Sizzling Hotspur Named Dog

It was a Shootout at the K-9 Corral last weekend in the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

In what many felt was the finest collection of seven best-in-show finalists in years at the Seattle Kennel Club's all-breed dog show, it was Champion Kerrageen's Hotspur, a spunky Kerry blue terrier that walked away, head erect, confident as ever, with the coveted title. The two-day event drew 9,500 spectators

Victory is always nice - but it's sweeter at home. And for Hotspur and his owners Brian and Victoria Percy of Seattle this triumph was extra special in a whirlwind year with dogs that has seen the sensational 3-year-old Hotspur capture nine bests-in-show and 23 group championships since June.

This dog is a showman and a family pet and seems to know exactly when to turn it on in the ring. Despite his impressive credentials Hotspur is still a show youngster. But, according to Brian, he'll probably be retired a year from now so he can become the family pet for which he was purchased.

When he's been home and pampered four or five days, the competitive juices begin flowing and he's ready to hit the road again, said Sharon Crenshaw of Normandy Park, the breeder.

``He's a dream come true for a breeder,'' said Crenshaw, ``the type of dog that comes along once every 25 or 30 years.''

This was an especially satisfying triumph for professional handler Bill McFadden, of Campbell, Calif., too. McFadden, formerly of Yakima, said, ``This is one of those prestige shows I've always wanted to win, mostly because it's in my home area. Now there are a couple of others I'm pointing toward - Westminster and Montgomery County (Pa., which is the terrier Super Bowl).''

McFadden characterized Hotspur as a handler's gem. ``He has that `Eat-my-dust, try-to-beat-me-if-you-can type attitude.' I just hope I can continue to get the best out of him like I did this weekend.''

Mrs. Estelle B. Cohen of Oyster Bay, N.Y., the best-in-show judge, called the Select Seven finalists ``superb. The decision was tough but that Kerry blue had an excellent coat, moved well and just asked to be picked.''

Hotspur, a Christmas gift to Brian from Victoria, came from a litter of nine. ``When I went over to Sharon's to take a look at the litter, Hotspur left the others and jumped into my lap. He made the decision for me which I'd select.''

To capture the coveted championship, Hotspur had to defeat three locals and three out-of-staters, including Stormhill's Who's Zoomin' Who, the nation's all-time winning Afghan bitch and two-time Seattle best-in-show titlist.

Zoomie, owned by David and Sandy Frei of Woodinville, won its fourth hound-group title here and was semiretired following the show. She will be shown only in select specialty events.

Champion Snowflower's Skyy Chateau, a Belgian tervuren, owned and handled by Michelle Edling of The Dalles, Ore., took the herding title, its 27th. The 5-year-old Skyy was a ``filler entry'' by Edling, who is concentrating on a younger Terv she felt was the stronger campaigner. ``I brought Skyy along for the brace (two-dog

team competition) and look what happened!''

Other group winners: sporting, Champion Cameo's Trumpet, a 4 1/2-year-old clumber spaniel, owned by Leslie and Dan Connell of Puyallup, posted its 25th group championship; working, Champion Wisteria's Bismark V Fruhling, a Rottweiler, owned by Nancy and Sam Hawkins of Issaquah, posted its third group win ever; non-sporting, Champion San Jo's Lot O'Fanfair, a 2 1/2-year-old Lhasa apso, owned by Victor Cohen of Williamston, Mich., nabbed its eighth group title; toy, Champion Homestead's Boss of Treyacres, a Brussels griffon, owned by Jill Cohen of Malibu, Calif., Ed Jenner of Burlington, Wisc., and Sheila Hilgart of Portland, was awarded its 30th group win.

Additional placements:

Hound - 2, Champion Wyeast Why Not, black and tan coonhound, James and Kathleen Corbett and Margo Sensenbrenner, Aloha, Ore.; 3, Champion Crabtrees Doctor Watson, basset hound, Barbara and Ron Crabtree, Poulsbo; 4, Champion Lost Dog's James Adams, long-haired dachshund, Rosalie Samuels, Olympia.

Terrier - 2, Cloudcroft's Mulberry Punch, West Highland white terrier, Madeline Kronby, Milton, Ontario, Canada; 3, Champion Surrey Shore Leave, Norfolk terrier, Cindy Vogels, Littleton, Colo.; 4, Champion Cairland Brycairn Legacy, cairn terrier, Glenna Barnes and Tom Godwin, Bothell.

Non-sporting - 2, Aztlon Golden Peony, Tibetan spaniel, Simon and Paula Schmidt, Tacoma; 3, Champion Player Edwardpuck, French bulldog, Dennis McClendon and Doug Cass, Sumner; 4, Champion Seastars Casanova, bichon frise, Jill Cohen, Malibu, Calif.

Herding - 2, Champion Delys Calm Winchester, bouvier des Flandres, Bill and Cheryl Calm, Lake Oswego, Ore.; 3, Champion Foresees Off the Wall, smooth collie, Miles and Sharyn Peck, Stanwood; 4, Demuir's Blue Quil, rough collie, Mollie Middleton and Lana Group, Quilcene.

Sporting - 2, Champion Sunmist Chelsea Morning, Weimaraner, Inamura and Ric Plaut, Japan; 3, Champion Goldsmith's Shoot to Kill, golden retriever, Cheryl Shaw, Surrey, B.C.; 4, Cashmere's Cause for Applause, black cocker spaniel, Donald and Carol Ann Harris, Pasco.

Working - 2, Champion Midaca's Ain't No Saint, Siberian husky, Urtaka Suzuki, Japan; 3, Champion Stamped Ellens Alley, boxer, Willie Vicens, Ponce, Puerto Rico; 4, Midnight Rebel of Alaris, giant schnauzer, Kristie and Jerry Mahan, Redondo.

Toy - 2, Champion Pevensey Sara V Chateau Acre, miniature pinscher, Gloria Knapp, Maple Valley; 3, Champion Stober's Beau Naparte, long-coated Chihuahua, Anne Stober, Seattle; 4, Champion Hei Lein Jon Bon Jovi, Pekingese, Gregory Robinsen, Yakima.

Top junior - Natalie Heath, Renton, with an English springer spaniel.

Obedience - Jean Lucas, Renton, with a border collie, 199.5.

Best brace - Michelle Edling, The Dalles, Ore., with Belgian tervurens.