Note: The Canine Chronicle writers interviewed each Group judge after the group judging and recorded their comments on tape; those comments are included verbatim. The writers have gleaned their information from those comments and then sent them on for review to the individual judges who approved them before going to press.

HOUND GROUP
Judge: Mr. Ralph M. Lemcke

First: Ch. K-Run's Park Me In First
Breed: 15-Inch Beagle
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Kathy Weichert
& Leah Bertagnolli
Owners: Caroline Dowell
& Eddie Dziuk & Jon Woodring
& Kathy Weichert

Second: Ch. Solo's Drag-Queen SL
Breed: Dachshund (Longhaired)
Sex: Bitch
Breeder: Paula Carter
Owners: Wayne Heikes
& Carlos J. Puig

Third: Ch. Downhome Family Tradition
Breed: Harrier
Sex: Dog
Breeders: Barbara & Jeff Fox & Linda Johnston & Susan Lowder
Owners: Dr. & Mrs. William Truesdale & Susan Stacy Lowder

Fourth: Ch. Afterglow Ebeneezer
Breed: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Fred Ellinger
& Michael Gadsby
Owners: Dr. Mary Meritz
& Ron Newman & Fred Ellingford

Comments from Judge Ralph Lemcke:

This has to be the strongest hound group I have ever judged. I’d never seen the beagle before tonight. This is a great dog. He’s a wonderful representative of the breed. He has a beautiful head and eye – a good soft expression. He has good bone and good substance. He has a wonderful top line and tail set. The brush on the tail is just outstanding – and you don’t see enough of that in this breed. He’s a good, solid dog. He’s a dog who looks like he could run all day in the field.

The Longhaired Dachshund was just a very typey bitch. She had a pretty head, a nice topline, and moved well.

The Harrier was another good, solid dog. He had a nice head and expression. He moved well coming and going.

The PBGV was really outstanding, a great little dog. He had proper coat and condition. He moved well.

I could have awarded four more ribbons if I would have had them. It was tough to make the cut down to even eight dogs.

TERRIER GROUP
Judge: Mrs. Betty-Anne Stenmark

First: Ch. Efbe's Hidalgo
At Goodspice
Breed: Sealyham Terrier
Sex: Dog
Breeder: France Bergeron
Owners: Margery & Richard Good & Sandra Middlebrooks

The Sealyham was an easy winner ~ beautiful type, every inch a Sealyham, and as their Standard says, embodying power and determination…extraordinary substance yet free from clumsiness. In flawless condition, showing his heart out, he sailed around the ring effortlessly. I am in awe of where the Sealyham breed is; breeders must work with just a gene puddle, no easy task. This is a wonderful dog.

Second: Ch. Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot
Breed: Scottish Terrier
Sex: Bitch
Breeders: Mary O'Neal
& Anstamm Kennel
Owner: Amelia Musser

I had never judged this Scottie, although I’d seen her many times. I was anxious to get my hands on her, as her handler is a very clever trimmer. Hands-on examination did not disappoint, she’s every inch as a Scottie should be. When I approached her I was taken in by her beautiful head and expression. She was every inch a Scottie bitch, with a mind of her own that evening, but I did not penalize her for it. If I were breeding Scotties, I would certainly want her in my stable.

Third: Ch. Max-Well's Viper
Breed: Norfolk Terrier
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Susan Kipp
Owners: Susan Kipp
& Barbara Mille

I had never seen this dog before and it was great fun to have this beautiful little surprise in the group. He is an impressive dog ~ great head and expression, perfect size, beautifully balanced and he moved well from all angles. It was also fun to realize later as photos were being taken that the handler of this dog is an accomplished junior handler and the eldest daughter of the handler of the 4th place winner!

Fourth: Ch. Torquay S Demetrio
Breed: Fox Terrier (Smooth)
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Marco E. Alessandra Botelho
Owners: Clay Coady
& Marco Botelho & Evelina Martini

I judged a good-sized entry of Smooth Fox Terriers at the breed level last year at Westminster and he was my Breed winner that day. Oddly, this is a dog that I like better from the center of the ring, than as an outside observer. This dog reminds me of the cleverly made hunter the Standard describes, and he was flawless in that big ring that night.

There were other dogs in this cut that I would liked to have had a ribbon for but alas there are only four available. It was a privilege to judge all of the terriers that evening.

NON-SPORTING GROUP
Judge: Dr. Michael T. Manning

First: Ch. Brighton Minimoto
Breed: Standard Poodle
Sex: Bitch
Breeder: L'Dyne Brennan
Owners: Cindy Coggin & Don Rochow & Zuleika Borges Torrealba

Second: Ch. Cherokee Legend Rock
Breed: Bulldog
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Faye Richardson
Owners: Connie A. Chambers
& Cody T Sickle

Third: Ch. Paray's Paragon
Breed: Bichon Frise
Sex: Dog
Breeders: Tray Pittman
& Paul Flores & M. Nelson
Owners: David & Dianne Anderson & Paul Flores

Fourth: Ch. Players Prodigy
Breed: Tibetan Terrier
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Candy Rizkowsky
Owners: Louis Krokover
& David Murray

Comments from Judge Michael Manning:

The Poodle was a beautiful, beautiful dog. From the side, silhouette first thing coming into the ring: very properly square. She was elegant, but at the same time had wonderful reach and drive on the side. She had a personality that went on for miles. She was sound coming and going. I really look for an elegant, good-moving Poodle. Sometimes you don’t get that with a beautiful head – that’s really hard to find in any breed. And she showed to the max. What more could you want?

The Bulldog has a beautiful topline, a wonderful, massive, correct head, and a beautiful jaw. He has a ton of personality. He moved well. He was in solid condition – and tonight that’s what separated some really wonderful dogs in my mind from others. Some of the others didn’t really ask for it at the end, maybe, or their ears weren’t up, or they didn’t have that extra.

The Bichon has a beautiful coat – probably one of the nicest coats I’ve felt in a long time. A wonderful, melt-your-heart expression on this dog. He has jet-black eyes and nose. I really love that dog. He was perfectly groomed. He was in shape, and had really sound movement coming and going and good movement from the side.

The Tibetan Terrier was really sound. The dogs with hair are harder to tell if the parts are in the right places. You can tell in the movement. This dog did have things in the right place. He had a nice top line. He had good expression. His movement from the side was free and clean.

HERDING GROUP
Judge: Mr. Stanley S. Saltzman

First: Ch. Vinelake Collinswood Yablon OA, OAJ
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Sex: Bitch
Breeder: Sandra Landry
Owner: Terri K. Collins

Second: Ch. Quiche's Demetrius
Breed: Bouvier des Flandres
Sex: Dog
Breeders: Louise & Elaine Paquette
Owners: Elaine & Louise Paquette

Third: Ch. Kaleefs Geneva Aeval-Achtung
Breed: German Shepherd Dog
Sex: Bitch
Breeder: J. & S. Moses & J. & J. Olivier
Owners: Janet Lange
& Roger Rechler

Fourth: Ch. Sylvan Argent Simply Irresistible
Breed: Collie (Rough)
Sex: Bitch
Breeders: Dr. Cindi Bossart & Connie DuBois & James Efron
Owners: Dr. Cindi Bossart & Connie DuBois & James Efron

Comments from Judge Stanley Saltzman:

My first place dog, the Australian Shepherd was a wonderful bitch with a beautiful, sweet, and intelligent expression. Beautiful eyes. She had a wonderful top line and proportion with proper substance. In her side movement, her athleticism really showed in her reach and drive that were just outstanding. This bitch could really do her job all day long.

The second place Bouvier had many of the same attributes as the first place bitch. It also had a very correct coat that was correctly presented.

The German Shepherd was a good moving bitch of correct type and in good condition.

The Rough Collie was a bitch that had a marvelous, correct head and expression. Beautiful sweet eyes with correct placement. Good movement and a coat that fit her.

SPORTING GROUP
Judge: Mr. Elliott B. Weiss

First: Ch. Colsidex Seabreeze
Perfect Fit
Breed: Weimaraner
Sex: Bitch
Breeders: Judy Colan
& Marge Davis & Debra McCray
Owners: Ellen M. Charles & Alessandra Folz & Judy Colan

Second: Ch. Cookieland
Seasyde Hollyberry
Breed: Pointer
Sex: Bitch
Breeders: Cheryl LaDuc
& A. & A. Cantor
Owners: Helyne E. Medeiros
& Marjetta Kennels

Third: Ch. Lydgate Rise N' Shine
Breed: ASCOB Cocker Spaniel
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Deborah Knight
Owners: Jacquelyn Beaudoin
& Mary Walker & Deborah Knight

Fourth: Ch. Chestnuts
Selling The Drama
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Sex: Dog
Breeders: Mark & Sheri Johnson
Owners: Bill Burgraaf
& Sheri Johnson

Comments from Judge Elliott Weiss:

It’s not only the four winners – it’s the ones I pulled out and didn’t place. They were beautiful, wonderful examples of their breeds.

At most shows, maybe 15 percent of the dogs are what I consider exceptionally good quality, 5 percent are excellent quality, and then there are the two-percenters. At this show that is not the case; here 85 percent are very good quality and all the two-percenters in the country are entered here. My first two placements are what I consider two-percenters. They excite you. You look at them and your eye can’t be drawn to any one part, it can only take in the whole picture. With the Pointer and the Weimaraner, the picture is so beautiful that there are no parts, they blended into each other with such symmetry.

The Weimaraner is the perfect shape and perfect size, with the correct amount of bone. Weimaraners should be very moderate athletes. Lately we’ve been seeing them go to extremes. When you see this bitch you say, “Aha! That’s the picture. That’s the Standard.” She floats. She moves effortlessly. You can see her athleticism. She looks like she’s not doing anything – and that’s because of her balance. She showed beautifully. She was in absolutely hard condition and a perfect weight for this judge. She’d be an asset to anybody’s breeding program.

The American Cocker and the English Cocker were a a pleasure to see. If we have a fault as American breeders, we breed dogs for the group level and not the breed level. We have a lot of Cockers that couldn’t be good gun dogs. These Cockers both fill the need as gun dogs – both the American Cocker and the English Cocker are made to do a day’s hunting

TOY GROUP
Judge: Mrs. Sari Brewster Tietjen

First: Ch. Smash JP Win A Victory
Breed: Toy Poodle
Sex: Bitch
Breeder: Yukiko Omura
Owner: Ron Scott

Second: Ch. Cilleine Masquerade
Breed: Brussels Griffon
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Denise Barney
Owners: Mamie & Evalyn Gregory & Anne & Harlowe Jahelka

Third: Ch. Yup's Cohiba Esplendido
Breed: Havanese
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Janet Birdsall
Owners: Lauren Goebel
& Ms. Janet Birdsall

Fourth: Ch. Tupelo Shoboat
Tu China Tu
Breed: Pug
Sex: Dog
Breeder: Karin Thompson
Owners: Mary Hedricks
& P. & R. Kolesar & D. Huffman

Judge Sari Brewster Tietjen’s comments:

This was a wonderful collection of dogs - top quality. There were dogs I couldn’t even pull that I have used at other shows. The eight dogs I did cut, I considered to be excellent representatives of their breeds. In the end, it was a very close decision.
I love the Poodle’s look - her face, her shinning dark eyes. I love her size and the fact that she feels very solid underneath. She is a well-packaged, small dog who moves like a machine in perfect timing on a loose lead.

The Smooth Griffon has a beautiful headpiece, and a well-balanced and solid body. Very sound coming and going. It’s quite rare to see a Smooth that is as good as that one.

The Havanese has a beautiful headpiece, firm body with the proper rise. He has a jaunty gait with wonderful carriage and was in excellent condition.

The Pug was of proper size, well-proportioned with a beautiful round head. His gait was perfectly timed (when he wasn’t fooling around) and he was undaunted by his surroundings. A true mischievous personality and a handful!

WORKING GROUP
Judge Mrs. Constance M. Barton

First: Ch. Redwitch Reason To Believe
Breed: Akita
Sex: Bitch
Breeders: Mr. D. & Mrs. J. Killilea
& Mrs. A Clure
Owner: Roger Rechler

Second: Ch. Cambria's
Victoria’s Secret
Breed: Doberman Pinscher
Sex: Bitch
Breeders: Ann Ramsbottom-White & Jim White
Owners: Dr. Anthony DiNardo & Mrs. Sheila DiNardo & Sonny Wang

Third: Ch. Maitau's Eye Candy
V MJM
Breed: Great Dane
Sex: Bitch
Breeders: Tiffany Cross
& Helen Cross & Patricia A. Ciampa
Owners: Polly Hix
& Laurie & Michael Maulucci

Fourth: Ch. Bastion's Music
In The Glen, RN
Breed: Bullmastiff
Sex: Dog
Breeders: Robert & Lynn Spohr
& Leland & Cindie Waters
Owners: Dr. Scott Hoffman
& Gerald C. Greer & R. & L. Spohr

Judge Constance Barton’s comments:

The Working Group was of particularly good quality this year. It was delightful to see. I want to compliment the handlers who showed the dogs particularly well. They were appropriately dressed and did a professional job of handling their charges. There are only four ribbons to give out in a group. It’s difficult to make those decisions in a few minutes, but of course they must be made.

The Akita was in beautiful condition. She is always shown and presented perfectly. She is the kind of dog you have to look at. She personifies breed type in the Akita.
The Doberman I’d never seen before, but it’s a breed with which I’m very familiar. The Doberman was a lovely bitch. This bitch had enough face to her, enough jaw, and she had enough bone. She had nice, round bone which is hard to get.

The Great Dane is an elegant, beautifully-headed bitch who is just coming into her own.

I have judged the Bullmastiff before – in fact, I gave him his first Group First a few years ago.

The Akita and Bullmastiff have retired. It was their last show. Some of the other exhibits could have been easily in the ribbons, but there are only four.

BEST IN SHOW
Judge: J. Donald Jones

Judge Donald Jones made his comments to a packed press room and to the Metropolitan Dog Club that are reflected in this summary.

This is the most nearly perfect dog I have ever judged. The Standard describes the perfect Beagle. You look this dog over and think, “There it is.”

This is the most perfect Beagle I have ever seen. This is a great dog. He has beautiful expression, attitude, and topline. He’s in beautiful condition. He has perfectly smooth locomotion. The shoulder is perfectly placed. Look at his face! You just melt right down. What about his personality? (At that moment, Uno bayed for the press.)

His presentation was excellent. I was impressed when he came back to me and went, “Awhoo!”

On a scale of 1 to 10 – I give the Beagle a 10. The nearest dog was a 9.8 – but I will never tell which one it was.

When asked if there was a defining moment when he decided on the Beagle: At the end, when he moved around and I saw him from the side. He moved so smoothly and easily.

When asked if the crowd’s wild enthusiasm for the Beagle had an impact: I thought that every dog had applause. I didn’t hear a difference. I guess I found the dog that everyone liked; I know I found the dog I liked.

It was a beautiful line-up of dogs. This kind of line-up only comes once in a lifetime. Any judge in the world would cherish this invitation. It’s the best show in the world.