"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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"Jackie-O" made her show debut by going Reserve Winners Bitch at the 2007 ABA National Specialty at six months and 2 days of age. She was also Best of Opposite to Best in Sweepstakes at the 2008 Midwest Specialty and 2008 ABA National Specialty. Jackie-O finished her championship with back-to-back-to-back majors at the Atlanta shows. She is a spirited girl with a beautiful head, strong rear, short back and drop-dead topline. We co-own Jackie-O with Jenny Baum of Atlanta, Georgia.

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"Ryker" finished his championship with three majors. He is a square, substantial dog with a strong rear and delightful temperament. Ryker is owned by Dr. Jennifer Smith of Hull, Georgia.

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"Maddy" finished her championship in four weekends with four majors. She is a substantial girl with a beautiful head, short back and tremendous reach and drive. This delightful girl is owned by Jeremy Schmidgall of Alexandria, Minnesota.

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"Oscar" finished his championship with three majors. He is a square, sound dog with a short, straight back, good movement, beautiful head and delightful temperament. Oscar is owned by Tom & Teri Donovan of Toledo, Ohio and was bred by HappyLegs.

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"Grandy" finished his championship at 19 months of age with three majors. He is a short-backed dog with good bone, excellent movement and an outgoing personality. Grandy was named after the Detroit Tigers centerfielder Curtis Granderson. Grandy can't wait for the 2010 baseball season.

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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 St Francis Knight aka "Oscar"

Ch. Beowulf Jackie-O HappyLegs aka "Jackie O"

Ch. HappyLegs Who's Your Tiger? aka "Grandy"

Ch. HappyLegs Maddy of Dakota Pride aka "Maddy"

Ch. HappyLegs Regency I Can Dream aka "Travis"

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.

2007 ABA National Specialty Best of Winners - Amir

MidWest Bullmastiff Fanciers Best of Opposite in Sweepstakes - Jackie O

Working Group First - Lego

2008 ABA National Specialty Best of Opposite in Sweepstakes - Jackie O

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.

 

December 1, 2009
Ch. Will-O-Way Robusto Cohiba x Ch. HappyLegs Maddy of Dakota Pride
Three fawn males, four fawn females

February 11, 2010
Ch. HappyLegs Heritage Classic x Raven About HappyLegs
Four brindle females, three brindle males, three fawn females, one fawn male.

 

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. The article is now online here.

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.

HappyLegs Bullmastiffs has been recognized as an American Kennel Club Breeder of Merit. This prestigious program awards breeders who endeavor to produce dogs that are healthy, capable and beautiful. We are honored to be included in this category of reputable breeders of purebred dogs.

Alan Kalter was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Kennel Club. Alan is the delegate from the American Bullmastiff Association. Alan was also recently elected as President of the American Bullmastiff Association.

 

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

 

"Travis" finished his championship in three weekends, which including going Best of Winners at the GLBA Supported Entry for a five point major at just ten months of age. Travis is a substantial, short backed dog with a beautiful head, tremendous reach and drive and outgoing personality.

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