. . . and It Was Not Continued

Argus competed in the Top Twenty

It suddenly occurred to me that because of computer problems I never completed the posting about the National.  Checking back I discovered that lots of good things were omitted.  I haven't ordered my "official" show pictures yet, but have some nice ones taken by friends to include.  It is amazing how many people take pictures wherever they go.  I'm sure that most of those pictures stay on the devices that were used to take them, or get downloaded to a computer, and very few ever get printed.  This was the first year I noticed iPads used to take pictures and video too.  Ah, technology.

Argus won the Stud Dog Class for the third year in a row, what a thrill!  Each year he has gone in with two of his beautiful daughters.  Rita & Pauli in 2009, Penny & Nena in 2010, and Penny & Lucy in 2011.   The judge Mr. Sabella commented on how much fun he had doing the Stud Dog Class, what an excellent sire Argus is, and what lovely type he produces.  He does.

The Best Of Breed competition was outstanding, with over 80 of the top Dals in the country competing (these are the "Specials", dogs who are already champions).  The judge divided the males into 3 groups and the bitches into either 2 or 3 (I forget) so that the ring was not overcrowded and none of the dogs had to stay in the ring for long periods of time.  She selected "keepers" from each group - that is called "making the cut" and then brought those dogs back for further judging and additional cuts.  Argus and his offspring Krash, Penny & Cassie all made it through the first two cuts.   Krash & Penny went out on the third cut, but when I looked around Cassie was still in the ring with Argus and many of the top winning Dals in the country.  Cassie and her owner/handler John were attending their first DCA, and Cassie is the first dog that John had shown to her championship.


Cassie & John, with Argus & me

 The judging continued and Argus & Cassie were still in the ring.  There is only one Best of Breed, and this year it went to a handsome young black dog who is professionally handled and has had a fine career.  The judge has the option of giving out Awards of Merit to the top 10% of the Specials.  As I looked around the ring and counted the number of dogs who were still in competition it looked as if there would be enough AoMs to go around.  Success!   Argus won his third consecutive Award of Merit (and was Best of Breed in 2008) and this year, the first year he had champion offspring in competition, daughter Cassie won one as well.  What a thrill.  John's daughter Liz took this picture of Argus & Cassie wearing the award sashes. 

A very successful National!