Knotts Island dog will try Westminster again next year

KNOTTS ISLAND

While he didn’t take home a title from the Westminster Kennel Club’s 135th Annual Dog Show, Rave did strut his stuff in the show ring. His owner, Jane Brumley of Knotts Island, has an exciting experience to share.

After all, Rave’s older brother won his breed’s competition, and his handler took to the podium with the dog that won the entire show at Madison Square Garden in New York on Feb. 14 and 15.

Rave, whose full name is Champion Beachcliff Ravens Crest, is a 3½-year-old flat-coated retriever .

The atmosphere at Westminster is unlike any other show, said Brumley, who owns Rave along with her husband, Walter “Buster” Brumley.

“Westminster is very crowded with dogs, handlers, lots of news media and many, many spectators,” said Jane Brumley, who was accompanied by Rave’s trainer, Mary Switzer.

Brumley had gone to Westminster in 2003 with Rave’s father, Champion Darktarn Neptune’s Raven, who was ranked top five in the country. That was her first year there as an owner and spectator.

“This time I knew my way around the show and was able to soak in the ambiance, visit 'dog’ friends and watch other breeds,” Brumley said.

She has been showing flat-coated retrievers for more than 20 years and has been a member of the Tidewater Kennel Club of Virginia and a delegate to the American Kennel Club.

At the preliminary warm-up shows in New Jersey, just before Westminster, Rave won top in his breed three out of five days.

At Westminster, Brumley did not watch from the floor close to the ring in an effort not to distract Rave but instead was one level above, feeling both nervous and anxious.

For Rave, it was just another dog outing, but Brumley thinks he knew it was a bit special compared to other shows.

Brumley watched the judging with her good friend Mari Rendich, who owns Rave’s older brother, Sam –short for Champion Beachcliff Hello Mr. Sam.

Rave made the final selections, but it was Sam who won.

“I did not expect Rave to win this year,” Brumley said. “But, it was all in the family with Sam winning, so I am very happy.”

Rave’s handler, Angela Lloyd, also handled Hickory, a deerhound who won Best in Show.

Next on Rave’s agenda: spend quality time on the family’s farm on Knotts Island.

“He’ll spend the summer as a family dog, going out with us on our boat, playing in the yard with his flat-coated companion, Ginger, and just enjoying himself,” Brumley said.

In June, he’ll attend the flat-coated retriever nationals in Maryland and then start working on his obedience title, before Lloyd takes him for his show career full time in 2012.

Next February, Rave will go back to the Big Apple for another shot at Westminster.