Far left: On
Saturday, Lee
Whittier’s
Reserve BIS
was the Afghan
Hound GCh.
Sunlit’s Queen
Of Everything.
Left: On Sunday,
Lew Olson’s
Reserve was
the Australian
Shepherd bitch
GCh. McMatt And
Graffiti Rumor
Has It.
Montgomery County, and many exhibitors and handlers
from across the country seem to enter Hot Springs, then
travel north to Pennsylvania. One would expect a huge contingent of exhibitors from Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri,
but there were dogs entered from as far away as California
and Washington state. Judging this year were Rick Garvin,
Ann Hearn, Jeffrey Kern, (Ms.) Lew Olson, Charlotte Patterson, Dee Dee Rose, Francine Schwartz, Dr. Carol White-Moser and Lee Whittier.
The Competitions
Festivities began on Friday evening with a regional Toy Group
specialty, which was swept by the No. 1 Toy Dog in the nation,
the Affenpinscher GCh. Tamarin Tailback. On Saturday, the
American Pomeranian Club held a concurrent specialty show.
Not surprisingly, the Poms bumped up the Toy Group entry to
165, making it the largest of the seven Groups.
On Saturday, judge Lee Whittier pointed to the impressive red Doberman male GCh. Fidelis Ripcord, presented
by Dylan Kipp who has a lovely, natural hand with the
breed. Reserve Best went to the elegant black Afghan
Hound GCh. Sunlit’s Queen Of Everything, shown by Tara
Richardson. She is currently the No. 1 bitch in her breed,
and is so perfectly named. On Sunday, the same Doberman
prevailed for Best, this time under judge Lew Olson. Her
choice for Reserve was the powerful Australian Shepherd
bitch GCh. McMatt And Graffiti Rumor Has It, presented
by Paul Catterson.
If you’ve never experienced this part of the country at its
glorious Indian summer best, take a break from generic dog
shows and put Hot Springs on your calendar for early October
next year. DIR
Dog-Friendly Hot Springs
There is so much more to do in and around the town of Hot Springs, but
here are just a few of the dog-friendly sights.
Take a half-mile scenic stroll on The Grand Promenade, located parallel
to Bathhouse Row. The brick-lined path offers views of the town, an
open hot spring and a place to play chess.
On Bathhouse Row
Drive or hike 3 miles up Hot Springs Mountain and ascend the tower
for views of the town below and the forest beyond. Leashed dogs can
take the hike but not enter the tower.
Hike, boat, swim, go horseback riding and camp at Lake Catherine State
Park, which allows leashed dogs, except in public buildings. Dog-friendly
waterfront cabins are available for rent.
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a 210-acre botanical garden located on
Lake Hamilton. Don’t miss Anthony Chapel, a 6-story pine and glass structure. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and pay an entrance fee.
Hike the forest and play in the water at the 1.8-million-acre Ouachita
National Forest, which stretches from central Arkansas to southeastern
Oklahoma. Dogs can hike off-leash here.
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WIN SHOTS: GARDEN STUDIO INC. PHOTO BY JAY; BATHHOUSE: ZACK FRANK/SHUTTERSTOCK
Bathhouse Row on Central Avenue is home to eight bathhouse buildings
built from 1892-1923. Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center, and several others are also open to the public.
(Dogs not allowed in the building.)