Guardian Bears Kennel is swimming in appreciation and awards after the 2014 Black Russian Terrier Club of America (BRTCA) National Specialty. Nationals were held in conjunction with the Eastern Shore Classic All Breed Dog Show, Nov. 5-9, 2014, at Salisbury, Maryland’s Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

Solid performances by two of our youngest Bears resulted in an astounding 18 wins, 27 points, an AKC Championship and an AKC Grand Championship.

Our superstars are just babies

Arisha, 18 months old, and Mishka, only 11 months old, showed their hearts out during Nationals week, competing against dozens of the top BRTs in the country.

•  GCH Arisha Krasa Russkaya Nochnaya Zvezda, “Arisha” – Born May 17, 2013, Breeders: Alenka Petrovič of Kennel Russkaya Nochnaya Zvezda, and Alexandra Goratchek of Kennel Doliny Vetrov

•  CH Man In Black Eastrianon, “Mishka” – Born December 7, 2013, Breeder: Anna Pashkovskaya of Kennel Eastrianon

We don’t know where to begin with their big wins over the five days, so we’ll just start here…

Arisha takes Best of Opposite Sex (BOS) at 2014 BRTCA Nationals

We’re beyond proud of Arisha for winning Best of Opposite Sex at the 2014 Nationals, the second highest award after Best of Breed.

It’s quite a feat for an 18-month-old to rise above nearly 40 other BRTs in the national competition. What a meteoric rise in the breed for this exceptional young girl. With one exception, the 20 other BRTs competing in the Best of Breed ring were one to five years older than Arisha, and far more experienced show dogs. Three judges on three different days of the cluster affirmed Arisha’s worthiness. Her momentum kicked in the day before Nationals when she took BOS over 36 other BRTs in the All Breed show, securing both a 5-point major and her AKC Grand Championship. GCH Arisha went on to take BOS at the All Breed show the day after Nationals, too.

Arisha and Mishka sweep the BRTCA Sweepstakes

Nationals day started off big for Guardian Bears. Arisha won Best of Breed and Mishka took Best of Opposite Sex in the Black Russian Terrier Sweepstakes. There were 15 beautiful BRTs in this Specialty competition. The Sweeps, open to all BRTs 6 months old and under 18 months, were judged prior to the National Specialty.

(l to r) Arisha, BOB Sweepstakes with Rhanda Glenn - Mishka, BOS Sweepstakes with CJ Favre - Mishka and Arisha

Mishka glides like a dream into his AKC Champion title

This baby seems destined for great things. Beyond winning his regular classes five days in a row (9-12 month dogs), Mishka rose up to take Winners Dog (WD) and Best of Winners (BOW) on three days of the show cluster – the last of which made him an AKC Champion. In the All Breed Best Puppy Show, he also won Best Puppy and a Group 2 placement in the Working Puppy Group.

Mishka’s wonderful temperament and striking conformation are impressive, and he is one of the most beautiful movers we have ever seen in the show ring.

Play-by-play of a fabulous week in Maryland

Wed., Nov. 5, 2014: 21 BRTs competed in the All Breed show

Mishka was the youngest BRT in the competition, taking 1st place in 9-12 month dogs, as well as Winners Dog and Best of Winners for a 3-point major. Thank you to Judge Brian Meyer, pro handler CJ Favre, and the Talbot Kennel Club.

Thurs., Nov. 6: 23 BRTs competed in the All Breed show

Mishka was still the youngest BRT in the competition, taking 1st place in 9-12 month dogs, as well as Winners Dog and Best of Winners for a 4-point major. He also won Best Puppy in the All Breed Best Puppy Show, and a Group 2 placement in the Working Puppy Group. Thank you to Judge Nancy D. Simmons, pro handler CJ Favre, and the Talbot Kennel Club.

Fri., Nov. 7: 37 BRTs competed in the All Breed show

Mishka took 1st place in 9-12 month dogs. Arisha won Best of Opposite Sex for a 5-point major and finished her AKC Grand Championship. Thank you to Judge Dr. Ronald I. Spritzer, pro handlers Andrew Green (Arisha) and CJ Favre (Mishka), and the Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club.

Sat., Nov. 8: Black Russian Terrier Sweepstakes, 15 BRTs competed

Arisha took Best of Breed and Mishka came in second with Best of Opposite Sex. Thank you to Judge Honey Anne Glendinning, pro handlers Rhanda Glenn (Arisha) and CJ Favre (Mishka), the BRTCA, and the Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club.

Sat., Nov. 8: Black Russian Terrier National Specialty, 37 BRTs competed

Arisha won Best of Opposite Sex for a 5-point major, and Mishka took 1st place in 9-12 month dogs. Thank you to Nationals Judge Garry K. Newton, pro handlers Rhanda Glenn (Arisha) and CJ Favre (Mishka), the BRTCA, and the Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club.

Sun., Nov. 9: 27 BRTs competed in the All Breed show

Arisha again won Best of Opposite Sex for a 5-point major. Mishka took 1st place in 9-12 month dogs as well as Winners Dog, and he also finished his AKC Championship by taking Best of Winners for a 5-point major. Thank you to Judge Ronald H. Menaker, pro handlers Rhanda Glenn (Arisha) and CJ Favre (Mishka), and the Mispillion Kennel Club.

Gratitude

We are grateful to all involved in the 2014 Nationals and supported shows. Hats off to the BRTCA, the judges, the hosting kennel clubs, those who donated the many beautiful awards, our breeders, and especially pro handlers Rhanda Glenn, CJ Favre, Andrew Green and Mark Desrosier – thank you for your impeccable handling skills and believing in our Bears.

We will cherish these awards...