Batavia sheepdog earns barking rights
By Linda Girardi For The Courier-News February 21, 2012 10:10PM
Susan Manier of Batavia plays with her 3-year-old Belgian sheepdog Bonntymes Keepin It Real at Devine, or "Hondo." The dog won Best in Breed at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show in New York. | Brian Powers~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 23, 2012 8:14AM
BATAVIA — A Belgian sheepdog from Batavia didn’t just take home a “Best in Breed” title at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York this month.
Bonntymes Keepin It Real at Devine, a 3½-year-old male, upset his competitors when he was selected among the top five of his breed that qualified, even though he didn’t get an invitation to the prestigious dog show.
“I thought we had a good chance, but we weren’t out showing this year,” said owner Susan Manier.
Manier said after the top five dogs in every breed entered, she placed her entry at last minute and ended up taking home a ribbon and medallion for Best in Breed.
“We entered as an extra,” she said of the nation’s biggest dog show.
After winning the Best in Breed competition at Westminster, Bonntymes progressed to the Best in Group competition that showcased 26 dogs in the herding group. He was shown by handler Lindsey Kuhn of Perrysburg, Ohio.
“We were impressed with his attitude in the ring — he was only in six shows last year and two this year,” Manier said. Bonntymes is the dog’s registered name, taken from the Wisconsin kennel where he was bred. But at home, he goes by “Hondo.” He is 23¾ inches tall and weighs 60 pounds.
Hondo is intelligent, handsome and has a friendly disposition under a big velvet jet-black coat. Belgian sheepdogs were message carriers in World War II. Today, they are known as excellent workers and are used as search-and-rescue dogs, guide dogs and therapy dogs, as well as flock guardian dogs and family companions.
Hondo has fathered 13 puppies in four litters; a couple have become show dogs.
“Technically he won’t be mature to the ideal until 5 or 6 years old. He’ll have more coat in two years,” Manier said.
As for Hondo’s potential for becoming a “dynasty” dog, Manier said that will depend on her financial investment. She also shows Satin, another Belgian sheepdog imported from Australia.
Manier said she works three jobs in order to pursue her passion of showing her dogs.
“It’s like fishing or golfing — once you put the money out, it’s gone. You show for the prestige,” Manier said.
“I am not in it for the money,” she said of her second time at Westminster.
“I enjoy the herding and tracking. I have stayed with the breed because the dogs are exceptional. My two dogs are worthy of campaigning,” she said of her champions.
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