Elford crossed paths with Ralsky on the dog show circuit a few years ago, where, due to the alphabet’s whims, her Samoyed found itself positioned in the ring just before Ralsky’s Siberian husky.
Amused by the striking whiteness of her dog, Ralsky quipped about having a can of black paint in his car, jokingly suggesting he might use it, Elford recalled.
From this rather inauspicious beginning, a friendship blossomed, and later, the three of them agreed to co-own and share the expenses for Striker. While there was the possibility of making some money from breeding Striker, it turned out to be a mostly financially draining venture.
“It’s akin to having a child involved in an elite sport like hockey or gymnastics,” Ralsky remarked. “We’d be constantly traveling, waking up at ungodly hours.”
The financial aspect was just part of the challenge; the emotional strain was also significant. Striker, a Samoyed who came remarkably close to clinching the top spot at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show two years in a row, has since retired and is now leading a contented life.
Even though he didn’t secure the victory, Striker is still considered a champion and is thoroughly engaged in play, posing, and, of course, shedding. His breeders and co-owners highlight his unusually relaxed and cheerful demeanor, always eager to participate in any activity.
Striker shares his abode with Awesome, a spirited Siberian husky. Despite not securing the Westminster’s top spot, Striker did manage to achieve the title of Best in Show at the American Kennel Club in 2021.
His owners attest that Striker is a dog who constantly craves attention and firmly believes he should be the center of it all. Yet, he’s entirely unperturbed by his inability to win the Westminster’s best in show title. His owners describe him as a natural show-off, perpetually ready to pose for the camera and seize attention from anyone in his vicinity.
Elford, who has been Striker’s caretaker since he was a puppy (his full name being Ch. Vanderbilt ’N Printemp’s Lucky Strike), always sensed there was something extraordinary about him. It wasn’t solely his adherence to the breed standard with his wedge-shaped head, almond eyes, robust physique, and double-textured coat; there was an indefinable quality that set him apart.
His grooming regimen includes a bath every other week, a comprehensive, multi-hour process that involves an array of products and a high-powered hot air dryer. To shield his coat from inclement weather, they even make him wear a raincoat.
As part of his evening routine, he enjoys two gummy bears as a snack and spends the night intermittently on his owners’ bed, gently nudging them for attention.
Ralsky remarked that Striker may be the most accomplished Samoyed in dog show history, but when the day is done, he sleeps alongside his human companions.