It’s A Wrap!!!

The awarding of Best In Show at the Elora Gorge Kennel Club Championship Shows on Saturday, December 29 signals the end of 2018 Dog Show and Obedience season in Canada. These festive shows in Kitchener, Ontario are generally a make or break event for dogs trying to move higher up in the All Breed Dog Show standings at the Breed, Group or Best In Show levels. Many are also looking for elusive final Championship points to complete their Championship title before the year end. 

The club always celebrates the Christmas proximity with numerous armband draws rewarding exhibitors for their attendance. Another annual fun event is the search for the elusive Xmas Elf ‘Eggnog’ who is hidden in the venue each night and whoever manages to find him each day is lavished with additional presents and prizes. 

Elora Gorge is also a favourite of the Junior Handlers as competitions are held each day for Juniors and on the final day a special Invitational is held to reward the weekends Top Junior. The competitions are especially important as they are the last opportunity for Juniors to qualify to attend their CKC Zone Finals, the winner of which will be invited to compete at the National Final. Always nice to see a club recognize what an important group the Juniors are…Thank you. 

Another ‘Milestone’ in a judges’ career was reached when long time Shih Tzu breeder Wendy Anderson adjudicated at her first ever Best In Show. Wendy selected the Vizsla (Wirehaired) GChEx Zoldmali Cetli for the coveted award. She states “It was an honour to be asked to judge Best in Show at Elora Gorge. I had beautiful dogs to choose from which made the experience quite thrilling. I would like to thank the members of the Elora Gorge KC for giving me this honour.”
   
The race for 2018 # 1 Dog All Breeds for Conformation and the # 1 Obedience dog was not affected by the outcome of any wins on this weekend as the eventual winners already had substantial leads over the runner ups. 

Unlike my fond memory of one the tightest Top Dog races of all time. In 1989 the top 4 ranking dogs were all in striking distance of each other. Who could forget the animated Doberman ‘Max’ piloted by Mary White, who came into the weekend at the Credit Valley shows ranked # 1. He was followed by a handsome Standard Poodle ‘Banner’ shown by Susan Hillman who held the # 2 spot, with yet another beautiful Standard Poodle ‘Anna’ shown by Carol Graham at # 3. Rounding out the group was the steady Lakeland Terrier ‘Danny’ shown by myself ranked # 4. On the Sunday show, then the final show of the year Danny the Lakeland won Best In Show at the 1000 dog plus show to vault him from # 4 to # 1 Dog All Breeds. Quite an upset... quite a memory. 



















The 2018 Top Dog All Breeds is projected to be the ever game Kerry Blue Terrier ‘Xavier’  MBIS MBISS MRBIS AM GCHG CAN GCH CH Krisma's Xman First Class  owned by Marcel Bourgon, Lois Grier and Cherl Kabarchuck and shown by Connie Krohn and Trina Neil. Handler Connie Krohn states “Our motto for the year became ‘Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough’, and each day we put in every effort and tried our absolute best no matter what, as I know many of our competitors did as well” Xavier’s 2018 record includes 37 Best in Shows.  25 Reserve Best in Shows.  125 Terrier Group Firsts and of course....NUMBER ONE ALL BREEDS!!  Connie goes on to say  ”I couldn’t have asked for a better dog to share the year with.  He gave his all and enjoyed every trip into the ring. 2018 is a year I will never forget.”

Our projected runner up in Conformation was the lovely and affectionate Gordon Setter female ‘Maddie’ MBIS MBISS MRBIS CanGCH AmGCH Bran Linn Amulet owned by Nikki Maounis and Candice Bell and Jerold Bell, DVM and handled by Will Alexander. Nikki states“It’s been a great year, and a record-breaking year, for our Madison. As both breeders and owners, Candice, Jerold, and I couldn’t be more proud of our girl. She is everything we’ve been striving for over many years - a happy, healthy, and beautiful Gordon who is true to the breed standard. Maddie is our dream come true, and we are so very grateful to have her.  She is giving us the ride of a lifetime.”

The projected Top Obedience Dog for 2018 is a repeat winner from last year the ever-reliable Miniature Poodle ‘Scooter’ GMOTCh Belcourt Cool Dude Owned by Lee Koziki. Lee says “Being number one two years in a row is a big thrill for me. I have been in the top ten all breed with my last six dogs but have never thought of trying to be number one. You need to have the time the money and most important a dog who wants to do this with you. After being pushed by hubby and judges the decision was made by Scooter.  He loves what he does and I love working with him. The rest as they say is history.”

Projected runner up to ‘Scooter’ was yet another owner who is no stranger to the # 1 spot in Obedience, winning in 2016. The runner up in Obedience in 2018 is projected to be the intelligent Golden Retriever ‘Edge’ GMOTCH Tanbark's High Rolling Player AKC UDX, U-CDX, RA, OM1 owned by Rose Apollonio. 

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Purina^® Pro Plan^® and supporting sponsor, Back on Track Canada, for such generous support of CKC’s Top Dogs program. 

Show photos credit to: