Bichon Frise, Cairn Terrier Are Seattle's Top Dogs

An animated and engaging 3-year-old bichon frise and a feisty, adventuresome cairn terrier placed their pawprints in a bit of history Saturday and yesterday at the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show and Obedience Trials in the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, Arena and Forum before 12,000 spectators.

For the first time in show history, the 59-year-old Seattle club conducted a doggy doubleheader - back-to-back shows. Previously, it has held one winter (February) and one summer (August) dogfest.

The bichon named Rumor (Champion Sterling Rumor Has It), owned by Meriko Tamaki of Seattle and handled and bred by Paul Flores of Orangevale, Calif., put on an awesome performance in the Select Seven ring Saturday judged by Dr. Richard G. Greathouse of Louisville, Ky.

"It was an excellent, well-balanced field," said Greathouse, "but the bichon really stood out. He has a beautiful coat, superb movement and balance, proper pigment and a keen alertness."

Rumor has been on a roll recently, having won major best-in-shows in Portland and San Francisco, plus taking its breed at the Westminster Kennel Club show in New York two weeks ago, then placing fourth in the nonsporting group there.

These were the seventh best-in-show and 40th group wins for a dog that was No. 1 in its breed in last year's national all-breed points standings. He added a 41st group win yesterday.

"Sometimes you get on a run in this sport," said Flores. "With Rumor, you seldom have to worry about coaxing anything extra out of him. He usually gives it all he has. He has that competitive spirit you love to see in a show dog."

While it was a hometown win for the 15-pound powder puff, Tamaki, his owner, missed the excitement. She was en route home from San Francisco.

Rumor missed out yesterday for a second best-in-show to a spunky 2 1/2-year-old cairn terrier named D-Day, owned by Marcella Cobb of Boring, Ore., and handled by Linda Wells of Portland. Periodically during the terrier-group competition the nonstop showman exhibited the spirit expected of its breed, sparring with other competitors in nose-to-nose face-offs.

"That's what terriers are all about," said Wells, who guided the dog to its third best-in-show. D-Day is a multiple terrier-group titlist.

Best-in-show judge Norton Moore of Houston, said,"I liked the cairn's attitude and coat. He a smooth, confident mover. I loved the way he handled himself in the terrier group, which was one of the most boisterous I've seen in years."

Saturday's winners:

Terrier: Champion Southern Cross Nathan Hawke, Australian terrier, owned and handled by Jeannine Johnson, Tigard, Ore.

Herding: Champion Prydain Luca, puli, co-owned and handled by Ruth Boatright, Oak Harbor; co-owned by Barbara Edwards, Los Gatos, Calif.

Toy: Champion Show Off's Humor Me, Shih Tzu, owned by Renata Maraolo, Italy; handled by Don Rogers, Shelton.

Nonsporting: Champion Sterling Rumor Has It, bichon frise, owned by Meriko Tamaki, Seattle; handled by Paul Flores, Orangeville, Calif.

Hound: Champion DeVanna's Chances R V Amtekel, longhaired dachshund, owned by Dorothy DeVanna-Williams, Bellevue; handled by Bill Maties, Tacoma.

Working: Castanewf's Mister November, Newfoundland, owned by Chris and Nicola Firstner, Coquitlam, B.C.; handled by Mike Floyd, Bothell.

Sporting: Champion Orion's Jaeger V. Reiteralm, Weimaraner, owned by Stephanie Horner and Alice Smithers, Kent; handled by Cathy Johnson, Spokane.

Best puppy: Amonvhar Alfred, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, owned by Patricia Corsiatto, Olds, Alberta, Canada; handled by Doug Belter.

Highest scoring obedience dog in trial: Wildwind's Keepin 'n' Hot Water, golden retriever, Linda Shea, Issaquah, 198 1/2.

Junior showmanship: Eve Rivinus, Canby, Ore.

Best brace: Champion Doubloon's Hot 'n' Steamy and Champion Doubloon's Happy Go Latte, soft-coated Wheaten terriers, Elena Landa, Bothell.

Sunday's winners:

Sporting: Champion Benchmark's Law and Order, golden retriever, co-owned and handled by Deborah Kahla, Kent; co-owned by Rick and Terri Sagmoen, Kent.

Hound: Champion Watch Me Ruby Red Slippers, whippet, owned by Harriet Vincent, Bainbridge Island, and Jeanne Thomas Williams, Las Vegas; handled by Mike Stone, Marysville, Calif.

Working: Champion Jems Pearl Jam, boxer, owned by Willie Vicens, Puerto Rico; Randy Sayler and Diana Emmons, Yakima; handled by Larry Sinclair, Spokane.

Terrier: Champion Cook's Misty Meadows D-Day, cairn terrier, owned by Marcella Cobb, Boring, Ore.; handled by Linda Wells, Portland.

Toy: Champion Show Off's Humor Me, Shih Tzu.

Nonsporting: Champion Sterling Rumor Has It, bichon frise.

Herding: Champion Hug's River of Dreams, old English sheepdog, owned and handled by Marta Menshaw, Grandview; co-owned by Doug Sawyer, Seattle.

Highest scoring dog in obedience: Wildwind's Keepin 'n' Hot Water, golden retriever, Linda Shea, Issaquah, 199 1/2.

Junior showmanship: Matt Morrill, Sequim.

Best brace: Champion My-Tym Jato First Edition and Champion My-Tym Jato Restless Heart, basenjis, owned by Valerie Cortez and Darlene Lowit, Salem, Ore.; handled and co-owned by Martina Cortez, Salem, Ore.

Best puppy: Aristes Angelique de Diamond, Bouvier des Flandres, owned and handled by Cindi Christman, Port Orchard.