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Volume 8 - 2009

The Challenger

VOLUME 8 - 2009

Charmin At The Top Of His Game

Learn more about the Eukanuba World Challenge >>
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LEAD THE CHALLENGE
FOLLOW THE CHALLENGE
TAKE THE CHALLENGE

LEAD THE CHALLENGE

In the world of purebred dogs there are very few who can claim such an amazing and celebrated show career as Charmin - Am /Can/Swe Ch Efbe's Hidalgo at Goodspice. Handled by his co-owner, Marge Good they have enjoyed an unequalled record in the ring. It culminated in them winning BIS at almost all of the most prestigious shows in the world: the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship 2007, FCI World Show in Sweden 2008, and their stunning performance at Crufts 2009 saw just rewarded, Peter Green bestowed upon them the highly coveted Best In Show title, stating "Excellent showmanship, definitely the best of his breed seen anywhere in the world for the past 30 years." Crufts terrier group judge, Harry O'Donaghue, world renowned Irish terrier man and breeder of the FCI European Dog Show BIS winner 2009 described Charmin as "a really outstanding dog, presented and shown to perfection. Without doubt he is the best Sealyham I have seen and easily one of the best dogs I have judged of any breed."

Marge, calmly modest, yet extremely proud of his achievements, says "He has won more than any other Sealyham worldwide, he is the all time No 1. Exuding in breed type, he maintains a perfect outline both static and on the move. His movement is flawless. He certainly has raised the profile of the Sealyham Terrier around the globe. He has won just about everything worth winning in the world of show dogs."

Charmin was the No 1 dog in America in 2007; the top winning terrier in 2007 and 2008; BIS winner at the prestigious Montgomery County Show; Group 1 winner at Westminster Kennel Club Show 2008 and runner up at the Eukanuba World Challenge 08. After winning Crufts BIS, Charmin officially retired from the show ring but remains very much in the public eye with his personal appearances, he accompanies Marge everywhere.

Charmin has always been meticulously groomed and immaculately presented by Marge in the show ring. They are an awe inspiring team. Marge is always willing to share her knowledge with others. At the well attended 2009 Grooming Expo and Show ring Seminar in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Charmin once again wowed the audience. Frank Sabella was co-presenting featuring Peter Green and Marge plus other handlers. Charmin was a demo dog, at which he excelled, articulating the triangle and other figure shapes asked of him. Marge decided on the spur of the moment to remove his lead and illustrate his natural presence and ability to free stack in the middle of the ring. "He had never done anything like this before and he was absolutely perfect."

Attaining his Sire of Merit from the Sealyham Club of America, passing on his virtues to his progeny with 7 Champions to date, Marge says "A dog that is truly great, people will remember 20 years on. Charmin is a perfect companion. At home he allows his best friend, a 3lb Chihuahua named 'Kitkat' to muscle in and steal his Eukanuba from his bowl."

Visit www.breeders.eukanuba.co.uk/partnership/partnership.html

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FOLLOW THE CHALLENGE

"A year of victories: the secret of champion breeders"

Many of today's top winning dogs have been raised on Eukanuba as puppies by their discerning breeders. An elite dog such as Charmin "Am/Can/Swe Ch Efbe's Hildago At Goodspice" was weaned on Eukanuba by his breeder France Bergeron who says "You have got to give puppies the best start in life and Eukanuba nutrition does that". Charmin's co-owner Marge Good and Sandra Middlebrook feed him on Eukanuba citing " The proof is in the performance, Eukanuba is a dog food that produces the best quality of coat and meets all his nutritional needs, I would not settle for anything less than the best."

Doug Johnson of the world renowned Clussexx kennel, breeder of two Westminster Kennel Club BIS winners in 2009 Sussex spaniel "Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee" (Stump)and in 1996 Clumber Spaniel "Ch Clussexx Country Sunrise." In 2005 Doug was nominated for AKC Breeder of the Year, representing the sporting group. Doug happily says "I have bred dogs to win all over the world, dogs who have won the breed in many countries including at Crufts 2004. In May 2008 as the owner handler I won BIS at the Scottish Kennel Club show in the UK." A firm believer in Eukanuba nutrition he says "My puppies are raised on Eukanuba, everyone eats it; adults too....except me!! Stump was raised on Eukanuba as a puppy here with me."

Another eminent dog is "Holly, Ch Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry" bred by Cheryl Laduc Buchanan, A Cantor & A Walker. Holly has an enviable show record, BIS winner at the AKC/ Eukanuba National Championships 2008, Top Sporting Dog of All Time, Top Winning Pointer in Breed History, over 117 all breed BIS, BOB & G2 at Westminster 2008, BISS 2007 & 2008 at the American Pointer Club National Specialties. Co-owned by Helyne Medeiros, Sean and Tammy McCarthy, Holly was initially campaigned by Helyne, though for the past two years she has been professionally handled by Mike Scott. Breeder, Cheryl is extremely proud of Holly's high achievements in the show ring. As a Breeder Club Member, she raises all of her puppies on Eukanuba, stating "It gives puppies a great start on life, great nutrition equals great health, and great nutrition will give you happy healthy puppies and dogs. And a healthy dog can withstand the stress of travel, showing and hunting. It is very important for a dog to be healthy in mind and body, Pointers are hunting dogs and should be capable of hunting, and a dog cannot perform if they do not have the right fuel source to burn."

Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2008 was breeder / owner Dagmar Hintzenberg-Freisleben's Saluki Multi BIS winner, Multi "Ch Dakira Sawahin", Top Saluki in Germany 2007 & 2008. Her kennel has produced 17 International Champions and over 50 Champions; No. 1 Saluki Kennel in Germany for the past 10 years. Dagmar, a Eukanuba Breeder Club Member, says "My dogs love Eukanuba food and that makes me very happy as they are in great condition".

Visit www.breeders.eukanuba.co.uk/partnership/partnership.html

Frank T Sabella (U.S.A.) – Eukanuba World Challenge 2009 Champion Judge

"Up For the Challenge"

Frank T. Sabella is well known worldwide as a prominent judge and was one of the most sought-after and influential professional handlers of his time. His illustrious show handling career garnered over 600 BIS titles along the way. A legend in his own lifetime, he has done it all in the dog sport, a handler, breeder, mentor and judge. Frank is approved to judge all terriers, hounds, toys and non-sporting breeds and several breeds from the remaining groups, his assignments have taken him around the world. He has judged many high profile shows including four times at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship shows awarding BIS in 2003. He judged BIS at Westminster in 1990, a show at which he himself graced their BIS ring and made his presence felt as a professional handler, winning BIS in 1973 with the Standard Poodle "Ch Acadia Command Performance." His grace and showmanship in the ring undoubtedly has to be attributed to his famed success as professional dancer. A career in which he excelled and which included a stint with the New York City Ballet and touring with his own troupe.

Frank enjoys tremendously his judging assignments and is always looking out for that special dog. Over the many years he has trained himself intensely with great self discipline, always judging with the highest level of integrity, striving to find that perfect dog. The late great Anne Rogers Clark once said of Frank "He worked hard to add to his natural eye for movement, balance and proportion, understandable given his background as a dancer, to become a respectable judge". Having enjoyed more than five decades in the sport of dogs, he says youthfully, in his 70's, "Judging keeps me young and I feel like I can give something back to the sport."

Always giving back to the sport in one way or another, in addition to his extensive judging, Frank enjoys being a mentor and presenting seminars. He has authored a number of books including a highly influential dog-handling manual. Over the years he has had many Honors bestowed upon him including Kennel Review Male Handler of the Year and Gaines FIDO Dog Man of the Year.

Frank is truly dedicated to dogdom, and those in the sport hold him in high esteem. He is always willing to take on a new challenge. He enjoyed observing the inaugural Eukanuba World Challenge previously from ringside. This year will see him take centre stage. The four sections will be judged by four international judges, three dogs will be selected from each section to go forward for Mr. Sabella's consideration. He has the honor of selecting and awarding the Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2009 title along with the $10,000 to his ultimate winner. He says "I will thoroughly enjoy this moment. It is a great honor to be asked to select the Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2009 from the 12 finalists chosen by the other four distinguished judges."

Visit www.eukanubaworldchallenge.com

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TAKE THE CHALLENGE

David Morgan
BSc MA VetMB CertVR MRCVS
Technical External Relations

Can bacteria be good for your dog? Prebiotics have the answer.

Your dog's intestinal tract contains 65% of his immune system and is home to both healthy intestinal (Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria)and pathogenic (E.coli) bacteria, the balance of which is central to his health and well-being. We are aware that bacteria like E.coli can cause illness but bacteria like Lactobacilli and Bifi dobacteria are actually good for your dog. And now, the prebiotic FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) found in Eukanuba's super premium nutrition increases the number of healthy intestinal bacteria and decreases the number of pathogenic bacteria, and helps maintain a healthy balance in what is a complex internal ecosystem.

How do prebiotics work?

Prebiotics, like FOS, work by selectively encouraging the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifi dobacteria in a dog's digestive tract, and because prebiotics are preferentially broken down only by these healthy intestinal bacteria, they do not increase the levels of pathogenic bacteria like E.coli. In fact, the pathogenic bacteria levels actually decrease as a result of being crowded out by the healthy intestinal bacteria helping to maintain a healthier balance. As the digestive tract is a primary barrier against infection from the things he might swallow on a daily basis then helping maintain this defensive barrier is vital to your dog's well-being.

Feed as his nature intended

Having evolved as a carnivore, your dog is designed to eat and digest animal protein as his primary food source and has a highly specialized gastrointestinal system, or gut, to do so. His natural ancestor, the wolf, shares much of the same physiology, enabling it to process and derive nutritional and digestive benefits from the whole of the prey it consumes, helping maintain its immune system and well-being in the wild. Your dog's more refined diet, still rich in animal protein, is better suited to his domestic lifestyle but he still needs very special ingredients that help sustain his natural defenses, which is where prebiotics can help.

Good Health Starts from the Inside Out

In some ways the advancement of prebiotics for dogs, mirrors recent developments in human nutrition where we have seen a dramatic increase in the availability of foodstuffs with this healthy ingredient. Good health, it would seem, starts from the inside out for us and our dogs.

The clinically proven prebiotic FOS in Eukanuba helps strike the right balance between healthy intestinal and pathogenic bacteria in the gut, supporting strong natural defenses that help your dog be the best he can be.

For more information visit: www.eukanuba.com

For more information regarding the competitors of the Eukanuba World Challenge 2009, please go to: http://www.breeders.eukanuba.co.uk/world-challenge/competitors.html

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