Pearlie came to us from Beth and Bob Johnson. I wanted a puppy out of her bitch "Abby" who enjoys robust good health. My preference, as you can probably tell from seeing my dogs, is for dark dogs so when Beth called to tell me that I had a choice...white, or white, as Pearlie was a singleton...I sighed and decided to have a white dog! I have never regreted this decision as Pearlie turned out to be an exceptionally wonderful dog...a show dog, a performance dog, a therapy dog and, most of all, my beloved dog.
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| Pearlie, the precious gem! |
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| Beth & Bob with baby Pearlie |
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| Pearlie pup with her personal pet kitten, Cinder |
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At the Blue Ridge Specialty in Harrisonburg, VA, in June 2004, it was a clean sweep for Pearlie. First, she won the Sweepstakes (a special show for young dogs where breeders can showcase the puppies they've produced), under Judge Peggy Hauck, then went on to win BISS (Best in Show Specialty) with 32 dogs showing, and a Group 2 under Judge Don Sutton.
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| Pearlie sweeps the Sweepstake under Judge Peggy Hauck |
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| BISS CH Feliz Perla De Las Antillas with Judge Don Sutton |
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| And goes on to a Group 2. |
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| Pearlie's Gr 3 with Judge Steve Keating |
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| August 2004 found us in Houston, TX at the National Specialty. At Sunday's show, the day after the National, with over 80 dogs competing, I almost fainted when the judge pointed to Pearlie for the breed! Then to top it off, she took a Group 3 under Judge Steve Keating. While we were taking pictures, he was so complimentary about Pearlie and then he mentioned that his partner, Don Sutton, told him about a wonderful white bitch he'd judged in VA...and I told him she was one and the same. He laughed when he realized that he and Don had similar taste in dogs (both, IMHO, have excellent taste when it came to appreciating Pearlie!)
One highlight in Houston...my mother, Pearl (who Pearlie was named after), was there to see Pearlie's big win. She was SO thrilled to see her 'granddog' triumph!!
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| Pearlie in the ring showing the pearlescence in her glistening silky coat |
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| My two beautiful Pearls. |
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| Pearlie Group 3 at Old Dominion with Judge Dennis McCoy |
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| Pearlie at Eukanuba...leading to Award of Excellence |
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Pearlie, now a mature, beautiful girl, returned to the show ring in 2008, this time to compete for her HSDAA Silk Championship. She made her debut in Toledo, OH in May. Despite being out of the showring for over 3 years, Pearlie had not forgotten how to show, and show off she did!
The Silk Dog presentation calls for the head furnishings to 'fall forward' over the eyes. Unfortunately for Pearlie, her head furnishings are SO thick now that she literally could not see where she was going with her hair over her eyes (mature Havanese are generally shown with the head furnishings combed to either side and, even more often these days, combed back or 'swooped' over from a side part but these presentations have no place in the Silk Dog ring.) Fortunately, the Silk Dog standard does not preclude judicious trimming so, thinning shears were carefully applied to transform Pearlie from a moptop to a Silk Dog with a fringe of hair over her eyes that did not obscure her vision.
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| Pearlie, before...Cousin It? |
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| Pearlie after...a lovely Silk Presentation |
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| In Richmond, VA at her 4th HDSAA show, with all Majors, Pearlie finishes her HSDAA Certified CH with BOS under Judge Mindy Holmes |
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| Pearlie in Toledo in May 2008...1st HDSAA show, 1st Major, 1st BOS under Judge Mel Ells |
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| What else do you do when you've done it all? |
Versatility is one of the hallmarks of the Havana Silk Dog. In addition to being a wonderful companion, Pearlie has shared her loving, inuitive disposition as a therapy dog. Silk Dogs make wonderful therapy dogs. She is so gentle with children and with the elderly who are recovering from surgery or in nursing homes.
As a performance dog, Pearlie qualified to get her first leg in Rally, despite taking the time to meet and greet the ringside audience before settling in to complete the exercises. Unlike Pala who is focused on the 'team', Pearlie shares her radiance with the audience.  One day, we'll find the time to get back to Rally so Pearlie can add yet another title to her name.
As a mother, there is not a better dog out there. She is devoted to her puppies, carefully protecting and nurturing them until she 'helps' them with separation when it's time for weaning and gaining independence from Mom. Pearlie had puppies on Sept 26, 2008...see them under, Our Puppies, Pearlie's Songbirds.
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| Pearlie on a mission... |
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| Stevie's surrogate brother didn't have much to say. |
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| An only child has to find friends where ever he can. Rip was Stevie's big 'brother'. |
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| Pearlie's bouncing baby boy, Stevie |
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| Stevie's such a handsome boy! |
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| In 2005, Pearlie had her first 'litter'. She was to be bred to Ch Bydand Start Me Up, "Sonic" but Pearlie said she did not want to be left there and she wasn't quite ready so after one breeding attempt, we went back home. Apparently one little egg hung on to be conceived and the result was a big, bouncing baby boy, Stevie.
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2006 - The Road Trip Pups
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| Pearlie's Road Trip Puppies -2006 |
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| Pearlie's daughter "Mini"...Mini Pearl? |
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| Pearlie's daughter, Sienna...the very first HSDAA Companion Champion! |
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| Pearlie's Magic Puppies -2007 |
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| Pearlie soaped evaluation photos |
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| Now you see (the coat...) |
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| Now, you don't! |
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Pearlie is a moderate bitch, with good substance, balanced angles and a gorgeous, silky coat. She could use improvement in the rear...she's a little hocky.
Height: 10"
Weight: 12.5-13lbs
Her OFA page can be checked at: Pearlie's OFA Page
FELIZ PERLA DE LAS ANTILLAS
| Registration: |
HSDA104901 |
Sire: |
TN70512001 |
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| Breed: |
HAVANA SILK DOG |
Dam: |
TN60286801 |
| Sex: |
F |
*Titles: |
CGC, BISS, CH |
| Color: |
CREAM PARTI |
CHIC #: |
24335 |
| Birthdate: |
May 16 2003 |
Addtl. Reg. # |
TR12799201 |
| DNA Profile: |
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| OFA Number |
Registry |
Test/Film Date |
Report Date |
Age |
Final Conclusion |
| HSD-120 |
CERF |
Jan 12 2008 |
Jan 12 2008 |
56 |
TESTED: 03,05,06,07,08 |
| HSD-2F28F-VPI |
HIPS |
Sep 19 2005 |
Jan 23 2008 |
28 |
FAIR |
| HSD-BR1/12F-VPI |
BAER HEARING TEST |
May 20 2004 |
Jan 23 2008 |
12 |
NORMAL |
| HSD-LP1/28F-VPI |
LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES |
Sep 19 2005 |
Jan 23 2008 |
28 |
NORMAL |
| HSD-PA15/17F/P-VPI |
PATELLA |
Nov 3 2004 |
Jan 23 2008 |
17 |
NORMAL - PRACTITIONER |
| HSD-CA8/55F/P-VPI |
CARDIAC |
Jan 12 2008 |
Jan 29 2008 |
55 |
NORMAL - PRACTITIONER |
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