Champion Jacob's Star of Bethlehem
Beautiful Beth!
Ch. Jacob's Star of Bethlehem
Sire: Ch. Marcris Blue Hills Fame
Dam: Blue Hill's Stylish Showoff
Ch. Jacob's Star of Bethlehem, "Beth" represents one of the hardest parts for me of being a breeder of show dogs. It is called, "time will tell". See, when you plan a breeding you research pedigrees, study the strong points of your girl and potential stud dogs, make your decision, do the breeding and then dream of all the wonderful qualities the new puppies will get from their parents and grandparents. But when they are born, other than knowing what sex they are and whether or not they are healthy it is pretty much impossible to tell if these sweet babies will mature into the lovely show dogs you've dreamed about.
Here are Beth and her brother Noel at day one.
A
couple of weeks later we see that she was getting some pretty dark pigment
which is a good thing.
Between
three and week five my hopes were dimmed by her weight - she was a little
piglet and had gotten so fat that she couldn't turn over without help. We
laughed at her sweet self but my "show" mind was thinking, "This
baby is not going to make it." But we continued to love her
and watch her mature.
Then
at four and a half months I entered her in a fun "match" at the Montgomery
Show. She took a Group Three placement!! Well, maybe there is hope for this
little one after all.
Now
at eight months she has matured into a lovely young lady. She kept that
beautiful pigment and added a wonderful silky coat and great movement as
her "baby fat" turned to muscle and grace. So we expect her do to very well
in the ring. The moral of the story is that in the show world, "only time
will tell".
We
showed Beth in both the Sweepstakes and the Conformance event at the 2004
American Maltese Association National Specialty. Beth made us very proud
by finishing fourth in the class in the Sweepstakes.
Frankly,
Beth has been a challenge to show as she gets very excited about showing.
When I walk her other places such as the baseball park or in the neighborhood
she walks beautifully but get her near a show ring and she wants to run,
skip, hop bark at the dogs in the other ring, etc. Several judges have really
liked her on the table but not been able to put her up for the win because
"she was having too much fun". On a very windy day in April, 2005
Judge Bradley Jenkins (pictured here) saw how lovely she was and forgave
her behavior and gave her a four point major win (the picture says New Champion
but that was an error). We also had some help from friend and professional
handler, Amy Preuett who took her back in for Best of Breed competition
and Beth couldn't get away with as much with Amy so she actually walked
and Judge Jenkins could see how lovely she really is.
The
next weekend at the Birmingham Kennel Club Show in Brierfield we wore her
out prior to going into the ring (thank you Sharon) and she took her second
major - Best of Winners - a five point major under Judge Elaine Mathis.
Amy agreed to handle her for me for those last six points.
Amy
Preuett did an excellent job in presenting her and Beth completed her
Championship May 22, 2005 taking Best of Opposite under Judge Charles Trotter.
Unfortunately Judge Trotter had to hurry to judge a Group so the photo was
taken without him.
Judge
Donald Teague also recognized Beth's championship qualities giving her Best
of Opposite at the Clemson Show. Our deep thanks to all the Judges who looked
beyond her sometimes less than optimal behavior and saw her beautify and
conformation. A great big thanks to Amy who loved on her while gently leading
her the right way.
Beth is now proving to be an excellent Mommie as she had her first puppy
with Champion TaJon's California
Raisin, aka, Dude, on August 5, 2005. We will watch this puppy with
anticipation of a new Champion!