Posts tagged "WestminsterDogShow"

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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I am an 18-month-old Glen of Imaal terrier, and your most ardent fan! I follow all of your show ring performances and read your column as often as I can get my paws on my owner's laptop. My other interests include hunting the mice and squirrels in my yard and digging after the delicious scent of moles in their burrows. I do however have dreams of breaking into the exciting world of competition. Any advice for a pup that craves a bit of the limelight?
--Monroe, Your Number-One Fan

Monroe pudding, what a doll you are sending such a nice note. I simply adore my pet followers. Remember, you don't need to be a glamorous showgirl lto enjoy a lot of attention. Even when I'm not dolled up for the show ring, I am still the apple of my humans' eye as I'm sure you are too, Monroe.

You sound like you have a lovely life. Oh how I wish I could enjoy the delicious scents of moles rather than Jo Malone perfume. In the city it's really hard to find anything natural including some of the human's faces.

If you really do want to experience the world of showing, look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself how close you are to the official AKC breed standard. Every breed has a breed standard, a written document detailing what the perfect dog of each breed should look like. The Glen standard is what every Glen of Imaal Terrier, including me, is judged against. If you feel like you make the cut, find a small local show where you can find out not only a judge's opinion of you, but also your own feeling about how much you enjoy participating in a show. Some dogs don't like this kind of competition. -- and its not your only option.

Judges at Crufts, the world's largest dog show, are on high alert this year for canine competitors whose looks have been enhanced with cosmetics, reports the (U.K.) Telegraph. We're not talking blue eyeshadow or contouring blush, but the use of products such as hair removal creams and color dyes.

"Although competition rules do not specifically ban the use of cosmetics and other beauty treatments on dogs, they do forbid anything that alters an animal's appearance during dog shows, to gain extra marks from judges, who award prizes for entries that best match the 'ideal' characteristics of each breed," reports the Telegraph. Dog owners who show hairless Chinese crested dogs have been suspected of using "female depilatory creams" to rid their champion canines of excess hair. Owners of other breeds have been suspected of using lipstick, eyeliner and Clearasil acne cream.

The notion of using makeup on dogs is so strange that it's led one British veterinarian, Peter Wedderburn, to wonder, "What's next, dope testing?" "It seems bizarre to me that it happens at all: if showing dogs is about celebrating the health and vigor of animals, what does it matter if there's an occasional tuft of hair in the wrong place?" Wedderburn asks.

She did it! Sadie, the Scottish Terrier and the number one dog in the country secured her spot in history by winning best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday evening in New York City. Four-and-a-half-year-old Sadie proved Las Vegas oddsmakers right when they predicted that the small dog with the glossy black coat would capture the coveted title.

After winning best of breed earlier in the day, Sadie advanced to the terrier group, which she also won. As the evening progressed to the final round, the seven dogs representing winners of the terrier, herding, sporting, non-sporting, toy, hound and working groups strode into the ring to vie for the best in show title. The sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden responded with huge cheers and applause for each of the champion dogs representing the best of their breeds and groups.

Best in show judge Elliot Weiss, dressed in a natty tuxedo, inspected the seven dogs and requested that each take a run around the ring. Huge cheers erupted from the crowd for Sadie, but roars of approval also went out to a brown Doberman pincsher and a brindle-colored French bulldog.

As Weiss took one last long look at each dog, the crowd cheered and began clapping in unison, the sound reminiscent of a drumroll. In the end, Weiss pointed to Sadie as her handler, Gabriel Rangel, tossed his head backward, looked heavenward and clasped his hand to his chest.

The celebratory mood at Westminster, considered the nation's most prestigious show featuring 2,500 dogs, was briefly interrupted when, right before Sadie was to take the title, two protesters stormed Madison Square Garden's center ring holding up signs that read "Mutts Rule" and "Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs' Chances." The "Breeders Kill" slogan was the theme of a PETA ad campaign. The two women were quickly escorted off the premises, and the incident did not appear during the USA Network telecast.

Sadie, whose full name is Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, has earned 112 best in show ribbons. In addition to her victory at Westminster Tuesday night, Sadie also won the National Dog Show in November and the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December. Her win at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship makes Sadie automatically eligible to compete at Crufts in England, the largest dog show in the world. However, Rangel was coy when asked whether Sadie would now retire from dog shows. (A best in show title at Crufts would make Sadie only the second champion dog in history to earn the Triple Crown of the dog show world.)

As photographers rushed to capture her winning moment at Westminster and the other dog handlers crowded around to congratulate Rangel, the feisty Sadie jumped up and down on Rangel's legs, seeking either treats or hugs.

"It's very rare to find a short-legged dog that's balanced as she is," explained Weiss in a press conference after the show. "And her breed characteristic is fabulous, as you saw tonight. She thinks highly of herself and that's evident."

"She was perfect tonight," Rangel told reporters. "I couldn't ask for anything more."

It's the second and final day of competition at the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and Madison Square Garden is an absolute madhouse. Backstage in the benching area, where the public is allowed to meet the champion dogs, the crowds are so thick -- even more congested than yesterday -- that it's impossible to take more than a few steps at a time. That may be just as well because there are dogs everywhere -- laying on the ground, paying visits to makeshift loos lined with wood chips and standing on grooming tables getting fluffed, brushed and spritzed to perfection.

There's a reason that "Best in Show," the wickedly funny movie about people who compete in dog shows, was based on the Westminster Dog Show. "Whatever happens at Westminster has a tendency to reverberate across the dog world and beyond," one dog enthusiast tells me as we shuffle through the crowd like cattle.

In the middle of one aisle, a throng of people have gathered around a massive pooch with heavy jowls and a muscular body laying sprawled on the ground. It's a Neapolitan mastiff. What's his name? "Bubba," says Jim Deppen, the dog's owner. "He's a real laid back dog, but when he's in the show ring, he's a fierce competitor. He's like the Arnold Schwarzenegger of dogs, but with better legs," jokes Deppen.

Over 2,500 champion canines from across the country will converge on New York City for the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (Feb. 15 - 16) at Madison Square Garden. For those dogs lucky enough to be staying across the street at the Hotel Pennsylvania, they will enjoy one very special perk: a Doggie Concierge to look after all their dog-centric needs.

Four days before the start of the prestigious dog show, the Doggie Concierge meets me in the lobby of the Hotel Pennsylvania. The place is bustling with people, mountains of luggage, and champion dogs who have arrived by car or plane and are checking into their hotel rooms. The Doggie Concierge says hello and hands me his business card, which reads, "Jerry Grymek, Pooch Relations (PR)" and bears an image of a beagle puppy.

"For most of the year, my job is regular public-relations work," Grymek says, smiling and straightening his tie, which is blue and patterned with tiny dalmations. "But beginning January 1, I start focusing more on preparing for the Westminster Dog Show, and by the time the dog show comes around, it's total 'dog-demonium,'" he says, laughing.

What are Grymek's duties as Doggie Concierge, a title he wears proudly on a gold badge pinned to his lapel? "I greet our two and four-legged guests that come to our hotel, hand out dog treats and help guests with any questions," Grymek explains.

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: Pyrenean Shepherd (one of three new breeds competing this year)

Group: Herding

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch. La Brise Coco Chanel

Nickname: Coco

Dog's Age: 4

Owners' Names: Valerie Davis and Ann Shepard

Hometown: South Glastonbury, Conn.

Tell us about Coco's personality.
She is very outgoing and friendly, which is not a typical of most Pyrenean shepherds.

What is her weirdest quirk?
What is funny is how she acts at the shows. Coco seems to have the attitude that the shows are purely for folks to see her. She isn't the best conformation dog, but she has a tremendous presence that seems to win over the judges.

What makes Coco special?
Coco is very intuitive with people. My other Pyrenean shepherd had a litter of puppies and when two gals came to see the pups, one was in a wheelchair with stage-four cancer. Coco had never seen anyone in a wheelchair but when I let her out of her crate she went right to the gal with cancer. She then lay her head on the woman's lap and seemed to know that the woman needed some comfort. Coco never left her side the entire visit and totally ignored the rest of us. She seemed to know she had a mission, and would probably make a super therapy dog. In my eyes, she is just a great little dog and a tremendous ambassador of the breed!

It's the morning before the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and Sadie the Scottish terrier is perched atop a table at Bonham's, an auction house in midtown Manhattan. No, the number-one-ranked dog in the country is not going to the highest bidder; Sadie is the guest of honor at Barkfest at Bonham's, an annual charity brunch that raises money for the American Kennel Club's (AKC) Humane Fund, which promotes responsible pet ownership through education, outreach and grant making.

Attendees have paid $50 per ticket for an advance viewing of some 260 pieces of Victorian oil paintings and sketches of dogs that will go on the auction block on Feb. 16. In a glass case is a handsomely-crafted, weathered-looking 19th-century leather-and-brass dog collar that once belonged to one of Charles Dickens' many dogs. "It is estimated to sell for $4,000 to $6,000, but anything can happen at auction," curator Alan Feusel tells Paw Nation. "Last time, an ivory toothpick belonging to Charles Dickens sold for $9,000."

"The charity brunch is a great way for the public to get a preview of the art that is going on sale, and to bring their own dogs and come meet the winner of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, which this season is Sadie," the AKC's Lisa Peterson tells Paw Nation. It's a Sunday morning, but already the gallery is crowded with people, dogs and tables set with bagels, fruit and giant silver dog bowls filled with doggie-shaped biscuits.

The 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show kicked off yesterday and the excitement inside Madison Square Garden was palpable. "The event is sold out both days," a Westminster staffer tells me as I pick up my press pass, head downstairs and follow the crush of people into the benching area.

The area is crowded with hundreds of people, dogs, photographers and television news crews. The noise level is high, but not from the sound of barking dogs. The champion dogs -- of all sizes, shapes and coat types -- are quiet; they curl up in their kennels, doze in their handlers' laps or lay splayed out on the cool concrete floor. Some are getting groomed and fluffed with blow dryers as they prepare for their turn in the show ring.

One of the few remaining "benched" dog shows in the country, Westminster requires its canine competitors to remain -- for the entire day -- in an assigned spot in a huge exhibit hall when they aren't competing in the show ring. It's an extraordinary opportunity for the public to meet 2,500 champion dogs representing 173 different breeds and varieties and chat with their breeders, owners and handlers.

"What kind of dog is that?" a little boy asks an older gentleman holding the leash of a giant dog with a scruffy, gray coat and a long tail. "This is an Irish wolfhound," the gentleman, who turns out to be the dog's breeder, says. "You can pet him if you want." Elsewhere, a crowd has gathered around a white Standard Poodle with pink fabric wrapped around the ends of her ears standing on top of her kennel. "Why are her ears wrapped like that?" a woman asks the poodle's handler. "It's so her hair doesn't get wet when she drinks from the water bowl," the handler answers.

In the legendary green carpeted show ring, judging of individual breeds took place on Monday, setting the stage for some major drama. This year, the dog to watch is Sadie, a Scottish Terrier who is the number one ranked dog in the country and favored to win best in show. But seasoned dog enthusiasts know that a number one ranking doesn't guarantee the coveted title at Westminster.

"There is something about the DNA of Westminster where upsets happen," says Denise Flaim, a dog expert who is chatting with me near a couple of dozing Rhodesian Ridgebacks. "Things are unpredictable here." Last year, Stump, a 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel came out of nowhere and nabbed the best in show title -- to the utter shock of many watching.

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.

With the Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show almost upon us (Feb. 15–16), Paw Nation will be talking with some of the show dogs' owners for some insight into this year's contestants.

Dog Breed: Havanese

Group: Toy

Dog's Full Registered Name & Nickname: Am Can Ch Heartland's Rumor Has It

Nickname: Rumor

Dog's Age: 3

Owner's Name: Sandy McCabe, Wade Koistinen and Ronnie Crowder

Hometown: Clare, Iowa

Tell me about your dog's personality.
My dog is very outgoing. She absolutely loves people and animals, and loves to show. She's also a very obedient dog. Though she does get very upset when we're showing other dogs. She definitely has some jealousy in her!

What is your dog's favorite treat?
Liver! She loves to eat liver! Though she pretty much eats anything. We'll make her liver as a treat when she's showing. She loves to eat chicken breasts too.

What is your dog's best trick?
She doesn't do any tricks, but she thinks she's a human. She's appalled to think that she's a dog. Many people call her a "pole dancer" because when she's getting ready to go in the ring, she climbs up the grooming arm pole. She always does this!

What's your dog's weirdest quirk?
When we're with other dogs in the ring she gets so jealous that she pouts. She doesn't bark -- she's definitely not a barker -- but she does get very mad. She'll sit there and watch the other dog's every single move. Then when we come back to her, she'll be so mad that won't even look at us for a few minutes!

Earlier this month, we introduced you to Curry, a strawberry blonde Glen of Imaal Terrier who is hoping to strut her stuff at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February 2010. To qualify and be guaranteed a spot at Westminster, Curry must -- by October 31st -- earn enough points to make the list of Top 5 Glen of Imaal Terriers in the country.

The last time we checked in with the three year-old pup and her owner, Bruce Sussman, they were preparing to travel from New York City to Pennsylvania to compete at a four-day competition called "Montgomery Weekend," otherwise known as the "Terrier World Series." The event was Curry's opportunity to acquire more points and solidify her chances at qualifying for Westminster.

So how did Curry fare at Montgomery weekend?