Hickory Tavern Barbet Win Big at the AKC National Championship

Every December we travel to Orlando, Florida for the largest AKC event of the year, the AKC National Championship. Normally there are 4,000 dogs entered in conformation, dock diving, agility, obedience, and fastcat. With covid protocols in place, entries were still near 4,000 and no spectators were allowed. By now we've gotten used to showing in masks using social distancing and the competition was keen throughout the week. Shows are held Tuesday through Saturday with different judges each day. 

Tuesday, December 8th, Flynn kicked off the show with Select, Best of Breed Owner Handler, and a Group 4 in the Owner Handler Sporting Group judged by Linda Robey.

On both Wednesday and Thursday, Solene won Best of Breed shown by Justin Smithey. Solene will be 9 years old in just two weeks and we are so proud of her ability to compete with all the younger dogs! Solene won these breeds under Roy Holloway and Ken Murray.

Friday was the highlight for me as it was the Finals of the National Owner Handler series. I qualified two dogs in the Top Ten and both received invitations. Flynn was the #1 Barbet and Solene the #3 Barbet. I opted to show Solene as I feel she deserves so much credit for developing our entire line of Barbet in AKC. We were thrilled to win Best of Breed and then Sporting Group 2 against a huge and beautiful lineup of Sporting dogs. Judged by sporting specialist Doug Johnson, this placement really means a lot to me, particularly with 2020 being the first year of full recognition for the Barbet.

Saturday was our last day of Barbet classes and Justin showed Solene to win Best of Breed at the AKC National Championship judged by Jamie Hubbard. We are so proud!! Flynn won Select and Best Bred-By. I was honored to show Solene in the Sporting group Saturday night in the big arena for AKC.TV while Justin and Cheslie concentrated on Bourbon.

This turned out to be the right decision as Bourbon won the Hound group, then on Sunday night went on to win her 108th Best in Show to become the National Champion. I don't think we could have had a better week in Orlando than we had. The dogs showed great, had fun, and we couldn't be happier with them.

Cheslie Smithey and Bourbon

2020 AKC National Champions

Solene Wins the National Dog Show

Solene and I had a great trip to Philadelphia for the National Dog Show. We were thrilled that she won Best of Breed and got to compete in the Sporting group on the national telecast on Thanksgiving Day on NBC.  Thanks to National Dog Show/Steve Surfman for the photos.

Canine Chronicle November/December Issue

We've been having a really nice fall with the dogs. Going to a few dog shows, lure coursing with Russell, and contemplating our next steps breeding a few litters in 2021. On the horizon, we plan to breed Dana and Jessa, but at this point nothing is firm. As always, we do not maintain a waiting list and cannot promise anyone a puppy until a litter is delivered. 

Celebrating the success of Solene and Flynn, we share our page in the Canine Chronicle Nov/Dec issue. This mother/daughter duo are both AKC champions and in the top of the AKC standings for 2020.

Some of our Summer Memories

Solene in the Canine Chronicle

David and Isabel at the lake house with old men Bob & Skylar

Strava, #1 Barbet in NADD 2020

Sam and Lauren got married at the farm August 1

Flynn #1 NOHS Barbet, #1 Barbet Female

Jessa, Dock Senior title in NADD

Elissa surrounded with puppies

Radar in the soybeans

Sophie in the pool

 

Solene wins NOHS Reserve Best in Show at the New Castle KC, Canfield, OH

Solene wins NOHS Reserve Best in Show at the New Castle Kennel Club, Canfield, OH

While the younger girls were busy at home with summer litters, we entered Solene at the only day of Canfield we could attend. Our son Sam was marrying his longtime sweetie Lauren on August 1, so off we went to the Thursday Canfield show. Canfield drew huge entries and was the only dog show held in the US on this particular weekend, just as US dog shows were beginning to start up. Solene won Best of Breed under Charles Olvis, then waited through a very long day to compete in the Owner Handler group. Judged by sporting specialist Doug Johnson, Solene was selected as the best of the Sporting group. On to Best in Show. Solene was so happy to be in the ring; she shows with so much attitude and goes around the ring with effortless movement. With her tail wagging non-stop, Solene was chosen by Robert Shreve as Reserve Best in Show. What a thrill to have Solene, at 8.5 years old, near the top of the day's show results. Good girl, Solene. We love you so much!

NOHS RBIS CH Hickory Tavern Intl Intrigue CM

Summer Puppies

Flynn's puppies are two weeks old today. We are so happy with these chubby little pups, 5 girls and 5 boys, sired by Beau. Flynn continues to be a wonderful and caring mother.

There are no puppies available; all are spoken for.

Jessa at Summer Camp!

Lucky Jessa is spending the summer in Tennessee with our dear friends while we are busy with the puppies. Jess has never been in a pool until this week. Looks like she is a natural water dog!

Breeder Interviews for ShowSight magazine 2020

As a breeder, exhibitor, and long time board member of the Barbet Club of America, Judy is instrumental in promoting the Barbet in the United States. Also involved with Whippets since 1985, Judy lives at Hickory Tavern Farm and is the delegate for the Western Pennsylvania Kennel Association.

Where do you live? What do you do “outside” of dogs?
Hickory, Pennsylvania. Gardening, cycling, boating, and our Maryland lake house take up our ‘non-dog’ time.

How has the breed’s recent AKC recognition affected you?  
Being part of the regular Sporting group has changed how much we are showing Barbet. Competing for real group placements and Grand Championships is much more fulfilling than our years in Miscellaneous. There is more awareness of the breed among dog people.

What special challenges do breeders face in our current economic and social climate?
The global pandemic has affected and limited our breeding plans although the market for pet puppies has never been stronger.

What definite signs of show-worthiness are you looking for in your puppies?  
I am always attracted to the wide, thick, square, substantial pups who have enough neck and a strong topline. In addition to all the pieces of conformation and carriage, I want to see a puppy who stands well over her feet and thinks a lot of herself. I spend most of my time watching the puppies loose in the yard and I am continually noting who stands out. 

What is the most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? 
It’s important for judges to remember that the Barbet is a Sporting retriever and should not be evaluated solely on the hair. Under the coat the dog should have hard fitness, strong, sound skeletal construction, substance without coarseness, and an attitude of playful exuberance. The profuse coat should be the well-conditioned finish on a dog with smart carriage. 

What’s the best way to attract newcomers to your breed and to the sport?
I wish I knew the answer to this. I would love to see Barbet gain more serious breeders who can thoughtfully produce a consistent, quality type. 

What is your goal as a breeder? 
The perfect Barbet exists in my head and my goal is to breed a high quality, healthy, recognizable family of dogs who maintain similar type, carriage, attitude and conformation. I am pleased with how they’re improving as we go and each one of them has attributes that I value; the goal is consistently putting it all together in one dog. 

What is your favorite dog show memory? My favorite Barbet memory is winning the breed with Flynn (Ch. Hickory Tavern Wish Upon A Star CM DS FDC) under Jamie Hubbard at the first Barbet club show in Orlando. Otherwise, it’s absolutely Westminster 2020 with Bourbon winning the Hound group and Reserve Best in Show.

Pure Dog Talk on Barbet with Judy Descutner

I was so pleased to speak with Laura Reeves of the podcast Pure Dog Talk. You can listen to her episode on the Barbet by clicking on the link below.

Jessa at 10 Months

Little mud faced Jessa was happy to help me pick up sticks in the yard today. She is now 10 months old and is growing up nicely. We don't plan to show her until later in the year when she is more mature but she enjoys our daily play and training times and is a pleasure to live with.

Hickory Tavern Take the Long Way Home 

"Jessa"

AKC Puppy of Achievement

Can Ch Hickory Tavern Fool For Brookberry CM x Ch Hickory Tavern Wish Upon A Star CM DS FDC

Canine Chronicle March 2020

Happy to see our girls in the March 2020 issue of the Chronicle

Solene: Another Barbet Champion

Right before Westminster, Solene and I went to Indianapolis to show for two days to try and earn her final three points for her championship. At 8 years old, Solene is competing with girls who are much younger than her, but her type, style, and correct movement make her still competitive. The first day she was Reserve Winners to a major and the second day she was Winners Bitch for 5 points to finish her AKC championship. Solene became the second Barbet bitch to earn a championship, following in her daughter Flynn's footsteps. Flynn and Solene are also the first two American bred Barbet with AKC championships. We are incredibly proud of our girls.

American and Canadian Champion Hickory Tavern Intl Intrigue CM

Thanks to judge Anne Savory Bolus

After finishing her championship, Solene won Group 3 in a large OH ring. Thanks to judge James Albrecht.

After dropping off the dogs at home, we flew to New York for the Purina Show Dogs awards dinner. We celebrated Bourbon's incredible year as the #1 Whippet, #1 Hound, and #2/3 All breeds.

Bourbon and Cheslie at Westminster!

We are so proud of Bourbon's huge win in New York this week at the Westminster Kennel Club. She and Cheslie were incredibly beautiful in the big ring of Westminster!

Bourbon is owned by Justin Smithey, Cheslie Smithey, Dr Ken Lattimer, Judy Descutner, and Nancy Shaw. Bred by Justin Smithey and Yvonne Sovereign, Bourbon is shown with love by Cheslie. 

Happy Traveler

So many people have asked me about our 4 year old Barbet who was recently rehomed. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Paul Anthony at AB Canine, Industry, PA for his selfless help and assistance. Dallas had a wonderful cross-country journey with his new family where he is now settling in. We have nothing but thanks and best wishes to Andy & Marla, who opened their hearts and home to our little man.

Dallas at Pompey's Pillar National Monument, along the Lewis & Clark Trail in Montana

Flynn Wins in Erie

At the Erie Kennel Club, Flynn placed in the Sporting group under Paula Nykiel and the Owner Handler group under James Albrecht. I'm so proud of her results in her first month of AKC regular status!

Champion Flynn and other Barbet Wins!

We've had a great start to the year with Barbet entering the AKC Sporting group as of January 1, 2020. We've shown dogs in Maryland, Ohio, and Florida. Flynn earned her AKC championship January 10 and Solene is close on her heels. Flynn also has several OH Group placements. We are so excited to be part of the Sporting group. Our thanks to Justin Smithey, Erica Cross, Janet Evans, and Moira for the help!

OH Group 2 - Dr Norbert Dee

Flynn in the Sporting Group

First AKC Points awarded to Flynn

Flynn's AKC Championship - Barbara Alderman

Other dogs we bred were showing and winning in Virginia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California. We are so proud of our dogs!