Welcome to 2010

Hello!

As we Spring into 2010 we have a lot to look back on and much to look forward to. We’ve made many new friends both human and canine. Our membership has had many amazing times and successes from Mary Ann Ruggiero’s Ariel with the Super 18, to Jody Woodruff’s Bentley achieving the first Leonberger AKC UD title. There are others but I certainly can’t list them all. We need to just pause for a moment and realize what we and our friends have achieved.

We also have much to look forward to. The Leonberger Club of America received approval from the AKC for entry into the Working Class as of July 1^st. This will certainly change the face of our club. I encourage all members to be positive through these changes. With active participation we can retain what really makes our club so special – Great Dogs, Great People.

Here in the Northwest your Board and Show Team members are actively preparing for our regional specialty, “Spring into 2010”. I look forward to seeing old friends again and meeting new ones this March. We’ll have great competition, great food and lively conversation. Be sure to hang around Saturday evening, not only for the great food but to get updated on our plans to apply for AKC sanctioned status.

One exciting change for us this March concerns Junior Showmanship. We are starting our transition towards AKC rules with this class. To begin our AKC journey we have modified the age ranges to reflect AKC classes. Pee Wee (non-AKC but so much fun) will now go up to age eight. Junior class will be nine to thirteen and Senior class will be fourteen to eighteen. See the premium for more information and, if you can, pre-register those Juniors and Seniors so they can be included in the catalogue!

This March we are also starting a Fireside Chat tradition. Saturday evening Jody Woodruff has agreed to be available for a brief round table discussion/question and answer session about preparing for and entering Obedience with your Leonberger. We’ll meet by the fireplace shortly before the potluck on Saturday; bring your questions and fears and she’ll do her best to help you out.

Back to talking about the AKC — our August 20^th through 22^nd show is chock full of plans. We intend to hold our first B Match on Sunday. Pat Hastings will be our judge for that special event. And, mentioned last but certainly not least, the LCNW Show Team is proud to announce our Saturday judge, esteemed John Feehan from the United Kingdom! Mark the August Regional on your calendars now for this extremely special show. He will continue our new tradition of Saturday education by providing an after show Leonberger seminar based on what he has seen not only at our show, but globally. We can turn out in force to participate in the B Match and to give Mr. Feehan an amazing American welcome.

So I will let you go and expect to see you all March 12^th through 14^th. Join us and share in the excitement 2010 has to offer.

Salena

Board President, LCNW