An Oconto Falls kennel won top honors at the AKC National Championship for the second year in a row.
With a total entry of 5,632 dogs and more than 30 countries represented, the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, was the site of the AKC National Championship Dec. 13-15.
Local breeder owner handler Nikkie Kinziger-Francois of Ri Lee Kennels and her canine companion “GCH Ri Lee’s Diamond of Faith,” better known as Ivy, finished as the No. 1 owner-handled Tibetan Terrier in the National Owner Handler Series for the second consecutive year. They competed against other finalists in the series and won Best of Breed.
With a total entry of 21 Tibetan Terriers, Kinziger-Francois and Ivy further went on to win Best of Opposite Sex and Best Bred By Exhibitor on Dec. 14.
CH Ri Lee’s Give Me Diamonds, better known as Bradley and Ivy’s half-brother (with co-owner Tracy Doty), also represented Ri Lee Kennels at the National Championship and were also honored with first Award of Excellence and a tremendous Best of Breed win during the week. CH Ri Lee’s Diamond Sequel, appropriately named baby Rilee, came along for the ride and won his puppy class.
For information on Ri Lee Kennels, visit its Facebook page or www.rileekennels.com.
Local breeder wins top honors
