Is he looking for a new 'lady'? ;)
Posted on 03/27/2013 10:32:58 AM PDT by Altariel
Dublin resident Jocelyn Mullins fell in love with Doberman pinschers because they're intelligent, energetic and true companions.
Those traits, coupled with a remarkable pedigree, have helped boost her dog, Fifi, to the pinnacle of the show-dog circuit.
The sturdy, barrel-chested dog with bright eyes and trademark pink collar -- studded with jewels, of course -- may be the most accomplished Doberman of all time.
In three years of competition, she's racked up 71 Best in Show prizes, and in international competition she's been named the best in her breed three years running.
"No Doberman in history has been able to do that," Mullins said.
Fifi -- also known as the "Fifinator" by fans -- might have capped off an extraordinary career this month at the Super Bowl of dogs shows: the 137th Westminster Dog Show in New York City.
The 4-year-old Doberman was favored by bookmaker Johnny Avella, who picked the winner three times in the past six years. He put Fifi on top with 7-to-1 odds.
Ultimately, she was beat out by Matisse, a 6-year-old Portuguese water dog, in the working dog group and failed to make the cut for the Best in Show grand finale.
The setback didn't faze Fifi. During daily trips with her owner to Advanced Boarding and Grooming -- the Lewis Center business Mullins owns -- Fifi is in high spirits.
"She's a very comical dog," Mullins said. "She's ornery and mischievous, but it's not out of badness. She just likes things that have entertainment value."
She loves people, Mullins said. Fifi never passes up a chance for a scratch behind the ears.
Fifi loves the limelight, too. She's a natural in front of a panel of judges, Mullins said.
The Westminster Dog Show has categories for 187 breeds, and judging is based on rigid appearance standards as well as a dog's movement and disposition.
Fifi did crack the show's top tier last year, emerging as one of seven finalists. In 2012, she was ranked No. 3 overall by the American Kennel Club.
An award-winning Doberman should be healthy, alert and determined, with the ability to make good decisions on the fly, Mullins said.
The American Kennel Club describes the breed as "an elegant athlete in a tight-fitting wrapper."
Fifi fits the bill. Bill Shelton of Pomona, Calif., has been involved in dog shows for 50 years and has judged Fifi in competition. He said her physical attributes -- right down to the tilt of her pelvis and the arch of her neck -- as well as her balance and sense of showmanship are the breed standard.
"Fifi is in many ways about as near perfect a Doberman there has been in my time in the sport," Shelton said.
Fifi isn't done competing. Mullins said she'll compete in obedience and will start agility training soon.
She'll also continue to be an ambassador for her oft-misunderstood breed, Mullins said.
"She knows how to make a good first impression," she said. "She makes people smile."
Is he looking for a new 'lady'? ;)
True enough, they are not for many and it's best that way. And they sure don't cotton to being other than pack leader very readily. I used to never lock my doors with my red nosed Staffy on patrol. I don't do that anymore with the mutts most occupied with stalking stuffed animals and outpositoning the other fer first dibs on meals and treats.
I must be psychic because I knew I would see you on this thread when the title came up, LOL!
Most American show Dobes are no longer able to perform their original function, whether it is due to conformational oddities or temperamental softness.
Case in point, “Fifi loves everybody”.
While this may be a politically correct and socially acceptable trait, it it not inherent to the original breed standard.
They are to be “sharp and circumspect of strangers. Fearless and bold, willing to protect their people without hesitation”.
That is why I have ‘gone Euro’.
They do not allow Dobes to breed unless one or more of the parents have at least one working title.
‘Halla is half ‘show pony lines’ and so far, loves everyone and looks incredibly beautiful and elegant.
Odin is out of Euro working lines and is solid, massive and suspicious of everyone, assuming the worst until proven otherwise.
He fell out of his mom ready to protect and serve.
She will probably need to be trained to do so, unless she ‘picks it up’ from him when she matures.
She is a typical giggly puppy.
He was born serious and focused.
American dog shows and Euro dog shows are different worlds.
Here, it’s around the ring and bring ‘em back.
Euro shows are a free for all and nobody disciplines the dogs for being aggressive because they’re *supposed* to be.
In the dim and distant past, Dobes in the US ring were penalized for -shyness- or attacking the handler or judge.
Then people got ‘concerned’ about the ‘reputation’ and bred passive dogs to passive dogs to ‘dilute’ their temperament.
Color dilutes such as Fawns and Blues are frowned upon over there.
Fawns, in fact, are not even allowed.
Here, “4 color litters” are “desirable”, despite their inherent weakness and flaws.
The AKC allows -Albinos- to be registered but not shown when they shouldn’t be allowed in the bloodlines _at all_.
[there’s now a “Z factor list” where you can see if your normal Dobe is carrying recessive Albinism due to creeps breeding recessives into the good lines]
The AKC “allows” _4 missing teeth_.
Euros allow NO missing teeth.
The purpose of the dog was to bite so the AKC is insane.
Guess what I think of all that.
Also keep in mind that many insurance companies will not issue homeowners coverage to people who have pit bull terriers.
This goes for rotwiellers, german shepard dogs, chows, akitas and few others.
No kidding. That name belongs on one of those purse dogs.
I know it's personal preference and all that, but I don't even bother to watch those dog shows anymore, because I know that the winner is going to be some little ball of fur rolling across the floor instead of a beautiful Doberman, or Shepherd, or Malamute.
Like I said, no offense to owners of small dogs...I'm just biased.
Not at all.
Fifi is heavy on the Cambria lines which intersect ‘Halla’s Briarwood lines via Brunswig’s Cryptonite and Soquel’s Distant Thunder.
He is heavily line bred from Hertog Alpha LeDobry and the v.Neerland Stam/v Norden Stamm lines.
He is her half brother, both sharing the same sire.
Given the expected breeding coefficients, their pups should favor the grandfather’s lines.
State Farm does.
Good to know. Thanks.
I am sure there are several breeders in NC or SC you could find through the doberman breeders club or through the AKC.
Most breeds have a National dog Club. Try searching for the National Doberman Club. They will have a registry of all their supporting members. Then go check out individual breeder websites. DO NOT buy a puppy from a UKC breeder out of AR, MO. These are the true puppy mills that breed for the pet store trade.
It happens almost every year.
That one mop-peke got it two years in a row.
People are generally shocked to find out that I do not watch WKC.
Haven’t for *years* since they started putting up the breed judging videos online.
IMO, either Fifi or that agonizingly *glorious* Bluetick should have won.
Fifi was the only reason I tuned in for the last two farces.
We just switched and when I asked the agent if they had ‘breed specific clauses’ she actually snorted derisively and emphatically said -NO-.
Happily, they were much cheaper than Erie but I would have switched even if they had not been.
I found thes on the Doberman Pinchers Club of America.
South Carolina
(Inman)
BLUMONT
Elizabeth Patterson
(864) 472-4971
BluMont@juno.com
www.blumontdobes.com
South Carolina
(Aiken)
CASTLE KEEP DOBERMANS/MIKADOBE
Henry Dingfelder Jr and Virginia Dingfelder
(803) 643-3257
dingdobe@yahoo.com
South Carolina
(Aiken)
PHILLMAR
Phillip M Martin
(954) 270-1683
philipm000@aol.com
www.phillmardobes.com
South Carolina
(Blythewood)
SHILOH
Sandy Tomes
(803) 754-7390
ShilohDobe@aol.com
good Luck
Or I’m just *that* damn predictable.
LOL
I have State Farm for my kennel and grooming shop.
I formerly had Maine Mutual.
I had all kinds of such issues in my apt living days.
Yes. Correct. As usual.
Beautiful, beautiful dog. Congratulations!
I have to watch WKC just to keep up on all the new breeds!
Cuttnhorse, (in Rottieland)
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