WINNING DOGS OF 2022
TOY GROUP WINNER
GCH Ringo Star Ot Nevskogo Hobbita
COOPER
It was an unforgettable year in 2022 for the English Toy Spaniel breed as Cooper became the first one in history to achieve the honor of No. 1 Toy dog. Although he is a toy dog, he is solid in body and mind with fluid movement and a correct head piece. Cooper won the hearts of many with his nonstop wagging tail, and he is truly as happy on a couch as he is in the show ring. Some of Cooper’s achievements in 2022 are: Best of Breed at the English Toy Spaniel Club of America National Specialty, 25 Bests in Show, 29 Reserve Bests in Show, and 108 Toy Group Firsts. We would like to give credit to his exclusive handlers, Christopher and Dylan Keith, and their assistant, Bergen Pryor, for their loving care of Cooper. We also would like to thank all the judges and supporters of Cooper who helped make this journey one we will never forget.
Owners: Patti & Richard Caldwell
Breeder: Yana Nevskaya
Handlers: Christopher & Dylan Keith
SPORTING GROUP WINNER
GCHS Poole’s Ide Sargeant Sloane CD RN MX MXJ MXF
SLOANE
Sloane has consistently been recognized for his quality. He has won 25 Bests in Show and 99 Group Firsts. He is now the top Grand Champion point-earning Irish Water Spaniel in breed history. Sloane was the No. 1 Irish Water Spaniel in all systems in 2021 and 2022. He won Best of Breed in 2022 at the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America National Specialty and in 2021 and 2022 at the Westminster Kennel Club. Sloane is not only successful in the breed ring but also in performance sports. He particularly excels in agility and is halfway through to achieving a Master Agility Champion title, having earned all the master level titles. He was the top Irish Water Spaniel in novice, open and excellent agility in 2020. Sloane truly lives up to the breed’s reputation as “the clown of the spaniels.”
Owners: Stephanie O’Reilly, Gregory M. Siner
Breeders: Gregory M. Siner, Samuel A. Jenio
Handler: Joanne Thibault
HOUND GROUP WINNER
GCHS Flessner’s Toot My Own Horn
TRUMPET
Honored and grateful are just a few words on what it means to have Trumpet recognized by the fancy as the Top Hound for 2022. Trumpet from the start wanted to do things his way, but he always showed us great promise representing a legacy of Flessner Bloodhounds. Knowing the value of patience, we sat and waited for COVID-19 and a stubborn little boy to mature. We can say that the maturity happened, but the real breed type stayed! Winning his first Best in Show in February 2022 was the jump-start of a year that will go down in breed history. Trumpet is the first Bloodhound to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club, and he surpassed all records in breed history in one year earning 33 Bests in Show under world-renowned judges. A second pinnacle achievement was wining Best Bred-By Exhibitor in Show at the 2022 AKC National Championship. We sincerely give thanks to the members of this sport for believing in Trumpet as much as we did. Sound the horns!
Owners: Missy Bettis, Bryan & Chris Flessner, Heather Buehner
Breeders: Bryan & Chris Flessner, Tina Kocar, Heather Buehner
Handler: Heather Buehner
WORKING GROUP WINNER
GCHP CRIVITZ HUMPHREY BOGART VON DIABLE
BOGART
Bogart is the legacy of over 31-year-old frozen semen. We are grateful to the late Dr. Beverly Hirsig Brimacomb for breeding our boy. Bogart is the culmination of dedication, hard work and the lifelong commitment to a vision and dream by breeder-owner Amy Shaffer of Crivitz Standard Schnauzers. Bogart’s sire, CH Charisma Cafe Diable, was bred and owned by Amy’s longtime mentors, Constance Adel and her husband, the late Trevor Adel. When handler Tiffany Skinner got Bogart at 17 months old, she never could have imagined what he would accomplish. He stole the hearts of everyone with his vibrant personality and passion for the show ring. In the summer of 2021, Team Bogart was fortunate to be joined by John Low and Bill Matthews III, who helped make this journey possible. Bogart’s impressive career includes winning Reserve Best in Show at the AKC National Championship in 2022, Best in Specialty Show at the Standard Schnauzer Club of America National Specialty in 2021 and 2022, Bests of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and 58 Bests in Show. In gratitude, we thank the fancy and all who believed in Team Bogart!
Owners: Amy Shaffer, John Low, Bill Matthews III, Tiffany Skinner
Breeder: Amy Shaffer
Handler: Tiffany Skinner
TERRIER GROUP WINNER
GCHG Hi-Kel Terrydale Nanhall Mizzconceived
Mm
Hi-Kel Terrydale Kennels continues its 40-year winning legacy with the wonderful Mm. A standout from whelping box to show ring, Mm’s achievements include winning the 2022 United States Lakeland Terrier Club National Specialty, 10 specialty shows, 135 Group Firsts and 39 Bests in Show. She took a stunning Best in Show at the prestigious Montgomery Kennel Club and Group First at the Westminster Kennel Club. Mm held her own across the country garnering Bests in Show at some of the most prestigious shows, including Tuxedo Park, Somerset, Eastern, Hatboro, and Ladies kennel cubs. We could not be more delighted with her accomplishments in the show ring. Mm epitomizes form, function and fire! Her beautiful type, free movement and confident attitude embody the ideal Lakeland Terrier, one bred to stride along with her owner through the rugged shale mountains of the Lake District of northern England looking for vermin along the way and a perfect companion. To be the breeder of a great dog is a privilege, to handle a great dog is a high honor, and to be loved by a great dog such as Mm changes you forever.
Owners: Maripi Wooldridge, Karen J’Anthony, Jennifer Stevens, Ariel Cukier
Breeders: Maripi Wooldridge, Jennifer Stevens, Haley Keyes
Handler: Ariel Cukier
#1 DOG + NON-SPORTING GROUP WINNER
GCHP Fox Canyon’s I Won the War at Goldshield CGCA CGCU TKN
WINSTON
Winston commands attention wherever he goes. He has a rare combination of type, conformation and personality that makes him truly special and has enabled him to earn top honors never earned by a French Bulldog. Winston is the first French Bulldog to earn Reserve Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club and Best in Show at The National Dog Show. He holds the record for French Bulldogs with more than 80 Bests in Show. Additionally, Winston is a past Best of Breed and Sweepstakes winner at the French Bull Dog Club of America National Specialty. Winston represents the co-breeding between Sandy Fox (Fox Canyon) and Perry Payson (Goldshield), whose special bond with Winston is evident in and out of the ring. Part of the great team behind Winston is Sandy’s grandson, Morgan Fox of the L.A. Chargers, who graciously said “yes” to Winston going on the road. Winston’s success would not be possible without the backing of Alex Geremia, Felecia Cashin and Alexandra Vorbeck. Their generous support has been instrumental in providing this incredible opportunity for Team Winston!
Owners: Alexandra Vorbeck, Alex Geremia, Felecia Cashin, Sandy Fox, Morgan Fox, Perry Payson
Breeders: Sandy Fox, Perry Payson
Handler: Perry Payson
HERDING GROUP WINNER
GCHP Gem-N-I River Of Urloved CGC
RIVER
River is a very special dog. He has a happy smile and bright eyes and an independent attitude and handsome looks. We have loved him big time from the day he was born. A most prestigious and memorable win came at 3 ½ years of age when River was named Grand Victor at the 2020 German Shepherd Dog Club of America National Specialty. This propelled his campaign. Another big win was Herding Group First in 2022 at the Westminster Kennel Club, truly a monumental highlight of his journey. River has won 30 Bests in Show and 150 Group Firsts. Among his 2022 Bests in Show, River won at the Trenton Kennel Club and two shows at the Piedmont Kennel Club. We are proud that he has won under knowledgeable and highly esteemed judges. River is the second-highest Grand Champion point-earning German Shepherd Dog in breed history. We are profoundly and forever grateful to River for being who he is, which led to this wonderful conformation show career, and to his fans for always cheering him on.
Owners: Rick & Susan Waits
Breeders: Lee Jewell, Barbara Stamper, Rick Waits
Handler: Lenny Brown
OBEDIENCE WINNER
OTCH10 Denzel Insignia Take Me Seriously UDX14 OGM BN
NITRO
Nitro is my once-in-a-lifetime dog. I never dreamed I would ever have the No. 1 obedience dog of the year. It is such an honor to be able to have and train Nitro. Although I have had other good dogs in obedience, I have never had one that learned everything so quickly and so well. He is extremely intelligent and hates to be wrong. He loves to work and dislikes just sitting around doing nothing. He is a wonderfully biddable dog. When I show Nitro, I feel like we are a team. He is also very easy to live with.
I know we would never have been able to accomplish this without the support of other competitors, his breeders, Tracy Burdick and Nicole Laver Freedman, and, especially, my teacher, Peggy McConnell.
Owner: Eugene “Gene” Morris
Breeders: Tracy Burdick, Nicole Laver Freedman
Handler: Eugene “Gene” Morris