ELKHART — Dogs usually have it easy, but life for show dogs is as hard for them as it is for humans.

Elkhart resident Barbara Weidner co-owns GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, a Bichon Frise that won Best of Breed at this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York.

Drummer, as he’s called, is, literally, a top dog. He is a First Bichon Frise Gold Grand Champion and has won 33 best-in-shows.

In 2011, he placed Group 2 in Westminster, meaning that he won his breed and placed second in the non-sporting group.

Weidner and two other women have a limited liability corporation that financially supports dogs they think will show well.

“We promote and back the dogs that are extra special and try to put them in the Westminster category,” Weidner said.

Drummer retired at the Westminster show at the ripe age of four. He’ll still show at some events but will mostly be used as a stud (with a $2,500 fee) to create other future champions. One dog was flown from China to breed with Drummer, while another had his semen shipped.

Turning a good dog into a champion requires a variety of people to help him, including owners, handlers, ad designers and photographers.

“It’s not unusual for someone to spend $300,000 or $400,000 campaigning for a dog,” said Kim Griffin, one of Drummer’s owners. Laurie Darman and Cecilia Ruggles are his other two owners (Ruggles is the only one not a part of the Texana Top Dogs, LLC).

Drummer lives year-round in Houston with his handler, Scott Sommer, so that they can form a good relationship. Sommer would take him to weekend tournaments, often flying across the country.

One of the best handlers in the nation, Sommer won Best in Show at the 2009 Westminster show with Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, a Sussex Spaniel also known as Stump. He also won in 2001 with a Bichon Frise, Ch Special Times Just Right.

Despite the prestigious nature of Westminster and other shows, the people who participate are not in it for the money. In fact, there is none.

“It’s like most hobbies,” Griffin said. “It costs money.”

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