WEST MILFORD — When local Realtor Lisa Gaertner of the Realty Executives West Milford Branch Office isn’t showing houses, she is showing her beautiful Cocker Spaniels. A long time passionate breeder and owner/handler of Cocker Spaniels, Gaertner recently had her first win at the Westminster Kennel Club's 138th annual Dog Show, which took place from Feb. 10 to 11. Her dog, Mia, GCH CH Pinecliff’s Worth The Wait, was awarded the title “Select Bitch.” Mia, who became a grand champion at just one year old, has won other dog show awards such as Best Puppy in Show, Best of Variety, Best of Opposites and Selects. The award at the Westminster Show was by far the biggest award for Mia to date.
“I have loved and owned Cocker Spaniels for 28 years," said Gaertner. "It has always been my dream to show at Westminster, and being able to bring a beautiful dog into the ring that I bred myself, was an experience of a lifetime. My special thanks to Sandy Mantione for helping that dream come true. Cocker Spaniels have won Best in Show at The Westminster Kennel Club Show just four times. My dream is to one day be in the Best in Show Ring, holding that coveted Best in Show rosette with the dog that I’ve bred. That would be such an honor.”
Cocker Spaniels are part of the Sporting Group, which consists of 29 breeds, three of which are the three varieties of Cocker Spaniels: Black, Parti, and ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black). Mia, Grand Champion Pinecliff’s Worth The Wait, is a Parti color cocker.
The Westminster Kennel Club was established in 1877.
For more information about Pinecliff Cockers, visit www.PinecliffCockers.com or reach Gaertner at 973-277-1434.