NAKC, ICCF Multi BISCH. Bel Monte Godiva Keno
Keno was the smallest of the Roma X Logan litter. Luca and Kovu where much bigger and had more impressive heads. Ed Hodas and I decided that I would keep Luca and Kovu would stay with Ed. We then decided to give Keno to a family friend of the Hodas’s who was right down the road, with the provision that they would train, socialize and love him. We could then still have access to Keno should we decide to breed and or show him in the future. Ed and I decided to go and see Keno when he was about 12 months old. Ed told me not to get my hopes up because he didn’t think the dog was going to turn out. Well we were in for a pleasant surprise, Keno was still the smallest of the litter but he had this beautifully typical head, great structure and movement. I remember saying to Ed “he may grow up to be the best dog in the litter”. Which all things considered heprobably did. At the time I was off to Vegas with Kovu for the CCAA Nationals, so I told Keno’s owner in a couple of months we would start showing him, and to start to get him socialized. The time came for Keno to start his show career and low and behold Keno was still not properly socialized. Never the less I took him and began his training and socialization. Keno’s first show was the2008 NAKC Year End Super Show in Reading PA. The previous year we finished Kovu at the same venue, so we were looking to keep the streak going. Keno did not disappoint and he took 4 out of the 5 winners dogs thus earning his Championship in one weekend, he won the breed from the class’s and went on to win Best in Show in an event that boast all of the top rare breed dogs in the country! After the show I returned Keno to his family and told them that I did a lot of work with him and that it would not be fair to leave him in the yard with no stimulation because he was at heart a very social dog. I also said that should they decide he was too much for them that I would be happy to take him back as I got very much attached to him. A couple of days later I got the call to come and get him because they felt Keno needed to be with someone who had the time to send with him, luckily that was me!
Keno’s next show was the 2009 Rhode Island Classic where he won several breeds and a Reserve Best in Show. Unfortunately for Keno I got bogged down with several clients’ dogs and Keno sat on the sidelines until the 2009 CCAA National Specialty weekend in Matamoras PA. While I had clients dogs for all 5 shows I managed to wiggle out of one of my commitments and entered Keno on the third show Saturday afternoon. Keno won the breed and went on to take Best in Show honors in an event that had the largest Cane Corso entry of the year! We decided early in 2010 that we would concentrate on our own dog this year, and made the commitment to get my man Keno ready for the show season. We set some rather lofty goals and it remains to be seen if we can achieve them but it won’t be for lack of trying. Our first show of 2010 was a return to Rhode Island; where we had some unfinished business from the year before. And boy did we take care of business! Keno took 5 Best in Shows and 2 Reserve Best in Shows. The event was held in conjunction with a pet Expo so there was a large number of spectators, we had the crowd in the palm of our hand, Keno was like Spartacus in the coliseum!
To see more of Keno’s show career click here
Keno is a strapping 130lb blue brindle with great bone and substance. He has long lean musculature, an extremely important head and expression. Clean powerful movement and structurally sound.
