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.
As soon as he eats, which takes about 4.7 seconds, he'll be back upstairs on the bed waiting for me to make my way up there after Lurker Jr goes off to the bus stop.
Like I said, it'll be a race to see who gets to sleep first. If I make it, I'll be fine. If he drops off first it's Poulan city.
L
When we moved from CA to MS, Jack stayed a month with our youngest son who put Jack thru a boot camp of sorts.
Jack NOW sleeps in his own bed and stays off the furniture.
L
Click on my screen name, see the two most beautiful dogs in the world, bar none. ;-D
I like pugs but I LOVE mastiffs. And minipins.
That Mastiff is beautiful...but click on my screen name, I think I he has some competition. LOL
MM
"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.
Now that sounds pretty funny. Wonder what her walls look like.
Trust me, I DO believe you!
Aw, I love them too!
Woof, woof, Rufus
Perfect egg shaped head
Yep, Maddie is a cutie!
MM
Well I'll be!
Pappy Boington's dog won :)
:>)
It may have been the first time a Deerhound made it to BIS, but the breed has been showing at Westiminster for a long, long time.
Those refs were in the dog's pocket the whole time.
The Bull Terrier showed really well. Too bad the pug picked this day to decide he didn't like the BIS judge, oops!
I'm one of those that thinks this breed is ugly but I have to admit one of the neatest dogs I've ever known was a Bull Terrier. He was owned by a farrier and taught himself to be a farriers helper. Cool dog.
Best in show is not a direct comparison with the other dogs, but is selected by which dog most rigidly conforms with the ideal for it's particular breed. I think 'Rufus' is magnificent.
He's adorable. I'm glad he won. Congratulations to the owner, breeder and handler!
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