PAWPRINTS

Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Malachy sits in the trophy after being named best in show

(AP) 

NEW YORK – Malachy the Pekingese, whose smushed-in face frames a mop of flyaway fur and whose pace rivals a snail’s, is the fairest dog in the land. 

The Peke put on a peak performance Tuesday night, wobbling off with best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club,  to become America’s most prized pooch. 

“He saved all his energy for the ring today,” handler David Fitzpatrick said.

This win marks Malachy’s 115th overall Best in Show title. On Westminster’s opening night he had been named best in the Toy group, which is considered the show’s most competitive category. The crowd was clearly was on his side, hollering his name at Madison Square Garden.

Fitzpatrick gave his 11-pound champ a bit of help — he carried him onto the green carpet for the final lineup, shortening the long walk around the ring. Malachy’s pink tongue popped out from his black face, his eyes sparkling like black diamonds as he soaked in the cheers.

“No other dog moves like this,” Fitzpatrick said. It’s true, as a Pekingese is supposed to move with a “slow and dignified” gait.

Judge Cindy Vogels selected the four-year-old Pekingnese amidst a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden, where he defeated a Dalmatian, German shepherd, Doberman pinscher, Irish setter, a Kerry blue terrier and wire-haired dachshund to win the silver bowl.

Although the winner at Westminster does not receive any prize money, the prestige of a win is priceless and will undoubtedly bring in plenty in breeding potential.

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina has crowned its winner, and the 2011 Best in Show title goes to Eira, a Wire Fox Terrier from Rialto, Calif., who is registered as Ch Steele Your Heart. She outperformed nearly 1,500 dogs, beating out the other group winners: the English Springer Spaniel, the Affenpinscher, the Australian Shepherd, the Dalmatian, the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Whippet.

At 4 years old, Eira already has quite a bit of experience in the ring. In fact, this marked her 17th Best in Show.

The Wire Fox shared a category with the Smooth Fox Terrier until 1984, and except for their coats, these terriers are essentially identical. Paintings suggest that both coat varieties have existed since the middle of the 18th century. Playful and friendly with tons of energy, the Wire Fox is eminently trainable (though she’s often an escape artist!) and great with kids.

The finalists from the other groups:

Toy Group: the Affenpinscher: GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari

Hound Group: the Whippet: GCH CH Starline’s Chanel

Herding Group: the Australian Shepherd: GCH CH Propwash Reckon

Non-Sporting Group: the Dalmatian: GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian

Sporting Group: the English Springer Spaniel: GCH CH Cerise Tender Is The Night

Working Group: the Bernese Mountain Dog: GCH CH Blumoon’s Tanzenite v Blackrock