2009 In Reveiw

2009 has been an exciting year for me as a novice breeder and exhibitor. I have reached some of my goals, and made good progress towards others. And none would be without the help of good friends!

This summer I finished my first bred-by Champion, my tricolour shortcoat boy Neddie (Ch HiLeigh ReadyR'Not Here I Come) He was followed in the fall by my second homebred Champion and his younger half-brother, shown by Tobi-Dawne Yandt of Saskatoon, Sunny (Ch HiLeigh's Blazing Sunshine) and 3rd Champion Sunny's littermate sister, my longcoat puppy Glory (Ch HiLeigh's Golden Glory)

I owe a big thanks to friend, trainer and "big dog" breeder Cheryl Ellis for helping me to train and show both Neddie and Glory, and to Tobi-Dawne for loving little Sunny, making him part of her family, and giving him his Canadian title.

Their dam Butter (Am/Can Ch Fandango Lamar Butternut), who is my first Champion, now has a total of 5 Champion progeny, 4 Canadian and 1 American, from 3 litters, and a total of 8 puppies. She is spayed now and is comfy on the couch...

I am happy to say that our little Sunny is not done his winning ways yet, and he is currently showing now in the US with Kristie Wheeler. He has 11 points there, including two 4 Point Majors and two Best of Breed wins. His sister Glory will be joing him there next month, hopefully to do just as well. Kristie has been a huge help for me, always willing with suggestions, advice and support.

This year two puppies joined our family from another good friend and supportive experienced breeder, Karin Daehn. Kailey and Meme are both daughters of Karin's lovely boy Amore and have been an absolute joy to have as part of our family. I know I would not have the opportunities I have had over the past 3 years without the open honestly of this good friend.

I have made good progress toward my goals for health testing and clearances. I have both of my breeding boys, Neddie and Jeep, have tested normal for OFA Patella and Cardiac, and CERF. They will both be entered in the CHIC database. Glory and Kailey both tested normal this month on both OFA exams.

Thank you to all of my friends and fellow breeders for all of your support this year, and we are looking forward to a prosperous New Year.

Sunny's Wins

Sunny has done very well this fall... Thanks very much to Kristie!

He is now on 11 points including both of his Majors. This includes 2 best of breed wins. He was able to pick up both of his Majors at the Clark County shows.

We're very excited for him, and look forward to 2010. His next shows are in Puyallup WA and after that in Portland OR. Glory will be joining him for these shows too, so she can start working on her American title as well.

Here is one of his Major win pictures.

Show News and New Champion!

We got back from 4 days of shows in Abbotsford... It is a nice big indoor show, 3 regular shows and the Chihuahua Specialty. I took Glory and the new girl Meme.

Both girls took reserve at the specialty. Entry was good for Canada ~ about 30 dogs.

Glory did well through the regular shows, picking up two major wins for Winners Bitch and Best of Winners to complete her Canadian Championship!

Meme picked up the one point for Winners on friday. She now has 4 points at 7 months old.

A very good weekend though. Canada's largest dog show, and we came home with a new Champion and lots of good experience for the baby.

Here are a couple pictures my friend took.

New Puppy

We have a new furry face here at home.

This week little Meme arrived from Edmonton. She is Picasso's Diamond Jubilee and she is another Amore kid as well as coming from the same line as Butter on her mom's side.

Meme is coming up on 7 months old, and went to her first show with breeder Karin Daehn in Edmonton before she came home to us. She won Best of Breed over Specials her first day out, and Winners Bitch her second day out and is now pointed towards her Canadian Championship.

Meme will be travelling with us and Glory next week to the shows in Abbotsford.

Show News

Two of our kids had a great weekend out. Brother and sister, Sunny and Glory were out at shows this weekend with Handlers.

Sunny is showing in Washington with Kristie Wheeler. He took Best of Winners both days at Richland WA, for his first 4 single points towards his American Title.

Glory went to Chilliwack with our friend Cheryl, and picked up 3 single points taking Best of Breed all 3 days. She now has 6 single points towards her Canadian Title.

Now we need to find a bit more competition to get those "majors"

Puppies

Phoebe's girls at 6 weeks old.

Sire is Neddie (CH HiLeigh Ready'RNot Here I Come)

New Champion!

Little Sunny finished his Canadian Championship this past weekend in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Manitoba Kennel Club shows and the Prairie Toy Association Specialty. He won Best of Winners and Best Puppy at the Specialty, and then repeated these wins at the regular shows and followed it up with a cut (of 2!) in Puppy Group.

He will show as a Special with Tobi-Dawne at their home show in Saskatoon the first weekend in September then look for him in the US this fall with handler Kristi Wheeler.

Thanks millions to Tobi-Dawne for giving Sunny such great love and showing him to his Candian Title. You've done so so well with the little guy!