ShareThisThe 136th Westminster Kennel Club’s six new breeds were proudly escorted by their owners across 7th Avenue and 31st to a press conference. ‘Hickory’ 2011 Best in Show Champion and David Frei, the Director of Communications for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show lead the six new breeds safely across to New York’s Affinia Hotel to meet with the media. New this year is Mexico’s hairless Xoloitzcuintli, American English Coonhound, Cesky Terrier, Finnish Lapphund, Entlebucher Mountain Don and Norwegian Lundehund. Cindy Vogels of Greenwood Village, Colorado will be Best in Show Judge for 2012.
Thursday was a rainy day when the dogs were escorted across the heavy traffic in New York City. The six new breeds showed great composure and control as their owners headed toward the Affinia Hotel. This is just one character of how well disciplined these pure breeds have to be to make it to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Barbara Kennedy owner of ‘Myles,’ a Finnish Lapphund said “once in the ring it’s your job to be in the moment and Myles knows when that moment is too and were ready.” Entries were limited to 2,000 dogs this year. As David Frei said “this show is to find the best dog in the country if not the best dog in the world.”
When new breeds are brought into the show there is a gathering of information about the dogs and a study before acceptance. In the last three years there have been 15 new breeds. New breeds mean dogs that met the guidelines of the Westminster Kennel Club. These dogs are dogs that are real dogs and have been around for a long time but are for the first time being shown at the Westminster Dog Show.
“Hickory” won Best in Show for 2011 was the leader across the Manhattan traffic leading the group. This was her first time leaving the nine puppies she had in October in Flint Hill, Virginia. Hickory is a Scottish Deerhound owned by Scott and Cecilia Dove and Handler for 2011 show was Angela Lloyd. Cecilia Dove said the puppies will be ready to join their new families in about two weeks and Hickory has been a beautiful mom.
The American English Coonhound named Game Changer was taking in all the attention with his owner Richard Moore from Jamaica Estates, Queens. Game Changer known for a hunting dog and referred to as hunting ‘tree dog’ for tracking raccoons, bear and cougar according to his owner Richard Moore.
The Mexico hairless dog bred ‘Xoloitzcuintli’ was shivering outside in the cold and was welcoming the warmth of the hotel. The breed can be found in three different sizes and considered one of the oldest breeds in North America. Jose Barrera owner said if the breed name is hard to pronounce use the short version “Show-Lo.” The dog’s name is Alma Culce and is two years old.
“First impression is important in our show” said David Frei, the Director of Communications for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog. David stands to this date with the #1 Afghan in 1989 as the top winning female in the history of the breed. David helped to form Angel On A Leash, a therapy dog program that is involved with health care facilities in the country. David takes part with his Brittany and Cavalier at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Ronald McDonald House of New York and the Veterans Administration Hospital. When asked about how a dog becomes a therapy dog David said “therapy dogs are born not made, we are more training the person.”
The Westminster American’s Dog Show is February 13 and 14, 2012. Order tickets through The Westminster Kennel Club (westminsterkennelclub.org). Television schedule (ET) Monday, February 13: USA Network 8pm-9pm; CNBC 9pm-11pm, Tuesday, February 14: USA Netwok 8pm-11pm.
