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