Best in Show: Westminster Dog Show Final Night

Tuesday evening was a night of surprises and excitement at the Westminster Dog Show.  I've spent the past five days in New York in various events and activities around the dog show for business, but I truly enjoy the experience as well. I'm sort of old school with this dog show in that I like to dress up for the evening show and mix and have fun. I wore my poodle cuff links (see photo below), even though none of the poodles placed for their groups on Monday night. Still, I wore them to show my enthusiasm for the breed that are so closely embedded in my life.

My Poodle cuff-links, I just love 'em!

Tuesday night featured Sporting, Working, Terrier Groups followed by Best in Show. (Monday was Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups). I must admit, I had my eye on the Scottish Deerhound from the very start, but I didn't expect him to win. I had picked the Bearded Collie or Pekingese for some reason. Needless to say I was thrilled with the judge's pick.

judges in the ring with the new Best in Show

Judge Paolo Dondina of Monterchi, Italy pictured here with his Best in Show pick GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, a 5 year old Scottish Deerhound.
As a representative of my employer, Natural Balance Pet Foods at the show, I was also Tweeting live from Madison Square Garden, using the Twitter hashtags #WKC and #WestminsterDogShow in all my Tweets. I was also happy to participate in an online fundraiser with a Twitter social media network organized under the #PawPawty hashtag. The special tag for Tuesday night was #WKCPawPawty to benefit Save A Pet rescue in Grayslake, IL. It was great social media comradery too!

 

As a live correspondent at the show, this PSA was recorded for the good folks at BarkWorld Expo

For those of you who followed along with all the Tweeting and live coverage, we sure had fun! It was a unique experience for us all.

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My Day at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Yesterday was the second official day of the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. I spent the entire day at Madison Square Garden, shoulder to shoulder with the handlers, judges and groomers. It is always an interesting blend of activity under one roof. The differences in dogs alone is enough to give pause. The tiniest of tiny toy dogs to the most giant breeds are benched (meaning they remain assembled on display when not being shown). The Westminster Kennel Club is an all-breed, benched show so there are lots of dogs to see while walking around. 

Dogs and their handlers are from all over the country competing in the most prestigious show in the US. I read somewhere that the Westminster Kennel Club is the longest running sporting event in American History, after the Kentucky Derby (horse racing). The sport of Dog Fancy has officially been around since the early 1900's, but of course human affection for dogs dates back thousands of years.

As the day progressed, there were plenty of sights that that caught my eye. This one (photo left) was an interesting switch. Most tables, it was the dog getting groomed. But here, it was the handler being groomed by the dog's groomer. I loved how her dog looked on while her handler's hair was brushed! Cute, huh? Well it seemed to me anyway!

A nervous moment of jitters of both the dog and handler.

Exhausted, but happy to be in the limelight.

This terrier was super cute with a great personality.

This cutie was standing on his grooming table patiently while he was given a hair trip. I just loved the towel draped around his neck, almost as a person would in a barber shop. I chuckled to myself because even if a few hairs fell onto his shoulder, his shoulders are covered in fur too. But maybe I was missing something.

He was also getting a manicure/pedicure. He extended his paw quite readily and stood perfectly still. These are the sort of things you don't often think about or see when they cover dog shows, so I just had to include this in today's post.

She is Pretty in Pink, don't you think?

a deflated St Bernard who didn't place in his breed group

Mickey won Best in Breed for St Bernards

isn't this a great line up- look at them all....

Wonderful Irish Setters

I love this photo, ready for the judge, please!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more photos!

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Begins

Welcome to another year of coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. By now you know I am in New York City with my company, Natural Balance Pet Foods participating in this revered dog show. I'm privileged to have many years of personal experience at Westminster, so it is familiar territory for me. Knowing a number of judges, handlers, groomers and such has provided first-hand knowledge of the sport of Dog Fancy. I love the pet industry in general, and feel very fortunate to continue to work within it. 

Before I go any further, I should emphasize yet again that There are many many really excellent dogs (and cats) living in shelters across America that need a good home. If you are considering adding a dog to your home, please do some very simple research online and then visit your local shelter. You just may be surprised by the wonderful dogs that just need a second chance.

The Hound Group assembles

Dog Shows like Westminster showcase the traits and qualities of various dog breeds. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the needs of breeds to determine if they are a good fit for your home and lifestyle. Westminster is the ultimate reality show, with elimination rounds taking place all day long to identify the Best in Breed to advance to each group, and ultimately Best in Group.

I've always enjoyed viewing each group of dogs and cheering on my favorites. Of course, I've had the opportunity to learn more about what makes each breed "standard" and "winning" to earn the vaulted title of Champion (CH) or Grand Champion (GCH).

Each group is fun to watch and pick one's favorites. Within the Toy Group I was partial of course to the Toy Poodle, but it was not meant to be this year. At left in the center is of friend Mr Kaz Osaka, a well-respected handler and groomer of poodles. Sadly, none of the poodles advanced to the finals, so they won't be competing for Best in Show on Tuesday. But they sure were swell, all the same!

The judging ring for the Toy group, before all the dogs entered the ring. I'm not personally a toy dog fan but some make really fun pets. I'm just thrilled to be here sharing all this excitement. I used a combination of personal opinion, knowledge of each breed and audience reaction to pick my own favorites within each group.

Betty White speaks about Adoptions and shelters

This photo of Havanese is for Diane @CosmoHavanese

I was busy Tweeting live via Twitter from Madison Square Garden, providing my own silly brand of commentary of each group and dog type. I'll be back Tuesday evening with more live commentary from Madison Square Garden, where at the end of the evening a new Best in Show cup will be awarded. Stay tuned!
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Wonderful Weekend of Westminster

I'm not sure where the last year went, but here we are at another Westminster Dog Show.  I've attended this show for a very long time and each year I still find it exciting and interesting too. For those of us who enjoy the Dog Fancy, it is a real treat to be around all these dogs and enjoy their own distinct personalities. This weekend was action packed, including the Pre-Westminster Doggie Fashion Show, (pics here) a "Doggie Wedding", the Show Dog Awards, a Yappy Hour shelter benefit and an exhibition for dog fanciers which is still running at the Hotel Pennsylvania.

The dogs involved at Westminster need to burn off some pent up energy and keep fit too! These "Jog A Dog" treadmills do the trick. I get a kick out of seeing the dogs hop right up on the treadmill and walk on it, in a very matter-of-fact manner. Not sure why I find it so amusing, but I just do.

Me and my dear friend Miss Candy

Aside from the work aspect of being at Westminster, it is also nice to see old friends again and chat about the dogs we love. Dog shows have plenty of non-glamorous aspects to them, but there are nights when you get to dress up and celebrate these wonderful creatures who bring so much joy into our lives. Today and tomorrow I'll be at Madison Square Garden most of the day working with and talking to the show handlers, groomers and judges- all behind the scenes stuff you won't see on television. I'll try to get some photos to share if I can.
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Gearing up for Westminster Dog Show

There is only one Westminster. It is the granddaddy of Dog Shows here in the US. Dog lovers have once again descended on midtown Manhattan to compete for Best in Show at New York's fabled Madison Square Garden. The hotels and streets are filled with Champion Dogs and Bitches who have proved their worthiness over a series of local dog shows around the country over the past year and longer.

Organizers of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show wisely incorporate a strong focus on animal rescue and adoption as part of the promotions around the sport of dog breeding, handling, grooming and showing. There are of course, thousands if not millions of really excellent dogs and cats in local shelters waiting for a good home.

Watching the Westminster Dog Show is actually a great way to learn about various breeds, as they always include information about the breed traits, temperament and needs. This is the single most important thing people forget to do when they decide to add a pet to their home. It's never a good idea to pick a pet just on looks or what you've seen in a movie or on TV. Always read up on a pet's traits and needs before making a decision. Consider your own lifestyle, schedule, home environment and budget as factors in the decision of which breed to add to your life. Certain breeds are known to be great family pets, while others can be more focused on just one human. Some dogs have high energy needs and long to run- those wouldn't be a great choice if you live in a small apartment or don't have the free time to take the dog for the exercise it will need. So watching Westminster on TV is a handy step toward increasing your knowledge of various breed types.

When you go to a shelter to adopt, ask questions about the breed and be honest about your own limitations as a pet parent. Incidentally, if you are on Twitter, search for the  hash tag #pawpawty to help shelters!

I've been attending Westminster for the past eight years- maybe longer I forget! It is so much fun to be around all the dogs who are clearly having FUN. You'll notice it when you watch the show on TV, when a dog wins, they get excited and smile, jump around and often kiss their handler. It is almost as if they know. Who knows, maybe they do!

Over the years I've had the opportunity to get to know hundreds of people who enjoy the sport of showing dogs. Is everyone perfect? No certainly not. But who among us are? By and large, the overwhelming majority of people who show dogs do it out of the love of dogs, and are exceptionally proud of their breed.

It was here that I became introduced to Standard Poodles. They love-love-love the show process. They clearly love to be groomed, primped and fluffed. I've actually caught my own Sheldon looking at himself in the mirror when he returns from the groomer. It is hilarious that he knows he looks good and wants to admire himself.
 
Anyway, as I attend the various events here at Westminster I'll try to capture some moments and share them on the blog and on Twitter. Pets are my passion. My only regret is that my two standard poodles are back at home in Palm Springs. But come to think of it, they are probably relaxing poolside with a bowl of Evian Water while I am bundled up in New York. I'm perfectly OK with them getting whatever they want! Catch the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on the USA Network Monday and Tuesday evenings.

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Calling All Clever Captions, Please

Last month while in New York City, I stumbled on this rather interesting art exhibit. I've been saving this photo for just such a day as today is. I'm looking for some clever captions or even comments on what it makes you feel or think. Go ahead, give it a whirl...  
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Special New York Screening of Expecting Mary film

I was so fortunate to be in New York for business at the same time as a special screening of the upcoming film Expecting Mary. Since the screening was at night I was able to work during the day and hit the movie screening in the evening. This was a benefit for the Actor's Fund, a non-profit organization founded in 1882 to assist performing art individuals in film, theater, television, opera, and dance. As you can imagine, the vast majority of people in these professions do NOT "hit it big" to enjoy easy financial success. Ticket sales of this screening were to benefit the Actor's Fund and introduce the film to peers within the community, which is a great way for an Independent film to gain exposure just before its official release on September 10th. The photo above is of actress Linda Gray, being photographed by the paparazzi. There were reporters from major newspapers and magazines. In Expecting Mary, Linda plays "Darnella" an aging Vegas showgirl who lives in a trailer park and still performs in a small town Indian casino.

above: the posters lined up at the entrance.

above: the flash of all the paparazzi cameras over-powered my little camera. But you get the gist. Here is Linda and young actress Olesya Rulin. Co-star Della Reese was also on hand but I didn't get a photo of her!

above: Producer Kim Waltrip, Linda Gray, Executive Producer Jim Casey and Olesya Rulin, being mobbed by the press. The film was well received by the attendees and met with excellent verbal reviews. It is exciting to see the buzz building for an Independent film. I can't wait for the next screening...stay tuned more more.
-Rick Rockhill

Food For Thought With Dear Friends

Enjoying a good meal with friends is one of my favorite hobbies. I'm especially fortunate to have some dear friends who share my passion for food. I generally like most types of cuisine, although I readily admit I am somewhat of a traditionalist- French, Italian, Chinese & "California-cuisine" (whatever that is) are among my favorites. Whether dining out or cooking at home, sharing a meal together is a wonderful experience. In this photo above, I enjoyed a meal with some dear friends at Chef Lidia Bastianich's Becco in New York. According to their website, the name Becco is from the Italian verb "beccare", which means to "peck, nibble or savor something in a discriminating way". The restaurant was very understated, but the food was delicious and the servers were very friendly.

above: look at this incredible Pork Chop. Wow.

above: Fresh pasta with shaved Truffles, and a truffle oil sauce. It was life-changing good food.

above: A really nice serving of veal parmagiana.
A few other fun dining experiences this past week...

above: Chefs at the Waldorf bring more desserts to the buffet table

above: this buffet included a wonderful chocolate fountain. I really need one of those at home.

above: fresh made crepes, cupcakes, strawberries and a piece of pound cake dipped in chocolate!

above: more little pastries from the buffet...and some fresh berries, for something healthy!

above: the dining room at Le Perigord, a wonderful French restaurant in New York.

above: an incredible Boeuf Bourguignon, a wonderful French Beef stew of sorts.

above: Le Perigord's fabulous chocolate souffle, with creme anglaise.

above: "Floating Islands", which are Meringue floating in a pool of Creme Anglaise. Oh My Gosh so good.

above: And finally, a slice of heaven. I mean five-layer chocolate cake. Such wonderful creations. I should have been a chef instead of a pet food guru.
-Rick Rockhill

Westminster Dog Show 2010

For the past few days I've been attending and participating in the events around the Westminster Dog Show. I've been a regular here for a number of years and just love being around all these terrific dogs. The show itself was broadcast live on the USA network Monday and Tuesday nights, for the Best in Group judging, with the Best in Show as the big finale on the second night's broadcast. What you don't see on TV is all the individual Best in Breed judging that takes place during the daytime. There, in Madison Square Garden are the champion show dogs within each breed standing around waiting for their moment to strut their stuff. It's actually pretty cool to walk around and spend time with the various breeds and watching their personalities.

above: Madison Square Garden is where all the action takes place!

above: I took this close up photo from the jumbo-tron of the Yorkie, she was cute.

above: here is "Walker" the toy poodle who won Best In Group for Toy dogs.

above: within the Non-Sporting Group, both the Miniature and Standard poodles were in competition, but did not take the Best in Group.

above: on the second night, an aerial view of the final round of judging for Best in Show. These are the seven best in group dogs lined up for the final moment...

above: the lights in the garden were dimmed for the dramatic moment. Spot lights swirled around the show floor as the announcer's voice boomed....

above: Sadie the Scottish Terrier who won Best In Show. She was favored to win from the start. Sadie not only won the Westminster top award, she also racked up Best in Show at the National Dog Show back in November and the AKC/Eukanuba Championship in December, making her a Triple Crown Winner! I met her owners and handlers at the Show Dogs Awards the Saturday prior. Sadie is a really sweet dog, she looked so happy when the realized she had been picked! It was another great Westminster Show, I'm glad I was here to experience it once again.
-Rick Rockhill