news - 11/05/2007
Australian Shepherd BIS in Israel - Israel
|
by Yossi Guy
At the latest all-breed (CACIB) show in Israel, an American-bred Australian Shepherd bitch – HeartFire the Beat Goes On ("Cher") – became the first of this breed to win an all-breed show in Israel. Her young owner-handler actually shed tears on the podium after beating a top Weimaraner and successful Pug.
For a small country with a kennel club that has 28 clubs and hardly 1,200 members, the three all-breed shows are the highlight of the local scene. Being relatively isolated from other kynological countries, Best in Show at all-breed international (CACIB) shows is the highest prize one can reach for. The competition is quite stiff, however there is a handful of breeders and handlers whose dogs get a large share of the wins.
So, when a new face takes top honors, many are delighted since this means another high-quality dog has arrived.
Snir-Orr Levy is all of 25 years old. He began his way in pure-bred dogs at a trainers' course where he got the chance to come into contact with Australian Shepherds for the first time in his life. This was love at first sight that turned into a burning passion for dog shows, handling and breeding. Although still living at his parent's home in a small town half an hour north of Tel Aviv, he already has a champion Dutch Shepherd, a Border Collie and three Aussies.
He got Cher from Julie Humeston of the HeartFire kennel in California, who tells how this came about: "Snir had been in search of an Aussie from me off and on for quite a few years and I just didn’t have anything every time he asked. My philosophy is if I am going to send an Aussie out of the country, I want it to be something very nice to represent my kennel (Heartfire). It wasn’t until this year that I had something for him. He actually asked about another bitch, but I had just sold her that morning to New York. I felt bad that he missed another opportunity. He asked if I had any other dogs that I would be willing to sell to him to take back to Israel. I told him about Cher and when they met, I saw the instant bond Cher had with him.
"I have shown and produced multiple top winning dogs in the country (USA) both in ASCA and AKC. I have several Hall of Fame (HOF) dogs in ASCA and also reached HOF Kennel status in ASCA also. I have truly enjoyed the friendships made over the years in this sport.
"I believe Snir has an amazing connection with dogs, since he brought Cher to Israel and within 3 weeks she was shown and won WB. Each time she has been shown they have had amazing wins, I am so proud of this team! With only having been in Israel for several months I can’t wait to see what they can do over the next several years."
Dr. Rita Trainin (Israel), BIS judge: "The group winners were all very high in quality and I definitely had my work cut out for me. I was very happy to see the BIS bitch for the first time – a very harmonious bitch with correct movement, alertness and appearance – it is quite rare for a bitch to take BIS.
"The Weimaraner, Multi Champion Grayshar's Honor Bound, is in excellent physical condition – considering he is 8 years old - very well conformed and handled to perfection by owner Ilana Bartal. I would have liked a bit more fill under the eyes but he is still a gorgeous dog.
"The Pug, Til Bershon, is cobby, good type, correct movement for his breed and very well built for the breed."
Til is owned by Elena Troyanovski who imported him to Israel.
Among the other group winners were an Israeli-bred Bulldog from Avi Malach's Pnei Malach Kennel; a salt and pepper miniature Schnauzer bred and owned by Shuki Levinger; Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch Ch. Anthigona Bor Marzoe imported from Holland by Benjamin H. Kiesler.
Winner of group 5, Spitz and primitive breeds, was Japanese Akita Ch. Daishouzakura Go Yahata Kensha (Daishou Go Kibi Kuriosou x Youhoume Go Yahata Kesha). This dog, owned by Yossi Rothschild of the Akitos Kennel, arrived from Japan just six months ago and has already been placed BIS by well-known Portuguese judge, Louis Pinto Teixeira at a Spitz Club show.
The Terrier group was won by the smallest breed in this group, the Yorkshire Terrier. Int. Ch., Jr. Eur. Winner '05, Fin. Winner '05, Israeli, Cyprus, Russian, Bulgarian, Lithuanian, Danish &Czech Ch. Bar Mazal Mi Kochav Ha-Carmel ("Barry"), bred and handled by owner, Yanina Vilenchik He was sired by World Winne r&Multi Ch. Handsome Roy of Padawis from Germany, and Dutch-bred Nautica-Charron v. Samothrace.
"At this show Barry's kids reached following results," Vilenchik proudly mentions.
"His son Kochav Nolad Be Kochav Ha-Carmel, co-owned by N.Zuchkova from
St.Petersburg, Russia, was best Yorkie puppy. His daughter, Tipat Mazal Mi Kochav Ha-Carmel was Best Junior and Best Opposite Sex. Another daughter, Rus, Fin & Blr. Ch. Hatzlaha Mi Kochav Ha-Carmel owned by N. Zuchkova of St. Petersburg, Russia, won CACIB and became Israeli Champion. So Barry has proven his qualities not only in the ring.
"We (me and my husband, Sasha) are only at the beginning of our way in Yorkies," emphasizes Vilenchik. "Our first litter born on November 2002, and Barry comes from our second litter. We kept some promising puppies and plan to show them later this year. Our goal is to breed healthy, sound, well moving dogs with good temperaments, correct coat quality and color."
The gundog group was won by Flat Coated Retriever, Israel Gospel Fax it to Chicko, bred by Yochai Barak and owned by the Ivrin family. He was sired by a Swedish import, Caci Mel Gibson and is dam is Almanza Steal the Spotlight, from the world famous Swedish kennel.
Winner of the sighthound group was Ch. Sobers Harald. This 3 year old dog was imported from the Sobers Kennel in Italy from breeders Bitte Ahrens and Pier Luigi Primavera by Dr. Zafra Sirik. His sire is International Champion Epic Brave at Sobers and his dam is Ch. Sobers Cadelia, who did a lot of winning at major European shows. "Harry is not only beautiful," says Dr. Sirik, "he has a charming, easygoing temperament."
One of the small surprises at this show went on in the Miniature Pinscher breed. Veteran breeder, David Efrat, of the world-renowned Beit Hamaayan Kennel is used to taking his place on the podium at most shows. This time, his younger counterpart, Shimshon Berger, gave him a run for his money, winning both second place in his group with Stav Bat Chen and placing second in braces with two of his dogs, leaving David Efrat to make do with second place in the Best Puppy competition.
BIS winner, Snir, is still living in a dream. The support he received from people near and far has given him a huge boost. He is now eagerly awaiting Cher's first litter, due some time in June. Who knows, perhaps one of these puppies will follow in his mother's footsteps.
|
|
|
|
