Spring 2016  Saber Tails 19    

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America

Twister paying very close attention

Peter Parker (Best of Breed) & Maggie (Best Opposite Sex)

Zee Wagging His Tail for the Judge

this many distractions, is downright miraculous)!  (Apologies if I 

missed anyone else who participated in agility or obedience.)

B

reed conformation showing kicked off on Monday.  PBGVs 

were well-represented at the big show with 16 entries and 

13 making it to competition.  I was happy to see a wonderful 

mix of professional handlers and owner handlers in the ring.  All 

the PBGVs were shown in beautiful condition, were happy to be 

there and gave a very good impression of their ‘Happy Hound’ 

moniker.  It’s always fun sitting in the stands for a big show like 

this.   Not something I do frequently since I’m usually exhibiting.  

It’s a good reminder for me of, not too long ago, when I did not 

understand a thing about what was happening in the ring!  I love 

hearing people ringside trying to figure out what they are seeing 

in our breed.  “Is that a cross between a Basset and a Jack Russell?”  

“Are they terriers...or herding dogs?”  “Look how happy they are!”  

“Look at those tails wagging...they look so happy to be here!”  

“Wow...they love attention, don’t they!”  These are just a sampling 

of the sound bites I heard from the crowd of people close to me.  

It is very fun getting caught up in the excitement of the crowd.

O

ur very own Barbara Pepper was charged with judging PBGVs 

and she had her work cut out for her.  In the end, she chose 

the Canadian superstar Ch Auriga Peter Parker to move into 

group competition (owned by Martin & Wendy Doherty).  Best 

Opposite Sex went to Ch LeMouv’ Mirepoix All About My Mother 

(owned by Jan Zigich and Ross Litman.)  The Select Dog and Bitch 

awards respectively went to GCh Iceage v Tum-Tums Vriendjes 

(owned by Nick Frost, Brad Duelks, Deborah King & Brianne 

Major) and GCH CJ’s Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile (owned 

by Lynne & Mark Florian and Charles & Jeanne Hurty).  Based on 

the number of entries, there were also two Awards of Merit pre-

sented to GCh Celestial CJ’s Ringmaster at Talus (owned by Cindy 

Wilt, Jeanne & Charles Hurty and Lynne & Mark Florian) and GCh 

Soletrader Zee or Zed (owned by Donna Moore, Janice Hayes and 

Martin & Wendy Doherty).  With so many beautiful dogs repre-

sented in the ring, I’m sure Judge Pepper wished she had more 

ribbons to award!

W

estminster is one of the few remaining benched shows in 

the country.  Benching means that the dogs who are shown, 

on the day of their judging, must be in attendance the entire day 

and present at their bench, other than for brief potty breaks and 

when they are being shown. Essentially, this means there is an 

unofficial ‘meet the breed’ that takes place on the day of judg-

ing as spectators wander through the benching area to meet 

the competitors and exhibitors.  I wasn’t in attendance for the 

official Saturday event but was amazed at the number of people 

who came out on Monday to watch the show and meet the dogs 

later in the benching area.  My assumption was that these would 

primarily be New York City residents but I was surprised to meet a 

Chili and Salsa 

benched (left) and 

with their  ‘Q’ ribbons 

(below)

Cont’d p 33