We will be featuring the various "first" Grand Champions in the Belgian Breeds - the first dog and bitch of each breed.
River, GR CH Savanna Mon Ami Riverdance RN, is owned by Peri Norman and Sandi Weldon, along with breeder Jill Thomas. River was bred by Jill and Ron Thomas of Savanna Belgians in Wadsworth, Illinois, but moved west to Mon Ami as a puppy. River goes back to Mon Ami dogs - Tre, CH MonAmi Baikal Two Perfect is her grandsire. River is the first Belgian Tervuren bitch to earn the AKC's Grand Champion title.
Peri and Sandi flew out to look at the litter when they were about 7 weeks old. That way, they knew they could fly the puppy they chose home with them in the cabin. Apparently River was a bit of a prima donna right from the start! As Sandi says, "She almost got us kicked off the plane, because she was making so much noise before the pane could even get off the ground!"
River continued to draw plenty of attention in her show career - this time the good sort of attention. She started off with a splash - taking a Best in Specialty win at her very first show at just 6 months of age! Her drive to her championship was short and sweet - finishing at just 8 months of age with three specialty majors and being undefeated for Winners Bitch.
The road to her Grand Championship was equally efficient. River finished in just 7 shows, finishing with all majors and throwing in another Best in Specialty along the way. River is owner/handled in the ring - by either Peri or Sandi.
River is not "just a pretty face" however. She has earned her Rally Novice title and currently has two legs on each of her Novice Agility titles. Still, as Sandi puts it, "River is a bit of a princess who enjoys being pampered at all times. She has an Orbee football that she loves. One of her favorite things is to lie in the front yard with her football safely tucked between her front legs and survey the neighborhood." She has certainly earned that football many times over with her outstanding show career!
River also fits the image of an outstanding Belgian Tervuren as she is CHIC - having been evaluated for the four health criteria required by the ABTC - hips, elbows, eyes and thyroid.
River is an outstanding representative of the Belgian Tervuen!
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