Posts tagged "ShowDog"

Meet jet-setting show dog Curry, Paw Nation advice columnist. In between competing at the top dog shows, Curry finds time to answer the questions all dogs long to ask. From grooming advice (Curry just won Best in Breed at Westminster, so she knows a thing or two about looking gorgeous) to tips on getting along with the craziest of canines (she lives in Manhattan so she has to make friends with the many other dogs on the block), this 3-year-old Glen of Imaal terrier has all the answers to your crucial canine queries.

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Do you have any famous dog friends that you "hang" out with? Or dogs whose owners are famous? And what does a Westminster winning diva do on a play date? Please tell all. And keep walking that walk girl!
--Kimberly from New Jersey

Kimberly darling,
It's true that I am a Westminster winning leading lady. But at heart I'm a girl of simple tastes.

My people told me that a Hollywood reality TV star had recently been in touch to arrange a playdate with me and her pooch after my spectacular performance at Madison Square Garden -- but I said no. If they didn't want to be my friend before I became famous then I don't want them as friends now. (With the natural exception of any of Oprah's pups.)

You see Kimberly, little old me likes to keep it real. I hang out with Butter, a cute French Bulldog in my building that has quite the wardrobe. Other friends include my Kerry Blue Terrier neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. (Who doesn't love a naughty Kerry Blue or two..) They live on the floor above me in a posh apartment with a terrace. Oh how I wish I could go to the bathroom with just the swinging open of a door instead of those long 15 flights down in the elevator.

For me, the perfect play date would be a run at the doggie park--but not too long a run. When my tongue hangs down past my nose, this girl knows it time to head home. Then I jump on the sofa and turn on The National Geographic Channel where Cesar Millan can whisperer in my ear all day long

The only famous non-show dog I have ever met is a sassy Papillon that lives with Debbie Harry from the band Blondie. (She lives down the street from me.) And just like her human, this dog's cheek bones are to die for, I keep telling her to "Call me, call me any, anytime."

She hasn't yet, but I'm still hoping.

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Ask Curry your questions by e-mailing her at curry@pawnation.com.

Guess who'll be among the more than 2,500 champion dogs competing at this year's 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (Feb. 15–16)? None other than our very own Curry, a Glen of Imaal terrier that Paw Nation has been following since last October in our "Path to Westminster" series. Curry's owner and handler, Bruce Sussman, answered some questions about the little charmer.

Dog Breed: Glen of Imaal Terrier

Group: Terrier

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch. Coleraine's Mandalay Royalty

Nickname: Curry

Dog's Age: 3

Owners' Names: Bruce Sussman, Rob Shuter and Maura High

Hometown: New York, N.Y.

Tell us about Curry's personality. Curry is a lovebug. Her favorite thing to do is to jump into your lap and lick your face.

What is her weirdest quirk? She finds the morning walk entirely unnecessary and would much rather stay in bed, under the covers.

What is her best trick? Catching biscuits on the fly.

What's Curry's favorite treat? Hot dogs, Hebrew National brand, grilled not boiled.

How do you and Curry prepare for Westminster? Grooming mostly, keeping her coat in good harsh condition like it is meant to be.

Anything else you'd like to share? Curry now has her own advice column on Paw Nation, "Ask Curry," and as a result is probably the only Westminster competitor with her own e-mail address: curry@pawnation.com. E-mail her with any questions!

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: Tibetan Terrier

Group: Non-Sporting

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch. Ri Lee's Diamonds Are Forever

Nickname: Sydney

Dog's Age: 4

Owners' Names: Brenda Algar and Nikkie Kinziger

Hometown: New Castle, Del.

I heard Sydney was mauled by a wild animal and almost died?
It's true, on Dec. 15, 2007, three days after her second birthday, Sydney was badly mauled in a near-fatal attack by a bobcat in the fenced yard at our home in Maine. She underwent two emergency surgeries to save her life and repair her front left leg.

Tell me about Sydney's personality.
She knows that she's a princess, but she's not a spoiled princess. She's like Grace Kelly: graceful, sweet and dignified. She carries herself well and she knows who she is. Sydney is unlike any other Tibetan I've had.

What is her biggest quirk?
She chases her tail. I don't have another dog that does this and I have seven. And she'll catch it, hold onto it and then chase it the other way.

What is her best trick?
She doesn't really do tricks -- Tibetens aren't trick-type dogs -- but the thing she does do that is like a trick is when we're showing and she stops, looks right at the judge and wags her tail a little.

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.