Sunday, February 9, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Reagan in the News!
http://www.theacorn.com/news/2014-01-30/Front_Page/Calabasas_poodle_groomed_for_big_show.html
HAIR, THERE, EVERYWHERE—Reagan wins a competition this month in Palm Springs. Below, the prized pooch receives attention from owner Pamela Francis. Courtesy of Scott DavisReagan, a 2 ½ - year- old black standard poodle fromCalabasas, will be going to the Westminster Kennel Club’s 138th annual dog show in New York City on Mon. and Tues., Feb. 10 and 11.
SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn NewspapersFrancis and her team of dog groomers and handlers have devoted hundreds of hours to helping Reagan become a show champion.
At 9 months, the puppy won top honors in every class at the Indio Polo Grounds in La Quinta, Calif.
Calabasas poodle groomed for big show
?
HAIR, THERE, EVERYWHERE—Reagan wins a competition this month in Palm Springs. Below, the prized pooch receives attention from owner Pamela Francis. Courtesy of Scott DavisReagan, a 2 ½ - year- old black standard poodle fromCalabasas, will be going to the Westminster Kennel Club’s 138th annual dog show in New York City on Mon. and Tues., Feb. 10 and 11.
The Westminster Kennel Club is dedicated to the showing of purebred dogs. First held in 1877, the dog show is America’s second-longest, continuously held sporting event after the Kentucky Derby, which began in 1875.
Reagan will be among hundreds of dogs from across the country that will compete in the two-day event.
“I’m so thrilled to see him perform in the ring,” said Pamela Francis, who adopted Reagan in July 2011. “It’s an honor to take an animal to the Westminster dog show. He just loves to show.”
SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn NewspapersFrancis and her team of dog groomers and handlers have devoted hundreds of hours to helping Reagan become a show champion.
In addition to developing his obedience skills and physical traits, caretakers spend hours each week grooming the dog.
“For a poodle, it’s really spa day every time they get on the table. He enjoys the attention,” Francis said, adding that the unusual continental poodle cut is designed to show the athleticism of the dog.
Poodles were bred to retrieve fowl from the water, but their thick fur caused them to sink. So their owners began trimming the fur, leaving pompoms on the legs and body to protect the joints and inner organs of the dog.
Francis, who is retired from the real estate industry, said she enjoys the camaraderie with people in the dog show world. She had owned two other standard poodles, but Reagan is her first to compete in dog shows.
At 9 months, the puppy won top honors in every class at the Indio Polo Grounds in La Quinta, Calif.
He then finished in seven shows to become a “ puppy champion” for his movement and carriage.
For the next year, Reagan was allowed to frolic and enjoy being a puppy while learning a few lessons along the way.
“Most successful show dogs live a life on the road with their handler. But Reagan lives with me. He’s my family pet,” Francis said.
In June last year, the dog participated in a series of weekend events in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming to see how he would do in adult competitions.
“Puppy champions do not always do as well in the show ring after they grow up, so after a year of hair growing and fun and frolicking, we decided to give it a shot just to see what he could do,” Francis said.
The dog won many Best of Breed awards, defeating other champions and racking up a majority of the points needed to earn the Grand Champion title, Francis said.
Reagan also did well in a later competition in Pleasanton, and subsequently won four Best of Opposite Sex awards next to the top winning female standard poodle in the country. That dog, Allie, has more than 120 Best in
Show wins and is favored to win the breed at Westminster this year.
In January, Reagan again attended shows at the Indio Polo Fields, where he won a major award toward his grand championship.
“Reagan is obviously beautiful. He’s a very hyper and happy dog,” said Louis Katayama, a junior at CHS who helps to train Reagan in between shows.
Louis, who has a dog-walking business, said his job is to keep Reagan fit. He and the dog run for 30 minutes each day.
“He’s always focused on the run and keeps a good posture,” Louis said. “It’s a lot different than other dogs that sniff around and do their business. Reagan carries himself well and he obeys very well. He knows what to do.”
The teenager’s outings with the poodle don’t go unnoticed.
“It’s not every day that you see a poodle with (that) kind of classic haircut. Definitely, people love it, and it stands out from the norm,” Louis said.
Reagan’s caretaking team also includes Carlton B.Tucker, a professional handler who takes over during shows, and a squad of groomers.
“It really is a whole team that takes care of the dog,” Louis said. “Dogs love attention, and Reagan is no different.”
Francis said she looks forward to seeing Reagan and Tucker in the ring.
But win or lose, the dog will always be her beloved pet.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Reagan appearing at the Calabasas City Council Meeting
Mayor Fred Gaines said, "Whatever your political thoughts on Reagan, I think we can all agree that he had great hair."
Reagan Is Off to the Westminster Kennel Club Show!
We have a champion in our midst J
Our beautiful black standard poodle
champion, Calabasas resident “Reagan”,
is going to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York February 10th,
2014.
His AKC registered name is: CH
Champagne Celebration Midnight Dancer Donchada NLD Born April 18, 2011.
He is known locally as: “Reagan” the
beautiful black standard poodle J
Owned and Loved by Pamela Francis,
Calabasas Ca
Some five years after my beloved 15
year old black standard poodle “Nicholas” passed on there came a time to think about
opening my heart and home once again to a new four legged family member. Of course for me, once the happy brilliance of
a standard poodle that is ‘standard’ in the “standard poodle” has filled your
home and life with their fun and unique presence, it was inevitable that I
would have to have another.
It was important to me to acquire my
next dog from a reputable breeder who had a conscientious limited breeding
program focused on breeding healthy beautiful dogs with an excellent temperment. Finding this took much time, dedication, patience
and energy which eventually led me to a terrific result. During the process, I
promised myself not to be in a hurry, to make informed choices because once an
animal comes into my home, it becomes a member of the family and has a home for
life.
Studying breed lines, attending dog shows and
talking to knowledgeable people in the poodle world helped me to become well
versed and define what goals I might have in mind for my next chapter of my
“poodleishiousness” experienceJ I attended the National Poodle
Specialty in Salisbury MD in 2011 to give myself the opportunity to observe
some of the most well-bred poodles from around the country, and other countries
as well, before narrowing down my breed-line choices.
Finally, after almost a
year, in July of 2011, I found my beautiful puppy Reagan. His pedigree and breeder qualifications
checked all of my boxes so it was time to make my decision…a big decision too! Yikes
J At 12 weeks old, sweet little Reagan came into my life, and what a life
it has been since.
His first show experience was at nine months
for a five day show held at the Indio Polo Grounds in La Qunta CA in January
2012. Reagan won top honors in every
class he entered including his first major.
These wins were followed by another major win in Del Mar and Reagan finished
his championship in seven shows in 2012 to become a “puppy champion” which is a
rare and outstanding accomplishment for any puppy of any breed, especially a
standard poodle.
Every class he
entered…he won! It was so thrilling to
watch my little puppy “wow” everyone with his lovely movement and carriage and
to be awarded such honors by so many knowlwdgeable AKC judges.
For the next year he
grew hair and frolicked and enjoyed being a puppy while learning a few
obedience lessons along the way.
Puppy champions do not
always do as well in the show ring after they grow up, so after a year of “hair
growing” and fun and frolicking, we decided to give it a shot just to see what
he could do. So in June 2013, we combined a vacation with a show schedule and
took him up to the pacific northwest for a series of weekend shows in Idaho,
Montana and Wyoming (a total of 3 weekends) to see how he would do as an adult.
Reagan did not disappoint, it was thrilling…..he won many Best of Breed awards,
defeated many other champions and racked up a majority of the points needed to
crown him a Grand Champion. In addition,
he got to spend some time in Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole Wyoming and on to Lake Taho
NV!! We all had fun.
Reagan showed only once
again in Oct/Nov 2013 in Pleasanton CA where he did very well. The competition at these adult “Specialty”
levels is intense, especially in California.
He was awarded four “Best of
Opposite Sex” awards next to the top winning female standard poodle in our country
right now, Allie (she has over 120 Best in Show wins) and he came in next to
herJ He always makes me proud J “Allie” is favored to win the
breed at Westminster this year.
Reagan again attended
the shows at the Indio Polo Fields this month January 2014 where he won a “major”
award towards his Grand Championship.
I am so proud of Reagan
and his accomplishments. It is so
thrilling to see him perform in the ring, he just loves to show!
He loves his handler
Carlton, and always wants to be in his lap!
Reagan will always be
my heartsong both at the dog shows and at home.
He is not just a show dog…..he is a beloved family member and pet first…then
a show dog. He is smart, funny, happy,
energetic and beautiful, what a combo!!!
It is an honor and a
thrill to present Reagan at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Whatever happens there, win or not, it will
be a most memorable experience, an experience of a lifetime and I feel
completely blessed to have this opportunity and to have Reagan as my pet and
show dog.
Sincerely,
Pam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)