The 144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Part One
A Standard Poodle named “Siba” is this year’s top dog, after winning “Best in Show” at the 144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
More than 2600 dogs, representing 49 states and 19 other countries, competed for top honors. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of the few “benched” shows in this country - entered dogs are required to remain in assigned areas when not in the ring, so spectators could meet the breeds and talk to their owners and handlers. It's a wonderful way to learn about the many different types of dogs and their temperaments, as well as their feeding and grooming requirements. I enjoy going to this show, especially when my own dogs, and dogs I know, are competing.
Over the next couple of days, I will be sharing lots of fun photos from the show - enjoy.
-
- The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show launched in 1877 and is now one of the longest continuously running American sporting events, second only to the Kentucky Derby.
-
- Day competition is held at Manhattan’s Pier 94. In the foreground is the statue of “Sensation” – a gorgeous Pointer and the Westminster Kennel Club mascot.
-
- In another section of the building, more dogs are groomed before their scheduled class is called to show.
-
- Show dogs are very used to all the grooming. Some breeds need more grooming than others – it is important to consider this whenever thinking of adding a dog to your family.
-
- Owners stay with their dogs in the benching area, so visitors can meet the different breeds. Some dogs, such as this Frenchie, are so relaxed, they nap while waiting for their time in the ring.
-
- This Lhasa Apso looks ready to show. This breed is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. It was bred as an indoor sentinel in the Buddhist monasteries, to alert the monks to any intruders who entered.
-
- The dogs do not compete against each other, but against the standard of the breed – the dog’s ideal description for appearance, movement, and temperament. This dog is named Eight-Ball.
-
- Teaching your dog to be still is very helpful when brushing out their coat or trimming hairs on their feet. This Standard Poodle is used to all the pampering.
-
- The Bichon Frise is another member of the non-sporting group of dog breeds in the US. The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy, white powder puff of a dog with a merry temperament.
-
- The dog also has dark-eyes and a happy, inquisitive expression.
-
- The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized, hardy, well balanced sporting terrier, square in outline. He is distinguished by his soft, silky, gently waving coat of warm wheaten color and his particularly steady disposition.
-
- There were many vendors selling lots of dog-related accessories, fine art, jewelry, and gifts featuring various breeds.
-
- The Russell Terrier is a predominantly white working terrier with an instinct to hunt prey underground. The breed was derived from Jack Russell’s working terrier strains that were used in the 19th century for fox hunting. Upbeat, lively, inquisitive, and friendly, the jaunty Russell Terrier was developed by England’s “Sporting Parson” for use in foxhunts.
-
- The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog of Nordic descent. The double coat consists of a short dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured longer outer coat. The heavily plumed tail is one of the characteristics of the breed.
-
- The Scottish Terrier, popularly known as a “Scottie,” is a small, compact, short-legged, sturdily-built dog of good bone and substance. His head is long in proportion to his size distinctive furnishings at the beard, legs, and lower body.
-
- This display was of a dog and ribbon – all made of Legos.
-
- The Skye Terrier is an elegant but sturdy breed used as an exterminator on Scotland’s remote Isle of Skye. It features a long, flat-lying coat and peekaboo hairdo. When seen in profile, these terriers are twice as long as they are high.
-
- This is a Bedlington Terrier – it looks very much like a lamb. It is named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England and was originally bred to hunt vermin.
-
- Borzois are large Russian sighthounds that resemble some central Asian breeds such as the Afghan hound, Saluki, and the Kyrgyz Taigan. Borzois can generally be described as “long-haired greyhounds”. Borzois come in virtually any color. The coat is silky and flat, often wavy or slightly curly.
-
- The bold, bewhiskered Schnauzer is a high-spirited farm dog from Germany. They are the sometimes-willful but ever reliable dogs. The hard, wiry coat comes in three color patterns: salt and pepper, black and silver, and solid black.
-
- The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a large head covered with profuse, silky white hair, long, hanging ears tipped with feathering, big, round eyes, and a long, low torso and short legs.
-
- And here is Talosa, the sister to my dear Empress Qin. She is three years old and loves to show.
-
- Talosa remains very relaxed while her feet are groomed.
-
- And here is Buddakan – my late G.K.’s son. He is a gorgeous specimen of the breed. The Chow Chows will be in the ring very soon.
-
- The breed shows happen in large rings, where the dogs are walked around to display their gaits and overall appearance.
-
- I am quite fond of the Keeshond – I once had one of my own. This is a medium-sized sturdy breed that is smart and eager to learn.
-
- This is the Xoloitzcuintli – pronounced SHOW-LOW-ETZ-QUEENT-LEE. It is also known as the Mexican Hairless. It comes in three sizes – toy, miniature and standard. The breed is one of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds, and is said to be the first dog of the Americas.
-
- Buddakan and Talosa are now ringside, waiting patiently for their turn.
-
- This is Gibbs, Emperor Han’s father, who also showed. He is a beautiful boy. This Chow is showing the breed’s distinctive blue-black tongue.
-
- In the ring, the dogs are asked to line up in a stack, so the judge can easily walk by each one and assess its appearance.
-
- Here’s the judge taking a close look at Buddakan as her handler, Jan Kolnik, keeps him focused.
-
- In the end, both Buddakan and Talosa took Champion Select. Select Dog and Select Bitch are Champions that were recognized as the top quality of their sex after Best of Breed and Best Opposite. Nice job!
-
- It’s hard to resist the face of a French Bulldog. This affectionate and playful breed is best known for its wrinkly face and bat-like ears. This one is a brindle like my Bete Noire.
-
- The brindle on the right is a Frenchie named Prada, owned by James Dalton of Fabelhaft Kennels in Portsmouth, Ohio. He is the breeder of Creme Brulee and Bete Noire.
-
- Prada won Best of Breed for the Frenchies and advances to the group competition – it’s all so exciting. Congratulations, Prada. I’ll share more photos from the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in my next blog – stay tuned.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
