Saturday, May 25, 2013

Retrospective on a good dog

So, as of right now, per the official AKC rankings that run up through April 30, Solstafir is the #3 ranked AKC Icelandic Sheepdog.  The results of the first Icelandic Sheepdog National will be posted at the next update in a few weeks, which will drastically change the top rankings.  I thought it might be a good time to look at Solstafir's show accomplishments, as he has undoubtedly acheived his rankings pinnacle, having been the #5 AKC Icie for all of 2012, and having sat at the #3 spot for the first 4 months of 2013.

Solstafir has gathered over 100 AKC points, taken 15 AKC majors, and earned titles of AKC Champion, and AKC Grand Champion, in less than 2 years time.  He has also earned titles of UKC Champion, and UKC Grand Champion, and has remained a top 3 ranked UKC Icie for three years.  He is currently the #1 UKC Icelandic.  He has been on NBC television two times, in back to back appearances in the National Dog Show, on Thanksgiving Day.

This dog has taken me, in three years, through the process of being a complete newbie to the show ring, through all the learning curves, the trial and tribulations, and into becoming a mature dog show handler.  He has not always felt like showing, on a few days here and there, but has put up with me, nonetheless.
 
No matter where things go from here - and I do have two younger dogs to look for success with - Solstafir will always be my most emotionally important companion and partner, in this nutty little dog show world.  He has taken me on a wonderful journey, and he shows me his heart like no other. 

I really love that dog.

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