Category: People

I photographed Welsh Springer Spaniel, J-Clarke [GCH Am/Can/UKC Ch Ivywild’s Lookin’ to Skeldale, RN], back in April at the Lebanon County/Harrisburg Kennel Club Dog Show and as a result came to meet his owner, Mary Johnson.  When I mentioned to Mary that I was heading to The National Dog Show, she asked if I could take some photos of J-Clarke.  To help me locate him, she sent a photo of his handler, Ryan, along with the location of their benching area, and off I went in search of this sweet dog.  I was lucky to be able to photograph J-Clarke winning his breed on Saturday morning and then in the big arena for the group competition later in the day.  J-Clarke and Ryan are a great team!  I hope to see you both again soon!

The Pekingese is always the very last dog to enter and go around the ring in the Toy Group.  This is because the Peke is the slowest moving of all of the Toy dogs.  If a faster dog were behind him, he would just run right on past the Peke.  This breed is so much fun to watch in the ring.  Full speed ahead for the Peke is more like a very slow waddle, but it is most often described as a “rolling gait”.  With those short little legs it’s just plain hard to move very fast!  In this image the handler has picked up the dog after a slow walk around the ring in front of the judge.  “Thanks for the ride, dad!” 

 

Poor Elvis.  All he really wanted was a big old hug!  Elvis {GCh Lambluv Gambolon Blue Thunder} is currently the #1 Old English Sheepdog in the country and he’s awesome!  He won his breed at The National Dog Show and was entered in the Group competition.  Unfortunately, he came in 3rd in the Herding Group [Reckon, the Australian Shepherd was first] and judging by Elvis’ reaction, he wasn’t pleased!  The triptych above shows Elvis ready to go down and back for the judge in the first frame.  The 2nd and 3rd frames show his reaction after the judge made his final selection!  I think he’s saying, “Mom I really tried, I did my very best, honest!  Can I please have a hug?” 

Congratulations to Wire Fox Terrier “Eira” [GCH CH Steele Your Heart] and her handler, Gabriel Rangel, on winning Best in Show at The 2011 National Dog Show Presented by Purina!! 

 

Tomorrow when you take a moment to give thanks for all of the blessings you have received, be sure and say a special little prayer of thanks for the wonderful pets who enrich your life.  Then plop down on the couch with your dog or cat and tune in to NBC at noon immediately following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade for The National Dog Show presented by Purina.  Hosts David Frei [above left] and John O’Hurley [above right] will be ringside for all the action where dogs in 7 groups will compete for Best in Show.   [Herding, Working, Toy, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Hound & Terrier]  Which is your favorite breed?  Who will win Best in Show?  Find out tomorrow!  The suspense continues……..!