pet connection

Back to one of my favorite Groups. I grew up with German Shepherds and admire the work ethic of the members of this Group.

Here’s Beauceron #9, Arco, whom I blogged about earlier today. Next are the Belgian breeds. Here, they’re considered separate breeds, but in their homeland they’re all considered one breed with four varieties (the fourth, the Laekenois, isn’t recognized by the AKC). This Terv is one happy looking dog.

The Border Collie sidles around his owner a bit, almost as if he’s trying to herd him. Then he goes ahead and does his down and back.

The Briard was the official dog of the French army, the announcer says. I don’t remember ever hearing that before. But I do know that Louis XIV had Great Pyrenees (Working Group) as guard dogs at his court.

Joanne had to leave, but her prediction is that Geneva the German Shepherd will win this Group. We’ll find out soon. Geneva’s handler is James Moses, who handled the great Manhattan to Best-in-Show in 1987, two or three years before I started coming to Westminster. Associate editors at Dog Fancy didn’t get to make the trek to Westminster.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi, #14, is making his bid for Herding Group fame. You can tell which Corgi is which if you remember that the Cardigan has a tail, like the sleeves of a Cardigan sweater. The tailless Pembroke has a “broke” tail.

The Swedish Vallhund is one of the new breeds at Westminster this year. It resembles a Corgi, although you can see differences in the head, and I think the coat colors are different, although I haven’t compared the standards.

The judge has pulled the Australian Shepherd, the Bouvier, the GSD…and it goes to the Aussie: #20 Ch. Vinelake Collinswood Yablon, OA OAJ.

I’m outta here.