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Another "catch up" entry covering the last half of August.
We neglected to note the Best of Breed at the Tioga County KC show on August 21st by "Trevor" (American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks) under Mrs. Catherine Bell.
More recently we've had a message from Lisa Bank in Canada to say that baby "Keeno" (Kamgaard Klearly Kommander Keeno) attended his second match show at the Markham Kennel Club on August 28th and again won the breed over competition and was 3rd in the Hound Group. Wonderful news!
From Bob and Ruth Ness in Maryland comes the sad news that they helped their beloved "Karla" (Polestar Karla Kirkssted) over the Rainbow Bridge on August 26th at an age of 15+ years. To quote Bob reminiscing about Karla's final days "Just last Friday afternoon, Karla represented the Dog Owners Group at the Opportunity Fair here at Riderwood for two hours. People loved her here and Bennie, our little Corgi/Chihuahua, is certainly going to miss his big sister. He idolized her. She lived a wonderful life. She was a therapy dog, for about five years with Pets on Wheels Prince Georges County, visiting Renaissance Gardens one to three times a month for almost two hours each time during that period. She is our last Norwegian Elkhound after forty years with the breed."
The Nesses have had many Kamgaards over the years and Karla was the last known descendant of SBIS Ch. Kamgaard Kermitsson. Our feelings for this wonderful family run deep. Rest in peace, dear "Karla" - you were much loved. She is pictured below with her best friend "Bennie."
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The emailbag delivered two lovely photos today... the first being from Toni Sibrel with a wonderful movement shot of Kamgaard Katch The Buzz ("ZigBee") taken at the recent Chicago specialty:
and the second one from Kristi Wehking with her win shot from the recent Waukesha show of Sangrud Kamgaard Kolbjorn ("Teddy") -- see entry of August 1st for show details:
Two handsome guys! ... we're proud!!!
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A trip to the north country and a Best of Breed at the Mohawk Valley Kennel Club show for American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks ("Trevor") under Mr. Steve Hubbell.
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Touching down for a couple of days before leaving for the next set of shows...lots to report and share!
Just home from three of the big Canfield, Ohio shows where the trip out was delayed with bad weather and much road construction. Once at the motel, we were met by Rob and Rebecca Binder and 6 year old son Evan who quickly "magnetized" himself to his new puppy "Torvald" -- another of the Jag x Kool Max boys. The Binders made the trip from Minneapolis so that their puppy would not need to be shipped and from all accounts, little Torvald is fitting into his new life in Minnesota just fine. Best of luck with this charmer... we miss him!
The first day at Canfield was the Fort Steuben Kennel Association with just "Kobi" (Kamgaard Kut Above) entered and he was Winners Dog and Best of Winners under Mrs. Rosemary Shoreman of Canada. The next day was the Columbiana County Kennel Club with the Greater Cleveland Norwegian Elkhound Club holding their specialty. The judge from Ireland was Mr. Harry O'Donoghue, breeder of the world-famous Blackdale Wire Fox Terriers. We showed just "Kobi" and "Kekka" (Kamgaard Kekekabic) and Kobi was Winners Dog and Best of Winners while Kekka was Winners Bitch. BIG thanks go to Kimm McDowell who showed Kobi in the Best of Breed competition and came very close to winning the whole shooting match! Last day on Saturday was the Beaver County Kennel Club where only "Kobi" was entered and he collected Winners Dog and Best of Winners. Overall a successful three days with all wins from the Bred By Exhibitor class.
 Arriving home from four days on the road, we were greeted with the most wonderful news from our good friend Irene Sørum in Norway. She was over the moon that a homebred male from her kennel, Gokstadhaugen's Janus owned by Guttorm Risdal was selected Best of Breed at the big Elverum show in Norway. Elverum is considered by many as "the Elghund event" in Norway.. somewhat akin to our National Specialty, so it was a very big win for all. I spoke with Irene to offer our congratulations and she tells us that she couldn't be there to witness this wonderful win as she was home working on the Elghunden magazine of which she is editor. L We are so pleased for her and remember fondly the weeks she spent with us learning about "Elkhounds American-style" and traveling to the National specialty in Kansas with us several years ago. Keep up the good work, Irene and
Gratulerer, Breeder!!!
In the e-mailbag were also some photos of Wendy Spencer's Kamgaard Klearly In Kommand ("Rowan") who at not quite 3 months of age seems to be taking her agility career seriously! Go for it, ladies!
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WOW! What a week! Lots of rainbows happening despite a few clouds, but we don't dwell on them anyway!
The Jag x Kool Max son "Fynrir" (photo left) has gone to New Jersey to make his home with Maria Piazza and we wish her lots of luck with him. Her family was so overjoyed to have an Elkhound in their life again that it almost brought them to tears.
The completed breedings of SBIS Ch. Kamgaard Kotton To Me to Ch. Kamgaard Highland Karmann Ghia have both us and Steve and Cindi Chester in Tennessee hoping for some beautiful babies in mid September.
New OFA hip certificates were issued this week for Kamgaard Kut Above ("Excellent"), and his brother Graafin Kapri's Steele Blue Kenaz ("Good") as well as Kamgaard Kekekabic ("Good") and her brother Sangrud Kamgaard Kolbjorn ("Good").
...and speaking of Kolbjorn (a/k/a "Teddy"), he made his first venture into the ring on Saturday 5/31 at the Waukesha Kennel Club in Wisconsin and was promptly selected Winners Dog, Best of Winners and BEST OF BREED over 3 Champions for a 4 point major under Leslie Hiltz ("Starbuck"). SUPER BIG CONGRATULATIONS to owner/handler Kristi Wehking on such a great start!
...and to top it all off, we heard from Lisa Bank in Canada who only last week took home her puppy Kamgaard Klearly Kommander Keeno and this week-end reports that he was Best of Breed over competition and Puppy Hound Group First at the Barrie Kennel Club match in Canada. No dust growing under this boy's feet! CONGRATS, CONGRATS...that is truly marvelous! |
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A couple of hot and steamy days spent at home with Lisa Bank and her daughter Arielle who traveled from Ontario, Canada to choose their puppy from the Jag x Kool Max litter. Their favorite was "Keeno" who will be Kamgaard Klearly Kommander Keeno and provide them with a new re-start into the Elkhound show world.
He's a lovely puppy -- sound, silver, assured and wanting to please. We wish them all the best of luck with him and look forward to seeing him in the Canadian and American rings in the future.
Over the week-end we received not one, or two, but THREE happy phone calls from Steve and Cindi Chester of Tennessee to report that their "Trevor" daughter, Jeger's Somebody To Love ("Dove") took Texas by storm and won three majors in a row; 7/23 Houston KC - 3 points under Kent Delaney, 7/24 Beaumont KC - 3 points under Sari Brewster Tietjen ("Robwood"), and on 7/25 Galveston County KC - 4 points under Lisa Warren ("Elysium") by winning Best of Breed over all the specials!!! CONGRATULATIONS to all and especially to Tonya MacRae who handles her beautifully!
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OK, we get the message! After a few emails from readers who have been worried that all might not be well due to no updates on the website for a while, rest assured, we are fine. Summer has found us very busy with little spare time and not a whole lot to report as we haven't been to any shows since mid May. With the tremendous temperatures we have been having, just keeping everyone cool has been a daily project. We think the photo below which was received from John and Susan Franzis of Connecticut of Kamgaard Knock On Wood ("Chip") parking it over his favorite air-conditioning duct pretty much says it all:
We've been enjoying the antics of the Jag x Kool Max puppies -- such characters! This pack has personality galore! We wish all the best of luck to Wendy Spencer of Maryland and her Kamgaard Klearly In Kommand who after Puppy Kindergarten and basic obedience will be aiming for a career in Agility. "Rowan" was the first to leave the pack and her three brothers currently remain at Kamgaard.
On July 18th, we did (finally!) get to a show and are happy to report that American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks ("Trevor") was Best of Breed and 4th in a very nice Hound Group at the Twin Brooks Kennel Club show under Ms. Lena Tamboer ("Tam-Boer"). He showed wonderfully well despite the almost 100 degree heat and his summer jacket is lush!
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 No shows for us this Memorial Day week-end, but keeping the flag flying was American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kodiak Snowbear and Mary Jo Benedetti with a Best of Breed award at the New Castle Kennel Club show on Saturday under judge Mary Ann Clark. CONGRATULATIONS!
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 Leaving Michigan on Thursday morning, the Kamgaard van set out back across Canada with a stop to visit friends Joe and Irene Orosz of Silverhawk Elkhounds in Ontario. It was good to see our old friend "Kohl" (American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Keno at Silverhawk) once again. He had just celebrated his 10th birthday days prior and looked great!
Two shows on Saturday and Sunday of the Wyoming Valley Kennel Club found "Trevor" (American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks) going Best of Breed each day. Leaving from the group on Sunday in near triple digit heat, we were happy to have just a four hour drive home. The dogs were SO happy to be home after nearly ten days on the road...Maggie, too!
A couple of days at home to unwind and reflect... thanks to all for the good wishes and congratulations! We also see in the latest Dog News statistics that "Trevor" has been rated #3 Elkhound currently in group points. Life is good!
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It seems like only yesterday that we were at the last National specialty of the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America, but time rolls on...quicker than we would like usually!..and the 23rd National was soon upon us in Midland, Michigan-- the event which all serious breeders work toward. The show started out on Monday the 17th with the Futurity and Maturity competitions, judged by Mrs. Amy Peterson ("Elvbend"). While we had no entries in the Futurity competition, our single Maturity entry, Kamgaard Kekekabic ("Kekka") brought home the bacon (literally!) by winning Best in Maturity!!! In doing this, she becomes the first individual in NEAA history to have won the Futurity one year and the Maturity the following year. See her file in the "Here We Are Today" tab for a new beautiful photo of this win! Congratulations in the Maturity competition also go to the two "Trevor" kids, Graafin Kapris' Steele Blue Kenaz (Spruce and Leeuwenburg) and Jeger's Somebody To Love (Chester) who each won very competitive classes!
A day off on Tuesday and a treat for Maggie to be able to observe both the Puppy and Veteran sweepstakes judged by Cathy Chase ("ElgChase"). No puppies to show but two bred/co-bred Veterans to root for and be proud of in the evening competition. CONGRATULATIONS to Lisa Peterson and Ch. Elvemel's Milennium Star ("Obie") co-bred by Lisa and Kamgaard on winning his Veterans Sweepstakes class here and ultimate kudos to Sherry Falk and BIS/SBIS American/Canadian/Bermudian Ch. Kamgaard Kristorn ("Holle") who sailed around the ring to be proclaimed Best Bitch in Veteran Sweepstakes (no inter sex competition). She is proof positive that good dogs age like fine wine and hats off to Sherry for keeping her in prime condition.
The main classes were judged by Mr. Bjorge Christiansen of Norway who found his Reserve Winners Dog in Graafin Kapris' Steele Blue Kenaz (see above), co-bred by Ginger and Kamgaard. A Veteran class win for Kristorn (see above) along with many placements in classes for various Kamgaard-bred individuals. Champions making the final cut in the Best of Breed competition of 56 included Kristorn, SBIS Ch. Kamgaard Kotton To Me (Oakes/Kamgaard), Ch. Kamgaard Kase in Point (Frye/Kamgaard), and Ch. Kamgaard Highland Karmann Ghia (Chester/Kamgaard) with an Award of Merit going to the veteran Kristorn. Best of Breed went to Ch. Strom Kriega's Turdansar Thora (Wagner), who is sired by our English/American/Canadian Ch. Kestos Kriega ex Ch. Kamgaard Kan You Hear Me Now, who is also the dam of the Maturity winner, Kekekabic.
In addition to his 2nd place in the American-Bred Dog class, Kamgaard Katch The Buzz (alias "ZigBee" owned by Toni Sibrel) earned the following agility and rally placements and titles during the week:
Midland Michigan Kennel Club Agility Trial - Sunday, May 16
20" Novice B JWW, 100 pts and 2nd Place, and earning his NAJ title, under judge Tom Slattery ("Snojager")
NEAA National Agility Trial - Monday, May 17
20" Novice B JWW, 89 pts and 2nd Place under judge Amanda Moller
NEAA National Rally Trial - Wednesday, May 19
Novice A Rally Advanced, 94 pts and 2nd Place, earning his RA title, under judge Adele Yunck
to ALL!
HUGE AND SPECIAL THANKS go to Kit Moorehead who traveled from North Carolina to help Maggie with the dogs and make sure that all ran smoothly. As usual, we could not have done it without you!!!
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Four new puppies born today to SBIS American/Canadian/Bermudian Ch. Kamgaard Kommander In Chief and Ch. Kamgaard Klearly Grey. Three boys, one girl. Mom and babies are doing fine!
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Unable at the last minute to go to our favorite show of the year, the Bucks County Kennel Club, was a disappointment...but we were happy to hear that the Trevor x Bunny son, Graafin Kapris' Steele Blue Kenaz (see May 2nd entry) was Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed for his second major under Dr. Donald Sturz Jr. It was once again a supported entry of the Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club.
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Thoughts go to Canada today as our dear friends Lynda and Jim Tarnowski of Wrathwood helped their "Dazzle" (Canadian Ch. Wrathwood's Wild Dazzler) over the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. The daughter of two of our all-time favorites, "BS" and "Ali", she has gone to join her sister Kakabeka and their dam and we have to think that Heaven must be a more beautiful place with these three gorgeous girls in residence. Rest in peace "Dazzle"... we know how very much your mama Lynda misses you. |
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Two new items came across the desk today...
Firstly a note from Toni Sibrel to say that their "ZigBee" is now Kamgaard Katch The Buzz CGC RN NA! On April 24th he got his Novice Agility Title with a qualifying run of 100 points and First Place in the Novice A Standard class under judge Tom Slattery at the Power Paw Blues Dog Club agility trial in Merrillville, Indiana. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
and secondly the certificate above arrived from Dogs in Canada magazine honoring "Trevor" for being the #3 Elkhound in Canada for 2009.
Some days are diamonds!
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CONGRATULATIONS!!! to the Trevor son, Graafin Kapris' Steele Blue Kenaz co-bred by Kamgaard and Ginger Leeuwenburg, owned by Catrina and Kyle Spruce and Ginger on going Winners Dog and Best of Winners for 2 points today at the South County Kennel Club in Rhode Island under Monica Canestrini ("Canebrake").
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 Our first outdoor show of the season was the Wilmington Kennel Club today with "Trevor" (American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks) who earned a Best of Breed and 2nd in the Hound Group under Dr. E.K. Martin ("Kaihorn"/"Full Circle") behind the lovely Deerhound bitch who is currently #1 Hound in the nation. Nice going, "Trev"!
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A time away... a time to study some dogs... a time to visit with friends doggy and non. The evening of April 13th saw Maggie and Linda Atcheson of Bermuda flying off to London to attend the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain's Championship Show on the 17th followed by visits around England and Wales. CONGRATULATIONS! to CC and Best of Breed winner, Ch. Bowerhinton Bumble Bee ShCM and dog CC winner and new Champion, Ithim Agus Suim ShCM who both descend from exported Kamgaard stock. The show was well-run, judged by Pat Trotter ("Vin-Melca") and a moment of silence was paid for our dear friend Jean Walter-Browne ("Oseberg") who lost her valiant battle with cancer the week before the show. Lots of old and new faces making us feel very welcome and at home.
Despite worrying about getting home due to the volcanic ash, Linda flew home on the 23rd and Maggie headed up the motorway that day to the West of England Ladies Kennel Society Championship show and got to visit with Anne Roslin-Williams ("Mansergh"), author of The Elkhound in the British Isles-- a book we feel is THE best Elkhound book written. We were joined by Peggy Grayson, author and longtime columnist for the dog papers. A wonderful day! A short visit at the show on Saturday to watch the Norwegian Buhund judging, then the drive south to visit with Sally's brother Christopher and partner Jill before returning home on Sunday. Happy to be able to come home, as there are still many individuals stuck in the UK after the air traffic came to a grinding halt for a week and the lines were long. Thank you American Airlines!!
Batteries re-charged and getting ready for the spring shows!
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Can't think of a better way to spend Saint Patrick's Day than at the Celtic Classic shows in York, PA! The weather was beautiful, the venue superb, everyone dressed in green, and even the parking men were wearing kilts!! We stopped by for the first two days of the five day circuit with "Trevor" (American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks) and were VERY pleased with the results:
3/17 - Best of Breed and 3rd in Hound Group at the York Kennel Club under Mr. John Stanton ("Kateisha" from New Zealand), and
3/18 - Best of Breed and 4th in Hound Group at the Lancaster Kennel Club under Dr. Edna Martin ("Kaihorn"/"Full Circle") |
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A sad farewell today to Rick Hall, husband of Lana and a big part of the Rikkana team. Always there, always observing, and usually with camera in tow are a few of the many things we will remember him for. A sweeter and kinder gentleman you could not ask for. Rest in peace, dear friend. We are sure you have been greeted at the gate by many two and four-legged friends.
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CONGRATULATIONS today to Brian and Vi Nichols and their English Ch. Barlestone Qualiti for her Best of Breed at the world-famous Crufts show in England. "Pippa" is a daughter of Kamgaard Kapture The Moment and won her crown today at almost 11-1/2 years young! The following video truly "kaptures the moment" and her victory lap:
http://www.dfscrufts.tv/Video/VideoItem.aspx/599_Norweigan_Elkhound_Judging |
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An OFA "Good" hip rating has been received for Ch. Kamgaard Kase In Point ("Kasey") :-)
More "ZigBee" (see February 26th entry) news today from the Greater Milwaukee Norwegian Elkhound Association specialty shows. On Friday in Rally, "Zig" placed first in Advanced A with a score of 99 and on Saturday, he scored a second place with 91 points. He also won the American-Bred class both days at the specialty. Keep up the great work!
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These photos in today from Mallory Golladay and Ch. Kamgaard Kaballero, NA VNE CGC TDI working as a "Tail Wagging Tutor" at the Dakota County Library in Burnsville, MN in the Waggin' Tales Read To A Therapy Dog program. This program is aimed at developing reading and fluency skills in children and Mallory reports that the children love to read dog books to "Kabbie" who listens intently!
  
What a great ambassador!
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CONGRATULATIONS!!! to Toni Sibrel and Peter Bojan and their Kamgaard Katch The Buzz ("ZigBee") who won his first point today at the Blackhawk Kennel Club in Chicago under breeder-judge Pat Trotter ("Vin-Melca") who placed him Best of Breed. The following day in agility, he qualified in 20" Novice A Jumpers with Weaves (JWW) and Novice A Standard with scores of 100 and 95. He placed second in both classes. The next day "ZigBee" again qualified in both with scores of 99 and 90, placing second and third in the classes. That gives him 2 legs in each toward his Novice titles.
While at the Chicago cluster of shows, "Zig" and his girlfriend "Hallie" did some time in the Meet The Breeds booth in general charming the crowds, giving kisses and wowing them with Elkhound hospitality!
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No new entries to this tab doesn't necessarily mean we've been idle, but rather getting through the winter can sometimes be a major task in and of itself! It seems we have been in the deep freeze for countless weeks now with lots of snow, wind and continual grey skies. The dogs don't complain, so we try not to, either! The weather prevented us from getting to the Central NJ Hound Show before Westminster, but entries have been made for upcoming shows, so we are hopeful that Mother Nature will be kinder.
We have enjoyed receiving many Elkhounds in the snow photos from friends and Kamgaard family members. Snow plus Elkhounds is a natural combination - a few are shown below:
  
CONGRATULATIONS! to Steve and Cindi Chester as their Trevor daughter, Jeger's Somebody To Love ("Dove") was recently Best of Breed from the Puppy Bitch class at the Conyers KC of Georgia under Alberto Berrios. We are also happy to announce that Steve and Cindi are the proud new co-owners with us of Ch. Kamgaard Highland Karmann Ghia and we look forward to working with them in producing future generations of excellence.
Elkhounds and roosters? Check out the new photo in our "Everyday Life" tab...
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Puppies have arrived! Two boys born on Friday at Horizon to: American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks ("Trevor") and SBIS/UBIS American/Canadian/Bermudian Ch. Kamgaard Kameo Appearance ("Kami"). Mom and babies are doing great!
While "Kami" was busy in the nursery, "Trevor" was shuffling off to Buffalo where he was:
1/15 - Best of Breed - Kennel Club of Buffalo under Mrs. Jackie Stacy
1/16 - Best of Breed - Kennel Club of Buffalo under Mrs. Pam Peat
1/17 - Best of Breed - Ashtabula Kennel Club under Mr. Terry Stacy
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A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!
In subzero temperatures we started the year out at the Kennel Club of Northern New Jersey and Saw Mill River Kennel Club shows, both held in White Plains, NY. Best of Breed on Saturday under Monica Canestrini ("Canebrake") and Sunday under Marjorie Martorella ("Marjetta") to our American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks ("Trevor").
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