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Dr. Leslie Slusher
ACKCSC National Specialty Puppy Sweepstakes

April 13, 2026 – Kingsport, Tennessee

I would like to thank the ACKCSC membership for inviting me to judge the Sweeps at this year’s National. I am humbled and honored that you trusted me to judge your dogs. I was so impressed by the depth of quality that I saw in the puppies. I look forward to watching these dogs mature. Each and every veteran that I judged was a testament to the progress that we as breeders have made to the health and longevity of our dogs. The care and love that our breeders put into their programs is evident. I believe that the future of our breed is very bright. We are working hard for the health and longevity of our breed. We should not believe anyonewho tells us otherwise.

I would also like to thank the Board and the Show Committee for their hospitality.
This was a wonderful National that I thoroughly enjoyed. Your hard work was evident.

BEST IN SWEEPS Livelyoak Hidden Gem at Stormcastle, TS66880503. 2024-12-31. Brdr: Heather Borton. Owners: Stormi Mullis & Heather Borton.

Stating that this is a lovely bitch is an understatement. She is an outstanding example of age appropriate breed type. An elegant head with a beautiful expression going back into a long arched neck into a correct shoulder. She moves just as her silhouette would suggest. I was very proud to reward her BEST IN SWEEPS.

BEST OPPOSITE SEX SWEEPSTAKE 1. Starring Trooping the Colours, TS67661201. 2025-02-14. Brdr: Jennifer Flowers Foster. Owners: Jennifer Flowers Foster.
This is a gorgeous boy. He is quite mature for his 14 months of age. Beautiful head goes into a nicely arched neck into a well laid back shoulder. Good topline and nice angulation. Good reach and drive and tracks true on the move. I was happy to award him BEST OF OPPOSITE IN SWEEPS

Puppy Dogs 6-9 Months

1 Ivyline Bruno Mars, TS68980201 2025-09-20. Brdr: Ivy Giampapa Owners: Ivy Giampapa

A very handsome puppy with a correct head, good topline and nice angulation.  He moved with great confidence for a 7 month old puppy. He presented a very nice silhouette both on the move and stacked.  A well-balanced fellow with lots of breed type.

2. Sheeba Master Reuben, TS68262702 2025-07-16 Brdr: Danna Robinson Saathoff/Suzanne Robinson/Karin Ostmann. Owner: Karin Ostmann/Danna Robinson-Saathoff/Suzanne Robinson.

A 9 month old puppy with a masculine head and nice shape and size. He has an excellent show temperament. His tail never stopped wagging, both on the move and stacked. A little bit longer in the loin than the first place puppy.

3. Masterpiece Pomodoro, TS69568601 2025-09-13 Brdr: Angela Thibodeaux. Owner: Angela Thibodeaux.

A handsome boy with the desired soft expression and dark cushioned eyes. A very silky correct coat. Good rear angulation with lots of drive on the move. At this point in time he needs more spring of rib which will hopefully develop as he matures.

4. Forestcreek Just In Time, TS69286901. 2025-07-14. Brdr: Lorie Renee Koch/ Joshua Marshall/ Dr. Kevin Cline. Owners: Dr. K. Cline and J. Marshall.

A handsome boy with a flat skull, good ear set and excellent cushioning around large dark eyes to create a very pleasing picture. Good bone and a strong rear. I prefer a little longer neck with more layback to the shoulder.

Puppy Dogs 9-12 Months

1. Capall Love Story at Alder Creek, TS67699503. 2025-05-05 Brdr: Patty Nuth. Owners: Megan Cromwell/ Jennifer Barajas.

A very nice Blenheim boy with a pleasing head and well balanced body. He moved with a level topline and a correct tail carriage. On the move he had plenty of reach and was driving from the rear.

2. Fair Oaks Let the Games Begin at Tophats, TS67911601. 2025-05-08. Brdr: Christine Meager. Owners: Christine Meager and Alexis Schlott.

An attractive head with correct chestnut markings with none of the dusky coloring around the eyes so often present in Tricolors. This 11 month old Tricolor boy was in top condition and beautifully presented. Good bone and depth of chest. He does toe out a little in the rear.

3. Skydance Cowboy Take Me Away At Aurora, TS68239602. 2025-05-11. Brdr: Jane A. Brooks. Owners: Brittany Lehn

A well balanced, nicely marked Blenheim boy that had strong reach and drive. He moved around the ring with ease. I prefer a little more masculine head which may develop as he matures.

4. Sheeba Innocent Warrior, TS68144701.2025-05-11. Brdr: Karin Ostmann. Owners: Tierney Worthen.

A heavily blanketed Blenheim boy with many nice breed type qualities. A very pleasing head with excellent expression. The shoulder is a little upright shortening the neck.

 Dogs 12-15 Months

1. Starring Trooping the Colours, TS67661201. 2025-02-14. Brdr: Jennifer Flowers Foster. Owners: Jennifer Flowers Foster.

This is a gorgeous boy. He is quite mature for his 14 months of age. Beautiful head goes into a nicely arched neck into a well laid back shoulder. Good topline and nice angulation. Good reach and drive and tracks true on the move. I was happy to award him BEST OF OPPOSITE IN SWEEPS

2. Sheeba Don Juan, TS67770101. 2025-04-02. Brdr: Idelle Cahn/Karin Ostmann. Owner: Karin Ostmann.

A Blenheim boy with good breed type. A moderate, correct head. A nicely balanced body with well-placed shoulders. This boy moves well. He just was not as mature as the first place boy.

3. Windkiss Helix Nebula, TS66304606. 2025-01-26. Brdr: Janina Patkowski Owners: Hannah Dingman/Katherine Kates/ Janina Patkowski.

A Tricolor boy with a pleasing head and nice outline when stacked. He held his topline on the move but with a slightly steep croup that produced a lower tail carriage than ideal.

4. Fair Oaks Tsunami, TS67136201. 2025-02-23. Brdr: Christine Meager. Owners: Christine Meager.

A nicely marked Blenheim boy with a broad head and shorter muzzle. This boy has a slightly longer outline. He moves true and has nice reach and drive. He is a happy boy enjoying his time with his handler. His tail never stopped wagging.

 Dogs 15-18 Months

1. Cedar Creek No One Else, TS66886901. 2024-12-31 Brdr: Trudy Owens/ Kimberly Blomquist. Owners: Trudy Owens.

A nicely marked Blenheim boy exhibiting breed type. A good head with a flat skull and well set ears. Dark round eyes creating a pleasing expression. Good topline on the move with a correct tail carriage. Good angulation.

2. Crownrose As You Wish, TS66767001. 2024-11-20. Brdr: Lacey Rosenberg DVM/ Elisa Rosenberg/ Rachel A. Venier/ Mrs. Erica Venier. Owners: Lacey Rosenberg DVM/ Elisa Rosenberg.

A handsome Blenheim boy with rich chestnut coloring. A very pleasing head with a nice shoulder. Best head in the class. Correct topline but a tad straight in the rear.

3. Kingslee’s Hause of Fire, TS66381806. 2024-12-21. Brdr: Jennifer L. Lee. Owners: Morgan Ely/Kevin Ely/ Jennifer Lee.

Another handsome Blenheim boy with a correct head and pleasing expression. On the move he held his topline with good reach and drive. This boy was a little longer in the loin and doesn’t have the depth of chest or spring of rib of the first two dogs in the class.

4. Huntcrest A True Gentleman, TS66049304. 2024-11-28. Brdr: Leslee Weiner-Pope. Owner: Kathy Gentil.

An attractive Tricolor boy with plenty of coat. A nice neck and good shoulder layback he moved nicely around the ring. I prefer a little more leg.

Puppy Bitches 6-9 months

This was a very close class with 4 lovely bitches. I would have been happy to place any one of these girls in first place. As you read the critiques of this class please be aware that I am trying to explain why I placed them the way that I did. On another day any one of them could have placed first.

1. Riverleigh Sugar Sugar, TS68648701. 2025-09-03. Brdr: Hannah Dingman. Owner Hannah Dingman.

A really lovely girl with an beautiful head, a long arching neck going into a well laid back shoulder, a short loin and a correctly sloped croup into a level tail set. Very attractive on the move.

2. Sheeba Sassy Spirit, TS69607501. 2025-09-08. Brdr: Karin Ostmann. Owners: Karin Ostmann.

Another beautiful example of our breed type. A lovely head with nicely cushioned dark eyes. A tad longer in the body than the first girl. This girl exhibited the classic Cavalier temperament; her tail never stopped the entire time she was in the ring.

3. Crownheir Faith, Hope and Love, TS69127701. 2025-09-06. Brdrs: Kelly Fadel/Mr. Christian Fadel/ Miss Faith Fadel. Owners: Kelly Fadel.

Another puppy with a very pretty head. Lovely large dark cushioned eyes. Very short coupled, she needs a little more spring of rib which may develop as she matures.

4. Sheeba Olive You More, TS6826270. Brdr: Danna Robinson Saathoff/ Suzanne Robinson/ Karin Ostmann. Owners: Danna Robinson Saathoff/ Suzanne Robinson/ Karin Ostmann.

A fine example of breed type. This girl is of nice size with good bone and correct overall proportions. A correct head, nice coat and condition for her age. She is very happy and outgoing. She is a tad shorter in the hock than the girls that placed above her and it causes her to splay out a little in the stack.

Puppy Bitches 9-12 Months

1. Starmac Sky Blue, TS67689101. Brdr: Cynthia R. Hooper. Owners: Cynthia R. Hooper.

Another beautiful Blenheim bitch puppy with a feminine head and a pleasing silhouette. A well laid back shoulder, correct angulation front and rear. A solid topline both on the move and stacked.

2. Inez Out Of The Box, TS68240301. 2025-07-01. Brdrs: Shelly A. Werstlein. Owners: Shelly Werstlein.

A very nice girl with an attractive head and long silky ears although I prefer a little larger eye. A nice outline with good reach and drive on the move. Very short coupled.

3. Seaborne All In Lights, TS67799601. 2025-05-01. Brdr: Robyn S. Futcher. Owners: Brandi Sutten/ Robyn Futcher.

A lovely girl with a pretty head and nice outline. A correct coat with good chestnut color. She was just a little flat and did not show much animation. With a little more show experience she will do quite well.

4. Crowne Shaking Things Up, TS68140502. 2025-06-23. Brdrs: Chelsea Nicole Rowe/ Jennifer Wehking. Owners: Chelsea Rowe.

A beautiful Black and Tan girl with a soft feminine head that has the correct coloration. She has the silky Black and Tan coat that I love. Very short coupled but a tad straight in the rear.

Bitches 12-15 Months

1. Sheeba Envious, TS67827301. 2025-03-08. Brdr: Karin Ostmann. Owners: Idelle Cahn/ Karin Ostmann.

A well balanced bitch that is a pleasure to watch on the move; she held a firm level topline with a good front and rear. She has a correct head for her age and development. This girl has an arched neck into well laid back shoulders, well sprung ribs and a well-turned stifle.

2. Windkiss Starry Starry Night At Kissabella, TS66304602. 2025-01-26. Brdr: Janina Patkowski. Owners: Joanna Bronowicka/ Deanna Carter/ Janina Patkowski.

This is a lovely well-broken Tricolor bitch that immediately catches your eye. She has an elegant head with the correct markings that give her a soft feminine appearance. She is a little narrow through the chest and needs some more spring of rib which may develop as she matures.

3. Starring Glamourdale, TS67661202. 2025-02-14. Brdr: Jennifer Flowers Foster. Owners: Phyllis White/ Jennifer Flowers Foster.

Another charming Blenheim girl with a neat outline and short cobby body. She looked good on the move, however, needed a little more drive from the rear which may come with maturity.

4. Ceilimor Perfect Match, TS67004102. 2025-01-19. Brdr: Breda McCarty/ C Anne Eckersley. Owners: Breda McCarty/ C Anne Eckersley.

A very nice Blenheim bitch that is a little less mature than the other class winners.
An attractive outline she moved well and held her topline. A very feminine head completes the picture. As she matures I expect her to have a very bright future

Bitches 15-18 Months

1. Livelyoak Hidden Gem at Stormcastle, TS66880503. 2024-12-31. Brdr: Heather Borton. Owners: Stormi Mullis & Heather Borton.

Stating that this is a lovely bitch is an understatement. She is an outstanding example of age appropriate breed type. An elegant head with a beautiful expression going back into a long arched neck into a correct shoulder. She moves just as her silhouette would suggest. I was very proud to reward her BEST IN SWEEPS.

2. Masterpiece Cinnamon Churro at Rainheart, TS66184002. 2024-12-05. Brdr: Angela Thibodeaux DVM. Owners: Jess Mautone DVM/ Angela Thibodeaux DVM.

A lovely ruby with a very feminine head. Dark eyes create a very appealing soft expression. A flat skull with nicely feathered ears. She is short coupled with good angulation. She lacks a little spring of rib that will hopefully come as she continues to mature.

3. Sheeba Lady in Black, TS667520701. 2024-10-18. Brdr: Audrey Rogers. Owner: Karin Ostmann.

A very lovely girl with a soft expression that isn’t always seen in a Black and Tan. She is well balanced and created a nice picture in the stack. On the move I would like to see a little more reach and drive.

4. Athercroft Yule Wanna Wine About It STR, TS65964002. 2024-11-14. Brdr: Claire M Parker/Shirley Fippin. Owners: Claire M Parker/Shirley Fippin.

A very pretty Blenheim girl with a correct head and lovely feathered ears that she knows how to use. A little bit shorter on leg than the other winners in the class.