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.
I agree. My first thought was about the statement this was making.
My own Yorkies watched w/me and barked at some of the contestants. lol
If there was any statement to be made, "they" would've pulled out the American Staffordshire and Staffordshire Bull 1st before a plain old Bull Terrier. They may have some connection, but the Staffies are the 1s really of "pit bull" type. Certainly no average Joe would immediately tag the Bull Terrier as a "pit bull".
That is seen as a fault of character, generally. Judges are supposed to keep aware of personality/character in these things, too, not just physical conformation. If it's obvious like that was - definite downgrade.
I would hope the chief consideration was merit.
But I have often heard people lump all the bullie breeds together. And one objection to the media hype is that they don't distinguish between different bullie breeds and also between mixes with some bullie in them.
As I was leaving Madison Square Garden last night I met a man who has a Bull Terrier from the same breeder as the winner. He was thrilled. He also commented that this was a positive step for the Bull breeds. He said he catches flack for his dogs too.
Well, the beautiful Golden was the crowd favorite!
Bull Terriers in general are an ugly breed, but that was a spectacular Bull Terrier! I liked the pug on Mon. night, but he did not show well in BIS. THe Deerhound was downright ugly.
My favorites were the Golden (of course), the OE Sheepdog, the Dalmatian, and the Bull Terrier. I guess one out of four ain't bad.
I am simply amazed that the Golden got anything last night! They have been ignored at these shows for so long, I don't believe that I have ever seen one even win group, let alone BIS. I don't think one has won Wesminister since the 20s, or 30s.
My husband, Max, and I were rooting for the Golden, along with the crowd at the show, but it just wasn't enough. And, of course, we're prejudiced toward Goldens.
All in all, however, I think that the collection of dogs in this show was simply spectacular. It certainly would be hard to pick ne over another.
I watched it on TV. The pug looked great Mon. night, but seemed to be "off" last night. He was not relaxed and confident, as he had been the previous night. Not only did he shy from the judge's touch, he looked worried!
Geesh! This writer can't even capitalize Golden Retriever! It's the name of a specific breed, for cryin' out loud, not a COLOR! Max says, "We just don't get no respect, no more!"
Awwww, Dermot is sooooooo cute.
Check it again, my link goes to the exact same place your link goes to. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll see the additional standards for a colored bull terrier which is the breed that one. The white bull won best of show about 90 years ago. This is the first "colored" bull to win.
won
Here is the Staffordshire which is the breed that has been conscripted by thugs and turned into a killer:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/staffordshire_bull_terrier/index.cfm
I got mixed up with DGray's post #51.
kanawa - I meant to post a link to the Am Staff. People were saying bull terriers were pit bulls. I was pointing out the breed that is associated with pit bulls.
You must read AKC stuff only! No1 outside the dog world capitalizes dog breed names. It's not just your Goldens, it's all of us. Notice it in this very article.
I continue to capitalize all just as the AKC taught me, as I think it helps distinguish between mere breeds and species!
I watched both nites of the dog show, and loved every single minute...I always hope that all the dogs show their best, and always like the little surprise, when a dog that everyone else thought might win their 'group', or win the BIS does not win, and another dog wins instead...
People do need to realize that this is not a show where one dog is compared to another...in almost all of the big competitions that is true...one dog, representing his breed, is not in competition with another dog representing his particular breed...its a competition, to see how a particular dog measures up to and represents his own specific breed...that is what the dog show is all about...its not about which dog is cuter, or prettier, or anything like that...
All the dog judges are experts and have spent many long years of study, and breeding, and handling dogs of all breeds, and knowing exactly how any particular dog measures up to the perfect ideal of his representative breed...Most of these judges have spent years, decades, studying and actively participating in dog shows...when they pick a winner, I defer to their expertise...we all have our favorite breeds, the crowds have their favorite breeds, even a judge will have his own favorite breeds...but that is not what this dog show is all about...
That being said, I have looked at everyones pics of their beloved pooches, and of course, being a dog lover myself, I love all breeds(they all have something to offer), and especially the mixed breed 'mutts', I can only say you all have wonderful dogs...my personal favorites are the basset hounds...I have been owned by three in my life, and they are my all time favorite...they are stumpy, clunky, chunky, velvety long eared, often smelly, always shedding, stubborn beyond belief, sad eyes, wrinkly, and always hungry....they are heaven to me...
Bravo to Rufus!!!!
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