Top Ten AKC Registered Dogs For 2010 - cont.

The number six position for the most AKC registered dog breeds for 2010 is the Bulldog; in 2009 they were number seven.

(rest of list will be posted in October)

Top Ten AKC Registered Dogs For 2010 - continues

Golden Retrievers hold the number five position for AKC registered breeds in 2010; in 2009 they were number four.

(list continues tomorrow)

Top Ten AKC Registered Dogs For 2010 - cont.

The number four position for AKC registered dogs in 2010 is the Beagle; in 2009 they were number five.

(list continues tomorrow)

Top Ten AKC Registered Dogs For 2010 - continues

Yorkshire Terriers are the third most AKC registered dog breed for 2010; they held this same position in 2009.

(list continues tomorrow)

2011 SBCA National Specialty Winners

CH Melon City Capone wins Best of Breed at the 2011 SBCA National.
CH Opdykes Your Place Or Mine wins Best of Opposite Sex
Cornerstones O Henry wins Best of Winners and Winners Dog
Cornerstones Feature Presentation wins Winners Bitch

Grand Champion Select Winners:

• GCH CH Benbarons Taboo of Yondo
• GCH CH Kings Mill Lombardi

Award of Merit Winners:

• CH Hamlet Van'T Hof Ten Eynder
• GCH CH Jamelles Aristocrat V Elba
• CH Kings Mill Favre

Top Twenty Winner for 2011:

• GCH CH Summerlyn's Keeping It Real

Congratulations to all the winners from Brandykegs!

Top Ten AKC Registered Dogs 2010 cont.

The number two position for most AKC registered dog breed in 2010 is the German Shepherd; they held this same position in 2009.

(list continues tomorrow)

Top Ten AKC Registered Dogs For 2010

The number one AKC registered dog breed for 2010 is Labrador Retrievers; they also held the number one position in 2009.

(list continues tomorrow)

Who was the first Grand Champion Saint Bernard?

GCH CH Alta Vista's Billion Kilowatt CD RN was the first Saint Bernard Grand Champion; this title was achieved on May 30, 2010.  Kilo, as he is affectionately known; embodies my vision of  what a Saint Bernard should be.  He has a fantastic temperament, he has gorgeous markings, and he loves the show ring.

Kilo has won numerous Best of Breeds, numerous Group Placements, two All-Breed Best In Show, and he won the Best of Breed at Westminster in 2010.  He has achieved a fantastic set of accomplishments during his show career.  During Kilo's show career he has been handled by Erin Hines or William E. Buell, Sr., both have done a superb job in showcasing Kilo.  Kilo is owned by Tom & Viola Brown, and Robert Bonito, Esq.,at one time William & Shirley Tsagris were co-owners.

This photo was taken April 2, 2011, where he took another Best of Breed.  Brandykegs Saint Bernards owns one of Kilo's puppies, we love her dearly.  She has gorgeous markings and a great temperament just like her Dad.  

Autumn Begins

Today is the first day of fall. Do you have leaves to rake?

Oatmeal Is Good For Dogs Too

Oatmeal is good for dogs who have sensitive stomachs.  Most dogs will readily eat oatmeal.  Oatmeal is also useful in putting weight back on a female who has had a large litter of puppies.  Some females become quite finicky with their food when they are in season and can lose a bit of weight because of this.  I have experienced this problem with our females and adding oatmeal to their food has always helped to put weight back on them.

Fish Oil As A Supplement

Adding fish oil as a supplement to your dog's diet is beneficial.  Fish oil helps to promote healthy skin, heart, and joints.  My smooth male had some serious dry skin issues; once I started adding fish oil to his diet, things improved.  He still seemed to have some scaling though, so I switched his dog food to salmon.  Now his dry skin issues are a thing of the past.  I also recommend feeding a spayed female salmon, it is lower in calories and is very beneficial in maintaining a healthy weight.

Video Link of BOB 2011 SBCA

Here is a video link showing the Best of Breed competition at the 2011 SBCA National Specialty Show.

Award Documents

Brandykegs offers personalized award document to commemorate that special winning moment.  Visit our awards page http://www.brandykegs.com/store/awards.html  for more information.

Videos of 2011 SBCA National

Here are some video links for the 2011 Saint Bernard Club of America National Specialty:

Video link for Sweepstakes

Video link for Winners Bitch

Video link for Winners Dog 

Congratulations to all the Winners from Brandykegs!

SBCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY WEEK - (cont.)

Best of Breed is scheduled for today; Mr. Robert Sykora will be judging.  Best in Puppy Classes, Best in Bred-By-Exhibitor Classes will immediately follow the Best of Breed Judging.  Good luck to everyone from Brandykegs!

SBCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY WEEK - (cont.)

Schedule of Events for today:

• Obedience Classes will be judged by Jeff Showman
• Rally Classes will be judged by Jeff Showman
• All Regular Bitch, Working Bitch, Veteran Bitch, Stud Dog, Brood Bitch and Brace Classes will be judged by Michael Braysher
• Junior Showmanship will be judged by Claudia Orlandi
• Annual Meeting of The Saint Bernard Club of America
• Seminar by Dr. Claudia Orlandi "The ABC's of Dog Breeding"
• Casino Night

SBCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY WEEK - (cont.)

Sweepstakes is scheduled for today.  Mr. Art Shook will be the Sweepstakes Judge.  Mr. Robert Sykora will be judging Working Dog & Veteran Dogs Classes.  Brandykegs wishes all exhibitors good luck!

"The Event" will also take place today.  This will be an evening to recognize achievements of the wonderful Saint Bernard Breed.  There will be audio and visual presentations to recognize particular achievements.  There will also be an auction (of higher end Saint Bernard collectibles), and Top Twenty Saint Bernards for the year.  

SBCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY WEEK - (cont.)

The St. Bernard Club of The Finger Lakes will be hosting a Specialty and Junior Showmanship event today.  Mr. Carmelo F. Zappala will be judging all Dog and Junior Showmanship Classes; Mr. Clyde Rogers will be judging all Bitch Classes; and Dr. Nancy M. Demory Harrison, Ph. D., will be judging all Intersex and Best of Breed Classes.  Good luck to all exhibitors from Brandykegs!

The Saint Bernard Club of America will be hosting a Obedience & Rally Event today.  Mrs. Linda M. MacDonald will be judging all Obedience and Rally Classes.  The National Draft Test will be held today, judges are Mr. Barry L. Roland and Karen Rupert.  A National Week Pull is scheduled today as well, Jann Hayes will be judging.    Brandykegs wishes all the entrants good luck!

SBCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY WEEK (cont.)

The New England St. Bernard Club, Inc., will be hosting a Specialty and Junior Showmanship event today.  Mr. Seamus Oates will be judging all Dog Classes; Mrs. Patricia J. Wiggins will be judging all Bitch, Intersex, Best of Breed, and Junior Showmanship Classes.  Good luck to all exhibitors from Brandykegs!

The Saint Bernard Club of America will be hosting a Obedience & Rally Event today.  Mrs. Linda M. MacDonald will be judging all Obedience and Rally Classes.  Brandykegs wishes all exhibitors good luck!

SBCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY WEEK - (cont.)

There will be two Specialties and Junior Showmanship Shows today by the SBCA, one will be held in the morning and the other will be held in the afternoon.

Morning Show:

• Mrs. Rita J. Rynder will be judging all Dog Classes.
• Mrs. Georgia L. Rush will be judging all Bitch Classes.
• Mrs. Donna Fabian McPhate will be judging all Intersex, Best of Breed, & Junior Showmanship Classes.

Afternoon Show:

• Mrs. Karen Pratt-Crichlow will be judging all Dog Classes.
• Karen Bodeving will be judging all Bitch Classes.
• Mr. Victor R. Dingus will be judging all Intersex and Best of Breed Classes.

The Saint Bernard Club of America will be hosting a National Weight Pull today as well; Jann Hayes will be judging.

Brandykegs wishes all the exhibitors the best of luck!

SBCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY

The Saint Bernard Club of America is holding their National Specialty at the Peek N' Peak Resort & Spa located at 1405 Old Road, Findley Lake, New York.  National Show Week begins today with the Greater Washington St. Bernard Club hosting a Specialty and Junior Showmanship event.  Mrs. Sandra A. Lane will be judging all Dog Classes; Dr. Ivan G. Palmblad will be judging all Bitch and Junior Showmanship Classes; and Mr. Jack Terrio will be judging all Intersex and Best of Breed Classes.  There will be a National Weight Pull hosted by the Saint Bernard Club of America today; Jann Hayes will be judging.  Brandykegs wishes all exhibitors good luck!

Our Aging Dogs - (cont.)

We are definitely faced with more challenges with our aging dogs.  Keep in mind all the love and devotion they have shown you through the years, in their twilight years it is time we give them some back.  Your old friend still has the ability to make you forget the worries of your life and escape to a peaceful place with them.  The simple act of petting your dog can eliminate so much stress in your life.  Keep in mind the old adage, "Grow old with me, the best is yet to be."

Our Aging Dogs - (continues)

Some older dogs lose their ability to get up on their own when they are laying down.  There are many products available to help you raise your dog up from the floor.  These dogs are often mobile once they are on their feet; they just no longer have the ability to stand up on their own.  Any older dog who has mobility issues should be closely monitored in case they fall or trip and land on the ground.

Our Aging Dogs - (cont.)

Grooming your older dog is still necessary.  By going through their coat with a brush, you are able to observe if there are skin irritations or unusual growths.  You may find something that your veterinarian should take a look at.  Keep your dog's ears clean; as well as their teeth.  Make sure you keep their nails trimmed as well; a cracked or  jagged nail can cause limping.  Bathing the older dog should continue, just be sure to thoroughly dry them.  If you have access to warm water for the bath use it.

Our Aging Dogs - (continues)

The older dog may also need to relieve themselves more frequently.  It may become necessary to let them outdoors during the night for a potty break.  Some older dogs become incontinent and it becomes necessary to use fitted bloomers with a diaper inside.  Do not scold or discipline your older dog for urination or feces mishaps.

Our Aging Dogs - (cont.)

Your older dog stills needs regular exercise.  Daily walks are a good idea as long as your dog has their mobility.  You may not want to walk as far, nor as fast, but getting them out and about is still great one on one time with your best friend.

Labor Day

Labor Day marks the end of summer fun and back to school for many. It is celebrated on the first Monday in September.

Our Aging Dogs - (continues)

Vision and hearing loss can occur with the aging dog.  If your old pal has experienced vision or hearing loss, you don't want to startle them.  In other words, try not to approach them from behind.  Many dogs get around fairly well with vision loss.  Try to keep their surroundings unchanged, don't move furniture around in the areas that they frequent.  Even hearing loss is manageable and the dog adapts to this change in their life quite well.  The dog's keen sense of smell helps them with their vision and hearing losses.

Our Aging Dogs - (cont.)

Keep in mind that the aging dog is much more susceptible to weather extremes,  whether they be hot or cold.  Be sure to provide the older dog with cooling for the extreme summer heat; and provide warmth for the extreme cold winters.  You should also be more vigilant of their weight, you do not want your elderly Saint Bernard to be carrying extra weight.  Extra weight on the large breeds just adds more difficulty to arthritic joints.

Our Aging Dogs - (continues)

One of the saddest things about the larger breeds of dogs is that their lifespan is quite short.  The average for the Saint Bernard breed ranges from 8 years to 10 years.  Yes, there are some who live longer but they are the exception.  The same is true for those who die younger.  It is one of the hardest things to deal with in owning the large breed dogs.

Our Aging Dogs

Our dogs age just like us, they gray, suffer from arthritis, experience hearing and vision loss, their energy level diminishes, just to name a few of life's ailments with age.  By the time a dog is seven or eight years old they are considered a senior citizen.  They are wonderful companions as they age.  You will still see glimpses of their youth; like when they have that spurt of energy and bound around in a playful mood.