Scottish Terrier Wins Best in Show at Westminster Dog Channel
The long-standing traditions that are “ Westminster ” shine through every year at Madison Square Garden as surely as the monumental silver trophies that are presented to the evening’s Best in Show winner. Unlike the winner of any other American dog show, the victor of Tuesday night’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show instantly makes history books, news reports and the TV morning shows.
The evening began with the Sporting breeds powering into the big ring, to be evaluated by judge Dr. Donald Sturz, Jr., of Centerport, N.Y.
Considering that two of the nation’s most popular breeds are retrievers, there’s little wonder that the crowd at Madison Square Garden cheer like mad for their favorite family dogs, the Labrador and Golden Retrievers. This year Goldens were represented by a spectacular bitch – in fact, the top-winning Golden Retriever bitch of all time. Ch. Toasty’s Treasure Island cast her spell on the full house at the Garden and will retire from her illustrious show career after the 2010 competition. Ch. Beechcroft Study’s Top Secret, a black Labrador Retriever dog, also thrilled the gallery.
A new breed in this year’s Sporting Group was the Irish Red and White Setter. The first Best of Breed at the Garden went to Ch. Shireoak Caniscaeli Windsong, handled by Greg Meyers.
Making his final cuts, Dr. Sturz pulled the Brittany, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden, Lab, Gordon Setter, black Cocker Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. Thunderous applause greeted most of these finalists, including the handsome Griffon.
