Meet the Westminster Dogs: Kelly the Puli

The Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show (Feb. 15–16) is like Oscar night for dogs... so let's meet the stars! Paw Nation spoke with some of the Westminster show dog's owners to give you a sneak peek at the adorable contestants you'll see prancing around the ring on the big day.

Dog Breed: Puli

Group: Herding

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch. Lajosmegyi's Singin in the Rain

Nickname: Kelly

Dog's Age: 5

Owners' Names: Anna Quigley, Patricia Turner, and Steve and Alice Lawrence

Hometown: Chehalis, Wash.

Tell me about Kelly's personality.
He is one of the sweetest puli I have ever been around. Kelly enjoys life to the fullest and loves people. He is so calm before he goes in the ring and then when he's there, he's perfect. He has been raised with his sister and they are very close.

What is his best trick?
He jumps straight in the air and touches the top of a six-foot fence. He has tried to do this in the ring but is afraid of slipping on the floor!

What's his weirdest quirk?
He loves riding on top of his crate.

What is his favorite treat?
Bully Sticks are his favorite chew and boiled chicken is his favorite treat.

How do you and Kelly prepare for Westminster?
We use a treadmill to keep Kelly in condition. We have 60-foot runs, but the dogs hate the rain -- and we get so much of it in the Northwest. Most important is his mental conditioning. We make sure he has rest and try to keep him from being bored.

Anything else you'd like to share?
It is just such a thrill to be the breeders of two great dogs. His littermate Conrad is the puli that won the group last year at the Garden. Going is as much about seeing old and new friends as it is about being in the show.

Tags: Ch. Lajosmegyis Singin in the Rain, Ch.LajosmegyisSinginInTheRain, dog show, DogShow, puli, show dog, ShowDog, westminster dog show, WestminsterDogShow, WestminsterKennelClub