SBIS/UBIS American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Klearly Proud

"Kubota"

August 8, 1997 - November 8, 2010

 A sad day here and one which we have been dreading.  Having to say good bye to a lifelong friend and integral part of your life is never easy but today we released "Kubota" from his pain and helped him over the bridge.  He has been a cornerstone of this kennel for many years, a producer of dreams and goals attained for many and in short just a "good old guy."  Despite his struggles with Lyme disease over many years, he always somehow managed to make our day a little brighter in his own special way.

Good bye, dear friend... it is much too quiet here without you and "your girls" are missing you very much.  We will never forget you.

Love,  Maggie and Sally

A beautiful autumn day was spent today at the Ramapo Kennel Club show today and Best of Breed went to SBIS American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks ("Trevor") under Mr. William Cunningham.

A day to step back in time.  Attending the fabled Morris and Essex Kennel Club show which is held but every five years brings back memories of when Maggie attended her very first dog show here in the mid fifties.  Yes, really... over half a century ago!

The judge for the day was Mrs. Joan Anselm of Giant Schnauzer fame.  Her choice for Best of Breed came by way of the Bred By Exhibitor class in Ginger Leeuwenburg's Graafin Kapri's Steele Blue Kenaz who was co-bred by Ginger and Kamgaard and finished his Championship on the day with his fourth major and all points from the Bred By Exhibitor class.  In doing so, he becomes the 145th Champion either bred or owned by Kamgaard as well as the third to finish for his sire SBIS American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks in less than a week!  An Award of Merit went to Kenaz's brother, Ch. Kamgaard Kut Above and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed to SBIS Ch. Kamgaard Kase In Point.

What a Wonderful Winning Week-end!!!

Driving through torrential rains to Monroe, Michigan on Thursday, the sun came out and shone brightly for the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Southeastern Michigan Specialty Show on Friday.  A picture-perfect autumn dog show day!  The judge for the day was Mr. Grant Winchell, known to many Elkhounders as a handler with much experience in our breed.  Winners Dog for 4 points to finish his Championship was our Kamgaard Kut Above ("Kobi")ably handled by Kimm McDowell.  Reserve Winners Bitch from BBE class was our Kamgaard Kekekabic ("Kekka") and the First Award of Merit and Select Award went to Ch. Kamgaard Kase In Point ("Kasey").

Dinner with good friends Steve and Cindi Chester from Tennessee and new friends Mark and Jennifer Harless of Michigan that evening allowed us to catch up on dog doings before pushing off on Saturday morning.  A call from Steve later that day was a happy one reporting that their Jeger's Somebody To Love had gone Winners Bitch for 2 points toward her Championship at the Monroe Michigan Kennel Club show under Jon Cole.  "Dove" is a daughter of our SBIS American/Canadian Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks ("Trevor").  While driving south, we also learned that the young Trevor puppy Horizon Rock Solid had been Reserve to a 5 point major at the Warrenton Kennel Club show on Saturday under Candace Way.  Congrats, "Rock"!

Once more driving through the rain part of the way, we arrived in the beautiful hunt country of Virginia for the specialty show of the Norwegian Elkhound Club of the Potomac Valley on Sunday.  This is always one of our favorites as far as specialties go, due in great measure to the many wonderful members and great hospitality.  Breeder-judge Nelson Huber ("Valdemar") was in control of his ring and found his Best of Breed in Ch. Kamgaard Kase In Point ("Kasey")

who later went on to place 4th in an excellent Hound Group.  We cannot help but think that her late co-breeder/co-owner Cecilia Frye was beaming from above that her "great white hope" as she dubbed "Kasey" had done her proud.. and we know that her co-owner Denny Frye sure was when we called him on the way home!

Soon after, the cell phone rang and we heard the great news that Jeger's Somebody To Love ("Dove") had once again gone Winners Bitch at the Sunday show of the Monroe Michigan Kennel Club under Joe Gregory and finished her Championship!!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!! Steve, Cindi and "Dove"!...and many, many thanks to Kimm who finished not one but TWO! Trevor babies in three days.

Wonderful wins all, but thinking of the words of a wise woman who once said "God gives with one hand and takes with the other" we learned of the recent passing of our Ch. Kamgaard Kordelia Grey, one of Maggie's all-time favorites.  "Kordie" had lived out her final years with Fred and Tina Bishop in Virginia in a life of leisure and we thank them for loving her so.  Rest in peace "Kords"... you were VERY special.

The Somerset Hills Kennel Club show is always a favorite on the calendar each year, with memories of Maggie showing her first dog here in 1962 and this year the club dedicated their show to the memory of the victims of the September 11th attack.  The classes here were the specialty show of the Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club thus marking their 40th year of continuing service to the breed.  Judges were Roland Pelland ("Blizzard") judging the Sweepstakes classes and Kathy Carter of Norelka Elkhounds in Colorado doing the honors in the regular classes.

CONGRATULATIONS to:

Horizon Rock Solid (breeders/owners Pam Johnson and Linda Syner/co-bred by Kamgaard) - BOS in Sweepstakes and Reserve Winners Dog at his very first show at 7 months of age

BIS/SBIS American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kristorn CD, RA (owners Quentin and Sherry Falk) - Best in Veteran Sweepstakes 

Graafin Kapris' Steele Blue Kenaz (breeder/owner Ginger Leeuwenburg, co-bred by Kamgaard) - Winners Dog and Best of Winners for 3 points

SBIS American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kapri at Graafin (owner Ginger Leeuwenburg) - 1st in Brood Bitch class

and last but certainly not least our

American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks

who was

BEST OF BREED!!!

Another "catch up" entry covering the last half of August.

We neglected to note the Best of Breed at the Tioga County KC show on August 21st by "Trevor"  (American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks) under Mrs. Catherine Bell.

More recently we've had a message from Lisa Bank in Canada to say that baby "Keeno"   (Kamgaard Klearly Kommander Keeno) attended his second match show at the Markham Kennel Club on August 28th and again won the breed over competition and was 3rd in the Hound Group.  Wonderful news!

From Bob and Ruth Ness in Maryland comes the sad news that they helped their beloved "Karla"  (Polestar Karla Kirkssted) over the Rainbow Bridge on August 26th at an age of 15+ years.  To quote Bob reminiscing about Karla's final days "Just last Friday afternoon, Karla represented the Dog Owners Group at the Opportunity Fair here at Riderwood for two hours. People loved her here and Bennie, our little Corgi/Chihuahua, is certainly going to miss his big sister. He idolized her. She lived a wonderful life. She was a therapy dog, for about five years with Pets on Wheels Prince Georges County, visiting Renaissance Gardens one to three times a month for almost two hours each time during that period. She is our last Norwegian Elkhound after forty years with the breed."

 The Nesses have had many Kamgaards over the years and Karla was one of the last known descendant of SBIS Ch. Kamgaard Kermitsson.  Our feelings for this wonderful family run deep.  Rest in peace, dear "Karla" - you were much loved.  She is pictured below with her best friend "Bennie."

The emailbag delivered two lovely photos today... the first being from Toni Sibrel with a wonderful movement shot of Kamgaard Katch The Buzz ("ZigBee") taken at the recent Chicago specialty:

and the second one from Kristi Wehking with her win shot from the recent Waukesha show of Sangrud Kamgaard Kolbjorn ("Teddy") -- see entry of August 1st for show details:

Two handsome guys! ... we're proud!!!

A trip to the north country and a Best of Breed at the Mohawk Valley Kennel Club show for American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks ("Trevor") under Mr. Steve Hubbell.   

Touching down for a couple of days before leaving for the next set of shows...lots to report and share!

Just home from three of the big Canfield, Ohio shows where the trip out was delayed with bad weather and much road construction.  Once at the motel, we were met by Rob and Rebecca Binder and 6 year old son Evan who quickly "magnetized" himself to his new puppy "Torvald" -- another of the Jag x Kool Max boys.  The Binders made the trip from Minneapolis so that their puppy would not need to be shipped and from all accounts, little Torvald is fitting into his new life in Minnesota just fine.  Best of luck with this charmer... we miss him!

The first day at Canfield was the Fort Steuben Kennel Association with just "Kobi" (Kamgaard Kut Above) entered and he was Winners Dog and Best of Winners under Mrs. Rosemary Shoreman of Canada.  The next day was the Columbiana County Kennel Club with the Greater Cleveland Norwegian Elkhound Club holding their specialty.  The judge from Ireland was Mr. Harry O'Donoghue, breeder of the world-famous Blackdale Wire Fox Terriers.  We showed just "Kobi" and "Kekka" (Kamgaard Kekekabic) and Kobi was Winners Dog and Best of Winners while Kekka was Winners Bitch.  BIG thanks go to  Kimm McDowell who showed Kobi in the Best of Breed competition and came very close to winning the whole shooting match!  Last day on Saturday was the Beaver County Kennel Club where only "Kobi" was entered and he collected Winners Dog and Best of Winners.  Overall a successful three days with all wins from the Bred By Exhibitor class.

A couple of hot and steamy days spent at home with Lisa Bank and her daughter Arielle who traveled from Ontario, Canada to choose their puppy from the Jag x Kool Max litter.  Their favorite was "Keeno" who will be Kamgaard Klearly Kommander Keeno and provide them with a new re-start into the Elkhound show world. 

He's a lovely puppy -- sound, silver, assured and wanting to please.  We wish them all the best of luck with him and look forward to seeing him in the Canadian and American rings in the future.

Over the week-end we received not one, or two, but THREE happy phone calls from Steve and Cindi Chester of Tennessee to report that their "Trevor" daughter, Jeger's Somebody To Love ("Dove") took Texas by storm and won three majors in a row;  7/23 Houston KC - 3 points under Kent Delaney, 7/24 Beaumont KC - 3 points under Sari Brewster Tietjen ("Robwood"), and on 7/25 Galveston County KC - 4 points under Lisa Warren ("Elysium") by winning Best of Breed over all the specials!!!  CONGRATULATIONS to all and especially to Tonya MacRae who handles her beautifully! 

OK, we get the message!  After a few emails from readers who have been worried that all might not be well due to no updates on the website for a while, rest assured, we are fine.  Summer has found us very busy with little spare time and not a whole lot to report as we haven't been to any shows since mid May.  With the tremendous temperatures we have been having, just keeping everyone cool has been a daily project.  We think the photo below which was received from John and Susan Franzis of Connecticut of Kamgaard Knock On Wood ("Chip") parking it over his favorite air-conditioning duct pretty much says it all:

We've been enjoying the antics of the Jag x Kool Max puppies -- such characters!  This pack has personality galore!  We wish all the best of luck to Wendy Spencer of Maryland and her Kamgaard Klearly In Kommand who after Puppy Kindergarten and basic obedience will be aiming for a career in Agility.  "Rowan" was the first to leave the pack and her three brothers currently remain at Kamgaard.

On July 18th, we did (finally!) get to a show and are happy to report that American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks ("Trevor") was Best of Breed and 4th in a very nice Hound Group at the Twin Brooks Kennel Club show under Ms. Lena Tamboer ("Tam-Boer").  He showed wonderfully well despite the almost 100 degree heat and his summer jacket is lush!

Leaving Michigan on Thursday morning, the Kamgaard van set out back across Canada with a stop to visit friends Joe and Irene Orosz of Silverhawk Elkhounds in Ontario.  It was good to see our old friend "Kohl" (American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Keno at Silverhawk) once again.  He had just celebrated his 10th birthday days prior and looked great!

Two shows on Saturday and Sunday of the Wyoming Valley Kennel Club found "Trevor"  (American/Canadian Ch. Kamgaard Kover Your Tracks) going Best of Breed each day.  Leaving from the group on Sunday in near triple digit heat, we were happy to have just a four hour drive home.  The dogs were SO happy to be home after nearly ten days on the road...Maggie, too!

A couple of days at home to unwind and reflect...  thanks to all for the good wishes and congratulations!  We also see in the latest Dog News statistics that "Trevor" has been rated #3 Elkhound currently in group points.  Life is good! 

Four new puppies born today to SBIS American/Canadian/Bermudian Ch. Kamgaard Kommander In Chief and Ch. Kamgaard Klearly Grey.  Three boys, one girl.  Mom and babies are doing fine!

Unable at the last minute to go to our favorite show of the year, the Bucks County Kennel Club, was a disappointment...but we were happy to hear that the Trevor x Bunny son, Graafin Kapris' Steele Blue Kenaz (see May 2nd entry) was Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed for his second major under Dr. Donald Sturz Jr.  It was once again a supported entry of the Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club.

Two new items came across the desk today...

Firstly a note from Toni Sibrel to say that their "ZigBee" is now Kamgaard Katch The Buzz CGC RN NA!  On April 24th he got his Novice Agility Title with a qualifying run of 100 points and First Place in the Novice A Standard class under judge Tom Slattery at the Power Paw Blues Dog Club agility trial in Merrillville, Indiana.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!

and secondly the certificate above arrived from Dogs in Canada magazine honoring "Trevor" for being the #3 Elkhound in Canada for 2009.

Some days are diamonds!

A time away... a time to study some dogs... a time to visit with friends doggy and non.  The evening of April 13th saw Maggie and Linda Atcheson of Bermuda flying off to London to attend the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain's Championship Show on the 17th followed by visits around England and Wales.  CONGRATULATIONS! to CC and Best of Breed winner, Ch. Bowerhinton Bumble Bee ShCM and dog CC winner and new Champion, Ithim Agus Suim ShCM who both descend from exported Kamgaard stock.  The show was well-run, judged by Pat Trotter ("Vin-Melca") and a moment of silence was paid for our dear friend Jean Walter-Browne ("Oseberg") who lost her valiant battle with cancer the week before the show.  Lots of old and new faces making us feel very welcome and at home.

Despite worrying about getting home due to the volcanic ash, Linda flew home on the 23rd and Maggie headed up the motorway that day to the West of England Ladies Kennel Society Championship show and got to visit with Anne Roslin-Williams ("Mansergh"), author of The Elkhound in the British Isles-- a book we feel is THE best Elkhound book written.  We were joined by Peggy Grayson, author and longtime columnist for the dog papers.  A wonderful day!  A short visit at the show on Saturday to watch the Norwegian Buhund judging, then the drive south to visit with Sally's brother Christopher and partner Jill before returning home on Sunday.  Happy to be able to come home, as there are still many individuals stuck in the UK after the air traffic came to a grinding halt for a week and the lines were long.  Thank you American Airlines!!

Batteries re-charged and getting ready for the spring shows!

An OFA "Good" hip rating has been received for Ch. Kamgaard Kase In Point ("Kasey")  :-)

More "ZigBee" (see February 26th entry) news today from the Greater Milwaukee Norwegian Elkhound Association specialty shows.  On Friday in Rally, "Zig" placed first in Advanced A with a score of 99 and on Saturday, he scored a second place with 91 points.  He also won the American-Bred class both days at the specialty.  Keep up the great work!

These photos in today from Mallory Golladay and Ch. Kamgaard Kaballero, NA VNE CGC TDI working as a "Tail Wagging Tutor" at the Dakota County Library in Burnsville, MN in the Waggin' Tales Read To A Therapy Dog program.  This program is aimed at developing reading and fluency skills in children and Mallory reports that the children love to read dog books to "Kabbie" who listens intently!

What a great ambassador!

No new entries to this tab doesn't necessarily mean we've been idle, but rather getting through the winter can sometimes be a major task in and of itself!  It seems we have been in the deep freeze for countless weeks now with lots of snow, wind and continual grey skies.  The dogs don't complain, so we try not to, either!  The weather prevented us from getting to the Central NJ Hound Show before Westminster, but entries have been made for upcoming shows, so we are hopeful that Mother Nature will be kinder.

We have enjoyed receiving many Elkhounds in the snow photos from friends and Kamgaard family members.  Snow plus Elkhounds is a natural combination - a few are shown below:

CONGRATULATIONS! to Steve and Cindi Chester as their Trevor daughter, Jeger's Somebody To Love ("Dove") was recently Best of Breed from the Puppy Bitch class at the Conyers KC of Georgia under Alberto Berrios.  We are also happy to announce that Steve and Cindi are the proud new co-owners with us of Ch. Kamgaard Highland Karmann Ghia and we look forward to working with them in producing future generations of excellence.

Elkhounds and roosters?  Check out the new photo in our "Everyday Life" tab...