Del Monte Kennel Club Show

Karazan Newfoundlands sweep Saturday's show at the Del Monte Kennel Club in Carmel Valley. After a couple months of rest, Hummer takes the BEST OF BREED title and receives a beautiful medallion offered by the Del Monte Kennel Club and a chance to win a Group Placement. His litter sister, Jolie, was awarded Best Opposite Sex, while Karazan Bruin is Winner's Dog and the young and beautiful Pilot is awarded Reserve Winner's Dog. Looking large and impressive in the Working Group, Hummer moved well with his handler, Jeff Heim, who runs effortlessly and with grace to bring out the best at the end of the leash. Hummer will compete more in the next couple of months to prepare for the Regional Specialty in Dixon in October and then finish out the year to prepare for the Long Beach Eukanuba show in December. Looking stunning in the sunshine on Sunday in Carmel, Hummer went Best Opposite Sex to Jolie who took the Breed with her handler, Bill McFadden. It was a very successful weekend for Ch Karazan H2, Hummer, who enjoyed his stay in the Monterey-Carmel Bay area. After the show on Saturday, he walked along Fisherman's Wharf and had lunch at Dominico's where he dined on Broiled Chicken served with unlimited fresh bowls of water by a very handsome waiter. His walk was interrupted by countless tourists who had to have their photos taken with him. Attracting children and parents and a nice lady visiting from Bejing, China, who enjoyed a slobbery kiss from Hummer while taking a photo, he seemed to have celebrity status in the bustling tourist town. Hummer's Mom, however, was so busy, she did not have time to take her camera for a few proud photos, and will try harder next time to do so. The grooming, care to stay out of the hot sun, making sure the dog is relaxed and warmed up and hydrated, all take many hands and effort in order to properly present the dog in the ring. We are looking forward to many more shows to come!  

The Land of the Free... and the Home of the Brave.....

Independence Day, 4th of July, a time to celebrate the birthday of our country, the time when the USA "flew the nest" of their Mother Country, England, and the rule of the British Kingdom. A time to make new rules, be free, change a few things, look different, worship Gods of any denomination, choose your own allies, make new friends, pick your own President, make your own homestead, grow your own, have the first cattle ranch in Montana, build a Mission in California, have your own school system, have your own Kennel Club and have an awesome Dog Show in New York, design any company you want and make as much money as you want, discover new Mountain Ranges and Rivers, and GOLD!!! This is America, the Land of the Free, free to do what your imagination dictates, free to make choices, free to retire, paint, grow, design, invent, VOTE! It's a great day to be an American, and  great day to appreciate your roots and Ancient Cultures that all mix together to make what is America Today. The Barbeque, the Hamburger, the Shake, the Margarita, the Shot of Whiskey, the Herbal Tea, Diet Coke, the Mint Julep, Taco Bell.... skateboards and kite-surfing, and the Winnebago. Let us celebrate Independence Day with a Cheer of Hope, a Cheer of Appreciation, and a Cheer of Joy for the Land of the Free, the Land of Opportunity. 

Bath and Beyond

A little sun, water, wind,  and nature's fine organic emollients, bring out the shine and health of the Newfoundland coat. A good healthy diet, exercise and consistent grooming will bring out the best in your dog's skin and coat texture.

Group One, Two, Three, and Four!

What is more exciting  than winning Best of Breed with your dog at the dog show, is going to the Group Ring and not only making the cut but to place in the top four winning positions. This weekend at the Woofstock 4-day cluster of shows in Vallejo, Ch Karazan I'm No Angel 'Ina Jolie won Best of Breed 3 out 0f 4 days and placed Group 4 on Saturday. Karazan's Bristol won BOB on Sunday and Karazan's newest star, Pilot, Karazan's Red Baron, won WD and the Major on Sunday for his debut as an exciting new show star. Many top dogs appear each weekend in the Group and find their way in the top four making it difficult for the newer champions to break through the momentum that the top dogs and handlers have worked so hard for. Look for Ch Karazan's H2, Hummer, to appear in many shows in the near future. It is very difficult to compete with the gorgeous Standard Poodle or the strong Herding and Sporting Groups, but the Newfoundland has never looked better thanks to the efforts of Karazan Newfoundland Kennels!

Home Cookin'

Of course you want your dog to have the best nutrition, taking into account the best combination of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and all the wonderful supplements that we are encouraged to give our large breed dogs like Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Omega 3 fatty acids, anti-oxidants, MSM, SAMe, fish oils, anything that will make their coats shiny and soft, and of course, those things that clean their teeth and make their gums healthy. But how do those things taste? Do we have to hide all the vitamins and nutraceuticals in peanut butter or cheese to make them palatable? When I have time I make a casserole with potatoes and other vegetables, and maybe some bacon and chicken,  and the enthusiasm towards the food bowl is twice that to the bowl of regular dog food. Sometimes the bowl is carried back to the kitchen in hopes for seconds, and, sometimes the bowl becomes an aromatic pillow. And, there is nothing like Mom's home cookin' followed by a nap on Mom's Bed! It's especially nice to be able to nap and watch Animal Planet or Nature while getting an after-dinner massage. Glucosamine and Chondroitin never tasted so good!

A Little Bit of Sunshine

Cher always brings a little bit of sunshine to any kind of day. The epitome of happiness, she is always cheerful and smiling, playful and fun. It's partly because she is a Labrador, one of the most popular breed of dog in any home, but it's also her sweet personality. She leaps with joy at every meal, enjoys every toy you give her, has a smile and a hug with every greeting, and a tail that never stops wagging. She is pure joy. If she were a flower, she would be a yellow rose. If she were a food, she would be honey, and if she were a gemstone she would be a yellow diamond. But, luckily, she is a dog, a best friend, and my day is always a little sunnier because of her. 

Roses for Jolie

Congratulations to Jolie for two Best of Breed wins in Vallejo at the Coyote Hills Kennel Club shows last weekend and for winning Back-to-Back Group 4's in the afternoon 100 degree heat. As she gathers up more breed points she is inching closer and closer to that Group 1 position for the coveted chance of winning Best in Show. It's about time the hearty Newfoundland won this honorable prize. Jolie continues to raise the bar of competition for the other Newfoundlands in the ring who have to keep trying for the purple and gold ribbon. Are the boys up for the challenge? I'm sure they are!