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New Champion--Evolution's Mendellian Mayhem, AOM 1 WE HAVE A NEW "HOME BRED" CHAMPION!
October 12-14th, 2007 at the Miniature Bull Terrier Nationals in Gettysburg, Howie won the five points that he needed to finish his championship this last weekend... he is now AKC CH Evolution’s Mendellian Mayhem, AOM! Friday morning at the National Specialty, Howie took Reserve WD under Judge Mark Phillips. On Friday night at the Van Hildrukusen Trophy Show, Howie was one of four colored dogs (and the only non-champion boy) out of a large and beautiful class entry to make Judge Gregory Anderson’s cut!
During the Parent Club Specialty Show I on Saturday, Howie took Winners Dog for a 3-point major under Judge Lynne M. Myall. THEN during the Parent Club Specialty Show II on Sunday, Howie took Winners Dog again under Judge Phyllis McCombie, earning the final 2 points that he needed to finish!
In the end, Howie finished with 3 three point majors, 2 two point wins, and two singles! He also took two best of breed wins – both over group-winning specials – along the way. We are so proud of Howie and to his owner Kathleen Smith for being such a great friend and companion to Howie and for taking him to the top. He was our pick of the litter and we really knew he was something special right from the start. Howie finished his Championship in only six shows! And what a great way to finish, at nationals! This is the fourth Champion for our Ripley, Evolutions Beleive It Or Not and the FIRST Champion for our Duey, Bullistix Double Take-N-Evolution.
Howies mom Kathleen writes:
Here is my "soon-to-be infamous" account of Howie's antics at Nationals...aptly titled "Mayhem at Nationals"!
Howie is a typical mini bull: very clownish. He showed as well as usual during the day on Friday, but Friday night was a different story. We showed in the Van Hildrukhusen Trophy Show, which is for dogs bred and whelped on American soil, and there was a very large (for mini’s) entry of dogs. Howie is used to showing in classes with a handful of dogs, where things move very quickly. The judge was also making use of the large show ring and taking his time evaluating the dogs in front of him, and apparently Howie decided that big classes are tiresome. I was trying to keep him stacked nicely, just in case the judge happened to glance our way, when I heard Howie groan. I looked down just in time to see him give me a dirty look, roll his eyes at me, and flop to the ground. Within seconds he was flat on his back, all four legs sticking straight up in the air, then rolling onto his side and “playing dead”. Needless to say, the onlookers thought this was very amusing, and much laughter accompanied Howie’s little display of boredom.
Those of us who live with minis know that you never laugh at their antics unless you want to see them repeat the same behavior over and over… so you can guess how the rest of the weekend went! I spent the remainder of our ring time on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday “convincing” Howie to stay upright whenever he grew weary with the proceedings. Of course, on both Saturday and Sunday - after Howie won Winners Dog and while we were waiting for the judges to choose their Reserves – Howie rolled over by the first place marker and demanded a belly rub...which he received for a job well done!
By Sunday, Howie decided that my usual bag of tricks (food, treats, and squeaky toys) weren’t enough to keep his interest. We were due in the ring in any minute, and I was frantically trying to figure out how I was going to keep him upright and looking his best. I got my answer when I crumpled up the small cup that my drink was in. The sound of the plastic crinkling perked Howie right up, and I had a moment of inspiration. Howie, the cup and I made it into the ring right on time. I must admit, the sight of a plastic cup being used for bait certainly amused the crowd, but it worked! And so Howie took Winners Dog and finished his championship while baiting for a disposable plastic drink cup! Cheers to you Howie!
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