2004 Combined-Title Award Winners
Introduction by June Jarvis Fox

 

 

 

 

 

McSMOOTH SHINE ON U DIAMOND

McSMOOTH SHINE ON U DIAMOND JE, CGC, CD
Owners: Cheryl Marks and Michele Luther

It is ironic that Sophie decided to pose by the “Bloom” garden sign for her photo shoot. Indeed she has bloomed since I got her back in 1999. I would like to thank Carol Crouse, Sophie’s breeder, for entrusting her little girl to me.

Sophie is not one of those amazing fox terriers that earned her titles in rapid succession. In fact, Sophie’s philosophy on performance events may best be summed up as: “If at first you don’t succeed, fail
magnificently!”

Sophie loves to hunt. The problem is she usually likes to hunt things that she can chase especially the neighborhood squirrels and cats if they visit her
backyard. Working a bunch of caged rats took
some practice. Without the support, friendship, advice and practice sessions provided by the members of the Puget Sound Earthdog Club, I know I would not have continued in our quest for a title. Sophie earned her Junior Earthdog title in July 2001. The quest for a Senior title continues.

Sophie’s stays true to her philosophy in the obedience ring. On more than one occasion, we failed magnificently, usually to the amusement of onlookers and friends. Thank goodness for our instructor, Liz Petersen, who appreciates Sophie’s flair for
improvisation, particularly when heeling off lead. Sophie earned her CD in August 2003. She was truly magnificent when she won an Obedience High in Trial at the Fox Terrier Fanciers of Puget Sound Specialty in August 2004.

Sophie has a special relationship with her co-owner, Michele Luther. Sophie worships Michele, often preferring to sleep on Michele’s bed instead of mine when we travel to dog shows. I suspect Michele sneaks liver treats in her pajamas but I haven’t been able to verify it yet. Michele has been our biggest supporter and cheerleader for which I am eternally grateful.

 

 

 

CH WEXFORD'S TRUE LOVE

 

CH WEXFORD'S TRUE LOVE JE, TT
Owners: Kathleen and Richard Clark

Edith, as she is lovingly known around the house, or Edith Ann, when she hasn't been quite so good, and has even been accused by some earthdog judges of being a "blond", is probably the happiest dog I have ever met. She is a bundle of energy that is barely controlled at times. She is dripping with natural
talent that leaves me in wonder.

The highlights of Edith's career in conformation are thanks to Lori Ferguson and Dan Buchwald. Edith was Winners Bitch and Best of Winners at the Fox Terrier Club of New England Specialty in July of 2003 and finished her show career impressively over a large entry as Winners Bitch and Best of Winners at the Onondaga Kennel Club show in Syracuse in March of 2004.

Once Edith understood rats and tunnels, she completed her Junior Earthdog title in two consecutive tests. She is now competing in senior, where she has had a "blond" moment on occasion.

Edith and I are also trying our hand at agility and tracking. Edith seems to be a natural, and I'm having trouble keeping up with her. With a little luck and a lot of work, maybe Edith will one day be honored by receiving a Cracker Jack or Applause Award.

CH ALJAMAR SUPERCOOL'S SWEETHEART

 

 

CH ALJAMAR SUPERCOOL'S SWEETHEART UCD
Owners: Judith Warling and Marilyn
Laschinski

Leibschen has more than lived up to her name. She is a
sweetheart to live with and a dream to train. She loves to please, but she has her moments. For her UKC obedience title, she had a 3-way run off for 1st place with a score of 198 and lost because of a crooked sit. The second show, 10 minutes later, she forgot how to heel off leash and did not qualify.

Like her mother, she likes to do things her way. I hope to get her earthdog title this fall. This is only if she doesn't go into heat again on the day before the tests, like the other times. She likes to hunt chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, bees, hornets, mice, rats, birds and any other small animal that dares to come into the backyard. So, I hope she will remember these skills at the tests.

 

 

 

CH BRITEWORK'S GULF VOYAGER

 

CH BRITEWORK'S GULF VOYAGER SE, DELTA SOCIETY
Owners: Susan Placer & Elizabeth reinhardt

CH Britework's Gulf Voyager JE, aka "Jib", has been the
easiest WFT dog I have ever owned! He attended his first
conformation show weekend when he was 10 months old and was rewarded with two 4-point majors from the BBEX class. Shown again at 13 months, again with his breeder, Elizabeth Reinhardt, he received two more majors, which completed his Championship...Easy!

So we started Agility...he loved it and did very well at classes...my knee and foot, however, didn't! We decided to look elsewhere until my knee and foot healed.

The first time he had ever been to an Earthdog trial he came home with a leg toward his Junior Earthdog title. Exactly one year later he attended his second trial and came home with his Junior Earthdog Title, and a leg toward his Senior Title...Easy!

When it became apparent that my Delta Society certified 13 year old WFT bitch would soon have to retire as a Rehab Theerapy dog, I decided to have Jib tested. He knew sit and down from Agility, but stay, wait and scoot over were still foreign. Practicing a few minutes before leaving for the test, my hope was to see what areas he needed work in and retest at the next available date. He passed!!...Easy!

Jib has the run of the house. He shares it in peace with two WFT bitches...now that's Easy!!!!

Note: Another "EASY" for Jib! Jib has earned his Senior Earthdog Title (SE) in 3 consecutive trials this fall. --- JJF

HALCAR KEEPSAKE

HALCAR KEEPSAKE CDX, TD
Owner: Karen Grettler

It's a good thing I named this little dog "Keeper". She's
presented more challenges than my other three Wires put
together! But, I believed in Keeper enough to give her
everything I had. She inspired me to take the time to bring out the best in her. Keeper's obedience and tracking titles are a tribute to our journey toward a very special relationship, based on mutual love and respect.

I hope to have Keeper in the Utility ring later this year. She's also tracking, training for a TDX.

Keeper is greatly loved and loves greatly in return.

 

 

 

 

 

PACO VILLA Y VARGAS

PACO VILLA Y VARGAS UD, OA, NAJ, UCDX, CDX(ASCA), CGC
Owner: Shirley Edwards

Paco was the only male in a litter of five. His sisters left early, but nobody seemed to want him. He was a little too big and perhaps a little too anxious. He was advertized in the classifieds...a sale price. He thrashed wildly in the crate on the way home.

When he was five months old, we began obedience training and suffered the usual disparaging remarks about his behavior and 'terrierness'. But secretly we built our bond and developed that gleeming intelligence to an admirable work ethic and team
performance.

We entered our first trial when Paco was 2 and 1/2 years old. We didn't tell his classmates, lest the embarrasment be too great...a novice dog and a novice handler. The rest was history, so to speak. He knocked their socks off!

We traveled to as many trials as we could find in our sparse region, and his confidence grew. One judge said he was the best working wire fox terrier he'd ever seen. We liked that very much. Paco is a happy tail wagger and, of course, he has that vertical spring action that people love. He moved right through qualifying legs in Novice, Open and Utility. He was just 4 when he earned his UD in AKC and held a UCDX and a CDX in yet another registry.

He came to his final obedience class wearing a
homemade gold crown and purple cape. His buddies gobbled up the decorated doggie cake.We then turned to agility and Paco responded gleefully. He dashed around on the great equipment
without a leash, as if he'd been set free at last. And he was very stimulated by the possible contact with other dogs, birds, insects, etc. He has gotten to work and competes in two registries.

Paco is 6 years old and we hope to achieve several more titles before the great spirit in this wonderful dog retires. He still does not like traveling in a crate. But sometimes, wherever we're going there's a bunny on the lawn...and his crate will do a hula dance for him. That's the best!

Note: Paco earned his OAJ in November at the
Valencia Valley KC agility trial in Los Lunas, New Mexico. He got the blue ribbon again. When he doesn't have the zoomies he follows his handler with stunning aplomb. He was able to find the entrance to those weave poles after a sharp turn over a jump and dropped the jaws on some enviable contestants. He also picked up the blue for his first qualified leg in Excellent Standard. --- JJF

CH SCANWYRE YANKEE DOODLE

AM/CAN CH SCANWYRE YANKEE DOODLE NAJ
Owner: Donna Johnson

Bailly was our first import. After a long trip from Ireland, he settled into our household in record time...claiming all the toys as his and trying hard to give them all equal attention.

Bailly definitely has his own way of learning, but will always put a smile on your face with a hug and and a kiss. We are looking forward to many great things with Bailly, only in the beginnings of his competitions and training

FOXHUNT EISENHOWER

FOXWELL'S FASCINATION CD, ME, OA, OAJ, NAP, NAJP, CGC, CG
Owner: Dena Lebo-Funk

In need of a permanent home, Jo came into my life when she was 7 years young. Full of joy and desire for adventure, Jo was eager to learn. So learn we did. Jo earned ten AKC titles in six years! The first just three months after her adoption and the last, her CD, at age 12 and1/2 years. Even in her "golden years" Jo never tired of working or learning and always gave 150% effort with a smile on her face and tail held high.

Of course, Jo enjoyed her downtime too. Many a stuffed toy (and a few groundhogs too!) died by her wrath! And she enjoyed staying fit by swimming, hiking and ball playing. Sadly, Jo died earlier this year. Her friendship wasn't a big thing...it was a million little things. All still terribly missed. But, Jo's spirit for adventure and eagerness to learn, her kind and gentle nature and her desire to be my teammate until the end are treasures I have for all time. Thank you AFTC for honoring Jo with the Cracker Jack Award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CH ALJAMAR BEWITCHED AT SQWIRE

CH ALJAMAR BEWITCHED AT SQWIRE CD, NA, NAJ, TG1, TDI, CGC
Owners: Karen Passow,
Gloria Thomas, Gail Obradovich

Sami has caught many people's eyes as she earned her three AKC titles. In conformation she was "the little white bitch", in agility "the speedy weave pole wire" and in obedience "the terrier that wouldn't sit.

To say the least, the obedience Novice A Companion Dog title was the most difficult to achieve. Sami easily earned her Championship title on the lead with Gail and Mike Obradovich - walking, stacking, looking beautiful and receiving great bait for doing just that. In agility, she was off leash with handler Gloria Thomas, running, jumping and going through tunnels. She completed her Novice Standard title with three perfect 100's. Now I, Karen expect Sami to heel, sit, down and come with no talking or treats to earn her CD title.

Our first five trials were interesting. Sami was the typical wire - "I sat twice, didn't get a treat and you want me to do it again, "no way". Unfortunately, the Novice routine calls for about 15 sits. I would get about 5 randomly. And, for the others, she would stand, wagging her tail and looking up at me as if to say, "Aren't I cute?". Judges would say to me, "She makes me giggle" or "She sure is happy".

Somehow I needed to change my training to take advantage of this pleasing nature. How could I make being in the ring FUN, to get the performance I needed to qualify? With the help of a new trainer and the use of a clicker we did just that: random, unexpected requests to heel, down, sit and finish. We performed them everywhere we went. A quick response earned a click and a treat. A quick response which was completely correct, earned a jackpot (lots of treats). Sami caught on very fast. In our next trial we did one very quick down and back, with a jackpot reward, before entering the ring. Sami earned her CD with three straight qualifying scores and a second place in her last Novice trial.

Sami now loves obedience training as much as agility. She is competing in Open AKC Agility and Obedience, as well as Tea Cup Dog Agility. The fall of 2004 will be her first earthdog trial, along with her son, EZ. Both Sami and EZ have begun working on tracking and we hope to trial in the spring of 2005.

Sami has been a wonder ambassador for the wire breed. Showing all the fine qualities of a wire fox terrier - eye catching, courageous, alert, noble, smart and lovable. She has also produced several Champions that are now producing promising puppies. Thanks to Gail and Mike Obradovich for letting Sami spend her life with us and for supporting her many activities, including being a therapy dog at a local nursing home.

Note: Sami has just earned her TG1 title this fall. This is the new(and extremely fun!) Teacup Agility, for dogs 17 inches and under. --- JJF

CH JELSON'S SPENCER FOR HIGHER

 

CH JELSON'S SPENCER FOR HIGHER CGC, CD, OA, OAJ
Owners: Mike and Donna Johnson

Spencer and I have had a special bond since his birth. He was actually born on my birthday! He is a great worker, always watching, "trying" to pay attention.

We have pretty much gone through the world as a wire would: attempting agility before we knew to stay or sit...starting to compete in obedience with no real training...as only a wire would. Our scores weren't the greatest, but so it goes. With only a few legs left, to our excellent titles and visions of great fun in open obedience, we will continue on in our wire fox ways and keep plugging along.

Hoping to keep Jelson's Wire Fox Terriers busy in all we can do to improve, not only the breed conformation-wise, but also to change the image of the "untrainable terrier". Hmm, I wonder when we should start tracking and earthdog?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CH SAREDON WALKING ON SUNSHINE

2004 APPLAUSE AWARDS
Awarded to title holders in four disciplines

 

 

 

 

 

CH FOXHUNT FILBERT

CH FOXHUNT FILBERT CD, JE, NAP, NJP
Owner: Carol Perkins

Ike and Phyllis both go back, in pedigree, to my first Smooth, Bailey. Ike is a Bailey son and Phyllis is a
double Bailey granddaughter.

In case you haven't already guessed, I think Bailey was a pretty special Smooth. She was competing in various arenas and producing nice puppies in the mid-80's through the mid-90's.

As people told me when I got her from Winnie
Stout (thanks again!), I could have done a lot more with her if she had come along later in my dog training career. Nevertheless she was a good one. I hope those of you who remember her agree with me.

Both Ike and Phyllis are now retired. Ike has taught me to go ahead and try things even if it is embarrassing! He's a generous, well meaning dog with a short attention span. But he's worked hard and achieved titles in 3 sports.

Phyllis, on the other hand, has plenty of smarts but is pretty much self-serving! She has great capability, but motivating her was my challenge. She earned her CD in 3 straight days with gradually declining scores as she got increasingly bored with the whole thing! She had a great breed career with specialty majors on her way to a title. The rest she did either because I asked her or because I got lucky and she felt like it!

Moral of the story - No two Smooths are alike, but all of them are great fun and deserving of long productive lives!

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