In fact for the past 30 years she has owned and multi-titled Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) in Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Agility and Herding.  The American Shetland Sheepdog Club has recognized her for her accomplishments with her Shelties.  In just the last few years she has acquired a Standard Longhair Dachshund.  He is now titled at both ends of his name with a Championship and Agility titles of Novice Standard and Novice Jumpers with Weaves.  He is now doing tracking and earthdog.  He was such a challenge after having Shelties she thought she would try it again and now has a 7 month old Dachshund puppy.

Sally and her son John continues to train and compete in the Conformation and Performance rings with Shelties, Dachshunds and Border Collies.

Good luck to everyone.

Click for More Info

Talented animal artist, Cori Solomon, has created a beautiful poster for the 2012 National. Click on the image to go to the SCOA Store, where you will be able to purchase your own copy for $20 plus $8 shipping (US and Canada only, there is an email link provided for inquiries about international purchases).

 I have had German Shepherds since I was 6 years old.  I have been fascinated with showing my dog since I won my first ten cent ribbon at a puppy match in Northern California in 1980.  In the late 80’s, I began showing my dogs in earnest, but it was not until 1994 that, after a lot of trial and error, I finished my first AKC champion.  This past November, I finished my 16^th champion, fourteen of which have been home bred.  I have also had the satisfaction of having a litter of ten, with eight of them acquiring the AKC title of champion.  All of this litter’s accomplishments have been done without the help of others to split the showing expenses.

In 2003, I had the luxury of earning two Register of Merit titles from my parent club, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. These two ROMs were earned by a mother / daughter combination.  In 2008, I had another mother / daughter combination earn my third and fourth Register of Merit titles.

Besides the conformation ring, I have shown in obedience, rally, herding, and even Schutzhund.  I applied for my initial judging license for German Shepherds and Junior Showmanship in late 2004.  In 2009, I applied for my next breed, Australian Shepherds.

• AKC
• ASFA
• Puppy Fun Run

Standing ring center at the largest Celebration of the Saluki in the world is the honor and thrill of a lifetime – I’m facing three days of the most delectable duties known to Salukilovers! I’ll meet each of your beauties face¬-to-face (delightful); revel in their structure, movement and conditioning (awe-inspiring); and wish there were many, many more ribbons to award (angst). Thank you for entering and allowing me the privilege.

My introduction to the world of purebred dogs was the Afghan Hound Am/Can/Mex Ch Zaamarakuri of Ghazni, owner-handled to Best in Show by my 17-year-old babysitter Mary Kenney (Blacker) in 1953. Later that decade came the National Geographic issue featuring Salukis, and I knew I had found ‘my’ breed. But until the day came I could claim a Saluki as my own, I honed my skills showing Afghans (that’s tongue-in-cheek – one judge actually told me, as she handed me the ribbon, that my dog had won despite my handling).

Meanwhile, I studied Salukis. History. Pedigrees. Dogs of the past. Structure and function. Genetics. Foundation breeders. Contemporary breeders. With a vision of my ideal and a thoroughly developed plan, I went shopping.

Brenlair’s Omar Markus v Mara, from Peggie Sheets’ all-champion Brenlair Litter II (Warm Valley/Jen Araby), danced across my threshold in 1973 and set my course in Salukis. Breedings to three ladies of divergent backgrounds ensued: Conamor Zaharra (1974, Warm Valley/Billa de Esta); Habah’s Jericho of Avatar (1976, Jen Araby/Knightellington); and Pine Paddocks Aliyha Farouk (1980, Pine Paddocks/Sedeki). Outcomes were blended and Elysian Fields evolved.

Among our better known ‘kids’ over the years are Best in Specialty winners Ch Elysian Fields Afar, Ch Elysian Fields Mennofer (Marly), Ch Elysian Fields Zafaran (Lashes) and Ch Elysian Fields Dubai. But wins, though thrilling, are just a single, fleeting facet in the enduring joy of life with Salukis. Just as their hair inexplicably weaves itself into any fabric, they weave themselves into the very fabric of our lives, and their marvelous sense of humor and extreme creativity are unending delights!

Today Salukis from our last three Elysian Fields generations crowd the couch at home. Ch Marmara, 14, Lashes-look-alike Idibidi, 9 (unfortunately, spayed), and Tangiers and Fetish, 12 months, who are out of Idibidi’s sister Ch NeferNefer, herself a specialty winner, owned by a good friend.

In nine years at the center of the ring, I have judged the Empire, Puget Sound and Huron Valley specialties, the SCOA ER, the Potomac Hound show, and several splendid supported entries. This past July I enjoyed my first international assignment, the Swedish Saluki National and Skokloster show – a wonderful new adventure. Always, I look for moderation, balance, quintessential traditional type, and the perception of ability to bring home dinner. Good feet and strong backs are musts, and unfettered, flowing outlines are important. They don’t run on their heads, but a beautiful countenance also appeals. Inexpert handling doesn’t faze me, nor does the behavior of a Saluki who lets everyone know he’d rather be elsewhere. Quality shines through!

I have been a AKC  agility judge for over ten years and have enjoyed judging all across the country and enjoy watching dogs all over the country compete in a sport that they enjoy.  I look forward to judging the Salukis and wish them all clean runs.

As a teen I fell in love with an Afghan puppy while on a date. That interest festered and grew until I finally purchased my first Afghan hound puppy named Shay in 1972.  The acquisition of a sight hound expanded my activities with the dogs rapidly to include showing, running and judging in ASFA lure coursing trials and breeding a few Afghan litters with my ex-husband.  In 1980, Judie Treuschel enriched my life with my first Saluki, Am.Can.Ch. Atallah’s Tayr Ahmar, T.T. F.Ch. From that point forward I was hooked on and directed my focus towards the Salukis.  My last Afghan passed in 1995.  Tayr is behind six out of eight of my present Salukis.  Over the years, I have owned, bred, co-bred, and co-owned many top ten Salukis including Twyx, Bashir and Flower.  Now retired from teaching and living on the Northern Neck of Virginia, I still enjoy the company of my Salukis.  My life with the dogs includes participating in agility and obedience classes and other doggy activities with my local all-breed club, judging and running in AKC and ASFA trials, and showing in UKC and AKC shows.  Non-doggy activities include volunteering at a wild life rehab center, spending times with family and friends, working part time at an insurance agency, and keeping up with my house and property.

I am looking forward to the privilege of judging the Sweepstakes classes at the 2012 National Specialty and hope to make it a positive experience for dogs and handlers.

Premium lists page updated with that information as well as direct link to online entry system and instructions for Triathlon entry.

Downloads page updated with premium list information/link.