Back to Breeder Insights ArchiveJanuary BREED SMART™ Report
EUKANUBA™ Puppy Early Advantage
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BREED SMART™ Spotlight: Joyce Mullins
Owner, breeder and handler of award-winning Protocol Dobermans
"When we made it to the Garden, I couldn’t believe it. They were chanting her name.
The crowd really loved her!"
Jocelyn Mullins has spent a lifetime loving dogs. From her days of rescue to her dedication to the breeding and handling of recognized Dobermans in the show ring, Mullins has always been all about the dogs in her life. Her dog, Fifi, is a stately Doberman, who at 8½ years old is still “as active as a 2-year-old.”
Fifi is affectionately known as “The Fifinator” to her fans, aka Fifians, including the more than 340,000 currently following her on Facebook page. Fifi is also no stranger to the winner’s circle. Her impressive list of accomplishments include:
-
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show's
Working Group Winner (2012) -
Doberman Pinscher Club of America
National Specialty Winner (2010; 2011; 2012) -
Doberman Pinscher Club of America
Top 20 Winner (2010)
Years ago, when Mullins decided she wanted a puppy, she sought out a good breeder to help her learn as much as she could. “She educated me. She taught me about the standard and health testing.” In the show ring, Mullins said, “I saw how proud she was of the dog.” Mullins has always had that same attitude with Fifi. “I go out there to show her, not to win.”
Become a fan of Fifi at
Fifi was the top-ranked Doberman for three years in a row. She was last recognized in 2012 as Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show at the AKC National Championship.
Mullins is now focused on Fifi’s son, Bravo, who at just 9 months old, just won his own national recognition in November. Bravo was named the 2016 DPCA National Winners Dog from the bred-by class. Mullins is focused on showing him at competitions with higher caliber dogs. “Specialties are coveted. It’s harder to win.” And, according to her, it’s also harder to find the shows. Fifi also has a new 6-month-old daughter, currently going by Fibo, until her registered name is decided.
As important as winning can be for some, Mullins continues to focus on her dogs as ambassadors for the breed. “I think Fifi did a lot for the stereotype of the Doberman. No one thinks anything of throwing a tiara and a tutu on a Lab, but a Doberman?” Mullins has made it part of her mission to introduce her trio of Dobermans as the perfect choice for families, especially in photos of them snuggling her two grandchildren.
Mullins is also happy to educate Fifi’s and Bravo’s fans about the importance of balanced nutrition for the breed. EUKANUBA™ is her top choice because, “I like a higher protein. I think they need that.” Fifi is currently on EUKANUBA™ Premium Performance, since she continues to maintain a high activity level. And Mullins makes sure Bravo eats the same formula to help maintain his healthy physique.
Like Fifi, Mullins shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. She is already considering Fibo’s future. “She’s showing a lot of promise.”
Top Dogs Crowned at AKC Obedience Classic and AKC Agility Invitational
The 2016 AKC Obedience Classic and the AKC Agility Invitational, sponsored by EUKANUBA™, took place December 17 and 18, 2016 in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin. The two events focused on demonstrating the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler. Performance was key to the success of the handlers and dogs who placed above their competition for these highly coveted positions.
At the AKC Obedience Classic, sponsored by EUKANUBA™, four obedience dogs and their
owners were recognized as first in their class:
- Novice: Powderhorn Brodie & Stand Back CD PCD BN JH, a Golden Retriever known as “Brodie,” owned by Barb and Bob Mina of Campobello, South Carolina.
- Open: Augustus Treasured Serenity CDX BN RA NA, a Labrador Retriever known as “Grant,” owned by Mary Ann Flanagan of Glen Gardner, New Jersey.
- Utility: Henry Head Over Heels UD PCDX BN GN RE THDA CGC, an All-American Dog known as “Henry,” owned by Kathryn Harvey of Apple Valley, Minnesota.
- Masters: OTCH Rhumbline's Once In A Blue Moon UDX2 OM3 BN GN RE, a Labrador Retriever known as “Heart,” owned by Linda Brennan of Columbia, New Jersey.
EUKANUBA™ also sponsored the AKC Agility Invitational, where five agility dogs and their owners were recognized as first in their height divisions:
- 8” – MACH5 Brokenroad Code Name Tank MXB2 MJB2 MXF MFB TQX T2B RN (Tank), a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno owned and handled by Charlene Wiglesworth of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
- 12” – MACH12 Keebler's Elfin' Magic MXS4 MJS4 (Keebler), a Pembroke Welsh Corgi owned and handled by Roger O'Sullivan of Gahana, Ohio.
- 16” – Dora Doo Winslow AX AXJ OF (Dora), a Shetland Sheepdog owned and handled by Patricia Toro Sarraga of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- 20” – MACH5 Marjo's Demon In The Ruff MXS2 MJG2 MXP2 MJP3 MJPB MXF MFS TQX T2B2 (Simi), a Brittany owned and handled by Janice Brunner of Wellsville, Pennsylvania.
- 24” – MACH7 Gliding High Du Volant MXC2 MJC2 MXF MFB TQX T2B (Glider), a Belgian Sheepdog owned and handled by Nici Parker of Santa Rosa Valley, California.
Juniors who participated in the AKC Juniors Classic, sponsored by EUKANUBA™, competed in Obedience and/or AKC Rally®.
In Obedience, Juniors competed in the Beginner Novice, Preferred Novice and Preferred Open classes twice, based on their AKC obedience accomplishments.
Placing first in their class were:
- Beginner Novice: Emily Wagoner, Maximum Force, All American Dog
- Preferred Novice: Brittaney Allen, Allen's Ollie CD BN RN CGC, All American Dog
- Preferred Open: Emily Wagoner, Clarimond's Because I'M the Boss CDX BN RE CGCA, Belgian Tervuren
In AKC Rally®, Juniors competed in Rally Novice, Rally Advanced or Rally Excellent, based on the dog’s class eligibility (qualifying scores and/or titles earned).
Placing first in their class were:
- Rally Novice: Breanna Durham, Nike D The Perfect Fit For Me CDX PCD GN RN, Australian Shepherd
- Rally Advanced: Avery Adams, Wyndspell Fireworks CD AX AXJ, Border Collie
- Rally Excellent: Kaitlyn Scripko, Hidden Valley Black Ty Affair UDX OM2 RE HT MX MXB MXJ MJB MXF T2B, Border Collie
EUKANUBA™ was also a proud sponsor of AKC Junior Agility Competition. Juniors competed in either the Junior Excellent or Superior Classes, depending on whether they had achieved an agility title.
Placing first in their height division (8", 12", 16", 20" and 24" respectively) in the Junior Excellent class were:
- 8”- Kayangee Dorothy Parker MX MXJ (Dot), a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel handled by Anthony Rotelle
- 12”- Karmayne Playin With Matches MX MXJ (Fire), a Shetland Sheepdog handled by Natalie Spinsby
- 16”- Julian's Razor Lazzer MX MXB MXJ OF (Lazer), a Border Collie handled by Destiny Julian
- 20”- MACH Rival's Stitch In Time HIBS, HIAS, CD (Stitch), a Border Collie handled by Kai Macauley
- 24”- MACH Smokingold Vibrant Spark MX MXJ UD RE (Vibrant), a Golden Retriever handled by Avery Adams
Placing first in their height division (12”, 16" and 24" respectively) in the Junior Superior class were:
- 12”- Rhapsody Enchanting Dart To The Finish Line (Dart), a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel handled by Aaliyah Watkins
- 16”- Martin's Lola II (Lola), an All American Dog handled by Tasha Martin
- 24”- Hunter Of The Meadow BN RN CGC (Hunter), a Labrador Retriever handled by Hayley Milliron
Mark Your Calendar
See upcoming events we recommend for you and your dogs!
Eukanuba Hall
Host your event at Eukanuba Hall!
The 80,000 sq. ft. convention center is a perfect place to host your National Specialty Parent Club. Visit robertscentre.com/conference-center/eukanuba-hall or contact Katie Cull: Katie.Cull@robertscentre.com, or call 937-283-3275.
Upcoming Events:
- Scottish Terrier Club of America
- March 31-April 2, 2017
- Dayton Kennel Club All Breed Puppy Match and Breeder’s Cup
- April 2, 2017
- Great Pyrenees Club of America National Specialty Show
- April 9-16, 2017
- Belgian Sheepdog Club of America National Specialty Show
- April 23-April 29, 2017
- Clumber Spaniel Club of America National Specialty Show
- April 28-May 7, 2017
- Wire Fox Terrier Club of the Central States
- May 10-14, 2017
