G
Pooch
rand Champion Platinum Silverhall Strike Force—
otherwise known as Striker—is a force to be reckoned with
when it comes to dog shows. His most recent wins at the
prestigious Westminster Dog Show are just a few of the
many accolades the young Cocker Spaniel has to his name.
Striker’s owner is Peters Township resident Regina Beinhauer. She
has lived in the township for 29 years while her husband, Richard,
has been a resident for over 40 years. Together they own Beinhauer
Family Services.
“I absolutely love living in Peters Township,” says Beinhauer.
“We are blessed to own approximately 18 acres, with a barn, horse
paddocks and lots of room for my dogs. My husband Rick also trains
and drives Standardbred Race Horses. We also own a farm in Scenery
Hill and breed our own Standardbreds.”
Beinhauer has been breeding and showing Cocker Spaniels for
more than 30 years. “I have bred more than 100 dogs that have
received their championship,” she says. “I primarily breed parti color
Cockers, but have also bred some blacks and ascobs (any solid color
other than black) over the years. While I love the sport of showing
dogs, my main objective is to produce happy, healthy puppies that will
make terrific pets.”
Beinhauer belongs to the American Spaniel Club, the parent club
for all Cocker Breed Clubs in various states. It’s been in existence for
more than 100 years. The American Spaniel Club holds two shows
yearly—the Flushing Spaniel Club show in January and a National
Show in July.
“While at the July 2012 National Show (which is only Cockers),
I watched a six-month old brown/tan puppy go around the ring,”
recalls Beinhauer. “It was the puppy’s first time in the ring, and he was
a very balanced, terrific-moving Cocker. He ended up as the Winner’s
Dog that day and picked up a five-point major. I fell in love with that
darling puppy, and purchased him that day. That puppy was Striker.”
Striker left that show and went to live with Beinhauer’s friends
and his handlers, Mike and Linda Pitts, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He
has spent a large part of his life with them, and is treated like a family
member. They currently do all of his grooming and show preparation.
“I spend a lot of time attending Striker’s shows, and have had
the chance to watch him mature into a stunning show dog,” says
Beinhauer. “His personality is fantastic! He loves his toys and is like a
big little clown.”
Striker has been to the Westminster Dog Show twice. In 2017,
Striker won his breed, but did not participate in the Sporting Group.
This year, Striker won his breed, and was also awarded a Group 2 in
the Sporting Group.
Striker’s biggest wins, however, have not been at Westminster. He
has been awarded Best in Show at the American Spaniel Club Flushing
Spaniel Club show three times. In December, he was awarded Best in
Show at the American Kennel Club National Championship—besting
over 5,000 other dogs. “That was the thrill of a lifetime for me, his co-
owner Carolee Douglas and his handler Mike Pitts,” says Beinhauer.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to own a dog that’s able to compete at that
level. All of the owners are excited to have their dogs at show, and the
air is electric.”
Striker retired after this year’s Westminster competition and
will remain in Knoxville for a short period of time to enjoy some
girlfriends. After that, he will come home to live with the Beinhauers
and their other Cockers — Stevie, Rosie and Twist.
“Striker currently holds the title for the ascob Cocker with the most
wins ever in the history of our breed,” says Beinhauer. “He is truly a
very special boy.” n
PETERS TOWNSHIP
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APRIL/MAY 2018
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