With this in mind , the Bradys drove to Kentucky from their then home at Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head to meet Ruger . It was love at first sight . They agreed to all terms and Ruger was soon on his way to his new home .
Shown under his registered name , Stoneridge Shot Through the Heart , Ruger became the top dog in his breed in the country in just four months of limited showings . He was entered in the largest show in the U . S ., the American Kennel Club ( AKC ) National Championship in Orlando . There were 195 AKC recognized breeds and over 5,000 dogs entered . Ruger won points all four days and became a champion . While the Bradys were novices to the dog show world , everyone in the know assured them that becoming a champion in a week was unheard of , and it was clear that Ruger was loving it .
In 2023 , it was decided to do a few more shows with Ruger so he could get his Grand Champion Gold . He won best of breed both days and earned his Grand Champion Gold status . He now has 78 best of breeds and eight sporting group placements and has reached a ranking among the top 50 flat-coated retrievers of all time in just two years .
Ruger finished the year at Royal Canin with 5,300 dogs entered . He won best of opposite sex , beating all of the dogs there and finishing number two in the country . The top five dogs received invitations to the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — the most prestigious dog show in America with the world ’ s top dogs . “ Ruger showed his heart out with his handler , Amber Becker Briscoe ,” says James . “ He made the final cut . He didn ’ t win but it was still a wonderful experience . We continue to be amazed and proud of Ruger . His scrapbook is overflowing !”
While some show dogs are campaigned alone with their handlers , James and Suzanne accompany Ruger to shows . “ I refuse to campaign him and send him off alone with a handler . He is not going without us ,” says James . However , James and Suzanne always leave the area when Ruger and his handler are in the ring . “ He loves being in the ring ,” says Suzanne . “ He comes alive and when you watch him go around the ring with his handler , it ’ s like he ’ s floating on air . But we can ’ t let him see us when he ’ s in the ring . If he does see us , it ’ s like , ‘ Mom and Dad !’”
While James , Suzanne and Ruger are often on the move on the dog show circuit , they are very happy with their move to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound . Ruger is enjoying his new home and neighbors and daily Barkaritaville Dog Park outings . He loves retrieving his tennis ball and bobbing and weaving with it while the other dogs try to catch up with him then taking a dip in the Barkaritaville cool down tub .
The beautiful grand champion Stoneridge Shot Through the Heart is most definitely Latitude Margaritaville ’ s top dog and a shining star on the dog show circuit . However , it is very clear that , to James and Suzanne Brady , he is still just their much-loved boy Ruger .
RUGER LOVES BEING IN THE RING . WHEN YOU WATCH HIM GO AROUND THE RING , IT ’ S LIKE HE ’ S FLOATING ON AIR .