Well my friends, after almost a full year of the UK Chow Standard being in a wild roller coaster ride of amendments and interim discussions, petitions (SEE BELOW)  and committee brainstorming, the UK Chow Standard is final and will come into effect as of Oct 1, 2009.

I  would like to personally start a round of applause and invite you all to join me in thanking everyone across the globe who worked so hard on the behalf of our breed to protect the integrity of the long reignng UK chow standard and the unique stilted gait, plus many other points of concern in the proposed interim standard.

Thanks of course also goes to those at the UKKC  who took the time to hear the experts, the breeders and the facts set before them.  Without cooperation between the chow community and the UKKC our concerns as breeders and chow fanciers  would not have been heard and our breed would have lost it’s most unique characteristics

The changes are so much better than I anticipated, and the addition of PENDULUM LIKE ACTION, no matter how perfect or imperfect the rest of the wording is…. creates a “visual” that one cannot forget.  Even without the actual word “stilted” in the standard, there is no denying how this “IDEAL” Chow is to be moving , because of those 3 perfectly descriptive words…PENDULUM LIKE ACTION.

Illustrations of pendulum gait courtesy CCCI WEBSITE

Below find the letter from Mrs. Hallet at the UKKC with the revised standard, as well as a copy of the Worldchow petiton from December 08,  voicing the concerns from the Chow Community at large, of the  wording in the  Interim standard

(below…in a second letter update)

——————————-

BELOW IS THE WORDING TO THE THE  INTERIM STANDARD THAT WAS PROPOSED INITIALLY BY THE UKKC, TAKEN FROM THE WORLDCHOW PETITION THAT LOVE BANGHART AND I CO AUTHORED WHICH WAS SUBMITED TO MRS. HALLET AT THE UKKC IN DECEMBER 2008

1761 SIGNATURES WERE GATHERED INTERNATIONALLY

CLICK HERE FOR THE CURRENT INTERIM STANDARD ON THE UKKC SITE

WE, THE SIGNEES OF THIS PETITION,ASSERT THAT THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE UK CHOW CHOW STANDARD ARE UNACCEPATABLE AND SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS

A hard copy of this petition was submitted via FED EX to the UK Kennel Club on December 24, 2008

PLEASE CONTINUE ADDING YOUR SIGNATURES AS I WILL BE SENDING THE UK KC AN UPDATE BEFORE JUNE 30TH 2009. THANK YOU!
————————————————

This petition is respectfully presented in reaction to the UK Kennel Club proposed changes to the Chow Chow breed standard. Signatures are those of Chow Chow fanciers from around the world who are concerned with the impact of the proposed changes to the long term protection and preservation of the Chow Chow . We all share your commitment to producing healthy dogs, but feel that the proposed changes are not based upon fact and will have a negative impact upon our breed.

We appreciate your attention to the following recommendations and comments which we have added between ***asterisks***
————————————————–

ALL STANDARDS WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH FROM JANUARY 2009:

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

————————————————–
***This is a good paragraph to add & we welcome it with the exception of two statements which are neither scientifically accurate nor factual.***
————————————————–

STATEMENT 1: 
Absolute soundness is essential
————————————————–
***
This is scientifically impossible for any human or animal, since it requires perfection. Such an inaccurate statement could give the impression that it was just made to appeal to the media-hyped masses & that the KC did not view this from the perspective of a scientifically accurate viewpoint , truly caring about the future health of breeds.***
————————————————–

STATEMENT 2: 
From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely.
————————————————–
***
This statement is based on assumption, not proof. It could make the KC appear to be making blanket statements not based on fact but on people’s opinions. Assumptions are unacceptable.***
————————————————–

CHOW CHOW GENERAL APPEARANCE

Active, compact, short-coupled and essentially well balanced, leonine in appearance, proud, dignified bearing; well knit frame; tail carried well over back. Should always be able to move freely and must not have so much coat as to impede activity or cause distress in hot weather.

————————————————–
*** 

Should always be able to move freely 
This statement is acceptable  ***
————————————————–

CHOW COAT
Smooth: coat short, [delete - abundant,] dense, straight, upstanding, not flat, plush-like in texture. Any artificial shortening of the coat which alters the natural outline or expression should be penalized. 
Must not have so much coat as to cause distress in hot weather.
must not have so much coat as to impede activity or cause distress in hot weather

————————————————–
***When Chows have problems in heat, this is not a COAT problem but a BREATHING problem. Exaggeration in type should be avoided (and is well addressed in the KC Introduction).
The new text about coat will not solve anything in this respect. This statement, as written, would endorse severe trimming and shaping of the coat, which is contrary to the standard discouraging trimming of the Chow coat. The statement would also endorse the acceptance of documented health issues which affect the natural growth of coat. This could be corrected by referencing “the natural coat”. Should also state that lack of coat to the extent that protection in cold weather is not acceptable***
————————————————–

STILTED GAIT
Characteristic Quiet dog, good guard, bluish-black tongue; [Delete ‘unique in its stilted gait’]. 

Hindquarters Hindlegs muscular, hocks well let down, with moderate [delete ‘minimal’] angulation. [Delete ‘essential to produce characteristic stilted gait’]. From hocks downwards to appear straight, hocks never flexing forward. 

Gait/Movement Relatively short stepping. [Delete ‘short and stilted’.] Forelegs and hindlegs moving parallel to each other and straight forward. Dogs should always be able to move freely and soundly without any sign of distress.

——————————————–
***It is extremely important to note that there are many other breeds in which the incidence of ligament problems are much higher that the chow chow. Many mixed breed dogs are also requiring ligament repairs. Veterinary literature document that ligament rupture occurs in dogs of all sizes, but is most prevalent in larger breeds including Bernese Mountain dogs, Bullmastiffs, Chows, German Sheperds, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Labs, American Bulldogs, and Saint Bernards.. The important thing to note is that this problem is NOT unique to the Chow chow and the Chow is the only breed in this list which exhibits a stilted gait. Thus, these deletions are unacceptable. There exist historical documents from China – millenniums old, which refer to Chow dogs with amongst other, blue tongues, stiff gait & straight hindlegs. These same articles state that they are highly effective hunting dogs – historically kept for this purpose. This trait is as essential a breed characteristic as the dark mouth & is obviously from the above, not responsible for unsound dogs.***

***

The KC claims to want to amend the standard in the interests of the health of the breed. When such changes involve changing the basic identifying characteristics of the breed, in order to gain the co-operation of breeders, they will have to prove factually & scientifically that the said characteristic is a valid health concern. 
BEFORE changes can be made, proof would be required in the form of health survey results from breeders, veterinarian bodies, insurance bodies (as quoted by the KC) as to the number of REGISTERED chow chows displaying conditions of concern. These numbers should be measured to the number of dogs REGISTERED with the KC of the same mean age group.***

***This ratio should be presented along with the ratio for the same health concern for other breeds (of which most are moderately to very well angulated) to establish real factual current status of the chow chow and the factual proof of the influence of straighter angulation.***

***

Proactive breeders internationally can prove by scientific/medical certification that thousands of chows conforming to the current standard are free moving and of sound hind quarters. The assumption that the hindleg conformation and the ligament problem are related is wrong. The proactive Danish chow chow breeders in association with veterinarian bodies have published research showing that the solution chosen by The Kennel Club might make the ligament problem bigger instead of solve it. Additionally, archived documents such as above Chinese records, proves that canines of such conformation are historically sound, functional dogs.***

***Short stepping is an inappropriate term to describe any moderately angled dog’s movement. Such a dog cannot be free moving. 

By making changes without proof, the KC could appear to be making changes just for the show & that it is not holding the interests of the breed to both type & health.***

***Annex B 

No concrete proof has been provided to the breeders for consideration of the ratio of incidence in REGISTERED chow chows of most of these conditions. Breeders are willing to work with the KC on health issues, but based on facts pertaining specifically to REGISTERED dogs, not assumptions or media induced fervor.***
————————————————–

One of the biggest disappointments for me this year, not being able to attend the National was our dear Chow guru Mr. Joel Marston was the guest of honor this year.  Love Banghart put together the most beautiful tribut to Joel , digging deep in to her boxes of pix  to find all sorts of great shots .  I got a peek at the Powerpoint Presentation a few months ago and was so tickled to read about Joels dogs again…Just like it were yesterday

On the drive home from the National, Love called and we were chatting.  I asked her if she would like to share all that work on Worldchow as a permanent place for the tribute to reside.  Love agreed wholeheartedly and I converted it to video format today.  I aplogize for the weird glitch at the end where 2 slides got mixed up.  I’ll redo it again this week but wanted to share this with you all asap!!!!

CLICK THE ARROW ON THE VIDEO BELOW TO START THE SHOW.  THERE IS AUDIO AS WELL.

TRIBUTE TO JOEL MARSTON AT THE 2009 CCCI NATIONAL SPECIALTY from Sandra Miller on Vimeo.

ABOVE IS “MILLIE” OWNED BY WC MEMBER LAYLA LOVELESS

A report from the 2009 Chow Chow Club, Incorporated National Specialty Education Seminar
By Paula Titon of Tienshan Chows
Margaret DiCorleto of Mad River Chows was the National Specialty education chairperson and Zola Coogan  of Redcloud Chows was the presenter. Framing the Evolution of the Chow Chow in the Global Arena was the title of this exceptionally well attended seminar.

The idea for this seminar derived from the convergence of two current matters of interest in the American and international Chow communities: the newly proposed AKC Northern Group and the evolution of a global arena for Chows in the twenty-first century.  As a member of the audience I took notes and I have tried to be true to the spirit of the conversation. I have not quoted people word for word.
Serving on the panel for the discussion were Ginnie Atkinson of Willogin Chows the AKC Delegate, Carmen  Blankenship of Chinabear Chows, director of the Chow club’s judges’ education and mentors a, Bob and Love Banghart of Rebelrun, breeders, exhibitors, mentors and national/.internationsl judges and Paul and Minnie Odenkirchen of Mi Pao Chows of Canada, breeders, exhibitors, mentors and international judges, and  Zola Coogan breeder, exhibitor, mentor and self-proclaimed Chow rights activist.

I. THE AKC NORTHERN GROUP, proposed for 2012 will initially consist of the following breeds:

NON SPORTING

American Eskimo , Sharpei , Chow Chow , Finnish Spitz, Keeshund, Schipperkee,Shiba Inu

HOUND

Norwegian Elkhound

HERDING

Swedish Valhund

WORKING

Akita

Alaskan Malamute

Siberian Husky

Samoyed

MISCELLANEOUS

Icelandic Sheepdog (7/01/08)

Norwegian Lundehund (7/01/08)

Norwegian Burhund  (1/01/09 )
In 2012 the Chow Chow will leave the AKC Non Sporting group to become a part of the Northern group.   The move to the Northern group provides an opportunity for us as breeders and exhibitors to consider the future of our Chows.

II. GLOBAL ARENA: We live a time of change for our breed and indeed for the world of purebred dogs in general, with the realities of rapid international email communication and global mass media, genome studies, health certifications, DNA testing, the increased importing and exporting of dogs and frozen semen, and powerful, well financed national and international lobbyists who are determined to effect and control the fate of our animals.
The 1995 Convention of the World Council of Europe stated that “breeders are responsible for anatomical, physiological and behavioral characteristics which are likely to put at risk the health and welfare of either the offspring or the female parent.” The National Council of Animal Ethics stated that “to breed or import these animals is in violation of and may be illegal under animal protection acts.”

While no responsible breeder would deny this responsibility, currently there is the increased force of media coverage and legislative interventions brought on by the activities of powerful lobby groups who want to regulate, control and in some instances eliminate the practices of purebred dog breeding.
————————————————————————————————————————————
I.    Synopsis:  Part I the Impact of the Northern Group

1.    Why is the AKC making this change and eliminating the Non-Sporting group?

Ginnie:  The AKC Dog Show Rules Committee began discussing a change in the group divisions initially because certain groups were becoming large and unwieldy. New breeds are being admitted fairly regularly and there is a waiting list of 63 breeds that wish to be considered for approval by the AKC.

As this issue was opened the issue of the Non-Sporting Group was also introduced. For many years many breed fanciers have considered the Non-Sporting group as a group that made no sense except as a catch all.   It was decided by the committee that the group might best be divided into the Companion and Northern Groups and that all the breed clubs in the Non-Sporting Group would be polled at to their preference of which group they wished to move to.

Polling results for the Chow Chow community resulted in a large response with only 3 or 4 individuals objecting to the idea of moving to the Northern Group.  This means that the Chow will be judged at the group level with more like breeds, each however with individual characteristics and qualities.

2.    We need new fanciers, breeders and exhibitors for the breed.  Will this new group alignment help the popularity of the Chow?

Paul: Only sounder, healthier Chows will improve the popularity of the breed.

Carmen: There has been some progress in getting Chows out of the limelight in terms of breed specific legislation.  However, there is still evident bias against the breed.  In Britain for example, there is still a policy prohibiting Chows from being kept in military housing.

Additionally, current economic conditions mitigate against more people becoming breeders.  (more new committed and passionate Chow breeders is  what we need badly)

Love: Working families cannot afford unhealthy dogs.  When they select a dog they are looking for a  family member who can keep up with their lifestyle.  They do not want a dog which will incur huge vet bills or will lack the stamina.

Bob: There are other factors, too, working against us.  For example, there are new breeds competing for their “place in the sun.”

General Panel Consensus: The new group should help improve the health of the Chows because
they will be competing with breeds from the Working and Hound and Herding groups who will be in
good physical condition, and have good muscle tone and stamina.  Chows will have to show similar
attributes to win at the Group level.  This may encourage breeders to make different choices as to
which Chows would be suitable to special,

3.    Do you think that group competition is an important consideration in the choices that breeders make about what they breed and what they show?

General Panel Consensus: It would be desirable for a renewed more positive Chow identity to emerge in the eyes of the general public.

Love:  If man had not interfered with the Chow breed would such a dog as our modern Chow exist? Are we doing enough to produce healthy family members? Should a person buying a pet have to contend with skin, eyes or leg problems? As long as there is a high incidence of such problems in our breed will anyone wonder why the breed may not be popular with “John Q Public”?

4.    What are the various affects this could have on our breeding decisions, when the chow is competing in this new group? Do you think the Chow as a member of the Northern group will do better in the Group and the Best in Show ring?

Bob: The Chow style a judge picks to go into the group will be influenced by what breeders bring to
the ring.  Many breeders want to win in the show ring. If breeders want to win in the new group, they
may have to produce healthier Chows.

5.    Do you think that when the Chow competes in the Northern group against dogs from a hound, working, or herding background, the Chows will be expected to show the qualities derived from their history as hunting, herding, pulling and guarding dogs?

Zola: Chows have a mystique of surviving for thousands of years.  The Chow is an amazing dog with an active, intelligent, alert and dignified essence. This is what attracted me to the breed.  We can hope these qualities will be renewed; for they are in the breed genetically.  My hope is that  membership in the northern group will help to reinvigorate the breed.

Minnie: The Chow historically is a working breed. They must have legs.  In Canada when I go cross country skiing after a snowfall there is nothing more beautiful than to have one of my Chows out in front breaking a trail for me!

Carmen: Currently there is not enough quality in our breed.  In part this is a reflection of a decreasing
number of large kennels and the high cost of specialing a dog

Ginnie: we must always keep the general welfare of the breed in mind, and not be distracted by fads
that can do harm.

Minnie:  Paul’s mantra has always been “If it ain’t moving right, it ain’t built right.”

General panel and audience consensus: Those of us who have been breeding for many years have
seen this happen in the past:  Legs too short, shoulders too straight, the  loss of proper rear
movement, overly heavy heads, too much loose skin on heads, entropion.  This is a really good time
(when entering the Northern Group) to review the Chow standard and to try to breed closer to the
Standard as it exists. Accordingly,  judges and breeders need  a vital on-going education program.
They need to know that properly built Chows can move out!  They need to understand the stilted gait
and what a correct front looks like.

Love: before the judges in the Northern group can reward for the stilted gait breeders will have to
breed for it. It will need to be restored. Breeders will need to identify dogs who can produce offspring
with a stilted gait.

Minnie:  To do this, breeders will have to go back into the pedigrees of their dogs and see where the
stilted gait came from.  Among newer breeder there are many “open pedigrees,” that is, many
different  lines being brought together, so it is important to sort though the pedigrees to know where a
trait came from.

Paul: Structure determines the correct speed and gait of a dog. Different sized Chows have to be
moved  Individually.  A balanced moderately boned taller dog with a lovely stilted gait, may not win
over a heavier dog without the correct stilted gait.

Bob: Breeders will have to decide what they are willing to sacrifice for a few generations to work a
desirable trait, such as the stilted gait back into the breed. Furthermore, what may seem a desirable
trait now may not go over well in the new group line up.  A ponderous head with breathing issues will
not compare favorably in the Northern Group ring.

6.    Will being part of the Northern group helpor hurt Chow balance, gait, pasterns, shoulders, toplines, pigmentation. Ears, eyes or temperament?

General Panel Consensus: It will help if winning in the group demands sound dogs.

Bob: If you read the standard with care you will notice that balance is a theme.  But how much respect                   is it afforded?   Judges sometimes say they seem to give back to the breed what breeders bring to them.

Zola: We all need to continually reread the standard and envision the Chows we are looking for as
well as tracking down the genetic markers for desirable traits, using frozen semen when it exists from
the old stock that had the traits we would like to restore.  Everyone, Breeders and judges, must
continually reread the standard and pick up the subtleties.

How many of you in the audience today had reread the standard before coming to the national?  (answer) 10 out of 48 attendees had.

Carmen: In the “Dog Show World” consistent judging doesn’t happen.  That is why we  keep coming back to the show ring.

A specific example of the problems we can create for our dogs:  Two words have been over
emphasized in our Chow Breeding program: “heavy boned.”  With “heavy boned” being elevated as a
priority, many other things were thrown out  the window.  So now, many of our Chows have no necks
and straight shoulders which results in a functionally crippled. dog  Loose skin on the head has
contributed to eye problems and is recapitulated internally causing breathing difficulties. Even when a
trait is listed in the standard as undesirable, little is done to correct the problem.
.
Furthermore, the conversation at ringside needs to change from one of finding excuses why a judge is
not putting up a particular dog on a particular day, such as dividing judges into those who like
moderate v. heavy, or saying the judge is too political and so forth.  Instead the conversation should
be about the dogs’ qualities..

Love:  Balance is more than squareness; it is the harmony of all parts.

Paul:  The increased importing and exporting of dogs has affected the consistency of types from different countries and in some places breeders are going to excesses.  One general observation might be that the newer, younger countries’ breeders look for the extreme for example believing heavy is best. This is not good for the health of the dogs; I believe the four year old mature dog should be what we look at to set the standard.

Minnie: In Beijing we saw a 100 dog kennel; all were heavy dogs; all were from the States.  The same seems true in Russia.

Bob: in Japan and Thailand entropion, elongated pasterns, bad palattes are evident; of course at our National we will see the same problems, too.

Audience participant: So we might say that what we see overseas reflects the excesses of the USA where the American mantra seems to be ”bigger and heavier is better.”

General Panel Consensus:  In the US today large kennels (of 30 and more dogs) are no longer feasible.  No one can afford them. This affects the gene pool available to each breeder.  Breeders have to find ways to work with more people.  The sad thing is that it is close to impossible to trust many people to be honest about what genetic problems their line may harbor.

Zola: The forming of cooperatives of breeders could be an answer to some of the issues.  It would allow us to keep a genetic pool going in a context where honesty about the strengths and weaknesses could prevail and different individuals could also bring their own strengths and weaknesses in working with the dogs to the table.

Audience Comment:  The CCCI should be the cooperative, perhaps requiring members to attend seminars and to encouraging further health testing.

Zola: Health testing is a high priority for some breeders. What we are doing is producing a dog that is a pleasure to live with, free of  health and temperament issues.

Love: we are no longer just a national Chow club; we are part of an international community.  The United States has more health testing available than any other country, we should set the standard for healthy Chows for the world.

Audience comment: Chow fanciers and “beginner breeders” need to go to mentors, not to the chat rooms on the internet for correct information.  And the breeders need to somehow project to themselves and to judges a consistent interpretation of the standard.

Audience Comment:  Where will the future generations to carry all this out come from?

Paul: This is a confusing time for novice breeders.  There are no perfect Chows; in each bloodline there are different strains; a breeder needs to learn how to read a pedigree, and avoid playing “Russian Roulette” when they make breeding decisions.

Love: Knowledge of gene pools and objective experience are essential.

Paul: When someone says: “I want to improve the breed.”  The response should be the question, “How?”

Zola: So we must make the education of a new generation our most important long term goal.

Ginnie: Sincere learners who approach a reputable breeder will be mentored.  New breeders must be willing to do their homework.

II. The Global Arena

Carmen:  Background information: The BBC began an upheaval which has impacted the Chow when it broadcast the documentary “Pedigreed Dogs Exposed” and referred to the dog show as “a parade of mutants.” The United Kingdom Kennel Club, which had until that point had a long supportive relationship with the BBC, was told by the BBC that there were some 13-18 breeds of dogs that could not be shown at Crufts, if the UKKC wanted it to be covered by the BBC.  When the UKKC refused to do what they’d been asked the BBC and other previously supportive agencies withdrew their support of Crufts.

So amongst other things the UKKC commenced a rewrite of the Chow standard.

This is important because although historically the “country of origin” for the Chow is China, and in theory the standard for the breed should originate there, there has been no Chinese standard for the Chow, and since in the modern age of Dog shows in the Western world began for Chows in Britain, Britain becomes the default country for establishing the standard.So for nations that do not have theirown standard, they follow the UKKC standard.

Most recently the CCCI has tried to work with the UKKC.  A meeting was held in March, 2009. Rodney Oldman of the UKKC reported that a Swedish company that writes pet insurance policies is now operating in Britain and reports an alarming number of ruptured cruciate ligament repair surgeries for Chows, and that therefore the breed must have rear assembly issues. However,  it turns out that most of these, according to veterinarians are the result of trauma todogs under the age of 2 years, and are not a degenerative condition.

Love:  The CCCi has established a new committee with its own mission statement: to promote the sharing of data for health certification, etc.

Paul: In 1956 the first World chow Council was convened with representatives from England, Holland, France, Germany and Belgium. The goal was to establish a Chow Standard for the FCI.  This council recovened in 1980 with representation added from the USA and Canada.  North American representatives included Paul Odenkirchen and Joanne O’Brien,  the CCCI was rewriting its own standard at the same time. Currently the World Chow Council is not progressing too well. The issues coming out of Britain and the FCI are fairly problematic and because the Europeans have taken all the disqualifications out of the Chow standard it is arguably not helpful for the breed.   The FCI affects about 90 countries standards however.

Closing Comments:
Ginnie: These issues are a problem for all of us. However, the AKC is fighting the animals rights lobbyists and the CCCI has control of its own standards, so it is less likely that something like what has befallen the standard in England would happen here.

Carmen: “National Inquiry” TV is a reality, and the general public buys what it sees all too readily. No one has a problem free kennel; there are always heartaches. Problems are not unique to particular kennel. They are endemic to the bred and it is unacceptable to damn a particular kennel. Again, change the conversation at ringside; and in the chat rooms.

Bob: We need to sell good, healthy dogs overseas, to be sure we are not just dumping our garbage in someone else’s back yard .  We are a part of the world.

Love:  We are the cooperative.  We must promote, protect, and share our Chows.

Minnie: Come and show in Canada; a first step to greater international awareness.

Zola: It is important to monitor the growing influence of national animal rights organizations who use a preponderance of their money to pass legislation often detrimental to our breed. It’s vital to use our money to support local shelters, local humane groups and the Canine Health Association where we know  our money is being spent on animals rather than lobbyists.

A huge thank you to Paula for taking the time to write this up so fast and submit to Worldchow Magazine!!! And THANK YOU Margaret and  Zola and all who attended the Seminar for your deep interest in our breed and it’s future .!!!!!  This was absolutely fascinating!!!

Thank you SO MUCH Sherrie Determan for sending me the results of the Best of Breed competiton today!!!!
BOB: CH Paramount Maria Maria  (Vet Bitch)
Jeff & Susie Sedillos
BOW:  Pendleton Ginger (WB)
Dave and Pat Foose
BOS:  Rosewine’s Rockbilly Red
Joanna Olson & Bill Boyes
AWARDS OF MERIT:
Ch Rebelrun Chowlamar Dapper Dan
Bob & Love Banghart
Ch Sitze-Gou’s Glazz Paragon
Bill Buell
Ch Sunburst’s Patent Pending
Harvey & Penny Kent
Ch Fortune’s Rocky Mountain High
Jeff & Susie Sedillos

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS AND BEST OF LUCK AT THE REGIONAL SPECIALTY SHOWS THIS WEEK!!

——————–

BELOW IS A VIDEO I DID SHOWCASING THE TROPHIES I CREATED. CLICK ON THE ARROW TO START

THERE IS AUDIO WITH THIS VIDEO AS WELL SO ADJUST YOUR VOLUME ACCORDINGLY!!

2009 NATIONAL SPECIALTY TROPHY SHOWCASE from Sandra Miller on Vimeo.

I put together this video to showcase the fused glass awards as well as some other paintings I did in 2008-2009 for the Chow Chow Club Inc 2009 National Specialty in Orlando Florida.

Congratulations to all the winners!!

WINNERS DOG AND WINNERS BITCH WERE A HUGE STRETCHED CANVAS WITH THE ABOVE DESIGN

Bonnie called me this morning with WD results but I haven’t heard from her about WB yet..will update here as soon as I hear who Winners Bitch and Reserve were ….the Veteran winners as well (UPDATE…thanks Sherrie Determan for the bitch classes report..I’ll get more details soon on breeders etc)

WINNERS DOG (from the Open Red Class)-  PARAMOUNT JUST BECOZ

Breeder-Lonnie and Regina Burr and Jill Stillwell

Owner-Jeff and Susie Sedillos and Lonnie and Regina Burr

———————————————————————-

RESERVE WINNERS DOG-  MO TYS ROCK N HOSS AT REGALAIR

Breeders- Michelle and Larry and Morgan and Tyler Mote

Owners-Shannon Smith and Jeff Wright

—————————————————————-

WINNERS BITCH:  Pendleton Ginger (BBY)
Dave and Pat Foose

————————————————————
RESERVE WINNERS BITCH:  Lionbear’s Oriental Red Dragon (12-18 Bitch)
Terry Sprong

THE FUSED GLASS PORTION OF THE RESERVE WINNERS BITCH WINDCHIME

————————————

THE FUSED GLASS PORTION OF THE RESERVE WINNERS DOG WINDCHIME

A FULL PHOTO OF ONE OF THE CHIMES.  THEY ARE ABOUT 4 FEET LONG TOTAL

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES….MAGENTA WAS MY MODEL FOR THIS TROPHY DESIGN

ANOTHER DESIGN WE USED ON A CAPTAINS CHAIR FOR THE OBEDIENCE TROPHY

THE DESIGN ABOVE IS FEATURED ON BEAUTIFUL LEATHER COVERED FLASKS

ABOVE IS ANOTHER FUN DESIGN I DID FOR SOME OF THE CLASS PLACEMENTS

The above design is on the FIRST PLACE JOURNALS

Hello everyone!! I thought you all might like to get the”BARE BONES ” reports as I get them from Bonnie Young , the trophy chair for the CCCI National!!.  I can’t even guarantee I got the details right so dont’ “kill the messenger” if I messed up names etc. LOL! The photos you see here are examples from the Sweeps trophies I have been itching to show you all.  I took these photos at home before I shipped them.

Both BEST IN PUPPY SWEEPS AND BEST IN VETERAN SWEEPS TROPHIES PICTURED BELOW ARE WORKING INDOOR WATERFALLS WITH MY OWN FUSED GLASS CHOWS AND GLASS LEAVES ON SLATE AND COPPER.

BEST IN PUPPY SWEEPSTAKES…

Lo Re’s Sassafras….bred by Mona Cotie and Lonnie and Regina Burr

Owner Mary Russell Sevigny and Lonnie and Regina Burr

———————————-

BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX IN PUPPY SWEEPS

Gee Bee’s Maka Koa Miracle…breeder/owner  Gwen Benz

—————————————

BEST IN VETERANS SWEEPS

Ch. Sunburst’s Leila

Breeder Harvey and Penny Kent and Cathy Clapp

Owners , George and Carol James

—————————————————-

BEST OF OPPPOSITE SEX IN VETERAN SWEEPSTAKES

Ch. Chinarose I Like Ike

Breeder Sandra and Steven Miller (this is Megs litter brother)

Owner Bonnie and Harold Young

Bonnie tells me that both Veteran winners came out of the 9-12 year class!! AWESoME!!

——————————————-

OBEDIENCE HIGH IN TRIAL AND HIGHEST SCORING CHAMPION OF RECORD

The obedience winner  came from the Novice A class and was

CH Fair Hill’s Sparkler, RN….owned by Michael and Lisa Leonzio,

this was Sparkle’s first time and  she got her first leg

——————————————————–

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS.

THE FROSTED MUGS WERE ONE OF THE CLASS TROPHIES WITH MY ARTWORK ON ONE SIDE AND THE NAME OF THE SHOW ON THE OTHER

THESE FUN BAGS WERE ALSO ANOTHER SWEEPS TROPHY FOR THE CLASSES FILLED WITH GOODIES

AND ANOTHER DESIGN I CREATED FOR MORE SWEEPS TROPHIES…THERE WAS A SAFARI/NEUTRAL COLORS THEME

If anyone can email me a copy of the marked catalog I would be happy to post the results here in their entirety.  Also any photos whether cell phone shots or videos would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

TURN YOUR VOLUME ON FOR THE VIDEO BELOW!!

And as an aside……….I’m loving my new video camera I got yesterday so far!!! This is my first attempt at anything remotely interesting. I certainly need to steady my hand but am having an absolute blast practicing.  For those of you who dont’ ready my GRAFFITI GOSSIP blog, this is my present to myself using the money from my trophy gig!

Thank you CCCI and Bonnie Young for giving me the opportunity to create the awards for this year’s national!  I’ll show them as each day progresses and the awards are given out!!

Photo by WC MEMBER Franck Leroy

Wow it’s hard to believe the National Specialty in the U.S. is almost upon us!! I am getting sadder by the minute that I can’t be there this year but I hope to get a lot of reports from you all via photos and videos..I’ll fill you in later on how you can upload images for me to put on the blog right from the National.

THE  ENTRY BREAKDOWN

Sweeps total entry 58

BELOW IS THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday April 25

CERF Testing, North Florida Chow Chow Club Fun Match, Top 20, Parade of Titleholders.

Sunday April 26

Education Seminar, Rally, Obedience, Sweepstakes, Judges Seminar, and Annual Meeting

Monday April 27

Auction, Dog Judging, and Bitches Judging

Tuesday April 28

Junior Showmanship, Breeders Seminar, Grooming Seminar, CGC Testing, and Best of Breed Judging.

Wednesday April 29

North Florida Chow Chow Club Regional Speciality *

Thursday April 30

Chow Chow Fanciers of Atlanta Regional Speciality *

———————————————————

Judges:

Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes:Vicki DeGruy *
Conformation Classes: Dr. Gail Forsythe *
Obedience and Rally: Steven Picciuolo *