By Kent MacFarlane

NEW YORK CITY, New York – Many sports are defined by a single event and like car racing is defined by the Daytona 500 and horse racing is defined by the Kentucky Derby, the sport of dogs is defined by the Westminster Kennel Club Show.

The Westminster Kennel Club held its 125th all-breed dog show on Monday and Tuesday, February 12 and 13, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The show is the most prestigious of all events in the dog show world.

This year, the top honors – as chosen by Mrs Dorothy M. Macdonald of Carmel Valley, California – went to the Bichon Frise, Ch. Special Times Just Right.

Each of the 157 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) must first compete amongst itself for the Best of Breed award and then go on to compete against the other breeds in their respective groups. The winner of each of those groups goes on to compete for the Best in Show title. In addition to the Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed awards, the judge has the option of giving Awards of Merit to those specimens that he or she finds deserving.

Monday saw the judging of four of the seven groups.

The first of the groups to be judged on Monday as the Working Group. This group is made up of those breeds used primarily to aid man in his day-to-day work – including guard dogs, farm dogs, and draft animals. Judging the group was Dr Klaus Anseim of Denver, Colorado, and Dr Anseim made Ch. Charisma Jailhouse Rock, a Standard Schnauzer, his first choice. “Rocky,” as he is called, is owned by Constance C. Adel of Silver Springs, Maryland, and was handled by Brenda Combs of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

“All of the dogs here were of superior type,” Dr Anseim said, “but the Standard Schnauzer was truly superior.”

Rocky is no stranger of the Best in Show ring, having earned 28 BIS awards with more than 50 Group wins.

Second place in the Working Group went to the Boxer, Storybooks Rip It Up. Third place was won by the Giant Schnauzer and fourth place was won by the Kuvaszok.

The second group on the big green carpet was the Terrier Group. Ms Sandra Goose Allen of Madeira Beach, Florida, was the judge and for her blue ribbon she chose the Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch. Torum’s Scarf Michael, owned by Marilu Hansen of Acampo, California, and handled by Billie McFadden.

“Mick” was the number on Kerry Blue Terrier in limited United States competition in 2000 and was the insider’s favorite to win the group.

“The Kerry had a special presence,” said Ms Allen. “He meets the breed standard in so many ways. He has the nice, long muzzle, the lean head, beautiful ears, and a short back that I like to see. He was spectacular going around.”

The second-best Terrier was the Norfolk. Third place went to last year’s group winner, the Bedlington Terrier, and fourth place went to the Irish Terrier.

Next came the Toy Group with Ch. Charing Cross Ragtime Cowboy, the Shih Tzu, pulling off a second-consecutive group win at Westminster under judge Mrs Helen Lee James of Littleton, Colorado. Handled by Luke Ehricht, “Joey” is owned by Gilbert Kahn of Monclova, California, and was the top winning Toy in the United States last year.

Mrs James found the Toy Poodle for her second-place ribbon, the Pug for third, and the Affenpinscher for fourth.

The last group to be judged on Monday night was the Non-Sporting Group. These dogs are the breeds that have out-lived their original purpose, but remain to be companions. John J. Lyons of Pleasant Valley, New York, judged the group and he chose Ch. Special Times Just Right, the Bichon Frise, as the top dog. “JR” was the top-winning dog in all breeds for 2000, defeating 123,151 dogs along the way.

JR was shown by Scott Summer of Spring, Texas, and is owned by breeder Eleanor McDonald, Cecelia Ruggles of Ridgefield, and Flavio Werneck.

Second place went to the Standard Poodle while third went to the Miniature Poodle. The Chinese Shar-Pei took fourth.

Competing in the Non-Sporting Group for the second time in his career was Schipperke Ch. DiDeb’s Speedeau Dreux. Debbie Studwell of Bethel, Justin Yllanes of Newtown, and Debra Dellamonica of Madison own “Speedy” and in addition to their Best of Breed win, Speedy and Mr Yllanes also placed second in the finals of Junior Showmanship competition.

Junior competition at Westminster is viewed as the ultimate goal for the junior handler. Junior Showmanship is competition based not on the quality of the dog, but rather on the handling skills and presentation of the young handler. The competition is open to young people between the ages of 10 and 18.

Justin, 16, a junior at Newtown High School, received his junior training from Joy Brewster of Cassio Kennels.

Also at the breed level on Tuesday, Newtown handler Patricia Clark received an Award of Merit on her Greyhound bitch, Ch. Willomoor Double Vision, or “Zoie.” Mrs Clark also bred and co-owns this lovely animal with June Matarazzo of West Redding.

In the German Shorthaired Pointer ring, Ch. Homesteader’s Summertime Reign, owned and bred by Nancy C. Campbell of Redding, was also presented with an Award of Merit. “Maddie” was handled by Brian Still of Sterling, Massachusetts, and has had an impressive career with multiple BIS awards and more than 20 group wins. She finished the year 2000 as the number two German Shorthair by defeating more than 10,000 dogs.

On Tuesday evening, the Sporting Group was judged. These are the gun dogs – mainly the various Pointers, Setters, Retrievers and Spaniels. Ralph N. Del Deo of Bedminster, New Jersey, presided over the group and found the Flat-Coated Retriever to be the best. “Zeus,” as his friends known him, has won more than 45 groups thus far and a dozen BIS. He is registered as Ch. Flatford Zeus The Major God JH and is owned by Dr Robert and Sonja Rickert and Marv and Mary Farwell. Mark Bettis of Harvard, Illinois did the handling.

The German Short-Haired Pointer took second while the Brittany won third and the Clumber Spaniel won fourth. And making a rousing debut in the Sporting Group was the Spinone Italiano, just recognized by the AKC in 2000.

Next up was the Hounds Group, judged by Kent Delaney of Oak Park, Illinois, who picked Ch. Ridge Runner Unforgettable, the Bloodhound, as his winner.

“This hound had the correct head,” said Mr Delaney. “The eyes, the ears, the wrinkle on the head and the body were all outstanding. This bitch has true bloodhound type and she really looks like she could do what she was bred to do.”

The bitch is called “Fanny” and has an impressive winning record, having defeated 32,601 dogs in 2000, with close to 100 group firsts and 30 BIS awards. She finished the year 2000 as the number one hound in the country.

The Afghan Hound took second while the Petite Bassets Griffon Vendeen finished third. Mr Delaney closed out his picks with the Irish Wolfhound.

The last of the groups judged were the Herding breeds. Repeating as top Herder was Ch. Coventry Queue, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Judge Mrs Kathleen O. Steen of Alpharetta, Georgia, found “Bebe” to be a lively little girl. The dog is owned by Steven Leyerly and Mrs Alan Robson and was handled by well-known professional Michael Scott of Childs, Maryland. Bebe will be retired followed Westminster to return home and begin her breeding career. She will finish with 70 Best in Show awards to her credit.

Second place went to the Shetland Sheepdog, third went to the Australian Shepherd, and fourth went to the Smooth Collie.

Also competing in the Herding Group was the smartly-attired William Daugherty of Bethlehem (the treasurer and show chairman of the Newtown Kennel Club) with his Belgian Sheepdog Ch. Bel-Reve’s Y-Yatt Earp. “Wyatt” is co-owned and co-bred by wife, Cathy Daugherty, and was awarded Best of Breed by judge Lester Mapes.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Mr Daugherty. “Cathy and I work really hard and it’s really great to see it pay off.”

Absent from this year’s show were the number of upsets often seen in the part. The Best in Show ring held four of the number one dogs in their respective groups and six of the seven finished in the top five in their group rankings.

It was generally viewed as the strongest lineup to grace the Best in Show ring.