternated the dogs on the tables because they were literally like magnets and we didn’t want the dogs to be too exhausted since we had one more day to show.

I also took the opportunity to do a little shopping as usual the show gets an A+ for vendors. They are very plentiful and often are running show specials.

Katrina and I watched group to support Mark and Tracer, although we completely forgot to clap … what can I say, we were practically comotose

So around 4:30 I exited the dog show and had to walk over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house to get to my car. At least I had no trouble finding it. Got loaded up and onto the road … except the Dan Ryan was at an absolute standstill through downtown. By the time I finally got home it was 7:30pm which was a really long day. I was tired and my feet hurt. The things I do for public education.

The next morning up again at about 4:30am to do it all over again. Except I parked in the recommended lot, where I carefully noted where I was but did not carefully note there were two ways in and out of the garage. This will become important later!

Dragged Trouble and his “stuff” back up to the benching area. Groomed a little, well as compared to Mark and Katrina. I feel so delightfully lazy … but I did all my big grooming on Friday and he looks quite beautiferous. I take great enjoyment in teasing Mark about his grooming which I’m sure was just annoying the heck out of him

Dragged our stuff over to the ringside where Norman B Kenney was finishing up his last breed before shibas. At least this time I got to see some ring patterns. Trouble managed to get around the ring only shaking his head once today so no kiss on the table! He did manage another Winners Dog though. His sister Mimi repeated her BW (I would put her BW right now too … she’s a bit more mature). The judge was having a hard time selecting his Best of Breed but finally decided upon Lori Pendergast’s Ichi and Katrina’s Dolce was once again BOS.

I think we were all done with judging pretty early and then just sat there for the rest of the day with our admiring public. And there I think there were a lot more on Sunday than there were on Saturday. We seriously need to put together an FAQ.

1. Yes, they look like a fox.

2. Yes, this is their full-size or pretty close

3. Yes, they shed (see all this hair on the floor?)

4. Are they good with kids? Are your kids good with dogs?

5. Yes, they will run (like the wind) if you let them outside off lead. All you will see is that white tail waving bye-bye.

I can’t think of anything else now, I was much more clever before I got sick.

I also took the opportunity to watch malamutes where they had a pretty big entry. I remember the days, though at the old International Amphitheater, when 100 malamutes lining the benches were the norm, but that was a long time ago and entries were a lot cheaper!

At the end of the day Katrina and I packed up with all of our stuff on my wheels and headed for the parking lot. I was pretty sure I knew where I was going until we got to the line (yes, a line that extended forever!) waiting to go down the elevator. Fortunately Katrina knew an alternate route … the service elevator, so we took a jog past the line, down a long hall way and there we were … except I had no clue of how to get to my car from there. We found Katrina’s car and got her stuff unloaded and then tried to find mine.

Well I knew that when I got out of my car and went to the show, I exited to my left, thus my car would be one row in from the left wall and facing to the North … except we came in from the the other side so North was really South … or so it seemed. Fortunately after 15 minutes of looking I started pushing my little alarm button and heard a little beep beep. There was my car not 20 feet from Katrina’s only facing the wrong way! Had to go fetch my stuff from the next floor up where Katrina was guarding it and then get going. At least I didn’t have hours to drive like Katrina, only about 90 minutes. I don’t know how she did it, but she made it home and went to work the next day. (Note to Katrina, take the day after IKC off!)

In closing, it was a fun show. Not quite as much fun as it was last year because it was a pain in the posterior again to get in and out. But it was nice to win the points

Let this all be a lesson to me: read the premium much more carefully to ascertain just which building we are in before entering. This year the show gets a B minus. Parking not as good as last year, and food not as easily accessible. Still … a great opportunity to educate the general public about one of my favorite subjects, the shiba inu

Updating my last report, please note that there was a group placement that was not reported on AKC’s site probably due to being one of the few shows that are not attended by a rep.

So .. on January 24, a bitch named Ch. Niel-Sans Touch of Kenka took a Group III at Alaska KC under Judge Vincent Grosso. Have tried to locate a photo of this girl to put in the report, but alas no luck! Again, if I’ve missed a placement of any kind, whether it be Puppy Groups, BBE Groups, etc. please be sure to let me know!

Ok, onto week ending 1/31/2009, including two for Ch. Oak’s Fu Yu Kazan Ryuu. He managed a Group II on Saturday under Dr. Gerard Penta and a Group II on Sunday under Barbara Alderman who has often been good to shibas in the group rings. These placements were at Charleston KC 1 & 2. No photo of this dog unfortunately

On January 30, Mrs. Sari Brewster Tietjen awarded a Group IV to Ch. Sno-Storm’s Catch Me If You Can at Erie KC and several hundred miles to the West, Ch. Tobishi’s Rough and Ready was awarded a Group III by judge Steve Hayden.

On January 31st, two more placements. One in the soon to be hopping state of Louisiana at Alexandra KC (2) where Mr. Roy Keiser gave a big yellow rosette to Ch. San Jo I’m a Rock Star. On the left coast it was Ch. Copperdot’s Big Sur taking a lovely red rosette under Mr. Robert Stein.

This was my weekend to get to go to a dog show in January. The location was reviewed last year and not much has changed. The bathrooms are still great, although not quite as pristine as last year. Weather was a little bit warmer too.  Jonathan came with on Sunday because he wanted to head over to a fish store after the show and it was on the way, so I have many photos that are at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=142356&id=52115318911&l=4d9e5dd255 which I’m putting names into in my copious spare time. The short story is Rowdy (Ch. Tobishi’s Rough & Ready) got the breed both days. Monica Flynn’s Finn (say THAT fast three times) was BW on Saturday for his first major, and Jane Chapin’s Jag was BW on Sunday for his second major from BBE. Pat Doescher’s Spring was WB both days but unfortunately did not cross over for the major

First day’s judge was Mr. Dennis McCoy, a well known former poodle handler, and on Sunday we had Mr. Steve Hayden,  who I know showed chihuahuas along with other breeds. Both judges had a nice hand on the dogs, and were on time!  Mr. McCoy had a rather odd way of running his ring, using a backwards triangle but upon closer examination, the ring was set up kinda backwards so I guess it worked for him. Mr. Hayden had his table set up a little closer to the mat than I personally like, but everyone managed to avoid hitting it (and maybe that’s the reason Mr. McCoy did it the way he did!). As I mentioned earlier, Rowdy collected a yellow ribbon in the group on Saturday from Mr. Hayden. Congrats to all the winners!

Because Mickey is getting on and my shows for a while will only be day trips so I can be home to take care of him, thus my next show will be IKC benched shows at the end of February. A lot of people are coming in for that show and I think it will be a fun time. It’s a benched show thus we will have to be there all day and makes for a great place for people to see dogs and talk to people about the breed.

Just looking though the AKC Events results for shiba group placements for week ending 2/7 and finally found a Group III for Ch. Cantebriar’s Hot Toddy. The judge was Mrs. Jean Fournier who recently judged our National and she likes her shibas in the group too. And I guess that’s it for this week.

 

Good luck to everyone who fought their way through some really nutty weather to some of the shows this week and to everyone competing at Westminster. As soon as I hear any reports I will let you know!