Brandy and Val

Hickory, Best in Show 2011

The finalists at Westminster

At Brandy and Val, LLC, we were SO excited that Hickory, a Scottish Deerhound, won this year’s Best in Show at Westminster. It always seems like the pretty, fancy, fru-fru dogs take home the prize leaving those of us who love the larger, home-style dogs waiting till next year.  Hickory loves the country life, chasing squirrels and whatnot and Brandy and Val love this.  While the best in group winners are usually dominated by the pretties, anything above 40 pounds seems to be a sure-fired loser.  Point of fact:  the last five winners of the show were:

2010:  Scottish Terrier (Scottish winners back -to-back!) Sadie

2009: Sussex Spaniel Stump  (so cute!)

2008: Beagle Uno (an all-time Westminster fav)

2007: English Springer Spaniel Diamond Jim (the closest for hitting the 45 lb mark!)

2006: Colored Bull Terrier Rufus ( a likeable kind of guy)

Some big pups - Mastiffs on show

It seems forever since Josh, the 155 lb. Newfoundland, won Best in Show.  It was 2004 and he was the largest dog ever to take home the prize.  Could it be that the Bull Mastiffs  or St. Bernards are just plain too drool-y? Or the Shar-pei too wrinkle-y (although he won best non-sporting group this year)?  Or the Goldens and Labs just too darn friendly and happy all the time that they’d never think to get depressed if they lost out?  We’re not the only ones who thing the jolly giants or almost giants don’t get enough respect.  Even the lab owners who show their pups at  WKC’s premier event take a rather resigned attitude to the whole thing.  For example, one states that hers “…..had spent the morning playing in Marine Park. Her owners, Micki Beerman and Linda Pensabene, did not bother to give her a bath, let alone trim her whiskers or toenails…’We just made sure she didn’t have any more sand on her face…’”

What’s your opinion as to why the more popular breeds don’t take home Best in Show?

This was my second time seeing the show first-hand and I just loved going around, watching the breeds and seeing the dogs back-stage.   A zillion magnificent dogs in one place.  What’s not to love?  It’s a terrific experience that if you have a chance to go, is highly recommended.    The folks at Westminster make a point of letting everyone know that none of the dogs were obtained through puppy mills and their primary sponsor, Pedigree, encourages adoption through their “dogs rule” campaign and charity, The Pedigree Foundation.  Also made mention of the fact is that 25% of dogs in shelters are pedigree, pure breeds. So if you are looking for a pure-breed to adopt, they are out there in the shelters and through pure-breed rescue organizations.  If you are not looking to adopt, why not volunteer?

At Brandy and Val, LLC 100% of BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY goes to the rescue Brandy and Val were adopted from.  A portion of ALL other sales is donated to animal sanctuaries throughout the country.

No playing in the mud today

Where's the snow

Mom loves the Clumber Spaniels

All the dog lovers I know eagerly await watching the Westminster Dog Show each year at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.  I am no exception.  Last year my husband and I went and we had a blast.  The most fun was meeting the dogs in back and watching them get primped and primed before their showings.  Oh the tortures many of those poor things go through!  Blow dryers, flat irons, curlers, sprays, gels, rubber bands galore are just of a few of the necessities that the groomers use to prepare the pup to perfection. It was also really fun to see the breeds’ personalities come to light when the dogs are all gathered in their “best of breed” rings.  For example, those ever-friendly Labs (Labrador Retriever rescue) always seem to have their tails wagging whether they are waiting to be judged or not.  The Mastiffs (Mastiff rescue), known to be rather lazy, are all lying down and falling asleep when they’re not “on” while the Viszlas (Viszla rescue)all seem to be bouncing in place doing their best to contain their energy but rarely sitting still.  The movie, BEST IN SHOW, is probably one of the best-known and funniest movies spoofing the whole dog show process.  For those who have not seen it yet, it’s a must.

Yesterday’s, New York Times had a cover story in their business section by David Segal: “Best P.R. in Show” describing the not-so-wonderful side of making a dog a star.  It was disheartening to read that, much like movies studios and the Oscars, ads are taken out in trade papers and magazines extolling the virtues of a dog to be shown in hopes of garnering a few votes and good-will from the judges.   The article goes on saying how much it costs to make these dogs stars:  easily 6 figures and that many of the dogs are now “owned” by several people to help defray the costs involved for traveling to shows; handling; training; placing ads, etc.  Hard to envision our loveable pets as commodities considering how much our dogs mean to us as integral parts of our families.

Nevertheless, we love to see the pups looking their best and we love to see all the different breeds.   This year, three new ones have been accepted to the competition:  The Norwegian buhund, the Pyrenean shepherd and the Irish red and white setter.   Who will turn out to be this year’s star and capture the “Best in Show” ribbon at the 134th Westminster?  Brandy, Val and I will be watching.