Posted on 03/27/2013 10:32:58 AM PDT by Altariel
Dublin resident Jocelyn Mullins fell in love with Doberman pinschers because they're intelligent, energetic and true companions.
Those traits, coupled with a remarkable pedigree, have helped boost her dog, Fifi, to the pinnacle of the show-dog circuit.
The sturdy, barrel-chested dog with bright eyes and trademark pink collar -- studded with jewels, of course -- may be the most accomplished Doberman of all time.
In three years of competition, she's racked up 71 Best in Show prizes, and in international competition she's been named the best in her breed three years running.
"No Doberman in history has been able to do that," Mullins said.
Fifi -- also known as the "Fifinator" by fans -- might have capped off an extraordinary career this month at the Super Bowl of dogs shows: the 137th Westminster Dog Show in New York City.
The 4-year-old Doberman was favored by bookmaker Johnny Avella, who picked the winner three times in the past six years. He put Fifi on top with 7-to-1 odds.
Ultimately, she was beat out by Matisse, a 6-year-old Portuguese water dog, in the working dog group and failed to make the cut for the Best in Show grand finale.
The setback didn't faze Fifi. During daily trips with her owner to Advanced Boarding and Grooming -- the Lewis Center business Mullins owns -- Fifi is in high spirits.
"She's a very comical dog," Mullins said. "She's ornery and mischievous, but it's not out of badness. She just likes things that have entertainment value."
She loves people, Mullins said. Fifi never passes up a chance for a scratch behind the ears.
Fifi loves the limelight, too. She's a natural in front of a panel of judges, Mullins said.
The Westminster Dog Show has categories for 187 breeds, and judging is based on rigid appearance standards as well as a dog's movement and disposition.
Fifi did crack the show's top tier last year, emerging as one of seven finalists. In 2012, she was ranked No. 3 overall by the American Kennel Club.
An award-winning Doberman should be healthy, alert and determined, with the ability to make good decisions on the fly, Mullins said.
The American Kennel Club describes the breed as "an elegant athlete in a tight-fitting wrapper."
Fifi fits the bill. Bill Shelton of Pomona, Calif., has been involved in dog shows for 50 years and has judged Fifi in competition. He said her physical attributes -- right down to the tilt of her pelvis and the arch of her neck -- as well as her balance and sense of showmanship are the breed standard.
"Fifi is in many ways about as near perfect a Doberman there has been in my time in the sport," Shelton said.
Fifi isn't done competing. Mullins said she'll compete in obedience and will start agility training soon.
She'll also continue to be an ambassador for her oft-misunderstood breed, Mullins said.
"She knows how to make a good first impression," she said. "She makes people smile."
Poor skinny puppy girl!
Interestingly, she has a small white patch on her chest which is a genetic throwback that pops up now and again, much like the longer hair coats do.
Her body language is heartbreaking.
She needs a secure home and someone to trust *now*.
:(
I think that we were all too busy admiring Magnum to notice anything missing from those dogs. The other day I saw an old Rockford Files where Selleck was the guest star. He was half a head taller than Garner. I was astonished.
+1. Post of the day!!!
Oh my! That poor dog. And what did they do with its coat?
I was multi-tasking even back then.
:D
He was dusted with corn starch to give him that cheery undead-Dobe look that I assume vampire dogs all have.
While I can’t weigh in on Selleck’s beefcake bonafides, I’ll say he is a gentleman and all around good guy. My father owned a limo company years back and he personally drove Selleck around one night on a Dallas visit...said he couldn’t be any nicer. This was crica 1990.
His dad was a UDC national champion and on his mother’s side there was a European champion I think but not sure. All Schutzhund or IPO.
I’ve always heard that about Selleck too. I’ve also heard that Garner is not so nice. At least he seemed un-nice when he’d appear on programs like Johnny Carson. He seemed very angry at the studios. He claimed that he injured himself filming varous stunts. Probably true, but he was just all around angry.
But, they both were handsome guys in their youth. Selleck still is. Haven’t seen Garner since that movie he made with Sally Fields where he was a sour puss too,
I can’t continue to read these....we adopted a black and tan 12 years ago....Lost her to cancer last November....can’t afford to buy another....Your best friend, a solid member of your pack, and pleasing and protecting you is the dogs only thoughts. True Canine Nobility.
Dobies are great dogs.
That’s a start but their *names* would be helpful...even if it’s only kennel prefixes
:)
PA is lousy with adoptable Dobes just waiting to mend somebody’s broken heart.
This is just one place
And the big list
http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?animal_type=Dog&pet_breed=doberman&location=pa&distance=0
Of course having been bitten by a roommate's doberman certainly affects my opinion of them.....
They are high *drive* dogs and *always* on the top 10 smartest breed list.
http://www.petmedsonline.org/top-10-smartest-dogs-in-the-world.html
Wouldn't a Min Pin be potential snake food around your house?
Nah.
The snakes don’t seem to perceive the dogs as ‘edible’.
Bob T Boa used to watch the cat intently when he was perched in his climbing tree but never tried to grab him.
Jake slithers over Odin on the sofa all the time and just seems interested in smelling him.
Odin ignores him.
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