Posts tagged "show dog"

When you've been shot in the back and captured by the enemy after your helicopter was shot down in a war zone, a dog contest, no matter how competitive, must present little to be fearful of.

Just ask Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, a prisoner of war in the first Iraq conflict in 1990 and more recently the owner of Amber, a Gordon setter entrant in the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The 56-year-old -- born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., and now living near the Pentagon in Virginia -- was a pilot on a search-and-rescue mission when she was taken prisoner. She was held for a week before being released.

Cornum remains active in the job, traveling the world as head of an Armed Forces-wide soldier fitness program and having to take leave to attend Westminster. But she admits that one thing helps her deal with the unenviable stresses of military life.

"She keeps me sane," said Cornum, patting the slumbering Amber at her feet on Monday ahead of the first outing at the show the next day. "You show her because you're proud of her. And I guess it's a nice opportunity to work with your dog."

Putting the "dog" in underdog, this year's winner of the National Dog Show presented by Purina -- a 3-year-old Irish setter named Clooney -- wowed the crowd with his Cinderella-story win. We talked to Clooney's handler (and roommate), Peter Kubacz, to find out how this dark horse became top dog.

Tell us what makes Clooney (a.k.a. GCH. Windntide Mr. Sandman) such a surprise win at the NDS?
He's really on the young side, winning at 3 years old. Clooney looks older than what he is as far as conditioning is concerned. When he retires -- probably when he's 5 -- he'll likely look his best.

Just what is it that you think makes Clooney so special?
He loves to show. He loves the attention; he loves people; he loves being in the ring and being around all the people and everyone fussing over him. He is a great show dog in that regard.

As far as an Irish setter goes, he is very well balanced and proportioned. He has a wonderful front and rear angulation and he is a lot of dog in the sense that he has a lot of presence to him. There's a lot of him when you put your hands on him and when judges go over him and examine him. He has a lot of substance to him, but he is not an overbearing dog.

How long have you been handling Clooney?
Only about two-and-a-half months.

How did you come to work with him?
Owners Carol and Patrick McGary bred him and showed him from time to time on their own, and they also hired a handler out West where they live [in Washington]. The first time I met him and showed him was for the Irish Setter Club of America's national specialty competition in Wisconsin in June. The dog came to me and we just kind of clicked right away. He was not the only dog I was showing or paying attention to, but you would have thought he was my dog all along. We won Best of Opposite Sex out there which is a pretty big deal. Then in August the McGarys and I started talking about bringing him to show him out East.

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.

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.