National BOS CH. SMASHER'S AL CAPP

"Abner"

(Ch. Smasher's Gem Gemoney x Can Ch. Smasher's Clara Barton)

Born:  November 15, 1982                                 NS807225

Breeders: Karl Foerster and William Kroll

Owners:  Karl Foerster, Ray Knudsen and Carolyn  Whiteside

      Abner was the Bulldogger, cover dog for Number 72 (May 1995).  His owners wrote of him:

In today's sporting world, the word "great" is used all too often, frequently without thought to the implication.  Instead of being reserved for athletes, or teams, that transcend normal accomplishments and accolades on an elevated plane over a period of time that can certify such a lofty judgment, all too often we hear of routine performances being called "great" instead of, perhaps, "workman-like."  Every athlete who works up a sweat is now said to be giving 110% (a mathematical impossibility, of course).

This issue's cover dog, Ch. Smasher's Al Capp ("Abner"), earned the sobriquet "great" the old fashioned way: he earned it with his repeatedly outstanding show ring results, and later by becoming a Hall of Fame stud dog.  Whelped in 1982, Abner began his illustrious career by winning Best in match at two all-breed shows, and still in puppyhood, he took Best in Sweeps at the 1983 Chicago, Toledo and Detroit Specialties under Larry Nelson, Frank Hugo and Gordon Todd, respectively.  Still not a year old, Abner took a Group 1 at Grand Rapids, MI, to finish his Championship under Judge Dorothy Welsh.

Before Abner retired in 1987, he accounted for 29 Group 1's; 39 Group 2's; 16 Group 3's; 12 Group 4's; 9 Bulldog Specialty Best in Show awards; 1 All-Breed Best in Show; and was ranked the Number One Bulldog in 1987 by all systems. Individual awards included Best of Opposite Sex at the 1986 BCA Nationals, and Best of Breed at the 1986 Purina Invitational, where he went on to a Group 3.

Abner is 5th generation Smasher "in-line" bred, sired by Smasher's Gem Gemoney x Smasher's Clara Barton, who later finished her Canadian Championship.

Abner's sire in inbred 2x2 to Ch. Smasher's Constant Comment, who also appears in Smasher's Clara Barton's pedigree as the paternal grandsire.  Both Abner's sire and dam were sired by Ch. Smasher's Dan Patch.  the Smasher line dates back to breeding principles and lines established by Mrs. A. R. "Edna" Glass.

Abner was bred by Ray Knudsen and Karl Foerster.  Carolyn Whitside, who raised and socialized him as a young puppy, named him after the Al Capp cartoon character.  A brilliant true white and rich red brindle, Abner was the absolute picture of power and performance in the ring, and an entertaining companion and "dancer" outside the arena.  He retired in 1987 to a life of ease and occasional stud duty at Emerald Glen Kennel, Salem, WI.  Bred sparingly, Abner nonetheless sired 13 champions, and his line carries on in the show ring today where his second and third generation get are earning championships.

Abner died in July of 1994, at 12 years of age.  When the names of the truly great show Bulldogs are considered, few will be able to match the career of Ch. Smasher's Al Capp.