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.

Well, isn't that Grand!

In a feat very similar to what his brother Solstafir did last year, exactly one week after earning his AKC Championship title, Fox Meadow Thorra Kari completed his UKC Grand Championship, on April 27, with his 5th Best of Breed over a Champion class, at the TNT Canines UKC show in Biglersville, PA.  He then went Group 2, in a tough 7 dog Herding Group. Thank you to judge Mrs. Marilyn O'Neill, for making Vetur a UKC Grand Champion!

Vetur is a new AKC Champion!

Great big news! My boy Fox Meadow Thorra Kari "Vetur" earned his AKC Championship title, in Timonium, Maryland on April 20.   He went Winner's Dog for 2 points under AKC Judge Carolyn Herbel to complete his Championship. No professional handlers were used to earn any of his points or majors. 
Also, Solstafir was Grand Champion Select for a hand-full of points.  Solstafir is the current #3 AKC Icelandic Sheepdog, so far in 2013.

Keisari goes BIG at Eden MD, UKC shows!

At his very first cluster of shows, at just barely 6 months old, Solsteinn Keisari at Whitetail was awarded Best Of Breed over a 3 dog ISD entry, in 3 out of 4 weekend shows. Not only did he go BOB, but then was awarded Herding Group #2, and TWO times awarded Herding Group #1. The points earned for 4 shows, and the 3 competition wins by 3 different judges, completed his UKC Championship title in just one weekend! This was completely unexpected!  Tremendous thank you's go out to UKC Judges Tracy Daugherty, William Chrzanowski, and the irrepressible Tina Camp. This young boy is on his way, and I am very proud of his maturity!

Solstafir ranked #5 AKC Icelandic for 2012!

GCH Fox Meadow Hausti Solstafir has been confirmed as the #5 AKC Icelandic Sheepdog for 2012!  In the UKC, Solstafir had also been confirmed the #1 ISD, and his brother Kari is the #2 ISD, as of January 8, however a late registration altered the list to #2 and #3 respectively.  So proud of my boys!

End of year- wrap it up with a BIG bow!

Team Whitetail went to it's last shows of the year, December 15 and 16, and took Winners Dog, and BOB both days. This caps off a phenomenal 2012, which exceeded what I had thought I could do. The big end of year bonus, is that the new AKC breed rankings were published last week, and Solstafir has been bumped up to the #5 Icelandic Sheepdog in the AKC! Wow. A month late to be invited to Westminster, but, hey, I'll take it! Keeping my fingers crossed that the #5 ranking holds through December, and Solstafir finished the year at that spot.   In other news, Kari only needs 6 single points to reach his AKC Champion title.

 

 Not to be overlooked, it looks like Solstafir and Kari will finish the year in UKC conformation, ranked at the #1 and #2 UKC Icies, respectively.

 

 Oh, did I mention we got a new puppy? See photos of Solsteinn Keisari at Whitetail, in the photo section below. Yeah, I'd say it was a good year to be a Whitetail Icelandics dog :) Happy New Year!