Posts tagged "westminster"

The ribbons have been awarded, the dogs have gone home, and the green carpet's been put away for another year, as two days of canine celebritydom ended Tuesday night in New York City.

The 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show culminated in Scottish deerhound Hickory's triumphant Best in Show win at Madison Square Garden. It was the first time the breed had captured the purple and gold ribbon and silver bowl at Westminster.

Five-year-old female Hickory took a victory lap around Manhattan on Wednesday -- including appearances on various TV shows, a steak lunch at famed Midtown restaurant Sardi's and a photo op at the top of the Empire State Building.

But it will be back down to earth soon for Hickory -- whose full name (Gch.) Foxcliffe Hickory Wind comes from a bluegrass song by John Duffy -- as she goes into retirement on her owner's 50-acre farm in Virginia, said victorious handler Angela Lloyd.

"This is her retirement," said Lloyd, admitting she will miss her bond with the docile yet determined deerhound. "Sometimes you just find those ones where everything clicks. She's certainly one of those."

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."

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show welcomed six new breeds in 2011, and none was more popular on the opening Monday than the redbone coonhound.

Crowds flocked to ring five at 11 a.m. ET to see the finest examples of the breed -- known for its agility and muscular build -- grace the green carpet at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

And top prize for the newest breed on the block went to Rufus, a beautiful and playful 14-month-old redbone coonhound from Kentucky.

As many pet owners know, sometimes you don't choose the dog: The dog chooses you. That was the case for Chicago-area resident Larry Lentz who, through a number of unusual and almost fateful circumstances, went from grieving pet owner to Iraqi War vet to boxing gym owner and handler of a No. 1 in all-breed points Chesapeake Bay retriever. Lentz will be showing his best friend, Moose, at the Westminster Dog Show tomorrow.

Nobody knows exactly what will happen at the Westminster Dog Show this year, but, according to Vegas oddsmakers at the Wynn Las Vegas, certain breeds have a better shot than others. The fox terrier (smooth) is a favorite, with odds of 6-to-1, while the saluki and bassett hound are the longest shots at 135-to-1. (These odds are for entertainment purposes only, advises the casino, so don't go crazy.) But what we do know is that all of the best dogs in the country will be under one roof.

The What, Where and When
The 2011 show, taking place Apr. 14 and 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City is the 135th Westminster Dog Show. Nearly 2,600 dogs (plus an additional 128 Junior Showmanship entries) representing 179 breeds will take part. Breeds from Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups will compete for Best of Breed on Monday, with Best of Group being judged that night. Working, Sporting and Terrier groups will compete for Best of Breed on Tuesday, with Best of Group judging taking place Tuesday evening, after which the ultimate prize, Best in Show, will be awarded.

Breed judging highlight videos will be available throughout the day Monday and Tuesday on the Westminster website. You'll be able to watch those videos after the show as well. Television coverage begins Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. ET, on the USA Network and continues from 9 to 11 p.m. ET on CNBC. On Feb. 15, the entire show broadcasts on USA, beginning at 8 p.m. ET and culminating with the announcement of Best in Show around 10:30 p.m. Please check local listings for broadcast times in your area.

When it comes to the coveted Best in Show title at New York's illustrious Westminster Dog Show, it takes a precise blend of breeding, training and, of course, primping to impress the judges. Lucky for SeaWorld Orlando trainer Jamie Stanley-Bahnsen of Orlando, Florida, her Belgian Malinois, Harley, is all business when it's time to get in the ring.

Meet Harley
If the breed Belgian Malinois doesn't ring any bells, it's not just you. Although it bears a passing resemblance to the German shepherd, the Belgian Malinois isn't a breed you're likely to see at the dog park.

Like other members of the herding group, Harley's breed is best known for its high energy level and intelligence, two factors that some owners can find challenging. "They're a little like border collies in a way," Stanley-Bahnsen tells Paw Nation. "If they don't have a job, they'll find a job."

In fact, that's how Harley got his motorcycle-inspired name. When Harley was a puppy, Stanley-Bahnsen says he ran constantly at full throttle, circling around the yard. Fortunately, Harley mellowed out with time.

"He's a little unusual for a Malinois," says Stanley-Bahnsen. "Because if I want to sit on the couch for eight hours, he's fine with it. Or if I want to take him biking, he'll run for hours."

How could the Westminster Dog Show be complete without at least one utterly spoiled standard poodle flying in on her own private jet?

Taking the pampered poodle concept to the extreme, Houston-area owners Arvid and Holly Sundbeck are transporting their champion, Inge (along with her personal vet, stylist and photographer), to Westminster in style.

Meet Inge (pronounced Inga)
Though Arvid and Holly Sundbeck have been showing standard poodles for the past 15 years, this marks their first trip to the illustrious Westminster Dog Show. And they owe this landmark achievement to their glory hound, Inge.

As the No. 2 standard poodle in the nation in terms of breed points, Inge is used to being top dog. It's a fact that's not at all lost on owner Holly, who likes to joke about what a prima donna her dog has become.

"It's all about Inge, trust me," Sundbeck tells Paw Nation. "The world revolves around her. Don't get me wrong, she's very, very sweet. But she thinks all the toys are hers and that she allows the other dogs to play with them."

You'll be seeing a few new faces this year at Westminster. In fact, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will welcome six new breeds: Boykin spaniel, Leonberger, Cane Corso, Icelandic sheepdog, bluetick coonhound and Redbone coonhound.

Want to know more about these new-to-the-show competitors? Here's a cheat sheet.

Boykin spaniel: The official state dog of South Carolina, where it was originally bred as an amphibious hunting dog and named after L. Whitaker Boykin, one of the original developers of the breed. You'll be able to identify a Boykin by its relatively compact size compared to other breeds of spaniel. But like all spaniels (save the nonsporting Tibetan), it competed at the National Dog Show in the sporting group. With its flowing, shiny, chocolate brown coat and agreeable demeanor, the Boykin proved a crowd-pleaser at the show.
Leonberger: The German city of Hamburg gave America the hamburger; now Leonberg, Germany, gives us the Leonberger, a large-breed, working-group dog. The AKC praises the Leonberger for being equal parts "multipurpose working dog" and "reliable family companion." We think it looks equal parts Saint Bernard and German shepherd.

Rob Shuter, the co-owner of show dog and Paw Nation canine columnist Curry, shares his experience competing with the first-time entrant at the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

It's Feb. 16 and the morning started at 6 a.m. with the alarm blaring. Not that I needed it. I didn't sleep a wink. In a few hours, our Glen of Imaal terrier, Curry, would be showing at the Westminster Dog Show for the first time.

I live in New York City, just 10 blocks away from Madison Square Garden where the Westminster show is held. I'd converted the living room into Curry's personal beauty parlor. While other Glen owners were at the Garden at 5 a.m., bathing their dogs in rubber tubs, I was drying and grooming Curry comfortably at home as the snow fell outside our window.

Still, there was no time to waste, and I soon was down on the corner of 23rd Street and 10th Avenue, hailing a cab along with Curry's co-owner Bruce Sussman, the Grammy-award winning songwriter of Barry Manilow's "Copacabana." Ten blocks and seven minutes later, we found ourselves at the backstage access door.

Westminster is a benched show, which means every dog is lined up backstage in an area where the public can stroll by and ask questions. I'm sure the New York Rangers don't allow fans that kind of access to the athletes right before they play. In fact, I was told that the only time the Garden ever removes the ice beneath the main floor where the concerts and other sporting events take place is for the dog show, because the dogs sense the ice under the flooring and refuse to walk on it.

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.

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: Bernese Mountain Dog

Group: Working

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch Glenmegan's Flanders Fire

Dog's Nickname: Mac

Owner's Name: Megan McTavish

Hometown: Colebrook, Conn.

Bernese Mountain Dog owner and breeder Megan McTavish says that the story of how she traveled all the way to Belgium for the litter that produced Mac is an "incredibly crazy" one. And she should know about crazy storylines -- McTavish is a former head writer at soap operas All My Children, General Hospital, One Life to Live and Guiding Light! This next chapter, however, is being written at Westminster by her dog Mac.

Tell me about your dog's personality.
Mac is a mushy mama's boy! He has to be at my feet, or Michelle's [his handler]. Or in our laps. On the other hand, when someone drives into my driveway, he is on guard as a good Berner should be, until I say all is OK. Then he's all over whoever comes to visit, wanting to be petted. He never runs away, only towards someone he loves. He is also extremely smart -- and knows what you're going to do almost before you do.

What is Mac's favorite treat?
Almost any treat will do. It's the fact that you're paying attention and giving him the treat that he loves.

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!

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: Portuguese Water Dog

Group: Working

Dog's Full Registered Name: Ch Ebb Tide's Upcountry Titan

Nickname: Sage

Dog's Age: 5

Owner's Name: Arnold and Sandra Brown

Hometown: Cheshire, Conn.

Tell me about your dog's personality.
Sage is a people magnet who endears himself quickly and easily to all those he meets. We consider Sage to be our "dog of a lifetime." He is a robust and remarkably caring dog with extraordinary temperament and intelligence. He's very spirited, with a strong work ethic and drive, and a great sense of humor. He takes his jobs very seriously. Sage's favorite job, as part of his role as a certified R.E.A.D. dog, is to welcome children to our home and then snuggle up beside them as they learn to read.

Sage is extremely devoted to his canine and human family. He loves to play chase in his own clever way (using his uncanny ability to pivot like an NBA star). He is persistent and tenacious when tracking, playing hide-and-seek or in locating hidden toys. Sage is also athletically competitive, having earned several first-place ribbons at agility trials. He "attacks" water competition trials with gusto!

What is your dog's favorite treat?
Sage's favorite treats are beef liver and dog biscuits.

What is your dog's best trick?
Sage can count upon command. He will bark (count) to 4. He also sings with our daughter Allison. He mimics her voice with a high-pitched tone that sounds like country music yodeling.

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: Belgian Malinois

Group: Herding

Dog's Full Registered Name: CH TriSorts Zorro del Mango, RE, TT, HIC, CGC

Nickname: Zorro

Dog's Age: 6

Owner's Name: Sara Donadei-Blood

Hometown: North Lauderdale, Fla.

Tell me about your dog's personality.
Malinois as a breed typically are aggressive. They're very reactive to their environment. Malinois are super dogs when it comes to competitive obedience. I noticed that my Malinois was developing into a sweet, affectionate boy. He showed that sweetness of nature to strangers, which is unusual to the breed. He loves people, especially elderly people.

He's very bright and extraordinarily willing to please. In a dog show, he's literally the only Malinois wagging his tail. He's a happy dog. He's a lover, not a fighter!

What is your dog's favorite treat?
He likes raw chicken backs. I give them to my dogs from time to time to clean their teeth. I think it brings out the wild dog in him.

What is your dog's best trick?
He retrieves anything I drop: a paper clip, a pen, a dime. He knows how to bring me my purse from the kitchen counter. He brings the remote control. However, because I always reward him, when he's feeling bored he takes it upon himself to bring me all those things. At the end of the day I have a whole pile of things I didn't ask for.