In case you weren’t watching, it was the Kerry Blue Terrier that took Best In Show at Westminster…the world’s first winner of the Canine Triple Crown! (Crufts/AKC Invitational/Westminster). Congratulations, Mick! I had a feeling you’d pull it off! I wish I’d put my money where my mouth was…I’d be drinking Guinness on you tonight!
Redwolf the dog nerd
Have you ever seen the movie “Best in Show”? If you haven’t, check it out–it’s hilarious!
Robin
I have admired this dog for years. It’s about time someone gave him this win. Of course as a terrier fancier(Skye) I always pull for the terrier. BUT, he really demanded that win last night.And in that level of competition that is what it takes to win. When he stacked himself for Mrs. Biven and then gave her that look of " see how perfect I am?" she would have had to be crazy to not put him up.
Of course all the dogs were nice, that Shepherd and Newfoundland really pushed him I think.
I always watch the garden since I know personally so many of the folks. Showed dogs with them for many many years.I bred and owned the sire of the Skye that won the breed at the garden multiple times in the 90’s.
Everyone who goes there has a real love/hate relationship with that show. It’s a pain for the exhibitors but the prestige of a win there outweights the drawbacks.
Cheers to Mick, the Kerry Blue
Anyone who loves dogs has got to see Best In Show, the movie. And anyone who has ever showed knows folks just like the ones in the movie, heck, they may see themselves in the movie.
On 2003-02-12 21:12, cowtime wrote:
I have admired this dog for years. It’s about time someone gave him this win. Of course as a terrier fancier(Skye) I always pull for the terrier. BUT, he really demanded that win last night.And in that level of competition that is what it takes to win. When he stacked himself for Mrs. Biven and then gave her that look of " see how perfect I am?" she would have had to be crazy to not put him up.Of course all the dogs were nice, that Shepherd and Newfoundland really pushed him I think.
I always watch the garden since I know personally so many of the folks. Showed dogs with them for many many years.I bred and owned the sire of the Skye that won the breed at the garden multiple times in the 90’s.
Everyone who goes there has a real love/hate relationship with that show. It’s a pain for the exhibitors but the prestige of a win there outweights the drawbacks.Cheers to Mick, the Kerry Blue
The Shepherd was awesome, but he didn’t have the Kerry’s sparkle, at least last night. I agree he’s an outstanding dog…I had him pegged for BIS as soon as I saw him come into the ring in the terrier judging on Monday.
Normally, as a long-time poodle owner, I root for the poodle, but I wasn’t impressed with the dog that took the non-sporting group…his conformation was OK, but his head was awful…definitely snippy. And he didn’t fire at all…in fact, he seemed bored with the whole thing. Not in Mick’s league, I’m afraid. Now if it had been Ch. Ted-El Halo’s Jetsetter (and if he were about five years younger), it would be a different story!
The Newf’s handler botched any chance he had. She was just awful! The judge had to remind her a couple of times to fix his stance, and she completely ignored the judge when she told her to “let him stand on his own” and later when she told her to let him stack himself. I think she thought the dog would fall down if she let go of his jowl! The judge got fed up with her, and just stopped looking at the dog.
That Ibizan was something too, wasn’t she? What a great show!
Redwolf
I wholeheartedly agree with you- the standard did not “show” , was just physically present. I use to travel with some standard folks(they showed in breed and obedience) and this one did not impress me at all.
and that Newf handler!!! the owner should have a word with her. Even a beginner knows not to block the view the judge has of your dog, and everytime I saw the dog she had her hand/arms breaking the outline of the dog! And then not following the judges specific directions?..And it was such a nice dog too. I don’t blame the judge for forgetting her. Hey, maybe the dog was holding Her up?..and that’s why she just could not leave it alone?
the Ibizan, I was impressed with the movement on this dog, and appeared to be in good condition.
But, none of them brought the spirit into the ring that that kerry did. I must say, that I remember last year, he did not have the “spark” on Tues. night that he did this year. He was kinda lackadaisical last year on the second night and this year’s performance is a good example of what the right attitude can do, and the difference it can make.
I once sold a very nice pup as a pet for just this reason. He was just soooooo sweet. As a young puppy he rarely got into the spats, rumbles with his littermates. Just kinda sat over to the side and waited for someone to pick him up and cuddle. By 4 months he could have cared less who was boss. He was so laid back. A great pet home became available when he was 7 mos old and that’s where he spent his days. He’d been in the ring a few times, but he was completely bored with the whole thing. Just did not have the kick butt attitude.
On the other end, I had one that lived with me til he died at 14(I always kept any dogs I bred unless truly great homes were available) and he caused his share of anxious moments in the ring. He did not have a very good front, but HE HAD THE ATTITUDE!! in buckets. Once in a while I’d enter him to help make points, but each time, he would almost win!! going reserve winners dog every time he was shown. Sometimes you could see the judges agonizing over the decision- they realized he did not have the conformation to win championship points, but HE didn’t realize it. I always said if I’d had his mentality on a better body there would have been no stopping such a dog! His name was after a song too- Buffalo Donald McGillavry, such a fun, funny goof you were Donald.
[ This Message was edited by: cowtime on 2003-02-13 19:31 ]