BEST IN SHOW: Australian Shepherd victory brings poignant close to Goodells dog show
GOODELLS — Dogs and their handlers gathered at Goodells County Park Sept. 11-13 for a weekend of competition and beautiful weather hosted by the Great Lakes Toy Club and St. Clair Kennel Club.
The weekend included conformation, obedience, rally, fast CAT and junior showmanship events, with competitors traveling from Michigan and beyond.
The St. Clair Kennel Club also added a dog-breed scavenger hunt Saturday and Sunday, giving children a fun and interactive way to explore the shows while learning about the many breeds represented.
A golden retriever named Suncoast’s Last Surf Before the Storm earned Best in Show Saturday under judge Cindy Meyer. Handled by Nicole Ryan and owned by Robert Bedford and Patricia McCabe of Beavercreek, Ohio, the dog was credited with defeating 366 dogs.
Reserve Best in Show went to Hallmark Jolei Pie in the Sky, a shih tzu owned by Lisa Gerstner, Luke Ehricht and Diane Ehricht of Monclova, Ohio. The shih tzu also won the Great Lakes Toy Club’s Toy Group competition Friday and returned to win the Toy Group again Sunday.
Sunday’s Best in Show honor went to Harmony Hill’s Wright Flyer, an Australian shepherd owned by R. Johnson, M. Feltenstein, L. Little, K. Scotton and H. Braddock. Judge Patti Widick Neale selected the dog for the show’s highest honor after it advanced through the breed and Herding Group competitions. The Australian shepherd was credited with defeating 369 dogs.
The Sunday victory carried an added sense of significance for the St. Clair Kennel Club. Three members died between its 2025 show and this year’s event, with two of those members honored during the weekend. Both had been breeders of Australian shepherds.
Whether coincidence or a fitting tribute, the selection of an Australian Shepherd as Sunday’s Best in Show winner brought a poignant conclusion to the weekend.
Reserve Best in Show Sunday went to Catherwood of the Red, White and Blue, a bullmastiff owned by Sara Patchen of Whitehouse, Ohio.
