Bichon Days of Summer

It was one of the Brightest most Cheerful kinds of a day, as we unloaded our vehicles. The excitement filled the air at the Bates Nut Farm with views of lush grassy show rings. Fond memories were shared of our late club members Mary Ellen Mills and Tracey Fishell with a Raffle raising $5,000 for the Canine Health Foundation.

A “Veteran’s Parade” ended the day with some old time favorites taking one last turn around the show ring. Congratulations to our winner of Best of Breed in Specialty, Deb Gibb and Linda Rowe, GCHB CH Hollyhock Alfa Romeo, “Romeo” and winner of Best in Sweepstakes, Renata Drumond and Jenny Listug, Drumhill’s Still Standing, “Pixie”.

A special thank you to our Judges.

Our Sweepstakes Judge, Mr. Stephen M. Cabral, had this to say;
“This was a lovely group of puppies. Although it was a small entry, I loved the overall balance and free and effortless movement of the entry. I saw good length to height in all classes; however, I noted some shortness in neck length and shoulder layback. I was pleasantly surprised to see the equilateral triangle of the face at this age. The faces were very pleasing and dark eye color. Some of the entries did have (in my opinion) excess trimming of hair from the eyes. To me this takes away from the inquisitive and alert expression that is important to this breed.”

Our Conformation Judge, Ms. Joy S. Brewster, had this to say;
In general terms the entry was presented well. I found the majority of eyes were set well, round and dark in color. The Stop placement was not consistent and therefore ranged from one being too deep to being what I term a “sliding stop”. This affects the length of muzzle which is very important for the properly balanced head and expression. I pay particular attention to balance in the overall dog. While some were to my liking of having a compact body, being square from behind the front legs to the ischium, there were those that appeared ether long in back or short on leg. In this entry body development, tail set, and length of tail I feel is an area where some improvement is needed. Also not just in your breed, I found few with proper layback of shoulder. My final placements could be switched on another day. However my final choice for Best of Breed was based on the overall dog along with having the proper coat texture, and rear angulation. I thank all for their entries.

For full results and photos of our summer shows, please visit
bichonfriseclubofsandiego.com/2023specialty-summer/

Tracey Fishell passes

It is with fond memories and a sad heart we convey the passing of another one of our club members. On March 23, 2023, Tracey Fishell passed away peacefully, in his sleep at home with his wife Sandy by his side. Tracey had been boldly battling his lung illness for the last 10 years. Tracey had a passion for excitement (like racing cars) and a quick wit. An amazing storyteller, Tracey was well versed on just about any topic you’d care to discuss. He was just a fun and facinating guy. His quick wit and beaming smile will be sorely missed.

Please join us this summer at our June 17th Specialty to celebrate the lives of Tracey Fishell and Mary Ellen Mills.

It was a wind blowing, rainy blustery day as the crates rolled in the Exhibitor’s Hall at the prestigious Del Mar Fairgrounds. Hopes were High with expectations of the Big beautiful ribbons and Waterford Crystal prizes. A “Title Holder’s Parade” brought several Veterans and the elite Gold, Silver and Bronze GCH title holders. Congratulations to our Winner of BOB, Janet Hartmann, GCHG Shira Yuri Amythest Iris, “Amy” and Winner of Best in Sweepstakes, Sandra L. Fair & Amber L. Lewin, Fairspride Amber’s Hunk of Burning Love, “Elvis”.

A special thank you to our Judges. Our Sweepstakes Judge, Adrian Quesada had this to say,
“I would like to thank the Bichon Frise Club of San Diego for the privilege of judging its sweeps at the Silver Bay show. Albeit, it would be much easier to discuss more points had we had a larger entry. However, with those pups that were entered, they both represented breed type and the pup that most met the breed standard on that day was chosen for Best in Sweeps. Again, thank you for the opportunity to evaluate your breed.”

For photos of our spectacular winter shows, please visit
bichonfriseclubofsandiego.com/2023specialty-winter/

Mary Ellen Mills

Mary Ellen passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023, the day of our Winter Specialty. Remembering back in time, we truly enjoyed the shows at Bates Nut Farm in June, where Mary Ellen was often seen riding on a golf cart with her husband Gene and sporting a beautiful summer hat. She was also spotted sitting behind the Show Chair table answering questions, selling catalogs and greeting the exhibitors with her beaming and beautiful smile.

Please join us this summer at our June 17th Specialty to celebrate the lives of Mary Ellen Mills and Tracey Fishell.

Joe Waterman

3/8/1932 – 5/30/2020

The fancy has lost an icon, Joe Waterman died in his sleep, May 30th, 2020.

Joe will always be remembered by Bichon breeders and exhibitors, along with Frank Sabella, for putting a pattern on that scraggly little white dog from France, the Bichon.

He also showed several Bichons that were Group and Best In Show winners. These dogs and Joe were responsible for the remarkable rise of the Bichon.

But most of all, Joe will be remembered for his ready smile, generosity, kindness and guidance to new breeders and exhibitors.

It will not be the same without Joe in the ring.

IntCH GCH CH Hollyhock SHE Returns "Holly" CH Hollyhock Go Figure "Jack" Hollyhock Jack and Holly, 2020 Best in Sweepstakes CH Hollyhock Go Figure "Jack" CH Hollyhock Go Figure "Jack" Hollyhock Madame Secretary "Jellybean"Congratulations to IntCH GCH CH Hollyhock SHE Returns “Holly” and her grandkids, CH Hollyhock Go Figure “Jack” and CH Hollyhock Madam Secretary “Jellybean” for their recent wins at the Bichon Frise Club Of San Diego’s annual Specialty Shows in Del Mar, California.

Holly was awarded Best Veteran in SweepstakesJack took home nice wins the first day, landing Best in Sweepstakes, then an Award of Merit and Best Of Breed Owner Handler.  The second day he got the Select Dog Major (and was second to the Bichon, George, who won BOB and was BOB at Westminster this year) and Best Bred By Exhibitor.  Not to be outdone, Carrie came all the way from Massachusetts with her girl Jellybean.  It was JB’s second weekend at a dog show and there were 14 class bitches to beat.  She brought home the Winner’s Bitch Major on Sunday and also took home BOB Owner Handler that day.  

Wow…what a nice weekend for this Hollyhock family!  What fun!

IntCH GCH CH Hollyhock Alfa RomeoIntCH GCH CH Hollyhock Alfa RomeoIntCH GCH CH Hollyhock Alfa RomeoHollyhock CJ, Peppermint, Romeo Lotus Cinderella’s Jacques de Hollyhock "CJ"Hollyhock Speaker Of The House "Peppermint"

Team Romeo headed to the AKC Nationals in Orlando Florida for a weekend of shows and visits with some of our extended Hollyhock family.   Pam and Dave Williams made the journey to Orlando from their home just outside of Atlanta Georgia and were instrumental in making sure we had all our equipment for the show.  They also documented our journey and took lots of the photos and videos.  We could not have done it without them!  Carrie and Dawn Abreu traveled all the way from Massachusetts with Peppermint and Jellybean and Peppermint and her owner/handler Carrie brought home the second place rosette for the Open Bitch class.  Andrea and Jamie Gardner came from Arkansas to see their youngster, CJ, make his debut in the show ring.  CJ and his handler, Jana Klein, were in town for the entire week and CJ placed better at each show he entered.  This little guy seems to like the show ring and should be a contender as he matures.  Romeo, groomed immaculately by Haemi Choi, brought home the Best Of Breed prize for the #1 Owner Handled Bichon Frise on Friday but fell short of getting a ribbon at the big show on Saturday.  With 41 bichons entered, it was still a great day watching some of the best bichons in the country.  We had a wonderful weekend with our extended families and their bichons and we hope to make this trip to Orlando an annual tradition!

Watch Romeo in Orlando, 2019 (duration 6:17).

CLICK HERE to see Romeo’s web page.

IntCH GCH CH Hollyhock Alfa Romeo IntCH GCH CH Hollyhock Alfa Romeo

He did it!  Congratulations to IntCH GCH CH Hollyhock Alfa Romeo “Romeo” for achieving the #1 Bichon Frise Owner Handler AKC ranking for 2019.  It would not have been possible without “Team Romeo”, including his wonderful owners, Tony and Anne Platt, his groomers, Lianne Bondurant and Haemi Choi, his handler and co-breeder, Deb Gibb and his co-breeder and ringside cheerleader, Linda Rowe…not to mention his remote fan club of Hollyhock families across the country. 

Romeo is going to be featured on the cover of the holiday issue of The Bichon Frise Reporter and will also have an inside spread thanking all the judges who made this possible, including an Owner Handler Best in Show and 26 Owner Handler group placements. 

If you don’t currently subscribe to The Bichon Frise Reporter, you can get your copy or subscribe by clicking the link.

CLICK HERE to see Romeo’s web page.

GCH CH Hollyhock Alfa RomeoGCH CH Hollyhock Alfa Romeo
Congratulations to IntCH GCH CH Hollyhock Alfa Romeo for his BEST IN SHOW Owner Handler award at the Malibu Kennel Club show. Thank you to judge Michael J. (Mickey) Feigelson for his Non-Sporting Group 1 Owner Handler placement and to judge Patricia A. Sosa for her BEST IN SHOW Owner Handler award. Romeo has received 18 Owner Handler group placements and is currently ranked #1 Owner Handler for Bichons for the 2019 season.

Amidst snow storms Coal is now:

Ch. Beaujolais”s Bright Reflection CGC, CGCA, CGCU. TKN, TKI, TKA

Receiving recognition from AKC as an “Achiever Dog” as Titling in 3 disciplines.

Next level (TKA) will be a miracle if achieved in Trick Dog!!!

WE DID IT ‘TKA’ so that is that…………time to move on.

Two

   

Two titles one fun day!   
First Best In Show!
Oliver moves up in titles:
National Champion 
Honors Champion
Ontario California
The International Sieger Dog Show!
Oliver wins:
The Gold Cup
Best of the Best  4 judges
GCH CH IntCH NatlCH HnrCH SHE Bichons Oliver Norse.

In order to qualify 9 top rated scores were needed from 9 different judges, two being an  International.

 

 

GCH CH Karmel’s Life of Riley wins Best of Breed both days at the Silver Bay shows after having taken a one year hiatus!!  He thoroughly enjoyed being shown again by Jenny and Christian Rangel!
       

Blade is currently ranked #8 Bichon.
He is ranked #3 Bichon for Grand Champion points earned in 2018.
He is on the brink to go GCHS in 2018.
George and I are very proud of our boy.  Many thanks to Oscar for all of his hard work showing him to the max.
Blade will be 25 months old the end of November.  We are looking forward to a successful 2019.
Wish all of you a grand holiday season!

Barbara Stubbs

It is with great sadness that we convey that Barbara Stubbs, a long time Bichon Frise fancier passed away on November 24th, 2018.  She was 89 years old.

Barbara was instrumental in having the Bichon Frise recognized by the AKC and in the formation of the Bichon Frise Club of America and the Bichon Frise Club of San Diego. She also authored one of the definitive works on the breed, The Complete Bichon Frise.

While it is true there were other breeders who came before her, there were none who had the right combination of knowledge and connections to bring this “little white dog” to the attention of those who could advance it to becoming a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club and eligible to compete at all breed events.

We who call San Diego our home are fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from this remarkable lady and to have enjoyed the pleasure of her company. Barbara bred and showed bichons under the prefix CHAMINADE. Two of her more well known bichons were Chaminade Mr. Beau Monde “Christopher” and Chaminade Le Blanc Chamour “Beemer”.

Were it not for Barbara’s style and panache it is doubtful we would be about to celebrate the Bichon Frise Club of San Diego’s 50th specialty show, or for that matter the Bichon Frise. The Bichon Frise Club of San Diego will dedicate their Golden Jubilee specialty shows on February 22, 2019 to Barbara.

It will not be the same without her, but we are forever grateful for having had the opportunity to know her, love her and learn from her.

Received a New Title!

It was a beautiful day in Tucson, Arizona
November 9, 2018 Oliver Norse

GCh Int Ch SHE Bichons Oliver Norse

Oliver was shown by: Jenny Listug
Exclusively through all his titles!

He ended the year representing the Bichon Frise
as #4 National Owner Handled
Bichon Frise!
He is 60 GCh points from his Bronze!