Posted on 02/15/2006 12:51:57 AM PST by NYer
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A colored bull terrier known as Rufus made history on Tuesday, becoming the first of his breed to win best in show at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Formally named Rocky Top's Sundance Kid, the 5-year-old tan and white bull terrier beat six other finalists, including classic family dogs such as a golden retriever and an Old English sheepdog who were the clear crowd pleasers. He also triumphed over more than 2,600 other entrants at the world's largest and most prestigious dog show.
But Rufus' owner Barbara Bishop of Holmdel, New Jersey, said her dog was "first and foremost a family dog," even though he had won best in shows 31 times previously.
"We're going to have a buy him a steak somewhere," the beaming owner said after his big win before a packed arena at Madison Square Garden.
"We were kind of unprepared for this," she said, adding that Rufus competed at Westminster in the last three years but never made it to the final seven. "This is just the ultimate."
Rufus was the first colored bull terrier to win best in show in Westminster's 130-year history, although a white one did win some 90 years ago.
In another respect the winner was in good company, as the terrier group has produced more best in show winners by far than any other category, taking the prize nearly half of the time.
The other breeds competing for the big prize were a Dalmatian, a Rottweiler, a pug and a Scottish deerhound, a breed competing at Westminster for the first time.
Rufus' handler Kathy Kirk had nothing but praise for him, crowing "he's the king of dogs" and declaring him "the best bull terrier in the history of the breed."
She cited in particular the egg-shaped curve of his head, a distinctive feature of the breed which was also cited by Ontario judge James Reynolds as "the classic profile of the bull terrier." The dog's sturdy, assured movement and sociable demeanor only enhanced his appeal, and the audience showed its approval with a standing ovation.
His nickname, Kirk said, is "Puppyhead."
Kirk, who said she had been working with the dog for about four years, added that Rufus was much more than a show dog.
"Oh, he's happy-go-lucky, he's funny, he jumps, he does hucklebucks," she said, describing an athletic leap the breed is known for, in which they jump into the air and slam their heads against the wall.
Bella is a Newfie, right? My SIL has two of them, loves them beyond words. She will lay down on the floor, the dogs will each go on one side and fence her in...sweet ladies, all of them.
Can Maddie have her autograph?
Good Dog!
Thank you kindly, they are indeed our furkids. ;-D
Yes, Bella is a Newf. :o)
They are incredibly sweet.
. . . now MY head is another matter. I am SO proud of my girl and how hard she works for me!
(the dogs DO get dog toys and treats as prizes, so they have something for themselves for their efforts.)
Gorgeous dog, even with the pancake and shirt...
She'd be beautiful in a gunny sack. ;-D
Her formal portrait is at post 100 . . .
I've just been reading the rest of the thread. Lovely portrait, but I like the way her personality shows in the pancake pic...
God bless the furkids, they are so dear...
She had nine stitches in her side from an agility injury - that's why she had the shirt on, to keep her from picking at the stitches. What's amazing is that she had the heart to give me two more runs before I realized she had cut herself . . . I noticed she was lagging a little and took her aside for a drink of water, patted her and my hand came away covered with blood -- mad dash across town to the vet ensued. She was friendly through it all, didn't even whimper when they syringed out the wound, and gave the vet big kisses when it was all done (the vet is a particular friend of hers - and ours - she's been our vet since we started breeding and showing Siamese cats in 1977.)
Yes.
I think the pug lost because of the touch thing. That had to be a big factor.
Yep, and for the working dog class, pick and Alaskan Malamute!
Ironic, isn't it - "Do you know that if that Westminister BOB
winner was in Denver, he would, by law, be confiscated and euthanized?"
They have a law outlawing certain breeds thought to be dangerous.
Question: Is this the same thing as a Pit Bull?
No, a bull terrier
Two different breeds
Isn't it a Pit Bull Terrier? How closely related are they?
My step-daughter says: "I like your dog because it's shiny and pretty. I would really like to pet her soon!"
(She really loves doggies and was taken by the picture of your lab and all her ribbons.)
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