by Elise Kind • photos by robert kreis
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tanding in front of the hotel, guests had a wonderful view of rugged Rocky Mountain National Park, with its snow covered peaks only about twentyfive miles from the hotel. It was the perfect setting for a mountain dog Tibetan Terrier national specialty. Over the Memorial Day weekend TTCA members were encouraged to participate in other shows in the area. Central Wyoming Kennel Club in Casper had its all breed show on the Friday and Saturday of the holiday weekend, while Laramie Kennel Club rounded out the weekend with its all breed show on Sunday and Monday. To complete the weekend, there was an excellent agility event in Lakewood, Colorado. The specialty itself began on Wednesday, May 28th with a morning of rally and obedience judging. Pat Maynard did an admirable job of judging both rally and obedience classes. After lunch, Dr. Suzanne Hetts, well-known animal behaviorist, gave an interesting talk on bringing up that wonderful, cute, little puppy to be an asset to your family and the community. She discussed how we can understand animal behavior and learn to prevent problems, and lastly, how to resolve problems that are already present. The afternoon ended with a fun demonstration on nose work with your dog. All dogs can do nose work and have a good time. Megan Donovan, the seminar’s presenter, demonstrated nose work with an experienced worker, a novice from the audience, and a puppy that had had no training at all. All the Tibetan Terriers seemed to have had a good time finding where the treat or scent was hidden and were extremely proud of themselves. The day ended with the fun and exciting Invitational Evening of Champions. The top 20 champions were judged by AKC Judge Robert Shreve, Handler Judge Jennifer Smith, and Breeder Judge Andrea Reiman. These judges found GCH CH Ri Lee’s Stellar Performance owned by Nikkie Kinziger the Invitational Winner. Those at the Invitational dinner had an opportunity to vote for the top champion they liked. This year’s People’s Choice Award went to GCH. Pandan Ashlyn’s Meeka At Honeycreek owned by Amy
Soderman, Jane Martin, and Ron Jaramillo. Thursday brought Sweepstakes with breeder, owner, handler AKC Judge Bill Lee judging the competition. His choice for Puppy Best in Sweeps went to KiMik’s Knock Knock Knock, owned by Mikki DeMers, Lois DeMers, and Dina Planche, from the 9-month and under 12-month bitch class. Best of Opposite Sex went to Teeshas Cute Chix Dig Baker, owned by Susan Van Hecke, from the 9 months and under 12 months dog class. Next Mr. Lee turned his attention to judging Veteran Sweepstakes. Best in Veteran Sweeps went to GCH CH Salishan Princess of the Wind CGCA, from the 7 years and under 9 years class, and owned by Janet and Harold Slothower. For Best of Opposite Sex, from the 11 years and under 13 years, Mr. Lee chose CH Shakira’s The Road Warrior ROM, owned by Brenda Peters. Next, well known TT breeder, owner, handler Margy Pankiewicz judged Futurity. The Grand Futurity winner and the Best Puppy in Futurity was Moonrise The Sky’s The Limit, from the 12 months and under 15 months dog class, and owned by Andrew and Karen Payne. After the judging for the day was finished, Lauren Fox, obedience and rally teacher, gathered TT’s and their owners together for a class on dancing with your dog. Both dogs and their people had a wonderful time learning the latest moves demonstrated by Lauren and her Tibetan Terrier Diamond. Everyone, including the dogs, left the ballroom with a happy little walk. Friday brought the judging of the Conformation Classes with esteemed British judge and TT breeder Pat Tempest. For Best Puppy, she chose Salishan High Tower Effortless owned by Karen Tower, Savannah Livingston, and Megan Livingston. The Bred-By-Exhibitor class always has strong competition and this year was no different. This year’s Bred-By-Exhibitor was won by Sunclipse Skyfire owned by Ron Wiley and Marge Wiley. For Best Veteran
Mrs. Tempest chose CH Falamandus Kool Mama owned by Lynn and Mike Allway, M.L. Lafler, and Joel Coffey. Winner’s Dog was Ri Lee’s Legendary Performance, from the open dog class, and owned by Nikkie Kinziger. Winner’s Bitch was Tibicinan Patricia Joli owned by Amy Soderman. Select Dog was CH KiMik’s Who Dunnit owned by Mikki De Mers, Lois De Mers, and Dina Planche, while Select Bitch was awarded to Janet and Harold Slothower’s GCH CH Salishan Princess of the Wind. Mrs. Tempest chose Ri Lee’s Legendary performance owned by Nikkie Kinziger as Best of Winners. Her Judge’s Awards of Merit went to GCH CH Barnstorm Sim-Pas’s Caught on the Fly By Dzine owned by Lynn Meyer and Michael Allway, P. Bernardo, and M.L. Lafler, GCH CH Bluvali Players Paradigm owned by Brian Leonard and Marjorie A. Wikerd, GCH CH Ri Lee’s Stellar Performance owned by Nikkie Kinziger, and last was CH Dreammaker Salishan’s Savannah Smiles owned by Janet and Harold Slothower. Mrs. Tempest finished her judging for the day by awarding Best of Opposite Sex to Karen Tower and Savannah Livingston’s CH Salishan On My Gosh It’s Josh. Her final selection was, of course, Best of Breed, which went to CH KiMik’s Putting It Together owned by Dina Planche, Mikki DeMers, and Lois DeMers. During the annual dinner that Friday evening, Mrs. Tempest commented on the Tibetan Terriers she judged. She praised the American dogs for their good structure and beauty. Their wonderful double coats were much in evidence. One problem Tibetan Terriers have had since they set paws on American soil is with their teeth. Mrs. Tempest told breeders to breed for a wider mouth and the problem with teeth will correct itself. The last activity of this year’s specialty was participation in the supported entry at the Flat Iron’s All-Breed shows in Longmont, Colorado. It was the “capper” to a busy, fun week of showing, educational seminars, and classes. On to Boxborough, Massachusetts in 2015.
Dog News 57