An Australian cattle dog named Sobe and a bulldog who answers to Decker notched their third bests in show last weekend at the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show before an estimated 7,000 spectators at CenturyLink Field Event Center.
In a weekend where both the public’s and media’s attention was focused on a 45-pound miniature pig named Amy, Sobe and Decker took top honors in strong Select Seven fields each day. Four teams repeated Group 1s in the back-to-back shows.
Asked if the 4-year-old Sobe split field duties with showmanship, veteran handler Kim Griffith, of San Diego, replied, “No, this is work for her. This breed is instinctively a problem solver and it’s key for the handler to establish control early on. My priority is keeping her focused on the job at hand, which she was this weekend. ”
The affable Decker, 2, handled by Jay Serion, of Seattle, is a fun-loving dog at home who loves to show. “We just started getting him out in January,” says Serion, “and will campaign him seriously this year. We’ve had some early success, but winning at home is particularly satisfying.”
Reserve best in show Saturday went to Tia McLaughlin, of Puyallup, and Gch Kumi Kian Strike a Pose (Madonna), a Lhasa Apso, that won best-in-show here last year; Sunday’s reserve title was captured by 19-year-old Maddie McCue, of Sacramento, and Sophie (Gch Indian Bend Kelyric Heart and Soul), a 4-year-old English setter. Earlier in the day they earned their first Group 1 (Sporting Group).
Repeat group winners were Sobe in herding; Jenny (Ch Snowtaires Next Generation), a 2-year-old Lakeland terrier, handled by Lauren Parker, of Palo Alto, Calif., in terrier; Rosie (Ch North Well Vivian JP Rose Queen), a 3½-year-old toy poodle, handled by Tim Brazier, of Mill Creek, in toy; Ogee (Gch Ogee Saltus Ze Zahrabske), a 5-year-old standard schnauzer, handled by Oscar Quiros, of Palmdale, Calif., in working.
Guillaume Du Noble Picard, a Berger Picard owned by Bob Anderson, Janice Anderson and Grace DuFour, of Preston, won the Miscellaneous breeds competition both days.
Other Saturday Competition Winners
Sporting: Northwood’s Silversmith Islevue Rumor (Rumor), a 3-year-old Weimaraner, owned by Kerry and Shannon Edlinger, Monroe; Heidi Warren and Elena Lamberson.
Hound: GCH DC Perfection Cheria Electgric Ice SC (Jordan), a 7-year-old Afghan hound, handled by John Wood, Salem, Ore., and owned by Neal Fouts, Bandon, Ore., and Retha Diaz, Bandon, Ore.
Top junior: Caleb Campbell, Sumner, and a border terrier, Open Senior Class.
High in trial: Nancy Light, Duvall, and a golden retriever, Open B, 197½.
High combined: Sandy Burr, Issaquah, and a golden retriever, Open B, 392.
Other Sunday Competition Winners
Hound: Gch Southchase’s Wilbert Roy (Wilbert Roy), a 4½-year-old black and tan coonhound, handled by Shea Skinner, Stanwood, and owned by Emily McCarthy, Brighton, Mass., and Joseph and Janet Lobb, Brucefield, Ontario, Canada.
Top junior: Sara Shinagawa, Langley, B.C., and a longhaired Dachshund, Open Senior Class.
High in trial: Michelle Fuqua, Federal Way, and a Newfoundland, Open B, 198.
High combined: Sandy Burr, Issaquah, and a golden retriever, Open B, 392½
