SA’s top dog, now America’s champion

Danny, also known as Midnightdream Thril’F Victory, took part in seven dog shows during his time spent in America from April 22 to May 11.

Besides being crowned as the American shih tzu champion, Danny also won other titles at various shows.

Danny arrived in New York on Tuesday, April 22, after the pet agency, Petwings, initially booked him on the wrong flight.

“We were very happy when Danny arrived safely,” says Danny’s owner, Riekie Erwee, speaking of her and her husband Joe’s experiences.

The following day Danny, Riekie and Joe left for Pittsburgh in New York where they took Danny to the vet to have his blood taken.

“We only had three weeks to have his blood tested and the laboratories in America take up to four weeks to get the results back.”

The next day, Thursday, April 24, was show day in West Virginia. Danny won the title for the best shih tzu in the shih tzu breed group.

Danny is also the first South African-bred dog to win the Toy Group (small dogs).

“We were so happy, because we had an even better start than what we dreamt of,” says Erwee.

On Friday, he won another toy group title and on Saturday and Sunday he came overall third in the group.

“It was a great experience to show at the Mountaineer and South Hills kennel clubs. We even made the front cover of the local newspaper,” says Erwee.

The following week, Danny won the winners dog title in a very big entry of shih tzu’s on Friday, May 2, in New Jersey.

A few days after, the American Shih Tzu Nationals took place in St Louis.

On May 10, two weeks and two days after his first show, Danny won the Open Class at the Nationals and went on to win Winners Dog at the American Nationals.

“Danny finished his American tour in great style,” says Erwee.

Danny was mostly handled by Erwee, except for dog class at the Nationals where he was shown by a professional handler, Zach Watkins. – @IschkeBoksburg