The Regionals Weekend

A crisp and sunny October weekend brought out some of the most beautiful Newfoundlands in the country with their shiny black coats and impressive size. Karazan's Bristol and Axl were both given Awards of Merit, and Karazan's Bruin racks up 5 points for a Major with Winner's Dog on Friday. It was a great opportunity to share the finer points of the breed and what the future may hold for this magnificent animal. All of these dogs are an example of responsible and careful breeding. Win or lose, the applause should go to the breeders, exhibitors, and handlers, for their efforts in presenting a beautiful dog who exemplifies the breed standard.

It was a rich and glorious showing of the Newfoundland Dog.

The English Yellow Labrador

What sets apart the English Labrador from any other Labrador Retriever is the fact that it is bred from primarily English lines in English Kennels such as Poolstead, Sandylands, Lindall, and Billymart to name a few, and that it maintains the lovely conformation as shown in this photo of Cher (with Hummer) and other English Labradors including the English Champion Lindall's Strawberry Cream, winner at Crufts , as well as other beautiful English Champions. These Labradors are slender and athletic with a sweet expression and congenial temperament. They are capable of enduring a long hunt on English terrain in all types of weather. Very bright and willing to work, they are a joy to train and pleasant to keep in the home.

We look forward to Friday October 16th to the Labrador Retriever Specialty at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds where there will be a variety of Labradors competing for Best in Specialty Show. Along with many lovely yellow Labradors, we will see the ever popular black and chocolate colors as well, many having come from the elegant and sporting English lines of breeding.

The English Labradors shown in this post are Karazan's I Got You Babe (Cher), Poolstead Preferential, Lindall's Strawberry Cream at Farbrae,Poolstead Present to Follow from Ramsayville, Braeduke Julia of Poolstead, and Honey of Whatstandwell, from past to present the line continues in conformation, color, and temperament.

Season's Change

It's finally Fall, with shorter days, cooler nights, fiery skies and brisk breezes. It's our favorite time of year, a time to prepare for the Newfoundland Regional Specialty in Dixon, California which will take place on Friday October 23rd followed by the All Breed Dog Show with the Sacramento Valley Kennel Club on Saturday and Sunday. Who will be the 2009 BISS winner? I know who I will choose.

Sir Frances Drake Kennel Club Show in Marin

Hummer wins Best Opposite Sex on Saturday to his beautiful litter sister Jolie (Ch Karazan I'm No Angel'ina Jolie), who won the Best of Breed title at the Sir Frances Drake Kennel Club show in San Rafael. Thunder and lightening threatened to create a downpour all day but left just traces of rain and a humid cloudy day most of the day. Very happy that the cooler Fall Season has arrived, Hummer will spend the next few weeks preparing for the Regional Specialty in Dixon where Newfoundlands from as far as Washington State will participate in a very exciting day of competition. Winning the title of Best in Specialty Show (BISS) is a great honor and one that Hummer's Sire, Gaia, was fortunate to win in a Specialty in Southern California. Hummer will be one of many Karazan Newfoundlands competing in Dixon for the various titles including Best Puppy, Winner's Dog, Winner's Bitch, Best of Breed, or Best in Specialty Show, and Best Veteran.

Soaring on Sunday

Flags were flying again for Hummer who on Sunday wins the Best of Breed title at the Redwood Kennel Club in Petaluma, California. Amongst a very competitive group of gorgeous Newfoundlands, Hummer loomed boldly and large and gated with massive strength under the expert and graceful handling of Jeff Heim. Enjoying the fanfare and fun of the show atmosphere with all the attention and opportunities to share the day with friends and other K9's, Hummer looks forward to his next show in San Rafael this coming weekend.

Gold Country Kennel Club Show in Grass Valley

Working hard in the 100 degree heat in Grass Valley, Hummer takes the BEST OF BREED title on Sunday and tries to earn a Group placement in an impressive line-up of Working Dogs.

Held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds where the Draft Horse Classic takes place every year in September, Hummer returns to the same showgrounds where, in 2007, he finished his AKC Championship with back-to-back Majors. We look ahead to up and coming shows in Petaluma and San Rafael as the competition continues.

The Apple of my Eye

How do we choose our dogs? We choose them to be a part of our immediate family with having similar temperaments, coloring, energy levels, sense of humor, degrees of loyalty, and as a protector and alarm system.  This dog, a companion, a devoted friend, scout, and sentry, shares our home, our joys and our sadness, and gives us a sense of belonging. A dog provides true unconditional love, something that is quite rare in today's modern society yet something that still holds significance in our lives. A dog provides the softer side of life, the funny side, the sweet and gentle side, as well as the wild side with heightened senses and instincts.  In an age of computers, robots, global warming, extinction, pollution, and the terrors of war, what better than to communicate with a dog, something that is as down-to-earth as Apple Pie. My Dog ....... he is the Apple of my Eye!