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.

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.

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.

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!

Final Appearance in Miscellaneous

I couldn't be happier for David, winning Best of Opposite with six month old Jessa at the AKC National Championship show. 9 Barbet were exhibited in Orlando. Hoping for even bigger entries in 2020!

Hickory Tavern Take the Long Way Home

Canine Chronicle November/December 2019

Our girls as they appear in the November/December issue of the Canine Chronicle. There is also an article about the Barbet that I wrote for the magazine as we enter the AKC Sporting group in January 2020.

Newsworthy Barbet

 

Dana's recent page from the Canine Chronicle. We are so proud of this beautiful girl.

 

Flynn has big news of her own as she is expecting a nice sized litter from Can Ch Hickory Tavern Fool For Brookberry CM.  This litter is 3/4 the same pedigree as Dana and Beth, our stars from Marlee's only litter in 2017.

 

Barbet Pups at 6 weeks

 

A beautiful winter day, sunny but cold, and the puppies were able to spend a short time outside. They are brave little pups who do not seem intimidated at the total change in scenery. They are eating well, using their pee pads, and growing like crazy. Their teeth have also started to come in. Our sweet little babies will soon be sharks!

Solene had her checkup with her surgeon yesterday and her incision has healed perfectly. Stitches removed, she is now completely back to normal and is enjoying her babies again! She is keeping them clean, spending time snuggling, and of course cleaning up their food bowls!

Give Thanks!

Solene's Homecoming

After a very rough week in the hospital, Solene is home! We are beyond grateful to Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialists, both South and North locations, for their expert diagnosis and care when Solene crashed on Thanksgiving with a temp of 106+ and a systemic bacterial infection. I fully expected a call Thursday night to tell me that she had passed. PVSEC treated Solene throughout the weekend and she improved enough that Monday morning I was able to pick her up and bring her to Meadowlands Veterinary Clinic for surgery. 
 

Solene between hospital stays

Our own fabulous vet, Dr Kathryn Gardner, removed a now necrotic mammary gland and other tissue. Solene is home recovering and we continue to bottlefeed the fast growing puppies. This episode was really scary as Solene went from normal to near death within two hours. Our Thanksgiving thoughts are filled with appreciation for the wonderful vets who work so hard to save our sweet pets. This time we’ve got a very happy ending. Thanks to everyone for their concern and good wishes!
The puppies are doing great and are growing like crazy on their bottle formula and gruel. I can't wait until Solene is allowed back to her babies! 

The babies at 3 weeks with one of their stand-in moms :)

Pupdate

Things have taken an unexpected turn here as Solene has been hospitalized since Thursday with acute septic mastitis. With excellent treatment and supportive care, she is now stable enough for tomorrow's surgery to remove the problematic mammary gland. Thankfully the puppies had the benefit of Solene's care for the first few weeks as we are now hand-raising 10 puppies. Solene will no longer be able to nurse them but I'm sure she'll be happy to snuggle and keep them clean once she is back on her feet. Splitting feedings between bottles and gruel, the puppies are doing great and are extra social with us. They are a bit sloppy learning to eat! Here are a few puppy pics taken this morning before their breakfast cleanup. Our response to email is necessarily diminished; thank you for your patience.

Please help us think good thoughts and wishes for Solene's complete recovery. Our special girl means the world to us.