What a fabulous week-end again in the east, midwest and north of the border!!!  Saturday started out in the east at the Norwegian Elkhound Club of the Potomac Valley specialty show held in conjunction with the Mattaponi Kennel Club show in Manassas, VA.  Just two Kamgaard entries but they did us very proud with Kamgaard Kaaterskill ("Rosie") first winning Best in Sweepstakes under Mr. Gary Fisher and later Winners Bitch under Mr. John Wade for her first points from the Puppy class.  Winning her third Specialty Best in Show was our SBIS American/Canadian/Bermudian GCh. Kamgaard Kase In Point ("Kasey") who put on her usual nonstop show both in the breed and later in the group earning an additional 4th in the Hound Group under Mr. Larry Sinclair.

Moving to the midwest, there was a happy call midafternoon from Dareth Stonebraker that Kamgaard Koalition Forces ("Kendrik") was Winners Dog and Best of Winners at the Kokomo Kennel Club in Indiana for another 2 points toward his title under Ms. Bonnie Threlfall ("Edgewood").  Kendrik followed up this win the following day with the same wins under Mr. Kent Delaney for another 2 points, so at 10 months of age, he is clipping right along and checking those points off!

Meanwhile, north of the border at the Sault Saint Marie Kennel Club in Ontario, Rosie and Kendrik's litter brother Kamgaard Kaministiquia of Wrathwood ("Trac") picked up 3 more points toward his Canadian title under Mr. Ron Mahon as well as winning two Best Puppy in Hound Group awards under Mr. Michael Hill ("Akarana") and Mr. Mahon.  These three littermates and sister "Siri" are cookin!!!!

At the same set of shows in Ontario on Saturday the winner of the Hound Group also under Mr. Hill was none other than Lisa Bank handling her Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kommander Keeno!!!  MEGA HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Lisa and "Keeno" and what an honor to have Kamgaard dogs (cousins) in both Best in Show rings!!!

...and amidst all of the conformation triumphs, Cheryl Cramer reported that Kamgaard Kovered In Grey NA NAJ NF ("Grey") got a qualifying score in the Open Standard class of the trial she attended on Saturday along with an added bonus...not only did she get first place in 20", but she was the ONLY dog in the entire class -- all jump heights -- to Q!!!

to you all and THANKS for making us very proud breeders!!!

Another great week-end with more wins for Kamgaard Elkhounds here and afar...

On Friday at the Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club agility  trials, "Missy Grey" as owner Cheryl Cramer calls her won her Open Jumpers title with a score of 195 and a 2nd place.  Showing progress each and every week, her runs are getting more concise and faster all the time.  She is now

Kamgaard Kovered In Grey NA OAJ NF

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Nothing could be finer than a trip down the Delaware River in the springtime and once again it was time to take that beautiful ride to the Bucks County Kennel Club show on Saturday.  The entry though small was a supported entry of the Garden State  Norwegian Elkhound Club and the weather was picture perfect.  Best of Breed once again to SBIS American/Canadian/Bermudian Ch. Kamgaard Kase In Point ("Kasey") under judge Dr. Edna Martin ("Kaihorn/Full Circle") and standing next to her in the final line-up was puppy "Rosie" (Kamgaard Kaaterskill) who was Winners Bitch and Best of Winners as well as being Best in Sweepstakes under Mrs. Jacqueline Rayner.  Best of Breed Owner Handler and Best Veteran in Sweepstakes to American/Canadian Ch. Graafin Klearly A Ms. Chief Maker ("Twinkle"), owned by Ginger Leeuwenburg and co-bred by her and Kamgaard.  Twinkle's dam, "Bunny" (SBIS American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kapri at Graafin) graced us with her presence and showed us all how everlasting she is at age 13.  A quartet of lovely girls to be proud of!

This week-end, young Kamgaard Kaministiquia of Wrathwood ("Trac") made his debut in Canada by attending the three shows of the Lakehead Kennel Club.  Unfortunately, he was the only Elkhound, so Best of Breed all three days... however, he "cashed in" on Sunday winning a 3rd in the Hound Group as well as Best Hound Puppy in Group under Mr. Ray Smith ("Tanaray"):

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Lynda and Jim Tarnowski on this great win... so proud of all of you and especially this classy guy!

A good show week-end here, there and everywhere!

Taking some time out from her busy agility career, "Grey" (Kamgaard Kovered In Grey NA NAJ NF) traveled with Maggie to the South County Kennel Club shows in Rhode Island and had a great week-end.  On Saturday, she was Winners Bitch for 1 point under judge Monica Canestrini ("Canebrake") and on Sunday was Winners Bitch and Best of Breed over 2 Champions under Nathaniel Horn ("Eastern Waters") for another 2 points.  All of her wins have been from the Bred By Exhibitor class and she is on the finish line for her Championship. 

While at the Rhode Island show on Sunday, we got the great news that puppy "Kendrik" (Kamgaard Koalition Forces) was Winners Dog and Best of Winners for a 3 point major at the Fort St. Clair Kennel Club show under Eugene Blake.  He's cookin'!  CONGRATULATIONS once again to owners Dareth Stonebraker and Kathleen Hamilton.

...and if the above wasn't enough, the email bag held the great news from Australia that young American/Australian Ch. Kamgaard Kutting Edge ("Seth") was Best of Breed and 2nd in the Hound Group over the week-end at the Bulli District Kennel Club, Inc. under Mr. J. Black of Victoria, a Hound specialist.  CONGRATULATIONS to "Seth", Craig and Anna-Lee... you make us very proud!

Sad news here in that another "Kubota" daughter has gone over the Rainbow Bridge... this time it was Kamgaard The Knockout of GV ("Lydia") who was owned and adored by Milt and Rita Munson of Montana.  The Munsons wrote:

"We would like to THANK YOU both for allowing us to have her all these years.  She was a great joy.  She was still picking up coins, paperclips, rubber bands and spruce needles off the floor even last night.  Don't know how we will keep the house picked up with  without her!  She definitely leaves a hole in our hearts right now but many, many fond memories as well and two very nice temperamented puppies.  My vet's office all called her "Sweet Lydia" and that she was."

Although she never finished her Championship, she was major pointed and the dam of the Munson's winning Ch. Glacier Valley Knows The Game, a Top Ten dog.

Rest in peace, "Lyds" ... you were SO loved.

An exciting phone call this afternoon from Dareth Stonebraker to report that young "Kendrik" (Kamgaard Koalition Forces) went to his very first show today at the Bloomington Indiana Kennel Club and was Winners Dog and Best of Winners from the Puppy class for 2 points under judge Sydney Marx who commented on his excellent movement and type.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! to Kendrik, Dareth and co-owner Kathleen Hamilton. 

Keep up the great work!

Road trip!   Were we mad?  Yes, probably!  But nonetheless the Kamgaard van rolled from home first thing Monday morning on the long journey to Colorado for the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America's national regional specialty and the Columbine specialty held in Brighton, CO.  After driving for three days through wind, rain, hail, lightning and thunder and through Nebraska over miles on ice and a closed Interstate 80, we arrived at our destination unscathed.  Pleased that we added an extra day to our travels as it gave us a chance to rest up, get dogs ready and settle in for the events which started on Friday with the Columbine specialty.  Judge for this event was Marie Peterson ("Windy Cove") and we had a good day overall with young "Siri" (Kamgaard Kiamesha) winning her puppy class with sister "Rosie (Kamgaard Kaaterskill) right behind her.  Siri went on to Reserve Winners Bitch to a 5 point major in an entry 25 bitches on her first time in the ring!  (see below) 

"Poppy" (Powdermill Remember Me) placed 4th in a large Open Bitch class and "Kasey" (SBIS Am/Can/Bda Ch. Kamgaard Kase In Point) won a coveted Award of Merit in heavy competition.

Puppy 1st and 2nd placings once again for Siri and Rosie at the National Regional under judge Nikki Riggsbee and the last day at the Terry-All all-breed show, a class first for Rosie and 3rd in Open Bitches for Poppy under Allan Odom.

A great time overall seeing many old and new friends, gatherings, meetings, etc. -- never enough time unfortunately.  We left Colorado on Monday morning in the snow and had an uneventful drive, arriving home on Wednesday afternoon--almost 4,000 miles round-trip.  HUGE thanks to Joanne Rascoe who went along to help -- couldn't have done it without you!!

Good news while we were on the road came from Cheryl Cramer who reported that "Grey" (Kamgaard Kovered In Grey NA NAJ NF) had some great agility wins over the week-end with 2nd, 3rd and 4th placings in her classes and 1st Open Q (JWW):  http://youtu.be/nMna42xwg_U and 1st "Double Q" (same day, both classes and 1st Standard Q):   http://youtu.be/uGaCyIjinDw  --  Lots of progress here!! 

CONGRATULATIONS also go to Christine Tilburg and Kamgaard Katch The Wave ("Rogue") who after this week-end is sporting a new Rally Novice (RN) title after a 98 point score and a third place.  Check out the beautiful photo of "Rogue" and his friend "Grendel" which Christine recently sent -- it's on the "Everyday Life" tab... breathtaking!

 Unfortunately not all the news was good during the trip and we received the sad news that the much loved "Kelsey" (Ch. Fanarok Kamgaard Kelsey) had crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Sunday.  After a show and producing career, Kelsey spent many happy years with the Ackerman family in New York City.  Alisa Ackerman posted this tribute to her:

"Dear beautiful, sweet Kelsey : I will never forget the days in the park when you waited patiently for your boy to get his fill of the swings so you could have a proper walk. Tail waggingly, dog grinningly patient, all the while barely walking babies ambled up to you for a grab at your thick, soft fur.   Again, patiently endured, even if the encounter involved tail pulling, ear tugging, nose and eye poking (those little hands are fast!). But it was impossible to provoke you, dog mama. You loved children and they were drawn to you like a magnet. “Is that a wolf, a real wolf?” I would inevitably hear. You let the little ones parade you around in circles, costume you (batman was my favorite) and hug you endlessly. You were in the human love game to win it. Yes, you waited for your walk and loved everything there was to love about it.  Trotting along to meet new friends, dog and human, sniffing and being petted, treats and all the joys to be had by a dog on a leash. You never met another dog you couldn’t handle with absolute diplomacy. (I wish I had your unflappable grace).  The one time you became aggressive was when another dog had the audacity to
growl at your boy. Your boy was to be protected, always. Remember when we used to rough house with him? The tickling made him scream and you would jump up on the bed to wedge between us and him, agitated and barking. What were those crazy humans doing to your boy? It had to be stopped!  But there is another side to your story.My favorite memory is watching you really, really (really!) haul ass every winter in the snowy in wide open spaces of the park -- creating crowds of admirers with your 8 foot jumps and bounds and snow flying skids and swirls. Leaping up above the snow.  Bounding through the snow. The joy of snow! Snow flying, dog flying.  Norwegian Elkhound heaven!  Sometimes you ran so far away, my heart raced. I chased and chased you screaming and you’d finally stop and twist around to see me, smiling that crazy beautiful dog smile. You’d hover a moment, as if deciding, and then rocket so fast back across the field to me, your love blazing. I realized then, despite your all-enduring, ever so patient, human-oriented demeanor, you are really a tamed wild animal who wants to fly and be free. Your spirit is with the wolf.  Sweet, sweet Kelsey. What will I do without you?

You came into our lives at a difficult time and you were, quite frankly, my solace.  My friend and furry therapist. You did not care if I hugged your soft, plush teddy bear body extra tight sometimes.  If tears were shed, you just looked deep into my eyes with your unswerving (and sometimes unnerving) soulful eyes. As if you knew my sorrows, inside and out. This is a look dog owners know.  It cannot be explained. (but I’m pretty sure it’s why “dog” spells g-o-d  backwards). Yes, you really saved me.  And saved our family. Thank you, Kelsey. We love and miss you so much already.  A true, brave, tail wagging champion to the very last moment, you inspire me and have a piece of my heart forever.  As one of your many admirers in our neighborhood put it: When you see Kelsey coming down the street towards you, she emanates pure, shining joy.”  

What better home could we have asked for?  What better testament to an Elkhound's soul than this?  Sympathy and thanks to the Ackerman family for giving one of our best such a wonderful home and life for so many years.

Rest in peace, dear Kelsey.

Unwinding from our trip and happy to hear the Crufts results, we were shocked and very saddened to learn of the passing of SBIS Ch. Kinderhorn Dain of Conrick JW ShCM in England after he took ill at Crufts.  Very hard to comprehend that Maggie's Best Veteran at the Contest just days before was now gone forever as he had looked SO good, moved so soundly and had his usual sparkling eyes, coat and personality in spades there.  We send our heartfelt condolences to the McHugh and Horner families knowing what a huge part of their lives he was.

Farewell, "Raider" and rest in peace.  We will never forget you.

Home in time to watch the Crufts show live from England and once again we send our CONGRATULATIONS to Brian and Linda Middleton and their Kriega son, "Kris" (Ch./Irish Ch. Kestos I Spy at Graythor) for his record-breaking FIFTH Best of Breed at this legendary show along with a 4th in the Hound Group.   The Bitch CC winner was the Contest of Champions winner, Ch./Irish Ch. Ennafort The One and Only under Zena Thorn-Andrews ("Drakesleat"). 

Well done, both!

Adventure!  Off on the evening of February 20th from JFK arriving in London the next morning.  After a few days visiting with our friend Alison Carew-Cox in Shrewley, we were on to the "mission" of the trip which was for Maggie to judge the annual Contest of Champions at the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain.  This is a competition with four divisions;  Puppy of the Year, Veteran of the Year, Stud Book Challenge of the Year and the "main event" in the afternoon, the Contest of Champions.  Entries are made by exhibitors not knowing who the judge will be and it's a secret we've kept for almost a year, so a surprise entrance was made five minutes before the start of the competition.  Lots of smiles and warm welcomes awaited us.  Main winners in the early competitions were:

Puppy of the Year, Kestos Opal at Norvin

Veteran of the Year, SBIS Ch. Kinderhorn Dain of Conrick JW ShCM

Stud Book Challenge of the Year, Crossridge Class Act

and after lunch, the winner of the Contest of Champions was:

Ch/Irish Ch. Ennafort The One and Only

Many thanks to the NECGB for a wonderful day, to Margaret Deuchar, show organizer for all her attention to detail and arrangements for us, and to the exhibitors who accepted my decisions in a most sporting manner.

After the show, we were off to our converted barn home in mid Wales for a week

which was quite near our good friends Babs and Brian Stokes of Kestos Elkhounds (although they had no idea of this until we arrived!).  Sally's brother Christopher and his partner Jill joined us for several days.  Very remote!  Wifi nearly non-existant, no mobile reception or phone--just the sound of Baa! Baa! -- sheep surrounding us everywhere!

A great week was spent with friends and relatives and Maggie's birthday was celebrated in the company of two of her favorite friends, Babs Stokes and Anne Roslin-Williams:

From Wales, on to visit with Sally's dad in Ipswich and finally back with brother Christopher before taking off on March 6th.  All in all, a great trip.

Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Klearly Kommander Keeno was Best of Breed both days at the Ontario Breeders Association shows in Lindsay, Ontario under judges Sandy Alexander and Mike Jackman.  CONGRATULATIONS to Lisa Bank and Keeno!

and on Sunday, two new titles for "Grey"!

were earned today at the Bayshore Companion Dog Club in New Jersey.  She is now

Kamgaard Kovered In Grey NA NAJ NF 

CONGRATULATIONS to Cheryl and "Grey"!!!

What's a wedding without an Elkhound and a couple of Corgis?  The bells rang for Pam Johnson and Linda Syner in Maryland today as they were united in matrimony among many friends and their Corgi ring bearers "Dallas" and "Austin."  Official greeter at the door was none other than "Jag" (SBIS American/Canadian/Bermudian Ch. Kamgaard Kommander In Chief) who met everyone with a smile on his face and his famous "Jag wave" in a dapper bowtie. 

We wish them many more years of happiness always.

Not a lot of news on these snowy winter week-ends, but the photo received above sure did make our hearts sing!  Lovely shot of the 7 month old Kamgaard Kaministiquia of Wrathwood ("Trac") in the Canadian snows came from Lynda Tarnowski of Wrathwood along with another which we have posted on the "Everyday Life" tab.  Gotta love this boy!

Good news came from Dareth Stonebraker and Kathleen Hamilton that "Trac's" brother, Kamgaard Koalition Forces ("Kendrik") went to the Southern Indiana Kennel Club match on Sunday and was Best of Breed over competition and Second in the Puppy Hound Group under AKC judge Laura Abbott-Licht who commented on his excellent movement.  He's off and running!

...and... another great message from Cheryl Cramer to say that "Grey" (Kamgaard Kovered in Grey, NF) got another "Q" in JWW at an agility trial on Sunday.  Lots of progress here!

A long but fruitful day.  Leaving early in the morning, we travelled to Allentown, PA to attend the annual Lehigh Valley Kennel Club's Canine Learning Experience... a wonderful all-encompassing day of seminars, clinics and in the afternoon a match show for some practical experience.

Taking the 7 month puppies "Rosie" and "Siri" and yearling "Poppy" along, they did very well for their first-time indoor show experience and acted like they have been doing this all their lives.  Our judge was Sheltie master breeder Tom Coen ("Macdega") who after much deliberation placed "Rosie" (Kamgaard Kaaterskill) over sister "Siri" (Kamgaard Kiamesha) saying "that is my decision today... could change tomorrow!"... our thoughts exactly!  These two are SO close in qualities and looks, we have the "puppy of the day" award here and it changes often!  "Rosie" went on to a very nice 2nd in the Puppy Hound Group.  "Poppy" (Powdermill Remember Me) was Best of Breed Adult and went on to win the Adult Hound Group. 

Great wins, but we were thrilled with the way the puppies handled themselves on their first outing taking to the show environment like proverbial ducklings to water.  Also nice to meet up with some friends and see the ground once again... no snow!

With the first posting of the New Year, we wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous one.  News has been a bit slow this time of the year but that is to be expected with not a lot of shows, lots of snow and cold along with everyone recovering from the holidays. 

The first week-end of 2013 found us enjoying brunch at our Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club's annual meeting and holiday party... lots of fun.  Unbeknown to us at that time, one of our founding members of the Garden State club passed away that day.  Helen Francoise of Fran-Van Elkhounds was an early friend and mentor to Maggie and always an inspiration.  Attending her services later in the week was both sorrowful but joyous as her family celebrated her 84 years with many photos of her family, her Elkhounds, Elkhound memories and book ("Your Norwegian Elkhound") which she co-authored with her lifelong friend and neighbor, Nancy Swanson.     Rest in peace, Helen... we will never forget your spirit!

The following week-end, we had good news from Cheryl Cramer that "Grey" (Kamgaard Kovered In Grey, NF) got another leg on her Novice Standard agility title at a trial in Bayshore, New York.  CONGRATULATIONS!

We also received some exciting photos of "ZigBee" (Ch. Kamgaard Katch The Buzz, RE, MX, AXJ, OF) trying his paw at herding.  He participated in a Herding Instinct Certification in Wisconsin in November and passed with the judge proclaiming him a natural!

Yeah, Zig!  Versatile guy!

Meanwhile back at the ranch... we have just been staying warm in these sub-zero temperatures and enjoying the Elkhounds enjoying the thing they love best... SNOW!