Excitement has been building for this year’s Animaltalk Top 100 Awards in Kyalami, Johannesburg. After months of working the showing circuit, accumulating points and wowing crowds, these are our finalists!
Number 14 – Top Herding
Denise Edmonson’s Samoyed, CH Annan Burning Ambition – “Zac”
Denise says: “Zac is typical of his breed – talkative, affectionate, a great investigator of everything around him. But most of all an amazing dog who can sense his human’s mood and adapts to it. He is my heart dog.”
Fun fact
This is his fourth time as Top Herding dog and he was in the Top 10 for 3 years running.
Number 13 – Top Gundog, Top Bitch
Louis Kruger & Co’s Pointer, Am/Can/SA Ch Seasyde Hollywood FDJ (Imp. USA) “Rodayo”
Louis says: “Our proudest moment was when Rodayo and Andi won their first All-Breeds Best in Show in May 2013.”
Fun fact
Rodayo is house mother to the English Springer Spaniels at White Squall. She is handled by her best friend and prominent junior handler, Andria Haskins.
Number 10
Rene Potgieter’s Yorkshire Terrier, Ch The Best Models Trust Me of Xamner – “Don”
Rene says: “There are so many proud moments, but if I had to choose one it must be ending under the Top 10 dogs in the Animaltalk Top 100 ratings in 2014 at such a young age.”
Fun fact
Don is not fussy and will eat any treat that you offer him, but a piece of chicken after a show is his special treat. At home, chasing our guinea fowls gives him great pleasure.
Number 9 Top Terrier
Ronnie Watt’s Skye Terrier, Ch. Linum Precious Ringo of Nonsuch (Imp. Finland) – “Adam”
Ronnie says: “Being named Terrier Group Leader in both the 2013 and 2014 Animaltalk Top 100 rankings is an exceptional achievement, and one of my proudest moments.”
Fun fact
Adam loves to cuddle and he also likes chasing hadedas who dare to invade his garden.
Number 8
Joy Tyrrell & Ann Robinson’s Pekingese, CH Sunrise Dragon Sunny Sky Of Noblecourt – “Kinko”
Joy & Ann say: “The proudest moments that probably sticks out the most was when he was invited to the EWC where he won BOB at the Winners show in Amsterdam, December 2014. This event made him eligible to qualify for Crufts!”
Fun fact
Kinko was the only dog representing South Africa at the EWC and the only dog representing South Africa at Crufts this year.
Number 7 Top Toy
Heidi Rolfes’ Maltese, Ch & Int Ch Fabulous Moment Valentina’s Magic (Imp Slovenia) KUSA National Dog 2012 – “Finn”
Heidi says: “This award of Top Toy for the third year in a row is one of my proudest moments! ”
Fun fact
One of Finn’s favourite snacks is apple, and his favourite exercise is jumping up and down from the bed.
Number 6
Pauline Cronje’s Rottweiler, Ch Zarrose Frankie-Freo – “Frankie”
Pauline says: “Frankie loves watching the other dogs in the ring, especially the small fluffy ones. He enjoys the away shows and the touring in the car where he gets treated like a king.”
Fun fact
Frankie is 3 years old and loves swimming, balls and any food treat.
Number 5
Joy McFarlane & Elrena Stadler’s Saluki, KUSA NAT PUP ’13 MBIS, MBPIS CH. Elamir Classic Design For Fleetwind (Imp. Portugal) – “DeNiro”
Joy and Elrena say: “Call us ‘Dance Moms’, if you will, but the pride we have in our beautiful dogs is no different from the love a mother feels for her children…
The proudest moment was when he won KUSA National Puppy in 2013 under the late Mr Jack Peden. This prestigious title has consequently become part of his official registered name.”
Fun fact
DeNiro smiles! When greeting the people he adores, and when begging for a treat, DeNiro curls up his lips and flashes his big white teeth in a broad grin, nodding his head and putting on his best impression of Noddy’s ‘Bumpy Dog’!
Number 4
Brigid Harmer’s Irish Wolfhound, Celticlight Aslan Crusader of Toddington – “Quillan”
Brigid says: “His favourites? Anything edible and lying on his back so that you can tickle his tummy.”
Fun fact
Quillan is part of a family of 4 cats and 6 giant breeds including himself (2 Great Danes and 4 Wolfhounds).
His BFF is the mother of his pups, Wicca. They often career across the front lawn, chasing each other in typical boisterous Wolfhound play.
Number 3 Top Working
Leigh & Wesley Beckmann’s Great Dane, MBPIS MBJIS MBIS BISS CH Fairmoor Call Me Frazer
Leigh says: “Proudest moments are every time he sets foot in the ring, he never lets us down. We honestly can’t say that one particular moment is unforgettable. Every time we watch him and Wesley in the ring we are immensely proud.”
Fun fact
Frazer’s quite a clown. He loves all toys and is always ready for a game. His favourite is his Winnie the Pooh teddy bear. And his best treat ever is a hotdog roll before bedtime.
Number 2 Top Hound
Clair van den Bergh’s Afghan Hound, Am Gr Ch MSBIS & SA Ch MSBIS MBIS Scaramouche Show Must Go On – “Spies”
Clair says: “An Afghan isn’t the type of dog who will do tricks for treats – he is a Hound!”
Fun fact
Spies is a great dog and lives with 3 males and 3 bitches. He, of course, is the leader of the pack. Spies enjoys raw meat on a bone. His favourite is raw chicken backs.
Number 1 Top Dog, Top Utility, SA Bred
Riekie Erwee’s Shih Tzu, AM/SA/Int. CH Midnightdream Thril’f Victory – “Danny”
Riekie says: “Danny is an outgoing, lovable cuddle bug and when travelling he loves to sleep with me on the bed. He has a girlfriend at home, Cindy. He is madly in love with her and follows her around the house – wherever she goes he goes.”
Fun fact
4-year-old Danny has travelled internationally, winning the Winners Dog at the Shih Tzu Nationals in St Louis, America, in 2014.
He has won the Animaltalk Top 100 2 years in a row (a first for a South African-bred dog).
