Martha Stewart’s Chow Chow Out as Dalmatian, Dachshund Win at Westminster
Familiar trumped exotic at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York, as a German Shepherd, Dalmatian and Wirehaired Dachshund won their group competitions and spots to compete in the finals tonight.
“These are dogs most people know,” David Frei, communications director at Westminster, said in an interview at Madison Square Garden. (MSG) “It’s a ‘regular dog’ show.”
Better-known breeds often capture the audience’s heart at the prestigious pageant. In 2008, Uno invited comparisons with Snoopy when he became the first beagle to win. Ian the Dalmatian, potentially the first Westminster winner of his breed, is marked by artful black spots and a wagging tail that doesn’t quit.
“He’s silly, crazy, full of life,” Ian’s handler, Michael Scott, told reporters. In winning the non-sporting group, he bested a Chow Chow named G.K., short for Genghis Khan, owned by Martha Stewart.
“He loves to be out there,” Jan Kolnik, G.K.’s handler, said after his ouster.
The fourth finalist is an 11-pound Pekingese named Malachy, the second-ranked canine in 2011 in American Kennel Club competition. He ambled -- some might say waddled -- to victory in the toy dog group. Front heavy, his breed is of Chinese origin, and images of it date back to the eighth century.
“When he looks you in the eye, it’s just beautiful,” said the judge who selected him last night, Timothy Catterson. The New Castle, Indiana-based president of the Italian Greyhound Club of America, he added, “If I had that dog in my house I’d be thrilled.”
Before best in show is chosen by Cindy Vogels, a breeder and judge from Greenwood Village, Colorado, three other finalists must be selected -- from the sporting, working and terrier groups. The top-ranked dog, Beckham, a black Cocker Spaniel, must get past an Irish Setter, Weimaraner and 27 other champions from the sporting group.
To contact the reporter of this story: Philip Boroff in New York at pboroff@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
Genghis Khan
Justin Lane/EPA/Landov
Genghis Khan at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. The Chow belongs to Martha Stewart.
Genghis Khan at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. The Chow belongs to Martha Stewart. Photographer: Justin Lane/EPA/Landov
Ian
Jack Grassa/Westminster Kennel Club via Bloomberg
Ian the Dalmatian, led by Michael Scott, competes at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Should he win, Ian would be the first Dalmatian named best in show.
Ian the Dalmatian, led by Michael Scott, competes at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Should he win, Ian would be the first Dalmatian named best in show. Photographer: Jack Grassa/Westminster Kennel Club via Bloomberg
Malachy
Jack Grassa/Westminster Kennel Club via Bloomberg
Malachy the Pekingese at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Malachy competes for best in show tonight.
Malachy the Pekingese at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Malachy competes for best in show tonight. Photographer: Jack Grassa/Westminster Kennel Club via Bloomberg
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Competitors in the ring during the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden.
Competitors in the ring during the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Photographer: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Michael Nagle/Getty Images
Juniors compete in the Junior Showmanship Preliminaries at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York.
Juniors compete in the Junior Showmanship Preliminaries at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Getty Images
Beagles
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
A pair of Beagles on the grooming table at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden.
A pair of Beagles on the grooming table at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Photographer: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Dog Handlers
Michael Nagle/Getty Images
Dog handlers compete with their Shetland Sheepdogs in Ring 5 at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. The show, first held in 1877, is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the U.S., second only to the Kentucky Derby.
Dog handlers compete with their Shetland Sheepdogs in Ring 5 at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. The show, first held in 1877, is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the U.S., second only to the Kentucky Derby. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Getty Images
Cindy Vogels
Vicki Holloway/Westminster Kennel Club via Bloomberg
Cindy Vogels, the Best in Show judge at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Vogels, publisher of Sommelier Journal, began showing dogs competitively in the late 1960s.
Cindy Vogels, the Best in Show judge at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Vogels, publisher of Sommelier Journal, began showing dogs competitively in the late 1960s. Photographer: Vicki Holloway/Westminster Kennel Club via Bloomberg
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