February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners #1

Congratulations Emily, Reo & Bev!

Westminster Kennel Club 2012 Show Best of Breed Winner Ch Mistytrails Double Stuf'd Oreo Breed: Havanese Sex: Bitch AKC: TR 54583501 Date of Birth: March 06, 2006 Breeder: Emily Dorma & Bev Dorma Sire: Poco Tesoros Los Gabatos Dam: Mistytrails Catreeya Byemmy Owner: Emily Dorma & Bev Dorma Photos: Breed judging Judge: Mrs. Sari Tietjen Day: February 13, 2012 Time: 1:00 Ring: 7 February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners Earlier this year in The Cowichan News Leader

Dorma’s Havanese pooch Reo suited up against 25 other females. “She won best female Havanese and she now qualifies to go to Westminster and apparently to Crufts (dog show) in England,” Bev explained. Bragging rights are not a new thing to Dorma and six- year-old Reo. “She’s brought Reo to be number one female in Canada two years in a row now,” Bev said. The younger Dorma’s been showing since she was six-years-old. “She has connection with dogs sort of like Cesar Cobble Hill home to a world-class show dog Millan,” Bev said. “You can stick any dog with her and By Ashley Degraaf - Cowichan News Leader she just automatically speaks the same language as Published: January 10, 2012 the dog. She can get the dog to do whatever she wants.” She’s showed many different types of dogs too, Cobble Hill’s Emily Dorma’s got the Cesar Millan touch. including English mastiffs and American Cockers, That’s how Dorma’s mom Bev describes her Afgans and Boston Terriers. daughter’s way with dogs. “I have shown many breed of dogs… I love them all,” The 16-year-old recently took top spot in one of the Dorma says on her website. “We are all here for the world’s largest dog shows, the Eukanuba Nationals in same reason...because we all love dogs, and to have Orlando, Florida. fun.” The invitation-only competition took place Dec. 17/18. Dorma writes a column for Dogs in Canada called “The number one male and number one female “Just Juniors.” Havanese are invited to attend,” Bev explained. “She The mom-daughter duo have also combined their was competing against champion and grand champion experience for their breeding business Misty Trails top dogs from across North America.” Havanese. Dorma’s currently preparing for her next gigs, including the show in Westminster as well as the Kennel Club of England’s Crufts competition. February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners Victoria Times Colonist

February 15th, 2012 owners it was the fulfillment of a A Vancouver Island dog has long-time dream. been named Best of Breed at the “Now we can come home prestigious 136th annual knowing we won Westminster,” Westminster Kennel Club Dog Bev said in a telephone interview Show in New York City. from New York. “We came down Judges at Madison Square and the hope was to win, but we Garden awarded Best of Breed to never thought we would.” Mistytrails Double Stuf’d Oreo, or The Westminster Kennel Reo for short, a nearly six-year-old Club’s annual dog show was first Havanese from Cobble held in 1877. According to the

Hill, owned by Bev Dorma and her 15-year-old daughter Emily. Reo earned the title Monday by beating out 21 other Havanese from around the world. For her February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners club, that makes the event the award for Best of Group, which in second-longest continuously held Reo’s case is toy dogs. sporting event in the U.S., behind Bev said that result didn’t only the Kentucky Derby. surprise her because it was generally It’s a show open only to conceded a or an champions — dogs that have won would take the prize. A enough conformation shows, where Pekingese, Palacegarden Malachy, dogs are evaluated on how closely came first in the toy group and an they approach the breed’s written Affenpinscher, Banana Joe V. Tani standards. At Westminster this year, Kazari, came second. 2,000 dogs representing 185 breeds “That’s OK,” said Bev. “To win went on show to be judged in three what we won was a huge honour and pools: Best of Breed, Best of Group so we are ecstatic.” and the coveted Best of Show. Emily, a Grade 10 student at Bev said the Havanese is a Frances Kelsey Secondary School in relatively new breed, having been Mill Bay, said in the weeks before recognized by kennel clubs in leaving home “everybody” said they Canada only 10 didn’t stand a chance years ago. It’s of winning anything a breed at Westminster. But known for its she said she never good nature, felt nervous or non-allergenic intimidated. And hair and There were 18 dogs Reo took the entire popularity affair with with seniors. in the Havanese Ring. characteristic cool. “You don’t get any Seventeen were “It was just another better than show for her,” Emily Havanese,” Grand Champions. said. said Bev.

“Grandparents love them because they don’t have to put them away when the kids come over.” She breeds the dogs at her kennel operation in Cobble Hill, Misty Trails Havanese. Daughter Emily has also been working with dogs for years, training, grooming and showing them, and the two have formed a close team. Emily also has two other dogs — another Havanese, named Eddie, just starting to show, and an English Mastiff (her favourite breed) named Thumbelina, a Canadian champion. Ultimately at Westminster, Reo didn’t advance beyond her breed category. She was not granted an February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners Cowichan News Leader

Cobble Hill dog beats out all 2,000 of the world's best show comers in prestigious show dogs.

First held in 1877, it is America's By John McKinley - Cowichan second-longest continuously held News Leader sporting event, behind only the Published: February 15, 2012 Kentucky Derby.

The Havanese is the National Dog In a dog's life there is no bigger of , described as beloved as stage. a friendly, playful, alert and intelligent Toy dog with a But it only took Reo one shot to mischievous expression. prove she belonged

For Emily Dorma's five-year-old Havanese, holding her head high is simply a matter of good breeding. But she may be holding it a little higher this morning.

The Cobble Hill show dog was honoured as best in breed during the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show in New York city — the most high-profile dog show in the world.

Reo, or Mistytrails Double Stuf'D Oreo, as she is more formally known, took top spot after a Monday afternoon showing where she wowed the judge at the Madison Square Garden event, broadcast on national TV.

Dorma, a 16-year-old Frances Kelsey student is a rising star in dog show circles. She qualified for Westminster last year and owns Reo along with her mom, Bev Dorma.

The News Leader Pictorial is attempting to track them down for an interview.

Billed as America's first and only champions only dog show, entry in the Westminster show is limited to February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners Cowichan Valley Citizen Top Dog: Havanese Takes Eukanuba National Championship, Rock of Ages - visited Times prestigious Show Title where Reo was similarly honoured. Square and the Ripley's Believe It BY KEVIN ROTHBAUER, CITIZEN Westminster, however, is a step Or Not Museum, and made a trip to FEBRUARY 17, 2012 above that. Only the top five dogs Macy's, where they picked up from each breed are invited. some show suits for Emily. The A Cobble Hill canine has been "It's as high as you can get," said handler's appearance and dubbed the best of its kind in the Bev. personality is vital at dog shows, said Bev. world. Dogs go through three stages at "Emily has great poise in the ring," she explained. "Her timing is perfect, and she watches the judge to know what she may be looking for and when." The Westminster was Reo's last show, having reached the pinnacle of her field. "She's retiring," said Bev. "Where can she go from here? She's at the top." The Dormas have six Havanese: three male and three female. Emily will now focus on showing Eddie, a Havanese who is ranked first in Canada. Eddie is "corded," meaning his fur is all neatly braided. Here Reo, Emily & Bev wing their way to Westminster. "Emily has spent hours and hours cording his coat," said Bev. "It's all in dreadlocks." Reo - short for Mistytrails Double the Westminster: Best of Breed, Stuf 'd Oreo - a Havanese owned Best of Group, and Best of Show. Emily has also showed an English by 15-year-old Emily Dorma, Best of Group - toy dogs, in Reo's Mastiff named Thumbelina, another received the Best of Breed award case - went to a Pekingese named Canadian champion. at the prestigious Westminster Palacegarden Malachy, who also The Havanese - originally bred in Kennel Club Dog Show in New York went on to win Best of Show. Cuba, as its name would suggest - City. Emily takes care of all the hands-on is a relatively new breed, having Reo beat out 17 other dogs, all work with Reo, overseen by Bev, received recognition from Canadian grand champions in their own right, who has raised the dogs for all of kennel clubs just 10 years ago. for the honour. Emily's life. Due to its size, hypoallergenic Both Emily and her mom, Bev, who "We have worked together, mother qualities and temperament, it is joined her for the trip, were thrilled and daughter for 15 years," said catching on rapidly. with the result. Bev. "Emily does almost everything "It is becoming a very popular "It was amazing," said Emily, a now; she does the grooming, breed," said Bev. student at Frances Kelsey training and showing and makes The Dormas do breed the dogs, but Secondary School. "It was breeding decisions very selectively raise them in the kitchen, and not in shocking. I wasn't expecting that." with me." kennels. Based on the results, they It was the Dormas' first visit to the The trip to New York provided appear to be doing things right - Westminster, which boasts 136 some opportunities for the Dormas including showing the dogs. years of history. In December, they to be tourists. Bev and Emily went made their first trip to the to two musicals - Spider Man and February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners

"We do shows to keep the breeds to their original standard and what they are bred for. Havanese are to be approximately 10 to 12 pounds and without showing they would be six to 30 pounds and lose their original look and temperament," she said.

"They would not be structurally sound and would not be able to do the jobs they were bred to do. So, winning this means we breed to standard." February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners Cowichan News Leader Sestminster Kennel Club success? Mother and and daughter have “And it’s a costly hobby,” she Blame it on Reo worked together for 15 years. added. By Ann Anderson - Cowichan News “Emily does almost everything now; Emily qualified for the Westminster Leader she does the grooming, training and show last year at the Eukanuba Published: February 17, 2012 showing and makes breeding Nationals in Florida, and Reo was A diminutive Cobble Hill dog had a decisions very selectively with me,” the number one female Havanese in huge win earlier this week at the said the proud mom. Canada two years in a row. prestigious Westminster Kennel For Emily, the shows are a family Family friend Dianne Wilbee of club show in New York city. group of friends, and she gets a lot Cobble Hill’s Keopah Havanese And owner Emily Dorma who of mentoring said Bev. kennel, who works alongside the showed her is over the moon. “We have a group that always sets Dormas in Havanese breeding, was impressed by the win. Emily, 16, and her six-year-old up together and Emily calls it her Havanese dog Reo won best in village.” “The have worked so hard for this,” breed during the world-famous Bev said a large part of Emily’s said the owner of Reo’s sister international show in the Big Apple. success is that she has great poise Nanuk. The Westminster show is the most in the ring, her timing is perfect, and “Absolutely I’m thrilled.” high-profile dog show in the world. she watches the judge to know And Kelsey staff are pleased with Reo, or Mistytrails Double Stuf’D what she may be looking for and Dorma’s success. when. Oreo, as she is more formally There’s a picture of the Grade 10 known, was judged Monday top “We talked to people who’d been student pinned up in the staffroom, Havanese at the annual Madison coming (to the show) for between said school counsellor Sharon Heyd Square Garden event that was eight and 20 years and had never when she heard the news. broadcast on national TV. won,” she said. The Westminster show was Reo’s “It was awesome and New York “People come for years and years.” swan song as far as shows go. was draining,” said a tired Emily In a show only open to champions, “She’s retired now,” said Emily. from Vancouver Wednesday as she 2,000 dogs representing 185 breeds prepared for another show this competed in best of breed, best of weekend. group and top spot best of show. “She’s still my pet and she may have a litter of puppies in the “Reo is a good dog and she’s my “It takes years of selective breeding pet first,” said the Frances Kelsey future.” Grade 10 student. This weekend Emily “It was our first time there, and we is showing Reo’s were up against 18 grand nephew Eddy — champions from around the world,” who’s already the said Emily’s mom Bev as she number one deplaned from a New York flight at Havanese in Cassidy Wednesday. Canada — in a Mother and daughter are co-owners Vancouver dog of Reo who was bred at their show. Cobble Hill Misty Trails Havanese And what did the kennel and grew up in the duo think of New household kitchen. York, where the “She rocked it. She won over a lot mother-daughter of top dogs shown by professional combo took in a handlers,” Bev said. “This is a huge to produce dogs that qualify for couple of shows, prestigious show that we dreamed these events,” said Bev. went to Macy’s, and visited Times of winning one day and are ecstatic Square? to have won.” She explained that health structure, temperament and pedigrees all play “You don’t sleep there,” exclaimed Bev said the win is confirmation a role. Bev. their kennel breeds to standard. February 2012 Wagazine for Vancouver Island Havanese and their Partners The Globe and Mail

At the Westminster Dog Show, a by Sari Brewster Tietjen, of dog, but she presented herself and Havanese that has it all Rhineback, N.Y., a stern-faced that dog to a T. She nailed it.” adjudicator. The Havanese judging lasted TOM HAWTHORN | Looking over the scene was Bev nearly an hour, an eternity for even VICTORIA— From Monday's Dorma, a long-time dog breeder the best behaved pooch. Globe and Mail and Emily’s mother. She fretted Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 that the appraiser was overlooking Reo, Canada’s reigning female “The hardest thing is keeping your The princess strode with her tiny Havanese champion. dog sparkling. And looking up. head held high, her shiny coat Looking happy and not bored for swaying above the carpet like a “The judge ignored Emily the 45 minutes.” veil of chiffon. whole time,” she said. “We figured we weren’t going to win.” Spectators clapped and whooped, Earlier, mother and daughter Indeed, in a video of the judging though she ignored the ovation, visited a Manhattan delicatessen posted by the kennel club, the instead fixing brown eyes on her to pick up chicken livers and judge barely glances at Reo, companion, 15-year-old Emily hearts as bait for a dog’s undivided instead surveying the other little Dorma, a Grade 10 student from attention. On judgment day, Reo dogs with an unblinking gaze. Vancouver Island. had to skip breakfast, a temporary It was show time for toy dogs on “She had poker face on,” Ms. sacrifice. the green carpet inside Ring 7 at Dorma said. “Later you realize she Madison Square Garden in New was looking for her second-, third- and fourth-place winners. After her “She was a trooper,” Ms. Dorma York. The Westminster Kennel Club said. “Solid as a rock. None of it was conducting its 136th annual first going over and watching [the dog] move, she knew Reo was her bothered her. She didn’t get dog show, which it describes as a stressed. combination Super Bowl and winner.” Academy Awards for “canine Indeed, the judge chose Reo as “Her tail never stops wagging, she athletes.” the show’s best in breed, a loves everybody, and she knows decision popular with the crowd. she’s special. She smiles and A six-year-old female Havanese sneezes, smiles and sneezes.” named Mistytrails Double Stuf’D “When she pulled Reo out of the Oreo, or Reo for short, was front of the line, my whole body Reo was a home-raised pup. She presented by the high-schooler. went into this shaking, oh-my- obeys commands to stand, stay, The dog had travelled from Cobble goodness mode,” Ms. Dorma said. sit, come, go and heel. As a Hill to Manhattan, where she “Am I really seeing this? You’re so purebred, her lineage can be shared a bed in a room in the New overjoyed. I don’t know who I was traced back farther than that of Yorker Hotel. The art deco wonder prouder of, my daughter or the some families. She was born on made available grooming stations, dog. Both.” March 6, 2006, sired by treadmills and indoor potty areas Pocotesoros Los Gabatos, known A crying mother and stoic covered by synthetic grass for its as Zorro, out of Mistytrails daughter celebrated with an four-legged guests. Catreeya Byemmy. (Catreeya, a embrace across the velvet rope, champion brood bitch, now lives in On judging day, those who little Reo the meat in their hug a Victoria suburb, where she is a qualified to be inside the ring sandwich. familiar figure teasingly known as showed impeccable grooming. Now back home, a proud mother the Queen of Sidney.) Reo’s They had been scrubbed and sings the praises of her daughter. grandmother still lives at the cleaned. Nary a hair was out of Dorma home. place. “She wasn’t down on the ground like all the professional handlers. On the return home, flight The dogs, too, looked their best. She did not have to keep Reo in a attendants permitted Reo to leave The Havanese, a toy breed known death grip for the judge to see her. the crate to sit on the lap of her for a gentle disposition and Emily had the complete package. human companions, fitting status kewpie-doll cuddliness, were rated Not only did she have a perfect for a four-legged champion. Bev says, “I’m still a little bit proud.”

Bev, you, Emily & Reo have accomplished something truly amazing! We send you hugs and we say, “Job well done! You deserve to be very proud!”