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."
Yep...when that Pekingese got it, I yelled and turned off the TV.
I guess they’re keeping current, though....almost everyone I know seems to prefer the little yappy dogs these days.
Did you see the Portguese Podengo Pequenos?
My friend Suzanne busted arse to get them recognized and they finally made it.
The *look* like little foo-foo purse dogs but they’re bloodthirsty little rabbit and vermin dogs.
I have a Medio version.
She is a merciless verminator and worth her weight in gold.
:)
I’m sorry but if I have to worry about accidentally stepping on a dog, it’s not really for me.
I would love a Min Pin but I can’t imagine it surviving The Moose clomping around my living room.
:D
” No kidding. That name belongs on one of those purse dogs.”
For a brief moment, I considered naming Odin “Fluffy”.
[the irony hit me funny]
I have a friend who named their Boa Fluffy.
Which IS really funny.
:)
Working dog lines are the answer I think - my Dobe comes from working lines and he is not “nice to everyone” for sure.
She knows how to pose for the camera too! And I like your comment about the necessity to beat many other dogs in her breed to get in the finals vs. a dog that comes from a much smaller class.
That is what I don’t understand about the Goldens who usually come from a field of 100 entries. Surely the best of breed of a group that large must have SOMETHING to recommend it, but they are always left out in the cold when the ribbons are handed out. Not fair.
The big dog shows should be advertised as giving prizes to the “most unusual”, the “newest”, etc. ‘Cause they sure don’t give them to the most popular dogs.
And don’t get me started on those ugly Pekinese dogs that can’t even waddle around the ring....
Nobody asked me but if I had to choose from that list I would go with Phillmar and then Shiloh.
Most of the dogs in the choices are running the same general bloodlines but these two have some good Euro lines bred in as well.
I’m sorry but the look on the dog’s face is priceless! I think he wants those boobs out of his face! :)
Which IS really funny.
:) "
Actually, that's kind of cute, LOL!
That reminds me of the '70s movie, The Amazing Dobermans, with Fred Astaire. I read that they fitted those dogs with false teeth to make them look more viscious! And, remember "The Boys" on Magnum PI?
Oh, look at them....
Randall’s face! So gorgeous.
If somebody jumps you in an alley or breaks into your home, you don’t want “a great ambassador for the breed”....;]
What are his lines, if I may ask?
The dirty little secret of shows is *politics*.
Who knows who.
Who likes who.
And worst of all, the judges’ personal preferences.
The one BOS judge never saw a fluffy mop she didn’t love and every year, she’d pick her favorite over the best dog.
She was gone the last two years and replaced by a younger goofball, IMO.
Whoever kept putting up that grossly overdone Bull Terrier a few years back needed their head examined.
Labs also have a ginormous breed class.
Do you think you’ll live long enough to see one go BOS?
It was a reaction to the popular prejudice against pets who aren’t “fluffy and cuddly”.
Well, in a manner of speaking you do.
“In your culture, it is acceptable to jump my mistress in an alley or break into my mistress’s home? Let me introduce you to my culture.”
At least, that’s what the dog would say, if he weren’t so busy relating his displeasure with tooth and jaw....
We on Free Republic need to encourage these great ambassadors of Doberman culture, and be understanding of their ways.
:)
Naturally, I have the trilogy on DVD [lol] and no, they don’t have false teeth.
However, they did stuff cotton under their lips to make them “snarl” for the camera.
“Zoltan, Hound Of Dracula” [seriously] does indeed feature a corn-starch powdered Dobe with fake fang extensions.
One of the best worst movies, ever...:)
“The Boys” drove me crazy.
Nobody else noticed that one of the “boys” was missing “parts”?
Was the girl Zeus or Apollo?
[Magnum wasn’t much of a PI if he missed that all those years]
LOL
LOL!
Okay..fair enough.
Fie on the AKC’s definition of “ambassador”.
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