"Lego" finished his championship from the 12 to 18 month class in three weekends with three majors. Lego is a sound, square dog with tremendous reach and drive and a beautiful mouth. He was bred by Hank & Christie Newsome, Alan Kalter & Chris Lezotte and is owned by the Newsomes. Our congratulations to Hank & Christie on their first champ!

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"Joplin," pictured at 11 months of age, finished his championship at 12 months with four majors, two from the puppy class. He is a short-backed, substantial boy with tremendous bone, exceptional reach and drive and a delightful temperament. Joplin makes his home here at HappyLegs.

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"Margaux" finished her championship with three majors. She is a square, sound girl with a dead-level topline, tremendous reach and drive and delightful temperament. We plan on breeding Margaux in the fall of 2008 to Ch. Banstock Bruno of the North East. We co-own Margaux with Dan and Jackie Dugan of Westland, Michigan.

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"Kashmir" finished her championship with three majors. She is the fourth of four littermates to finish, and her championship gives her dam Carly the Copper ROM. Kashmir has beautiful breed type, a lovely head and strong rear. We co-bred Kashmir with Susan Goare Smith. Kashmir makes her home with Susan and her husband Tony in Lima, Ohio.

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"Denali" finished his championship with three majors. The third from his litter to finish, Denali is a short-backed dog with a strong rear and beautiful mouth. We co-bred him with Susan Goare Smith of Lima, Ohio. Denali makes his home with Susan and Tony Smith.

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"Gus" finished his championship owner handled. He is a square, sound dog with a short, straight back, handsome head and beautiful mouth. Gus was bred by Shirley and Marv DeWitte, Alan Kalter and Chris Lezotte. He is owned by Shirley and Marv of N. Royalton, Ohio. Our congratulations to Shirley for doing such a wonderful job handling Gus.

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"Amir" began his show career by going Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best Puppy at the 2007 ABA National Specialty at just nine months of age. After taking some time off to grow up, Amir finished his championship with three majors, which included going Winners Dog at the MidWest Bullmastiff Fanciers Supported Entry. Amir is a square, substantial dog with a beautiful head and bite, short back and strong rear. He is a silly and delightful dog, and makes his home with the Toothman family of Columbus, Ohio.

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"Lyric" finished her championship owner handled from the Puppy Class. Her wins included a five-point major specialty win in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from the 6 to 9 month puppy class. Lyric is a square, beautiful moving girl. She was bred by Susan and Tony Smith, Alan Kalter and Chris Lezotte and is owned by Susan and Tony. Our congrats to Susan for doing such a wonderful job handling this beautiful girl.

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In just his second weekend out as a special, "Gilly" was Best in Show at the Muncie Kennel Club under Judge Vicki Abbott. The breed and group judge on this day was Pat Hastings. Gilly is the fifth generation group winner from HappyLegs, following in the footsteps of Luke, Bit, Rambo and his BIS winning sire, Ch. Banstock Captain Jack. Gilly was bred by HappyLegs; we co-own him with Mike and Joni Palumbo of Marysville, Ohio.

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Just two weeks after his first Best in Show, Gilly won the coveted prize once again at the Marquette Kennel Club. The breed judge that day was Robert Berndt; the Working Group and Best in Show were awarded by Everett Dean. Gilly was handled to both of his Bests in Show by our handler of almost 20 years, Norma Smith.

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"Amir" is pictured going Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best Puppy at the 2007 American Bullmastiff Association National Specialty from the 9 - 12 month puppy dog class. This was only Amir's second time in the show ring, and he was a bit of a pill only because he just didn't know what was expected of him. However, Amir, pictured at just nine months of age, is a funny and delightful dog, and will only get more handsome (and better behaved) as he matures. Our thanks to judge George Heitzman for the win and for his patience. Amir is owned by the Toothman family of Columbus, Ohio.

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"Jackie O" is pictured going Best of Opposite to Best in Sweepstakes at the Midwest Bullmastiff Fanciers Specialty under breeder judge Lynn Spohr. Jackie O was also Reserve Winners Bitch at the 2007 ABA National Specialty at just six months of age. Jackie O was bred and owned by Jenny Baum, Alan Kalter and Chris Lezotte.

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"Gilly" is pictured winning Best of Breed at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden under Judge Faye Strauss. Gilly was bred by Alan Kalter & Chris Lezotte, and is owned by Mike & Joni Palumbo, Alan Kalter & Chris Lezotte. Gilly was handled to this win by Norma Smith.

Ch. Banstock Bruno of the NorthEast, bred by Helene Nietsch, Alan Kalter & Chris Lezotte, received an Award of Merit at the Westminster Kennel Club under Judge Faye Strauss.

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"Bruno" is pictured winning Best of Breed at the Delaware Valley Bullmastiff Club Specialty at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia under English Judge Barry Blunden. Bruno was bred by Helene & Julia Nietsch, Alan Kalter & Chris Lezotte, and is owned by Mike & Pat Jasinski of Bethel, Connecticut. Bruno was handled to this win by Kent MacFarland.

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At HappyLegs, we believe that in order to continually evaluate our breeding program as well as compare our breeding stock, it is necessary to show our dogs in conformation. Showing our dogs helps us to understand what we are doing right, and more important, the ways in which we need to improve. Since finishing our first home-bred champion in 1989, HappyLegs has bred or owned over 135 champions. While the majority of our dogs spend their lives as pets, the cream of the crop make it to the show ring and contribute to our breeding program. To view the HappyLegs Bullmastiffs that have completed their championships, or other AKC titles, in the past year, click on a name below. To see the dogs that are on their way to becoming champions, visit a show in Michigan or surrounding states.

New HappyLegs Champions

Ch. HappyLegs Plays Well aka "Lego"

Ch. Incredibull's Destiny aka "Gus"

Ch. Zephyrsong Poet's Heart aka "Lyric"

Ch. HappyLegs Moonlight Mistress aka "Margaux"

Ch. Zephyrsong Ain't No Mt Hi Enuf aka "Denali"

Ch. Zephyrsong Concrete Blonde aka "Kashmir"

Ch. HappyLegs Amir Amit aka "Amir"

Pictured: Ch. HappyLegs Mount Holyoke, aka "Holly," the very first homebred HappyLegs champion.

 

While all wins by HappyLegs bullmastiffs make us extremely proud, there are some wins that are extra special. Winning at a bullmastiff specialty, or placing in the group at an all-breed show are wins that carry honor and prestige because they are not that easy to come by. To view those dogs bred or owned by HappyLegs that have had special wins over the past year, click on the "win" below.

ABA National Specialty Best of Winners - Amir

MidWest Bullmastiff Fanciers Best of Opposite in Sweepstakes - Jackie O

Working Group First - Lego

Pictured: Ch. Leatherneck Bit of HappyLegs, our first All-Breed Best in Show winner.

 

The birth of a bullmastiff litter is always a nerve-wracking but ultimately exciting time. Below are the whelpings (that's dog talk for births!) we are pleased to announce this year. For further information on these litters, go to Family Planning.

March 7, 2008
Ch. Banstock Bruno of the Northeast x Raven About HappyLegs
Three fawn females, one brindle female, three fawn males, two brindle males

June 23, 2008
Ch. Newcastle He's My Kinda Rain x Ch. HappyLegs Amazing Grace
Seven females, four males

Pictured: Ch. HappyLegs Gold Dust Woman, aka "Stevie," with her October, 2003 litter.

 

HappyLegs Tigers Rally Talli, owned by Comerica Park head groundskeeper Heather Nabozny, is featured in the July/August 2007 issue of "Bark" Magazine. For a preview, click here.

HappyLegs Amir Amit was Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best Puppy at the 2007 American Bullmastiff Association National Specialty held September 25 - 30 in Asheville, NC. It was nine-month-old Amir's second dog show. Good dog! Amir is owned by Scott and Susan Toothman of Columbus, Ohio. Amir was also Winners Dogs at the MidWest Bullmastiff Fanciers Supported Entry in May 4, 2008, and was RWD at the MidWest Bullmastiff Fanciers Specialty the day before.

Ch. HappyLegs Carly's Simon has been inducted into "Paws for Laws," a program created for the purpose of assisting victims of crime. The program calms on the calming effects of dogs on human nature. Simon, registered Therapy Dog, is owned and trained by Mike Palumbo of Columbus, Ohio. To read about Simon and the Paws for Laws program, click here.

 

Pictured: Ch. HappyLegs Boomerang CD, aka "Boomer."

 

"Trey" had a very tough beginning. As a very young dog, an adverse reaction to a lyme disease vaccination almost proved fatal. The reaction caused Trey to lose mass, muscle tone and stamina until he was only a shell of his former self. His patient and diligent owner, Ken Berenson, never gave up. With alternative therapies and slow and steady rehabilitation, Trey blossomed into the handsome and healthy dog he is today.

Trey is owned by Ken and his son Jonathan, of Mount Vernon, New York. He was bred by Helene and Julia Nietsch, Alan Kalter & Chris Lezotte. His championship gives his dam Winnie 12 champions, making her a silver ROM. His sire Boomer became a Copper ROM with this latest champ. Our congrats to Ken and Jonathan for his new champion, and our thanks to them for never giving up on this sweet, handsome boy.

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