AYRWEN STAR KISSED DELIGHT grand champion
IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT A DOG COMES ALONG THAT NOT ONLY HAS AN IMPACT ON THE BREED ITSELF, BUT ALSO THE PERCEPTION OF THAT BREED. DEEDEE WAS JUST THAT SPECIAL AMBASSADOR.
B orn on October 14, 2006, DeeDee was one of two female puppies born from the breeding of a bitch owned by Gloria and Art Johnson and the bitches’ grandfather. Little did Gloria or Art know at the time that DeeDee would become the top winning Smooth Coat Chihuahua in American Kennel Club history. DeeDee was what many in the fancy said was presented by a true breeder-owner-handler. Gloria was the breeder, was owned soley by Gloria and her husband Art, financed 100% of her campaign and was DeeDee’s sole handler through her show career. This performance allowed DeeDee to break the previous record set by Ch. Holidays Gold Jubilee, owned by Sheila & Mark Weisman and shown by Joe Waterman, in March 1988. DeeDee’s first show adventure happened on the day she turned six months. There she won best bred by exhibitor, winners and best of winners for a 5 point major. The next weekend she was inDallas at the Chihuahua Club of America Spring Rotating Specialty. Day One was supported by the Dallas Chihuahua Club where she went winners, best of winners, and best bred by exhibitor in Specialty. The next day was the CCA event where she went reserve and best bred by exhibitor in Specialty. And to round out her first five shows, the next weekend she was visiting relatives in Minnesota and decided to attend a two day weekend show. There both days she won winners, best bred by exhibitor, best of variety (over a ranked special), and a Toy Group 2 and Group 4.
The breed standard talks about large eye, ample ear, apple domed head, soft coat and terrier-like temperament. Judges and members of the CCA Judge’s Education Committee have stated that DeeDee epitomizes the standard and chihuahua type. In addition, she has a beautiful profile and a quick moving gate—also identified in the breed standard. It was things like her Terrier-like temperament that set her above the rest for her 7th All Breed Best in Show under judge Randy Garren. It was a very hot and humid late July day at an outdoor show where DeeDee kept eyeing the Rottwiler that was right behind her as the individual examination was taking place. Finally, on the up-and-back, DeeDee stamped her feet, looked right at the front of the line up, gave the Rotti a quick “don’t tred on me” look and barked and pranced back to her spot in the line-up. It brought a chuckle and grin to Mr. Garren and the crowd went wild. It didn’t take long for him to point his finger and hand Gloria the rossette. It was also said by CCA leadership, American Kennel Club show representatives and judges that DeeDee was truly an ambassador for the breed. From the respect shown by Gloria and DeeDee to other exhibitors, handlers and judges to a smile at the end and a hand-shake and congratulations— no matter how the decision turned out. DeeDee was always immaculately prepared to show respect not only to herself and judges but also to the spectators.
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IT’S NOT OFTEN IN LIFE THAT SOMETHING GIVES US TRUE JOY, BOTH TO WATCH AND TO JUST BE AROUND. DEEDEE’S SPARKLE AND PERSONALITY FILL THAT BILL.
thank you, dee
12 • T op N otch T oys , O ctober 2018
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