English Toy Spaniel Club – 2015 National Specialty

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258 – June, 2015

The English Toy Spaniel Club of America, Inc.

2015 National Specialty

Celebrating over 129 Years of AKC Recognition

by Heather Tauer-Reid

In a breed where fanciers may go an entire year without seeing any dogs, there is a special sense of anticipation leading up to our national specialty reminiscent of those feelings we had as children the day before school started. Excited, eager, and with a touch of nervous hopefulness, English Toy Spaniel fanciers made their way to Kalamazoo, Michigan for the third year in a row.

On Wednesday, May 20th, exhibitors, breeders, and enthusiasts alike had the opportunity to mingle the evening prior to the national specialty at the welcome reception, hosted at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel by Jamie Ward and Karen Miller. Friends, frequently separated by hundreds of miles, excitedly renewed bonds; while people interested in the breed were able to meet in person people they had previously only spoken to via phone or email. Rivalries were forgotten and a wonderful sense of camaraderie pervaded. Perhaps the most amusing sight was the “conga-line” that followed Karen Miller to her room where complimentary wine was being served.

Later that same evening, Bruce Van Deman, club President and Judge’s Education Chair, moderated our Breed Seminar. Although we had no prospective judges at the seminar, approximately ten devotees, comprised of breeders, owners and exhibitors, attended to further refine their knowledge of the breed. No matter how many years one has been involved in the breed, or how many times they have read the standard, or seen the presentation, there is always something to be learned in meaningful discussion. The “practical” examples and the hands-on portion was an especially big hit among attendees.

As Thursday dawned, exhibitors made their way to the Kalamazoo County Expo Center where the national specialty was being held in conjunction with the five-day West Michigan Apple Blossom Cluster. National specialty Show Chairman, Per Ingar Rismyhr, and Assistant Chairperson, Barbara Lorscheider, as well as Event Coordinators Sue Jackson and Jeanne Schoff, had everything ready. Being our third year in the same location, it was like visiting a favorite relative; there was no confusion and we made ourselves at home. Susan Plance and Jeanne Schoff, who made up the hospitality committee, added to the “homey” feeling by providing all attendees with access to doughnuts, coffee, water and sodas in our hospitality room.

Attendees flocked to Mary Hoagland’s side to purchase their catalog which, for many, will be a long-time keepsake of the event. In addition to containing this year’s entries, it was also full of beautiful photos of past winners assembled by Jim Langford, and Janelle Smedley, Catalog Advertising Chair, ensured that there was a wonderful variety of ads featuring dogs both past and present. As Mary sold catalogs, she also helped to distribute the welcome bags. Although not able to be present, it was apparent that Bonnie Miller, DVM, spent a great deal of time acquiring the fabulous items those bags contained, and it was greatly appreciated by all recipients.

Next to the catalogs and welcome bags was the silent auction table. Presided over by Carol Sommers and Jamie Beuke, the table featured lovely items donated by club members, many of which were heatedly, albeit silently, in the midst of bidding wars! There was plenty of time to get in on the action; it did not conclude until immediately before Best of Breed was being judged at 5:30 PM.

Sitting perpendicular to the silent auction table was the trophy table. Kathie Lawrence, Trophy Chair, created one of the best assemblies of trophies to date. Original artwork for most of the class trophies was provided by Rita Burtis, a long-time club member and respected breed artist. The color-variety featured on the trophies was a Ruby dog. This especially nice piece of artwork was printed on items such as ornaments, umbrellas, serving trays, coasters, and storage boxes, just to name a few. This was the last year Rita would be able to provide new artwork and, without a doubt, these items will be highly treasured by their recipients. Although all the trophies were beautiful, especially fine were the Best of Variety and Best of Breed trophies; the Best of Variety winners received a bronze wall-plaque head study, and the Best of Breed trophy was a large leaded-glass head study created by artist and Cocker Spaniel breeder, Clyde Shaw, MD. A special thanks goes out to all of those who offered/sponsored these wonderful trophies from sweepstakes and puppy classes to Best of Breed.

ETSCA member, Mr. Peringar Rismyhr, began judging sweepstakes at 11:00 AM with the King Charles and Ruby variety going first, followed by the Blenheim and Prince Charles at noon. Out of the 25 entries shown to Mr. Rismyhr, Best in Sweepstakes went to Lipton & Terje’s Heir Apparent owned by Susan M. Carter and Jeff Wright. Terje & Lipton’s Dutchess Of Cambridge, also owned by Susan M. Carter and Jeff Wright, won Best of Opposite Sex. Out of the veteran sweepstakes entries, Best in Veteran Sweepstakes went to Ch. Novel Cascading Rose owned by Shelly Hepler, and Best of Opposite Sex went to Ch. Luary Black Tommy, owned by Jane Naimark and Mary Hoagland.

During the break between sweepstakes and the regular classes, exhibitors and attendees were afforded the opportunity to enjoy lunch, nerves permitting. Once again our hospitality committee, Susan Plance and Jeanne Schoff, made sure that the pre-ordered box lunches from Panera© were available, along with complimentary sodas, waters and coffee. The hospitality room remained nicely stocked throughout the weekend with beverages and light snacks.

Mr. Dana Cline, our breed class judge, began promptly at the designated time of 1:15 PM, with the King Charles and Ruby dogs in the ring first. Thirty-three King Charles and Ruby Charlies were judged with the Best of Variety winner being owner-handled GCh. Novel Backroads Run For the Roses, aka Derby, owned by Heather Reid (exhibitor), Michael Reid and Susan Plance. Best of Opposite Sex went to a bitch from the open class, Terje’s Tabu, handled by her owner and breeder, Jeff Wright.

There was a nice pause between the judging of varieties which allowed exhibitors plenty of time to prepare for the next round of judging of the Blenheim and Prince Charles dogs at 3:30 PM. This time, thirty-two dogs were presented to Mr. Cline and the Best of Variety winner was GCh. Loujon Thornwood Little Jacob, aka Jacob, owned by Karen Miller (exhibitor) and Jamie Ward. Once again, Best of Opposite Sex went to the winner of the open bitches, Draggonfly Stars In Her Eyes, owned by Susan Carter and Jeff Wright (exhibitor).

There was a thirty minute break before the Best of Breed judging during which winners of each variety prepared their dogs for the ring for a second time. After a flurry of grooming activity, and unique to independent specialties for our breed, the two varieties went head-to-head in the ring to determine Best of Breed. Jacob, last year’s Best of Breed winner was the veteran to the competition, while Derby was the newcomer. Both were exceptional examples of breed type, presented to their absolute best. But there can be only one National Specialty Best of Breed winner, and this year that honor went to Derby, GCh. Novel Backroads Run For the Roses.

The following morning ETSCA members, along with a few guests, gathered at 9:00 AM for our annual meeting. Presided over by our club president, Mr. Bruce Van Deman, both old and new business were discussed over coffee, doughnuts and fruit salad – once again provided by our exceptional hospitality committee. In my experience, our annual meetings are a most pleasant affair, where people are mostly like-minded and willing to discuss how to further the well-being of not only our club, but of our beloved Charlies, whether in the show ring, rescue or in the home of the average pet-owner.

After visiting a little more, and finishing off the remaining doughnuts, exhibitors filed back into the grooming area to prepare for that day’s judging. Following the National Specialty were an additional four days of all breed shows which were designated ETSCA specialties. Winner of the Blenheim and Prince Charles variety varied throughout the weekend. On Friday, Ch. Xela’s E.T. Phone Home, owned by Stephanie Hill, Michael Hill, Alexandra Romero and Andrew Romero, won the variety and went on to win second place in the Toy Group. On Saturday, and then again on Monday, Ch. Loujon Backroad to Lynchburg, owned by Karen Miller (exhibitor) and Jamie Ward, won the variety. For the King Charles and Ruby variety, National Specialty winner GCh. Novel Backroads Run For The Roses won each day he was entered (Friday through Sunday), and placed in the group each time. On Monday, Ch. Southdown Fait Accompli, owned and exhibited by Bruce Van Deman, won the variety.

Friday evening, the ETSCA Annual Banquet was held at the Sheraton Four Points, our host hotel. The room was larger than the previous year’s banquet which allowed for easy mingling. Against the wall was a table where Carol Sommers and Jamie Beuke expertly displayed all the items that would be auctioned off at the end of the evening. Dinner was served and the bar was open and widely enjoyed. The centerpiece for each table was a lovely paper towel holder that feature a painted wooden English Toy. Jeanne Schoff, hospitality co-chair, designed a game where the person at the table who could first correctly answer the question (unique to each table) regarding winners of the prior day’s National Specialty won the centerpiece. It was much fun, and the winners were the envy of everyone at their table. After these winners had their picture taken, we moved on to the awards portion of the banquet.

The presenters of the awards were Teresa Cousins and Janelle Smedley. First announced were each of the 24 new champion titles. Also acknowledged was the 2014 Best In Show Winner, and those dogs that earned their Grand Championship that same year. Following that, the Exhibitor of the Year Award, which is given to the owner and/or co-owner of the most dogs to complete conformation, obedience and/or performance titles during 2014, was presented to Bruce Van Deman for the second year in a row. The next award to be presented was the Breeders Title Sweepstakes. This annual award is presented to the breeder or co-breeder who had the most dogs to complete titles in 2014; the recipient of this award, for the third year in a row, was Bonnie Miller, DVM. The Oustanding Sportsmanship Award is an honor that comes from membership nominations and Jane Naimark was its proud new recipient. The last, and perhaps most prestigious award of the night, the Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Frank and Karen Pouder, long-time fanciers who have owned and bred many dogs with both conformation and performance titles, as well as outspoken advocates of testing and improving the health of our Charlies.

The last event of the evening was our annual auction where a wide range of breed items donated by club members, some of which were unique and very rare, were bid on by attendees and benefitted breed health and education initiatives, in addition to helping to offset the cost of holding the show. Board member Ron Morgan acted as auctioneer. His booming, southern-accented voice and boisterous personality quickly stirred up the crowd and bidding became very animated. Lots of laughs were shared and many went home with new treasures.

Festivities followed on Saturday evening post-judging during our annual pizza party which preceded the Breeder Education Seminar. Education and Seminar Committee Chair Bruce Van Deman introduced our special guest and presenter, Dr. William Brown, DVM, DACVIM, a canine cardiac specialist. The seminar, “The Heart of a Toy,” was open to all. Many Charlie owners and breeders were there as well as several Cavalier folks. The information was well-presented, easily understood and attendees actively engaged in the discussion of heart problems, research and what it all means in terms of a breeding program. A couple of action items were encouraged by Dr. Brown: (1) test them early including the use of x-rays, and (2) test them frequently. Treatment is most effective when you have a baseline of cardiac health of the dog by which to measure changes. Then, with yearly testing, should a heart issue arise, treatment can provide greater effectiveness and longevity when initiated in the early stages of heart disease. Hopefully, through the cooperation of Charlie owners participating in testing and our club’s dedication and funding toward canine health research, we can even better understand and begin to improve upon the heart healthiness of our beloved breed.

No matter whether hopes were met in the show ring or not, it is a rare opportunity for Charlie lovers to get together in what we feel are “large” numbers, and that time is greatly cherished. A wonderful weekend was had sharing stories, discussing dogs (both past and present), renewing friendships, as well as making new ones – all with a common interest at heart, the English Toy Spaniel. The future well-being of our breed is in the hands of all of us who choose to share our lives with these enchanting little dogs. We are its stewards. We are its hope for the future. That we can come together and so openly share our experiences and hopes for our Charlies, have so many who dedicate their time and talents to the show, and with the lovely representatives of the breed exhibited, I could not help but head home with a sense that our breed’s future is in good hands and is very bright, indeed!

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