After earning his AKC championship in January 2009 Kanzu took a break from the conformation ring to concentrate on performance championships in lure coursing and agility.
In May 2010 the AKC initiated the new Grand Champion title (GCH). Shortly after the new program began, Kanzu returned to the conformation ring with a goal of earning his GCH. During a trip to Alaska and his first weekend of showing, handled by his friend Curtis Freeling, he took Best of Breed (BOB) and a 3 point major one day and Best Opposite Sex (BOS) two days. With this first weekend back in the ring he earned 1 of 3 majors and 9 of the 25 points needed for his GCH. In his second weekend of showing during a trip to Montana showing again with Curtis, Kanzu took BOB earning his second major and select dog the following two days bringing his total GCH points to 15 of the 25 points needed.
In 2012 Kanzu earned his GCH in back-to-back majors handled by his breeder and co-owner Mike Patterson. At the Sammamish Kennel Club show in Puyallup Washington on Saturday January 14, Kanzu won BOS and a 5 point major. On Sunday January 15, at the Puyallup Valley Dog Fanciers Show under Judge Sharon Sakson, he won BOB and another 5 point major finishing up the points and necessary majors for his GCH.
The win on Sunday under Judge Sakson was made even more special as it was preceded by Grandpa Kobe son Maxx (Van D Piers Simply To The Maxx CD RA NAJ) taking Winners Dog and his second major, also handled by Mike. It was a very special day for Tigris Rhodesian Ridgebacks http://www.tigrisridgebacks.com/home.cfm with Winners Dog being a Kobe son, BOB a Kobe grandson and BOS was a Kobe daughter.
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