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.
Bull Terrier's History
Now an affectionate companion, the Bull Terrier arose from the "Bull and Terrier" crosses, originally bred for dog-fighting. When bullbaiting was outlawed in England in 1835 the "sport" of dog-fighting became popular and a smaller dog breed was needed, that could be more easily hidden under one's coat at the arrival of the police.
These dogs also had to be more agile and light as the dog fights usually lasted longer than bull fights. This new type of fighting dog was created by crossing the olde type bulldog with different Terriers, among which the Manchester Terrier (or Black and Tan Terrier) - before it was dwarfed down - .
This Bull and Terrier cross combined the alertness and agility of the Terrier with the power, tenacity and high treshold of pain of the Bulldog.
It got the reputation of a 'canine gladiator' which would fight to the death to please his master. It was much leggier than the Bull Terrier we know today and its head more closely resembled that of the early Bulldog.
In the early 1850, James Hinks, of Birmingham, England, first standardized the breed by selectively breeding the old type Bull Terrier with other breeds, including the White English Terrier (now extinct), to obtain a longer head and a more symmetrical body and get rid of the bowed legs, The result was an all white Bull Terrier with a cleaner outline, tight shoulders and well bent stifles.
For his entire life James Hinks only bred white dogs, which he called 'Bull Terrier', in order to definitely distinguish them from the Bull-and-Terrier which was very similar to today's Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The breed was first designated as the "Hinks Breed" and was also referred to as "The White Cavalier", as he was bred to defend himself and his human family but not to instigate hostiliy.
Which other breeds were further crossed along the generations to obtain the modern Bull Terrier with the unique egg-shaped head is still a matter of conjecture.
Most sources agree that Dalmatian blood was infused to confer the breed a more elegant look and gait and longer legs. Some authorities believe the Spanish Pointer, Greyhound, Foxhound and/or Whippet were crossed along the lines. Borzoi and Collie may also have been crossed into the gene pool to elongate the head even more and to arrive at a type of dog with a stop ever less marked.
Until 1895, when cropping was outlawed, the ears of the Bull Terriers were cut as closely as possible, so that they would not be torn by the dog's opponent during the fight. From that date on ear cropping became prohibited and breeders sought to breed exemplars whose ears were in harmony with the rest of their body. The breed suffered a setback while breeders attempted to obtain the required upright ears without losing other qualities.
In 1917, the first modern Bull Terrier, Lord Gladiator, was born. It was the first dog with a skull profile completely lacking a stop.
Due to problems associated with the white color coat (deafness, albinism) some experts suggested to introduce other colors in the breed. The man who is known for the development and acceptance of colored bull terriers in the ring is Ted Lyon, whose preferred color was brindle.
The first Bull Terrier Club was created in England in 1887. In 1888, the Bull Terrier Standard was published by the Bull Terrier Club. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1895. In 1992 the AKC recognized two different sizes, the Standard Bull Terrier and the Miniature Bull Terrier.
Today's Bull Terrier is athletic and always eager to play. Their clowning antics and energy make them delightful companions. They need a firm hand and consistent training, but most of them will tolerate other family pets. Their cute and photogenic face make them very popular subjects in dog photography and advertising.
If you're ever in the Atlanta area, just drop by one of the local Agility trials . . . we are ALWAYS there! There is one other Chocolate Lab on the circuit, but she's (1) twice the size of mine (2) always in our class so if you see her you'll see us!
Wow! I'm impressed.
I wasn't happy when he won the Terrier group much less overall! Hopefully he isn't like the "Pitbulls" they breed here in Texas!
If the judging was for most beautiful dog, Goldens would win every time. Instead, they seem to be automatically rejected.
He did not win the BIS. Only Manhattan has ever won the BIS at Westminster from the Herding Group (and the only GS, period). Now HE was a nice-built dog, esp. for a Covy-Tucker Hill. Altho at a show at the time I heard rumors that he had hip problems - and hence, didn't show up altho listed for the show.
Dallas is very nice overall too, but ears are too weak and a tad too extreme. His daughter (in recent Groups inc. this 1) is worse, tho.
I have my (very) favorites and my un-favorites. Sorry, I just don't like retrievers!
That's what makes horse races! I thought about a GSD, but decided that a Lab was a more forgiving critter for a first dog. The GSDs I know take a very serious view of life and don't suffer fools gladly. My Lab happily suffers all the fools she can find.
. . . and she'll bring you any ducks she finds lying around, too.
Hey, to each their own. As for my GS, they've been "joyous and sprightly". I like that they *can* be serious - but they are still basically joyous and light-hearted. I don't like endless goofiness in dogs any more than I like it in humans (1 of my cousins is an example - can he *ever* be serious? *Constant* [and I mean that] joking around eventually makes me want to puke!).
Of course, 1 of the Labs across the street is quite serious - he's dog-aggressive and a better watchdog for us than our current GS!
My dog can turn it on and off -- this morning when the workmen came to see about the deck she was dashing from man to man, bounding and wagging, until I whistled her to "heel" and "stay". Then she sat alert, watching everybody (but with the tip of her tail still twitching in a vestigial wag). And of course if I had let her go she would have started bounding and wagging again . . . but if you show her a duck, she's all business.
Did you see the GS at this show? What did you think?
I thought it was too sloped and low and did not move well.
The Rottweiler was exceptional IMO. But I am not knowledgeable in conformation.
Here's what I wrote on a (Euro) GS board:
I saw this Dallas daughter earlier on the Eukanuba "Nationals", and I think she is somewhat nice but agree, her ears are weak (and you can tell Dallas tends to weak ears), and her butt drags a bit. She seems to be exaggerating Dallas' problems. I think Dallas is a nice dog overall, but he shows those tendencies himself and apparently, even moreso in his offspring (judging by ads, mostly).
I had a Golden Retriever/Lab cross that I got from the animal shelter. At least the vet said he was a cross, but he looked like a Golden to me. A better, more loyal and sweet natured dog you would never find. He even bathed my old cat and they slept together. When she died, he mourned. When my children got me a kitten, he raised it. When my husband died, he never left my side. He was also very gentle with the grandchildren. They could do anything to him and he never complained. He was my loyal companion until he was killed by a car just a few months after my husband died. He had never gone to the road before.
"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!"
Golden's are the sweetest, most noble, and most loving dogs too. ;~))
I know what you mean about your Golden never leaving your side when you are feeling sad. I've had two of them like that! Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin calls "crosses" like yours "Honorary Goldens!"
The Labs and the Goldens have some common ancestors, it can be a good cross.
I've driven in those Texas hail and rain storms! THey are challenging! We are having snow like that today in Wisconsin!
And a Golden Retrrever as First Lady!
Naturally....gentlemen do prefer blondes!
Thank you. "Honorary Golden." That's nice. Well, Skippy was golden through and through. He had a heart of gold and as big as the outdoors. I love my dog Harm, whom my children got for me when Skippy died (without even asking me first), but there will never be another Skippy. He was one of a kind.
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