July 6, 2009
Rufus wins Best in Show
The winner of the 130th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was a terrier with an egg-shaped head named Rufus.
Ch. Rocky Top's Sundance Kid, a colored bull terrier, is no stranger to the best in show ring; Rufus, as he is called, is the winningest dog in the history of his breed. He won the terrier group last month at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and was the No. 3 terrier in the country last year.
"The classic profile of a colored bull terrier," judge James Reynolds said.
Kathy Kirk, Rufus' handler said she was "ready to pass out" from the pressure, but her 6-year-old dog seemed to take it
all in stride and just wagged his tail.
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Earlier in the evening an animated golden retriever, Andy, a Scottish deerhound called Margot and an old English sheepdog dubbed Smokin' won their respective groups to join Rufus and the three group winners from Monday to compete for best in show.
Rounding out the seven contenders for the streaming purple and gold ribbon were a dalmatian named Boomer who is a kennel mate to Carlee, the German short-haired pointer who was best in show here last year; Dermot, the pug, the No. 2 dog in the country in 2005; and Shaka, who was bred, owned and handled by former Florida linebacker Keith Carter.
"There were plenty of upsets this year," said spectator, breeder and former judge Dorothy Dalton, from Stuart, Fla. "The upsets add to the drama and the excitement."
Wire fox terriers tend to be the favored breed, having won 13 best in show trophies in the show's history. That's followed by Scottish terriers, which have won seven times.
Westminster, which started Monday and ended last night, is the oldest sporting event in the United States, second only to the Kentucky Derby. It was televised on USA Network and hosted by Miss America 1990 Debbye Turner, now a veterinarian, and David Frei, an analyst.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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