Felicity's Diamond Jim
Encyclopedia
Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim, CD, RE (aka: "James") (June 8, 2000 - May 6, 2011), an English Springer Spaniel
, best known for being the 2007 Best In Show
winner at the Westminster Dog Show. It was his 51st Best in Show victory, and his last, as his owners chose to retire James after the win to focus him on his work as a certified therapy dog
. He was handled exclusively by the same handler who took Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless to a best-in-show at Westminster in 2000. In retirement he was recognised in 2008 by the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association for his work as a sire
and has produced many champion offspring, including Ch. Cerise Jesse James.
. James, a symmetrically balanced brown and white dog, was born June 8, 2000. He was owned by Terri Patton & Al Patton of and was the #1 Sporting Dog in 2006 (#2 all breeds), exclusively handled by Kellie Fitzgerald.
Following his win at Westminster he was retired as a show dog to become an obedience and therapy dog.
and Ch. Snowshoe's Kiss for Luck, a Golden Retriever
. However he lost out to Ch. Old Iron Margaret River, an Airedale Terrier
for best-of-breed.
On December 3, 2006 in Long Beach, California he won best-in-show at the AKC National Championship, defeating 2,500 other dogs including his rival Ch. Hobergays Fineus Fogg. Fineus, a Dandie Dinmont Terrier
co-owned by comedian Bill Cosby
, was the only dog with more career points in the circuit at this time. The prize money was $68,000 and a variety of dog related products for James.
James was entered into the 2007 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
where he was considered a strong contender by the media, being described as a "celebrity at the peak of his game". Being handled by Kellie Fitzgerald, he won his breed, group and then went on to compete for best-in show on February 13. He once again faced off against Ch. Hobergays Fineus Fogg, who had won the Terrier
group earlier. Other competitors for best-in-show included a pair of Poodles, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
, plus an Akita and a Bouvier des Flandres
that were owned by a husband and wife competing against each other. Felcity's Diamond Jim was named the winner, giving a second win at Westminster to his handler who had also won in 2000 with Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless, another English Springer Spaniel.
English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a breed of gun dog traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game. It is an affectionate, excitable breed with an average lifespan of twelve to fourteen years. Descended from the Norfolk or Shropshire Spaniels of the mid-19th century, the breed has diverged into...
, best known for being the 2007 Best In Show
Best in Show
Best in Show may refer to:* Best in Show , a 2000 film* Best in Show , a 2005 album by Grinspoon* The Best in Show award or the Best in Show competition in conformation dog shows** Best in Show winners of Crufts...
winner at the Westminster Dog Show. It was his 51st Best in Show victory, and his last, as his owners chose to retire James after the win to focus him on his work as a certified therapy dog
Assistance dog
An assistance dog is a dog trained to aid or assist a person with a disability. Many are trained by a specific organization, while others are trained by their handler .-Classification:...
. He was handled exclusively by the same handler who took Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless to a best-in-show at Westminster in 2000. In retirement he was recognised in 2008 by the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association for his work as a sire
Father
A father, Pop, Dad, or Papa, is defined as a male parent of any type of offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to father, parallel to "maternal" for mother...
and has produced many champion offspring, including Ch. Cerise Jesse James.
Biography
He was bred by Felicity English Springer Spaniels of Fairfax Station, VirginiaFairfax Station, Virginia
Fairfax Station is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, ZIP code 22039. The population as of the 2010 Census was 12,030. As a suburb of Washington, DC, it is a bedroom community for many who work in the federal government.-Averages:...
. James, a symmetrically balanced brown and white dog, was born June 8, 2000. He was owned by Terri Patton & Al Patton of and was the #1 Sporting Dog in 2006 (#2 all breeds), exclusively handled by Kellie Fitzgerald.
Following his win at Westminster he was retired as a show dog to become an obedience and therapy dog.
Breeding
James was the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association Runner Up Show Sire of the Year in 2008. His offspring include Ch. Cerise Jesse James who won an Award of Merit at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2008 and 2009.Showing
At the Western Pennsylvania Kennel Association show, he placed first in the Sporting Group, defeating Ch. Lamar's Bentley, an American Cocker SpanielAmerican Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of sporting dog. It is a spaniel type dog that is closely related to the English Cocker Spaniel; the two breeds diverged during the 20th century due to differing breed standards in America and the UK...
and Ch. Snowshoe's Kiss for Luck, a Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...
. However he lost out to Ch. Old Iron Margaret River, an Airedale Terrier
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is a breed of the terrier type that originated in Airedale, a geographic area in Yorkshire, England. It is traditionally called the "King of Terriers" because it is the largest of the terrier breeds...
for best-of-breed.
On December 3, 2006 in Long Beach, California he won best-in-show at the AKC National Championship, defeating 2,500 other dogs including his rival Ch. Hobergays Fineus Fogg. Fineus, a Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
A Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small Scottish breed of dog in the terrier family. The breed has a very long body, short legs, and a distinctive "top-knot" of hair on the head. A character in Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering has lent the name to the breed, with "Dandie Dinmont" thought to be...
co-owned by comedian Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
, was the only dog with more career points in the circuit at this time. The prize money was $68,000 and a variety of dog related products for James.
James was entered into the 2007 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a two-day, all-breed benched conformation show that takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City every year. The first Westminster show was held in 1877....
where he was considered a strong contender by the media, being described as a "celebrity at the peak of his game". Being handled by Kellie Fitzgerald, he won his breed, group and then went on to compete for best-in show on February 13. He once again faced off against Ch. Hobergays Fineus Fogg, who had won the Terrier
Terrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
group earlier. Other competitors for best-in-show included a pair of Poodles, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen , or PBGV, is a breed of dog of the scent hound type, bred to trail hares in bramble filled terrain of the Vendée district of France.-Appearance:...
, plus an Akita and a Bouvier des Flandres
Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres is a herding dog breed originating in Flanders. They were originally used for general farm work including cattle droving, sheep herding, and cart pulling, and nowadays as guard dogs and police dogs, as well as being kept as pets. The French name of the breed means,...
that were owned by a husband and wife competing against each other. Felcity's Diamond Jim was named the winner, giving a second win at Westminster to his handler who had also won in 2000 with Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless, another English Springer Spaniel.