2. Top Working: American Akita - "Bozack" - 6095 points
Ch Melodor Golden Bear at Montala Bred in Scotland from an American-imported sire and an Italian champion dam, Wayne Streak's American Akita made his first appearance in the Top 10 three years ago, winning eighth position at the tender age of 13 months. 2006 and 2007 saw Bozack enjoying a sabbatical while his son Kianu was campaigned. A real chip off the old block, Kianu also ended up in 8th position in 2007.
Bozack returned to the show ring with a bang in 2008, winning an amazing total of 6 Best in Show awards. The highlight, according to Wayne, being the KUSA weekend where he won back-to-back Bests in Show at the FCI show and the KUSA Championship show, as well as Reserve KUSA National Dog.
Aside from his show-ring successes, Wayne says Bozack's love and affection for the family is unconditional and he truly is a great dog to live with.
3. Top SA Bred / Top Terrier: Scottish Terrier - "Clifford" - 5423 points
Ch Gladwen Black Magic The Top South African bred dog for the second year running, George Loock's Scottie was originally bought as a pet, even though his breeder, the late Gwen Steyn, was convinced he had star potential. From the time Gwen convinced George to enter the SA Short-Legged Terrier Club show in 2003 Clifford and George have never looked back.
Today, George is firmly hooked on dog shows and Clifford has notched up an impressive list of wins, including the Animaltalk SA Bred Invitational in 2006 and a fabulous hat-trick of Bests in Show at the end of 2007 that catapulted him into 2nd place and Top South African bred in the rankings for that year.
Clifford continued to shine in 2008 and 17 Group wins along with 5 Best in Show awards saw him take top South African-bred honours for the second year running, along with 3rd place overall.
4. Top Herding: Bearded Collie - "Gabriel" - 4459 points
Ch Scottsdale Ocean Drive of Ashvale
Eileen Ashton's Beardie, Gabriel, fast-tracked his way into the lead for Top Herding at the start of the show season with a Best in Show win at each of the first three show weekends. He continued his winning ways throughout the year with multiple group wins, another Best in Show and a Reserve Best in Show, retaining his position as Top Herding dog for the second year in a row.
Gabriel's consistent wins also saw him move move up a notch from 5th overall in 2007 to 4th in 2008.
Imported from Germany, 5 year old Gabriel is also proving his worth as a sire with five of his off-spring gaining their championship status last year.
Meanwhile, Eileen says, at home, he remains everyone's favourite, a sweet gentle boy who lives up to his name in every way.
5. Irish Wolfhound: "Faolan" - 4241 points
Ch Swordstone Faolan Breeder-owner Julia Lawson is particularly proud of her Irish Wolfhound, Faolan, who takes 5th place for the second year running. Now 4 years old, Faolan has already set records for his breed that will be hard to match.
His impressive list of wins for 2008 includes another 2 All-breed Best in Show awards, along with several Specialty Bests in Show and, the crowning glory - winning the Goldfields Dog of the Year contest and Runner-up at the Supreme Dog Competition.
A true gentle giant, Faolan is a charmer of note who adores people and, says Julia, he just keeps on giving. Because breeding giant breeds is a constant challenge, Julia finds it particularly rewarding to have Faolan's quality recognised and is especially pleased that he sired three litters of puppies during the past 12 months who, she hopes, will continue his legacy.
6. Top Utility: Lhasa Apso - "Myles" - 3046 Points
Ch Jalus High Flyer
Bred in the UK by Amanda Luscott, Myles is registered in the ownership of Jean Peden and Jacques Aucamp. He currently lives with and is handled by Jean, who says he really belongs to the Aucamps and she is deeply grateful to them for trusting her with their special boy.
The youngest dog to feature in our Top Ten, Myles followed a great puppy career in 2007 with a really super year in 2008, winning several groups, a Best in Show and two Reserves to make him Top Utility dog .... and all this before the age of 2 years!
Jean shares a special bond with Myles, a strong-willed and very vocal chap. He has loads of amusing traits, like tapping Jean's hand with his paw until he gets a biscuit after his daily groom and barking furiously whenever she lifts the receiver as he hates to see her talking on the telephone.
7. Chow Chow - "Kendo" - 3008 Points
Ch Kimekai Son of Samuri Vanessa Nicolau's Chow Chow is making his third appearance in the Top 100, having climbed steadily from 66th in 2006 through 30th in 2007 to 7th in 2008 - a year of consistent wins including two Best in Show awards.
According to Vanessa, Kendo was outstanding from birth, having inherited the very best from both his mom and dad. She considers having those qualities recognised and rewarded in the show world as a great personal achievement, especially since he is homebred.
For Vanessa, Kendo's smile and carefree ways make him extra special along with the way he lives life to the full. Although very vain while being groomed, Kendo loves shows and travelling and is happiest relaxing on his cooling mat. At home, he thoroughly enjoys the company of his Chow companions, along with chasing meerkats, catching up on neighbourhood gossip through the walls, jumping over the hedge when bored and most importantly, his routine snuggle after supper.
8. Rottweiler - "Duuk" - 1996 points
Ch Mipret Duuk of Vongershan
Bred by Jan Pretorius, Shani Smit's Rottweiler, Duuk, has not looked back since he teamed up with handler, Sue Carter, at the beginning of 2008.
The highlight of Duuk's very successful show year was winning Best in Show at Goldfields along with runner-up Dog of the Year. He also sired a litter during 2008 from which two puppies will be campaigned in 2009.
Sue says that despite being rather strong at times, Duuk is a great showman and a pleasure to handle. A real ambassador for his breed, he is always a gentleman with other dogs and people and is a wonderful companion at home.
9. Australian Shepherd - "Ripley" - 1747 points
Ch Stavros B'leve It Or Not
A great showman, Lorette Gray's Ripley adores the ring. Bred by Jenni Gray, he is 3 years old and, according to Lorette, is always eager to please.
The Grays chose to keep Ripley because of his in-your-face attitude and he has certainly lived up to their expectations. Lorette describes him as wild at heart and full of himself, and she says she can feel him telling the other dogs to “move over, I've arrived” when entering the ring. That attitude has stood him in good stead and seen him enjoy a successful show year, winning several groups, a Reserve Best in Show and the Champion of Champions contest.
Most importantly, Lorette says Ripley is her “special man” and her favourite time with him is last thing at night, when all is quiet. He jumps on her bed, gives her a quick kiss on the cheek, stretches out and looks at her as if to say.....”see yah in the morning Mom”!
10. Miniature Poodle - "Leopold" - 1706 Points
Ch Warming Black Troubador
Fran Browning-Cristina's Miniature Poodle has finally broken the stranglehold that the Standards have had on the Top Poodle spot in the ratings for over 10 years!
Although not heavily campaigned, Danish-bred Leopold enjoyed a string of good wins during 2008, the highlight being his Best in Show under a British judge in Durban and runner-up at the Champion of Champions contest.
Having admired his breeder's kennels since the 1980's, the Brownings jumped at the opportunity to own Leopold when told that there was a wonderful male available. He was also a direct descendent of the kennel's first very famous bitch who they had admired in Europe many years ago, so it just seemed meant to be.
Not yet three years old, Leopold is a really sweet-natured dog according to Fran, although he can be very naughty when strangers come to the gate and is at his happiest tearing through the house clutching a stolen toilet roll.
11. Top Gundog: English Springer Spaniel - "Markus" - 1621 points
Barecho Making Waves at Whitesquall
Bred by David & Helene Bjorkman in Sweden, Markus arrived in South Africa in January 2007 and attended his first show a short while later at the tender age of 4 months. He won Reserve Best of Breed and the Puppy Group and his show career rocketed from there on.
An exciting puppy career was followed, in 2008, by Markus's first championship show Group wins from the Junior and Graduate classes. These wins, along with numerous group placings and two Reserve Best in Show awards saw him end the year, not only as Top Gundog, but also as the most successful dog from KwaZulu-Natal.
Owned by Louis Kruger and Camille Burger, Markus lives with and is handled by Louis, who says he will never forget the incredible journey he has enjoyed with such a remarkable show dog over the last 2 years.
12. Top Bitch: Whippet - "Greta" - 1601 points
Ch.
Sol y Sombra Peppemint Crisp of Cottoncove
2008's Top Bitch, Greta, ended up with owner Bryan Kelly purely by chance when he raised a litter of puppies for the late Pascal Botella who was ill at the time.
Greta has enjoyed a consistent show career – doing very well as a puppy and continuing as an adult - with numerous Group wins and placings and an All-breeds Best in Show. Her show record also includes winning the 2008 Animaltalk South African Bred Invitational Stakes at WODAC, earning Bryan a fabulous cash prize.
Described by Bryan as a deep thinker, Greta is also tenacious, sensitive and obedient and does have a tendency to sulk when scolded. Bryan says she is a wonderful little dog.
13. Top Toy: Yorkshire Terrier - "Classic" - 1309 points
Ch & Ch (Can) Durrer's Classical Masterpiece
Classic first caught owner René Potgieter's eye at the Yorkshire Terrier Speciality show in New York in 2006 when still a puppy. After months of negotiations, his breeder agreed to send him to South Africa in 2007, but only on condition that he returned to be shown in Canada in January 2008. He duly did, winning so well, that the Potgieters became increasingly nervous that his breeder might decide to keep him!
She didn't, and it was two very happy people who met Classic at the airport on his return in April 2008. His South African show career went from strength to strength, with multiple Group placings, the coveted title of KUSA National Toy and two Best in Show wins.
Along with the honour of winning Top Toy in the ratings, Classic was the only Toy to win an All-breed Best in Show in 2008, and as far as can be established he is the first Yorkie in at least 35 years to win a Best in Show in South Africa !
René enjoys Classic's lovely show attitude and ring presence and says he is the love of their lives, running the Potgieter household. They feel honoured and privileged to own him.
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