Fred Bassett: It was a Great Honor to judge the Non-Sporting Group at the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! This was my fourth assignment at WKC, and second Group assignment. As you probably know, I wasn’t allowed to watch any of the Breed judging, so when the dogs made their first go-round to their breed markers was my first glimpse. What a beautiful and strong group they were. There were a few disappointments where my favorites didn’t make it through their Breed judging, but only a few, so I had some real depth of quality.
Fred Bassett: First Place was the magnificent Miniature Poodle bitch, GCHG Surrey Sage, who went on to win Best in Show under Mrs. Rosalind Kramer on Tuesday night. Bred by Kathleen Wallen and Kaz Hosaka, and owned by Cathy Gauche. As I handed the rosette to Kaz, he told me that both he and Sage were retiring after this show. It was an emotional time for all involved, including me. I started out in purebred dogs at age 13 with a Miniature Poodle myself and have known and respected Kaz since I started judging Poodles in 1979. I wish Kaz all the best in his retirement and look forward to seeing Sage puppies in the future. And I want to assure everyone that I found Sage to be a standout, and showed no favoritism because of my connection to this breed/variety. If anything, I had a more critical eye with her, and found her to be entirely pleasing in all regards. As you all saw, they put on a flawless performance in both my Group, and later, in Best in Show. I loved that she moved out with great reach and drive, on a loose lead much of the time. Big Congratulations to all involved.
Second Place was the very beautiful Chow Chow, GCHP Barbary’s Reigning Royalty CGCA TKN, bred by Barbara D. Becker, owned and shown by Mr. Ralph Silva. I was familiar with this excellent Chow, having given him many NS Group wins and a couple of Reserve Bests during his career. He is a very correct dog all the way around, and I particularly admire his correct stilted gait, which Mr. Silva masterfully demonstrates by moving him at a slow enough speed to show it off. Congratulations to them both, and especially as an Owner-Handler.
Third Place to the outstanding Keeshond, GCHB Windrift’s Dirty Hairy, breeder/owner-handled by Joanne Reed. Joanne is another person that I have known and admired since 1982 when I started judging Keeshonden. I was honored to award this beautiful dog, which I believe is in the early stages of his career. This is another breed which I have owned and shown, and which was a family member when my sons were babies and toddlers. Our favorite, Bandit, helped raise our boys, and helped them learn to walk. He would let them pull up to a standing position using his coat, and then walk at a very slow speed so they could manage it. Wonderful memories. Dirty Hairy is a terrific and correct representative of this breed, and was very worthy with a fine performance at WKC. Special Congratulations to Joanne as a Breeder/Owner-Handler.
Fourth Place was the beautiful Bichon Frise, GCH Top Speed Neal, bred by Cuibin Xie, owned by Ellen Charles, Fang Yang, and Nancy Brown. Handled by Lisa Bettis who did a flawless job with the trim and showed this beautiful Bichon to perfection. I believe I’ve given this dog a couple of Groups previously, but this was the best I’ve seen him look. Absolutely perfect coat and beautiful structure. Moved and showed great as a wonderful representative of his breed. Congratulations to all involved.
And I would like to recognize one other dog, the Lhasa Apso, which was part of my cut, GCHG Ta Sen Westgate Jingle Juice, bred by Susan S. Giles, Cindy Sehnert, and Ellen Lonigro. Owned by Susan S. Giles, Cindy Sehnert, Steve Campbell, and Muriel Wolverton, and handled by Susan S. Giles. I love this Lhasa dog, which is a wonderful representative of his breed. If I had another rosette, it would have been his.
And I want to thank Dr. Donald Sturz, President & Show Chairman, for the high honor of judging this lovely Group. I believe all will agree that he has done an incredible job in these roles and will continue to dazzle us with outstanding WKC shows for many more years!
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