Before the males come in, I am going to say something to everyone. I love to watch Ed judge, and I love the results. I will vote for him to do the National every year. A few months ago, Libby told me that this would be Ed's last National. I sure hope not. I think he looks as sharp and as strong as ever, and clearly he has the knowledge and ability to do a great job. There will be people who bitch about the number of Selects. But those won't be the people who show dogs. Seventeen of them in the bitch class are happy, and those behind would have liked more Selects. I am ready for Ed to do males and then come back in four years.
Ed is back and we are ready to go.
PAULA WON THE RAFFLE, OVER EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS.
HERE COMES THE DOGS.
Now that I know what is going on, I will probably only type in who goes out. I don't have the strength to keep on typing the ones that stay. Bob is checking them in and Ed is following them. Peggy Douglas came by to chat. She said that they fixed Edi's hip and then she fell again. I will try to find out what is going on. Cappy Pottle came by for a minute too.
It looks like it might be a smaller entry in dogs, and Ed is almost to the end, Bob has finished.
Ed has disappeared and I don't think he likes this. It is not easy, but someone has to do it. I know Cindy offered, and if Ed doesn't show up, I will ask her to fill in. It takes sharp eyes and the ability to know the alphabet, so not anyone can do it.
Joey Perez just walked by and I see lots of bibs in the ring. I see Army, and he is easy to spot. What a handsome dog. Ed still hasn't shown up. I see Joan Fox, and every handler is in the ring.
Ed looks them over and walks to the center looking over the class. Bob is checking them into groups and I called for Cindy Davis to spot for me. Ed goes over to the table and grabs a tissue, and now walks again to the center. He looks relaxed and has his hands in his pockets, hitches up his pants and walks to the front of the line.
Tracy Radigan just asked me if there ever has been a Mother Daughter Select? I don't think so, but this year we have two Happy bitches.
Out go the masses. Six left for the first group. Good to The Last Drop, Tasmanian Devil, Big Red Dog, Key To The Cure, Shock'n Ya'll, and Antonio. That is a great group. I don't think I should comment on the dogs, but there goes Antonio. He already has a Select and of course was the Canadian Grand Victor. I co-own his sire, Patriot.
There goes the class and past the white wall. Everyone is wondering if he will do the same thing with dogs. We don't know. Ed likes the Big Red Dog.
Good to The Last Drop with Nick. Ed gives him some direction and there he goes. Handsomd dog with a lot of enthusiasum.
Tasmanian Devil, a nice looking Bi. Nick and Ed speak about something, maybe world problems, and he takes a pass.
Big Red Dog is up with Patty. Now that is what a Shepherd should look like. What a masculine animal. He is owned by Karen Wagner.
Key To The Cure. A standard dog, and fully mature, and alert looking dog. Fine on the temperament test and the individual, and down and back.
Shock'N Ya'll, and that dog poses like he has done this before. She takes him down and tries three times and then gets it right, and one time back. Ed makes some notes and talks to the handler.
...
TR's Antonio...not quite as big as the dogs before him in the group...this the last dog in the group..Ed moves the group together and out they go
Melanas Orion, Unconditional Surrender, Smoking Gun, Patriot, (a Big Ben son), Broken Arrow, Tropicana's Rico...is next in the second group. Hoodlum isn't here.
Orion takes his turn, and makes a good pass.
Unconditional Surrender and he is a substantial dog, and makes a nice picture.
Ed is back so life is good. I have gotten used to him. This must be how Bill feels.
Smoking Gun with Tiffany, a very dark Bi. Tiffany is all in glitter. Do I sound like Dania?
Sue Casey is here and talking to some fo the people. Dania came up for a minute and left before we could talk. I think she saw Flower Boy and was relieved to be left out of this Blogging. It is a lot of work, and a lot of fun.
Avonlea's Patriot. Gayle Taylor bought him from us and has done a nice job with him. I held him as a puppy, so I have to say I like him.
Broken Arrow. And he is stacked and looks like Patriot stuff, with some extra leg. I like that look. He gets his turn over by the white wall.
Tropicana's Rico. A dark Black and Tan with Morris. He stand for the temperament test, and wants to get a pet from Ed. He doesn't want to stack and is fine now. Morris tells the double handler to get to work. And the crowd is starting to come alive. I saw Joey Perez for a minute, and will find him again later. There goes Morris, and he shouts to the double handler, and the dog reacts and is looking outside giving him a hard time, but makes a great pass down the wall.
That is the second group, and they take a pass, and again, Ed is watching them only against the wall, so they have time to get them moving, and they go out.
The next group includes Pastor Burgos, Stetson, Cargogh, Phamton of The Opera, Summer Premier and Brazos , to end the group.
Pastor Burgos is there, and very dark black and tan and has the Look of Eagles, and takes a pass.
Stetson, and standard looking but good mature male. This is what a German shepherd should look like. He is way alert and I like that look. He wants to run, and that is a very nice pass.
Cargogh was a favorite of mine a few years ago. He is with Greg, and an older but good looking dog. Very dark, and knows what he is doing in there. But then again, so does Greg. Some instructions and there he goes. The crowd does like him and he hits the wall, and yes, he still has it.
Phamtom Of the Opera and this does not seem his day, and maybe he is being over doubled. But, now he is just fine.
Summer Premier is there with Jeff Pyle. The dog is out of order in the catalog, but look just fine anyway. Stands like a pro, and another real dark and handsome dog. Jeff takes him slow and then backs up, starts again, and there he goes on a long loose lead, and when he gets going he can cover the ground.
Brazos with Nancy Godek, (I know that isn't her name, but it is her call name). This dog always interested me as he was so dark, but still very espressive. He used to have great attitude and seems to still have it.
That does it for this group and Ed turns his back to make some notes and they head over to pass the wall and they are a bit out from the wall. Without the cones they would be cutting the ring. It is getting late in the day for all of us, and it is only three. Out they go.
Now another group comes in. Firestorm, Rambling Man, Gold Sky, Winter Knights, (one of our breeding), Here Comes Trouble, Traveler, for the class.
Firestorm takes the ring. Down and Back and that is a happy dog. He takes his lap, dreaming of going Grand Victor. Why not? He hugs the wall.
Rambling Man is up with Trish. A Honky Tonk son. He stands like he might have done this before. Things are quiet now, everyone seems to have figured out that he is not going to place them before he does his cuts. I love that proceedure. There he goes, and Trish starts him out at a full lead, and hits the wall at full tilt, and the dogs doesn't take a bad step.
Gold Sky with Bill Tank. Stacks just fine and now for the pass. And Bill does a good dog.
Winter Nights, with Cindy. A Tiquila Sunrise son, she was a Ben daughter, and I always liked him. His owner Lori Stewart is one of the nicest people you can ever meet.
Here Comes Trouble, an older dog and fully mature. He is one good looking fellow.He stands in a pose for Ed, and Ed turns his back on us to stare at the wall. The crowd likes him and so do I. He hits the wall at a full trot and that is a keeper
Traveler is the last in this group. A very dark Bi with Al Martin. The dog can still put them down, and makes a great picture against the white wall.
That is it for this group, and no one is going to go out yet, and they take one pass and go over into the rest area. Ed didn't seem to make many notes this time.
Now comes the group I wanted to see. We have Maximus,Army of One, Midnight Harley, Sirkobrass, Vinnie The Viper, and The Real Deal.
Maximus is out there, and he sure can produce. He is a nice combination of style and movement.
He is popular and you can see why when he hits the wall. He should stay in for a while.
Rinke and Jeff Mobeus are in front of us, and Jimmy just stopped by.
Army has his turn. I do like the style on that dog. He takes a pass, and he is on today.
Midnight Harley, a very dark dog, and stands in a great pose. I have the best seat in the house. Down and Back, and I am tired of this stuff. I am ready for a party. Diane does a geat job with him, and I like his enthusium.
Sirkobrass is standing for the individual. No real temperament problems that I have seen. We may be improving that. There he goes and against eh wal makes a quality picture.
Vinnie The Viper is up with Scott. Ed takes a note, and has him stand, and now a trip around. Scott lets him out before the wall, and NOW THAT IS A DOG THAT CAN MOVE.
The Real Deal with Sergeo. Sergeo showed last year's Grand Victrix. He wants his Grand Victor. This dog has done a lot of winning. This is the end of the group. Sergeo gives direction to the double handler and she takes off, and so does he. Nice smooth dog. I like him. Ed looks over the group and says, "one more time" and off they all go, with Art holding back to get some room for Army. Army wants Jeff, and Jeff moves well when he needs to.
Ed takes a break, and we won't ask why. His style of judging is fun but holds the excitement for the end.
In the ring comes Stormy Night, Purple Rain, Padala's Vashon, Achilles, Stealing The Show, and Diamond Da Vinci in the ring. Ed is back, so here we go. A trip around for the group, and Ed watches them against the wall and to me the last one moves like I would want. But, I am not judging.
Stormy Night sets up, and dark masculine shepherd. Ed tells him to set up. Down and Back and stand free, and a trip around.
Purple Rain with the handler taking him down and back pulling all the way. He is what a realy good shepherd should look like. With the handler formally known as Alex. The crowd seems to want some excitement.
Padala's Vashon, doesn't want to stack and now he stands just fine. A black sable, and I like his style. He is fired up and looks ready to go. He takes him pass but not in front of the handler. Not as easy to see.
Achilles. No problems with temperament, and now stacks. I like the short coupling on this dog. There he goes with a long lead and he is working and when he hits the wall, looks great.
Stealing the Show with Mike. I wanted to see this dog, as I have heard a lot about him. I like the general style, but want to see the movement. OK, I do like that. What a package.
Diamond Da Vinci, and I think this is the last dog in that group. There is another dog with great sidegait. Looks great at a full lead.
Around one time and out they go. Ed makes some notes and there they go.
Next group, in order, Daytona, Dream Catcher, Treasure Isle, Rossi, Midnight Cowboy Lights Out. I doubt Ed would go with two blacks but who knows.
Daytona, a Hoodlum son. There are a lot of good looking males here and this one looks good. Laurie is handling him and Ed did the breeding, and there he goes. Lots of support, and is a strong worker.
Dream Catcher with Bill Basu, the handler of our Grand Victrix. What a man. Bill was sore after Bitches but looks fresh now. The dog looks ready to go, and knows what a star he has on the other end of the lead, and hits the wall at full stride.
Treasure Isle, with a young handler. A good looking Bi. We are still going and it is about four, and people are worried about the WDA hearing tomorrow. We may still be judging. I told Tedi to sell our dinner tickets. The Bi takes a real good pass, and is a good worker.
Rossi, another of the dark dogs. That is one of my favorite handlers Amy. She is Sharon Allbright's granddaughter, and has been coming to the shows since she was a pre-teen. Now she is a wonderful young lady. And, a great handler. It's good she is so good, that dog can flat out move.
Midnight Cowboy. The second Back in the group. Maybe they knew something about Ed, as he gave a black Grand Victrix. I love a good conspiracy. Nice picture against the white wall.
Lights Out another black. I have watched this dog since he was a puppy. I always thought he was going to be a good one, and he did turn out that way. I think Linda Bankhead finished that dog, and she likes him too. The white wall is great for all of them. Yes, that is a good one.
How strange to have two blacks in a row, but they show well. There goes the group. I am amazed that Ed can keep on going. I am tired and all I am doing is listening to Ed.
There goes Kathy Tank, so Ken can't be far behind.
First in comes Nicaragua, Miracle In The Making, Badboy, Just Jack, Crusader, Leviathan, and last is Joshua. Some big name dogs in this group. Ed forgot to look at the last dog, some times you don't want to leave a full ring between the dog in front of you. Ed then did see him
Nicaragua is a good looking dog and young. He just finished and looks like he is just going to improve. What a handsome and good looking dog. Ed even likes him. Leslie is showing hiim and she pulls the lead and there he goes at a full lead even behind Ed, and when he hits the wall a great stride at a loose lead. The crowd and I like that dog.
Miracle In The Making, and Alvin son. I think this was a Canadian Select Dog. Big masculine dog, and very alert and egear. That dog can move and has great breed type.
Badboy is up next. I remember talking to Bob Scholes about this dog. He is a mostly black, maybe a bi, but not for sure, in my mind. Malissa has him and takes her time. She is a good handler, and a fine young lady. She yells at the double handler, and she is having trouble getting to dog to go down and back so Ed sends her in another direction. Some times you don't want someone to double your dog. There she goes, and the dog is too excited right now.
Just Jack with Geogie. Dan Smith has done some good winning with this dog. Nice type and proportions on this dog. Fine looking dog.
Crusader. A Dallas son with Olivia. A red and back dog. This one looks like a dog, and is what the standard calls for a German shepherd looks like. A strong steady mover.
Leviathan with Ken Tank. I know how much they love this dog. He lives with them. He does not like the testicle test, but Ed got it done. This always has been a strong willed dog. And he is well conditioned and hits the wall with gusto. He looks great, and Ed marks down something in his boo.
Joshua with Lenny is last in the group. More of that Down and Back crap. I say, just move them and to hell with the rest. Now you know why you have never asked me to judge a National. Lenny gives him the whole lead and the dog takes it and moves like they should.
Ed looks at them stacked, and yells, "hey" and gestures, take them around. There they go. And out to rest for a while. The dogs need it too.
Another group with, Bicardi Gold, nice sable dog, good mover
Man in Black, ..this is the sire of the Grand Victrix, the crowd likes him..black is beautiful
Top Shelf,...big solid black and tan male shown by Ben Bigornia
Feature Presentation, Carribian Stud, Chablis Santana, Machu Picchu, the winner's dog. There they go for the first run.
Feature Presentation and good standard dog, and Christina takes the dog around. I like the way she handles. He has the energy and hugs the wall, and has too much doubling going on. Ed makes notes.
Carribian Stud. He just finished, and is a move-up Evidently he doesn't know not to crap in front of the judge yet. That is a nice looking dog, with perfect proportions. He is over doubled again like so many others. Nice picture against the wall.
Satana, the veteran. A black sable, and Ed is blocking my view. I may have to go down and talk to him. I can't believe he is the Veteran, he moves like a young dog,
and is working his heart out.
ED LEFT AND CYNDY HAS TAKEN OVER.
Machu Picchu, the Winner's Dog. A good looking dog. Winner's Dog out of Novice. OK, AKC, go ahead a drop the Novice Class. We will work around it. He isn't finished yet, and in the Specials Class in the National. How Cool is that? He is working now, but needs to get out front. Mike Reed needs to let the dog get out more.
There they go, one last trip before they get cut. Ed gives them a good look, and a real variety.
In they all come, and now the judging begins. That is a lot dogs. Lots and lots of dogs. A whole ring full of dogs. Now there are 54.
.
Evan
Asgard German Shepherds
http://www.asgardgsd.com/
Where Type Movement and Temperament come together
