Solstafir earns his AKC Championship title!

Fox Meadow Hausti Solstafir earned his majors with a 4 point win at The National Dog Show in Philly, and then a 3 point major at Howard County, MD...and then for good measure, two more 3 point majors at Howard County!

I really need to thank my breeder and co-owner Jo Ann Secondino for her thoughtful, constant mentoring to me, and for all the encouragement.  I also give many, many thanks to our handling instructor Kathy Worley.  With Kathy's and Jo Ann's instruction and guidance, I have achieved every goal I set for Solstafir this year! THANK YOU!

Solstafir hits major network TV!

On November 19, Solstafir went Best of Breed, earning a 4 point major, at the Purina National Dog Show, in Philadelphia.  He was shown on TV when the National Dog Show aired on NBC, Thanksgiving Day.

In other conformation show goodness, Solstafir was Best of Breed, earning two points at the recent AKC show in Salisbury, MD.

Also, at the UKC shows in Bel Air, MD on October 22 and 23, Solstafir went Herding Group 1, in one show, and was Herding Group 2, in two shows.

Ludwigs Corner, PA - West Friendship, MD AKC shows

Solstafir went Best of Winners at the Maryland show on Oct 15.  On Oct. 14, and Oct. 8, he was BoB over his little brother Fox Meadow Thorra Kari.  Little brother is showing good signs of catching up soon, however.

More AKC and UKC points.

On September 24, we went to the AKC show Kimberton, PA.  Solstafir took one point, and showed very admirably in group.

On October 1, in Millville, NJ, Solstafir placed Group 1 in a UKC herding group, and was Best of Breed for two shows.

Beltsville MD & Carlisle PA UKC shows, Sept. 3 & 17

Between the two show days, Solstafir earned 4 more breed wins, and took a pair of Group 2, and a pair of Group 3 rosettes.  His little brother is maturing quickly, however, and starting to catch up with him.  Two judges told me that it won't be too much longer before Thorra Kari (Vetur) is able to give Solstafir a run for his money!  That's going to make things really exciting!

AKC show, Harrisburg, PA - August 13

Good times happened at Harrisburg.  Solstafir won open dog for one point today.  His little brother Fox Meadow Thorra Kari (Vetur) turned 6 months old today, and marked the occasion by being in his first AKC show.  He was Reserve Winner to his big brother Solstafir.  A special thank you goes out to Sabrina Bahre, for handling Vetur in his first ring appearance.  I so much appreciate all the wonderful commentaty on my beautiful boys, while strolling and socializing around the venue.

AKC show - Howard County / West Friendship, MD - July 8

Short and sweet - Solstafir went Winner's Dog, and BOS for one point.   Happy Day!

Solstafir loves sheep

I almost forgot to drop a note on here about it, but I took Solstafir to his very first herding encounter with sheep, a few weeks ago.  It was actually a herding instinct test, done at Flyaway Aussies, in Oxford, PA.  Result of the heding test?  Solstafir loves sheep, and has a good natural instinct to move them quite well.  It was really neat to watch - he had never been face to face with sheep before, and after about a 30 second awkward period, I watched his instincts kick in, and his whole expression and demeanor changed into herding mode.  He nicely moved them around, and always drove them toward me and the trainer.  When one would cut out, he would go wrangle it and cut back in.  I was so happy to see him using his genetic purpose, and he semed very happy, too!  I can look forward to more herding lessons in the future, and maybe putting a herding title on him.

Two Group 1 wins at Bel Air UKC shows

We had a nice weekend of shows, despite the unpredictable weather.  Solstafir took Herding Group 1 on Saturday afternoon, under Judge Violet Denney, and also took Herding Group 1 on Sunday morning, under Judge Donna Rommelfaenger!
In the other two shows of the weekend we brought home Group 2, and Group 3 honors.
I took the new puppy to show off a bit on Saturday, and while walking him around, we were pulled aside by Judge David Arthur, for some nice complements on his structure and movement.  I think he's gonna be a good one!

Lewisberry, PA - UKC shows

We had a very nice Saturday showing on April 30.   In show 1, Solstafir went Herding Group 1, under Judge David Kittredge, and in show 2, went Herding Group 2, under Judge Alleyne Dickens.  Mr. Ketteridge was especially complimentary of Solstafir, after BIS, and gave me a few words of advice for attaining the next step in UKC shows, a BIS or Reserve BIS win.

 

I also had fun handling a Shetland Sheepdog altered female, at her owner's request, and put a CH on her.  I took her to best altered sheltie in show one, and in show 2, I took her to best altered sheltie, and best in altered group to finish her.  Nice!

Harrisburg & Timonium AKC shows - passing 100 ribbons to date!

Yes, we were at the epic AKC flood of Harrisburg, when it all went down.  It was pretty amazing to see all those RVs and ex-pens underwater, and then exhibition hall flooded.  But before that, we had an awesome time at the show.  Our Breed ring was early, so after picking up our ribbons, we went to socialize.  The Chair person of Meet The Breeds had contacted me a week or so before, and asked me to bring Solstafir to show in Meet The Breeds, where he was loved on, and returned love, to scores of adoring folks who couldn't seem to get enough of his affection and charm.  It turned out to be a VERY long day, as Herding group was not until 6:30, and then right after BIS, we got the announcement to evacuate the building, as the water was coming in.  Our Monday entry was canceled, per the mess.

 

We did two days in Timonium, and showed very well.  Not only did I run into lots of friends at these shows, but I am getting continually increased interest in Solstafir, and Icelandics in general, from Judges between rings, handlers, vendors, and spectators.  It may be that we have been in the Group ring so much more recently, and Solstafir is getting much more exposure.  Regardless, I love it, and so does Solstafir!  Highlights of the Timonium shows would be a Purina rep who travels the country with AKC shows, telling me that Solstafir was the prettiest Icelandic he's yet to see, and surpassing the 100 ribbon / rosette mark with our Monday show.  He has quite a gallery!

Our new arrival - Kari

Whitetail Icelandics proudly announces the arrival of our new puppy, Fox Meadow Thorra Kari.  Kari is from the same dam as his 1/2 brother Fox Meadow Hausti Solstafir, and is a wonderful match in type.  He is co-owned with Jo Ann Secondino.  In addition to Viking Lilia's fine North American, European, and Icelandic heritage, his sire Heimskauts Reike brings a very strong seven generation pedigree, which is mostly from the notable Thytur Stadir kennel, in Holland.  Reike is the product of the first Icelandic Sheepdog Artificial Insemination using frozen semen ever in the United States.  We expect young Kari to follow in the footsteps of his fine champion lineage; his first real showing as a 6 month old puppy will be on August 13, at the AKC show in Harrisburg, PA.  Please see his 8 week old puppy photo in the right sidebar, and below!

York AKC shows, March 16 and 18

We had a wonderful two days of AKC shows in York, PA, on Wednesday and Friday.  Solstafir was showing especially well in the group ring, on both days.  After Friday's show, I spoke with our group judge, who was also our breed judge.  He said Solstafir was very close to making the group cut, and liked him very much.  It was more about me needing to work on my baiting technique.  Solstafir seems ready to move to the next level and begin to place in AKC Herding groups.  Next show is April 9.  I'll be chomping at the bit!  As usual, I met lots of people who were interested in learning about Icies.  Solstafir really turns on the charm and love whenver meeting the public.  We also had some judges approach us with questions and compliments, as well as the Show Chairwoman at York.  I'll take show days like that, anytime!

First Icelandics at Westminster Kennel Club.

Solstafir wishes to congratulate his kennel mom / breeder Jo Ann Secondino, and Isi Kaffisukkolathi - her AKC #1 male, on their Best of Opposite Sex award at the Westminster Kennel Club show, on February 14.  This was the first appearance of Icies at Westminster, and we are very proud of our friends who were invited to represent the breed!  More great things to come!

Solstafir finished in UKC Top 10, in 2010.

Solstafir has placed in the UKC Top ten list, for 2010, among Icelandic Sheepdogs at conformation shows.  He ended the year tied for the #9 spot, with his breeder's awesome gal, Thordunu Leppatuska.  Of major note, Solstafir's sire, Tofi av Isheim was the #1 Icelandic Sheepdog in the UKC for 2010.  Congratulations to all the UKC Top 10 Icies!  See you in the ring!