Teddie: Big Dog, Big Show!
Teddie James to compete at Westminster
Lexingtonians have a competitive spirit. And they tend to excel in competition. Three year old Teddie James is no exception. Teddie weighs 160 lbs., walks on four legs and wears a luxurious black and white fur coat. Teddie is a Newfoundland and the pride and joy of Lexington residents and Teddie’s co-owners Dr. Sheri Russell and Julie Patino.
“Teddie is a pretty remarkable dog. I like to say he has super secret powers,” says owner and breeder Sheri Russell. She knew he was special right from the start when she took the four-week old puppy to visit a terminally ill friend. He immediately snuggled up and licked her hands and face before settling in at her neck. The young girl opened her eyes and shared a final conversation with her family. “Every once in a while you get a special dog. He’s one of those dogs who just connects,” Sheri adds. That’s one reason Teddie is no only a show dog, but a trained therapy dog as well.
Teddie has it all; a good heart and good looks. In December he competed in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, FL. He took the 1st Award of Excellence, similar to a runner up position. And it’s quite an accomplishment for a three year old to rank second out of forty-nine Newfoundlands nationally.
Next month Annisquam Light’s Perfect Gentleman “Teddie James”, his full show name, goes to the big show; The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York’s Madison Square Garden. This is the Kentucky Derby of dog shows. Once of interest to mainly breeders and owner, it’s now an event that garners national attention. And Teddie will be at the heart of it.Julie Patino of Lexington with Teddie James (left) and his mom Ella (right).
Sheri says it takes approximately two hours to groom him before any show and hours and hours of training, nutrition, exercise and grooming before that. Although she does groom Teddie before any show, Sheri laughs off the idea that she would compete with Teddie, “We have a professional handler for that. I’m too much of a stage mom. Who knows what I’d do.”
Besides Sheri and Julie, Teddie shares his house with mom Ella and half sister Siren, who is also becoming quite a show dog. Having 450 pounds of dog, fur and drool around the house means making adjustments to the way you live. “Everything in my house was pub height. It was always a crap shoot whether a roast beef would make it or not.” Now that she’s moved to Lexington, pub style is gone but big rooms are in. “These are Velcro dogs. They always want to be where you are, but you need enough room for them to fit.”
Newfoundlands were originally bred as water rescue dogs. They are smart and extremely loving. But if you’re thinking one of these gentle giants might be right for you or your family, Sheri has a word of advice, remember they are 160 lbs of dog, fur and drool. Your commitment has to be as big as the dog.
Thousands of people will be buying tickets to see Teddie compete in New York, tens of thousands more will watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on CNBC and USA networks. But here in Lexington we can often catch Teddie, Ella and Siren taking their paces around the Green. You can’t miss him, he’s a show stopper.