Reprinted from The Bichon Frise Reporter – Fall 2017

Best Beginner Puppy

ABSOLUTELY AGAPE HAPPY TALK

 I’ve looked forward with great anticipation to many judging assignments, but never with as much joy as I did for the 4-6 months baby Bichons.  They did not disappoint me.  They marched in the ring like, “I’m here, and what are we going to do?”  They were absolutely adorable, beautiful, high promise, stable and said a lot for our faithful breeders.  I was exceedingly proud.

   Bichons mature at different rates or speeds.  Some have a coat from day one, some get such an abundance by two years you’re in wonder at the whole spectacle.  Judging “on the day” for a more mature dog is appropriate, in my book, but judging these youngsters took vision, knowledge of lines and an eye for proportions.  There was not a one I would have dismissed as unworthy.  What a thrill.

When the handler put the ultimate winner on the table for examination, I commented about the expression, face and overall package, she just smiled.  I think she knows a good thing when she sees it” Absolutely Agape Happy Talk (D): Breeder/Owners: Sue Swindle & R. Swindle & K. Paulson & S.Kennedy.  By GCH Brereton’s Rise and Shine X Ch.  Absolutely Agape Fast and Flashy.  We will see and hear more from this beautiful dog in the near future – Hide and Watch!

I would have liked to place them one through four, but that was not prearranged, so I was very pleased to present this absolutely gorgeous Bichon as my overall selection.  I was not in the least surprised when my “next door neighbor from Alabama, Mary Spruill came up and said, “That’s from my breeding”.  The proof of the serious breeding.  Thank you all so much for the most charming of all my assignments!

Ann Hearn

Note – Thank you to Mary Spruill as the owner of Oliver’s Sire: Brereton’s Rise and Shine.  However, the praise for this breeding rightfully belongs to Sue Swindle.  Sue selected the stud dog (Riser) to pair with our girl (Flo-Jo) and she arranged and facilitated the breeding.  Sue and Karen whelped the litter and Oliver and his sisters were raised in Sue’s home.  Appreciation should certainly be given to Mary Spruill’s long standing record of excellent quality dogs and we are extremely grateful that she has trusted us with the use of her bloodlines, but credit for Oliver rightly goes to Sue.

       In my humble opinion – Sheri

Sue, Baby Oliver and Sheri

From the 6-9 Month Puppy class, Oliver finished his Canadian Championship quickly.  He will continue to show in Canada to complete the requirements for his Grand Champion title.  When you are on a roll, why not?  Meanwhile, bring on the stateside competition!

Now normally we wouldn’t consider flying a baby at the tender age of 5 1/2 months all the way across the country to a dog show.  

But then came Oliver. A resilient little guy whose motto seems to be “Eat fast and play hard”.

The BFCA held a beginner puppy competition for the first time this year at Nationals.  Puppies entered must be between 4 and 6 months of age.  Even with a month of training under his belt we really had no idea how Oliver would behave in the ring.  The nationals ring is an entirely different environment and can be quite scary for such a baby.  As Karen puts it, puppies at that age are like having a frog on a string. But Oliver was impressing us and we felt he was up to the task.  Besides his Grand Daddy Simon would go along to keep him company.  

Photo by Dina Taylor (Absolutely Bichons Team Member)

While at Nationals we just hope our dogs will show well.  The best of the best compete at Nationals and just getting a ribbon is a thrill for us.  All of the puppies entered looked sooooo good and I mean seriously good!  It was anyone’s game.  

Little Oliver showed like he was made for the ring.  He displayed his puppy exuberance with his amazing vertical leap (repeatedly) and was more than happy to visit with his neighbors.  At the end of his “down and back” he hit his free stack like an old pro! COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER!

Well respected breeder judge Ann Hearn thoroughly scrutinized all the puppies.  She pulled out her 4 favorites for her final cut then on the last go around she pointed to Oliver as the Best Puppy!  Whoooo Hooooo!  

There is no big prize for winning Best Beginner Puppy at Nationals.  There is not even any points toward an eventual championship.  But you do walk away with a feeling and a memory that you won’t forget, and a very pretty ribbon.  

Ollie is going to be a lot of fun!