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! 

OFA hip results are in!

To cap off a great few weeks of news, Solstafir's OFA hip scores also came in today.  His hips have been rated "good - well formed hip joint conformation as compared with other individuals of the same breed and age".   As he was only 13 months old at the time the radiology was done, these results must be labled preliminary, and I'll likely have an adult OFA done once he reaches 24 months.  One more credit to the wonderful set of genes he has.  I could not be happier, and it is a wonderful way to go into Christmas and the New Year!

Solstafir's hips scores - PennHIP excellence

Just got my mail, and it brought great news.  Solstafir's hip scores are excellent, per PennHIP results.  This places his hips among the very top of all Icelandic Sheepdogs.   I would expect to get his OFA hip scores very soon, as well.

 

Left hip DI is .32 

No DJD,

No cavitation

 

Right hip DI is .35 

No DJD,

No cavitation

 

Laxity profile ranking is greater than the 90th percentile.  "your animal's hips are tighter than approximately 100% of this group of animals, (alternatively, 0% of the group has tighter hips than your animal)"  Now, this quotes sentence I do take with  agrain of salt, since I personally know an Icie with a bilateral hip score of .31, but to score this high is very exciting!

 

Wooohooo!

Hip testing - Health clearances pt. 2

I just got back from the vet.  Of course it's not official without sending the radiographs out for certification, but the doctor looked at Solstafir's hip radiographs, and said they look excellent - very tight.  My vet is sending the results out for certification by both PennHIP, and for a preliminary OFA rating.  Assuming the results come back as my vet saw them, we're all clear, with a nice set of genetics!  I'll update in a few weeks with official results.