Westminister Kennel Show

One thing I love about February is The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It always happens on Valentine's Day with 2 full days of all kinds of dog breeds  - new and old. PBGV, Plot, Otterhound and more! 

A couple of interesting facts about Westminster: 

• The Westminster Kennel Club was established in 1877, making it America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. 
• First held in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is America's second-longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby..
  
• Westminster pre-dates the invention of the light bulb and the automobile, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Washington Monument, the invention of basketball and the establishment of the World Series.

Check out their site for videos of all the groups and winners:

                                                     The Westminster Kennel Club

I always look at the Shar-pei in the non-sporting. This year Miss Hathaway was 2nd in group behind the Dalmatian so very close!


CHINESE SHAR-PEI

 

The Chinese Shar-Pei is a unique and intelligent dog most often recognized for its wrinkles. Initially developed as an all purpose Chinese farm dog, the breed does well today in obedience, agility, herding and tracking, with skills that would have been needed on the farm. Because the name "Shar-Pei" means "sand coat", harshness is a distinctive feature in its two accepted coat types, either horse (short) or brush (up to an inch long). Other unique qualities include black mouth pigment, a slightly "hippo-like" head shape, small ears, deepset eyes and rising topline. 



I love the names too!

GCH Vaje's Miss Jayne Hathaway Breed: Chinese Shar-Pei Sex: Bitch AKC: NP 15871005 Date of Birth: February 18, 2007 Breeder: Vicki Mauk & Jeff Mauk Sire: Ch Vaje's Crew Cut Dam: Ch Vaje's The Villainess Ursula Owner: Jeff Mauk & Vicki Mauk Photos: Breed judging / Group judging

Watch the video and see how she was chosen!





The winner was.....

Pekingese Named Westminster Kennel Club Best in 

Show

Check out the new breeds introduced: 

Six New Breeds Debut At Westminster 2012 Six breeds will be making their Westminster debuts in 2012 now that they have been recognized by the American Kennel Club and made eligible for competition in conformation shows. AMERICAN ENGLISH COONHOUND (Hound Group) The American English Coonhound evolved from Virginia Hounds, descendants of English Foxhounds. Originally these hounds were used to hunt fox by day and raccoons by night and were named the English Fox and Coonhound. Today's American English Coonhound is a wide-ranging hunter that possesses tremendous speed and endurance, and excellent voice. A strong and graceful athlete, he needs regular exercise to stay in peak shape. The breed's hard, protective coat is of medium length and can be red and white ticked, blue and white ticked, tri-colored with ticking, red and white, and white and black. The breed is pleasant, alert, confident and sociable with both humans and dogs. Visit the Facebook group for the American English Coonhound Association  CESKY TERRIER (Terrier Group) The Cesky Terrier was developed to be a well-muscled, short legged and well-pigmented hunting terrier that could be worked in packs. The Cesky Terrier has natural drop ears and a natural tail. The Cesky is longer than it is tall and has a topline that rises slightly higher over the loin and rump. It sports a soft, long, silky coat in shades of gray from Charcoal to Platinum. The correct coat is clipped to emphasize a slim impression. The hallmarks of the breed should be unique unto itself with a lean body and graceful movement. They are reserved towards strangers, loyal to their owners, but ever keen and alert during the hunt. Visit the official website for the American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association ENTLEBUCHER MOUNTAIN DOG (Herding Group) The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a native of Switzerland, and the smallest of the four Swiss breeds. A medium-sized drover, he has a short, tri-colored coat with symmetrical markings. Purpose and heritage have resulted in an unusually intense bonding between the Entlebucher and his master. Prized for his work ethic and ease of training, he can transform from a high-spirited playmate to a serious, self-assured dog of commanding presence. The Entlebucher should not be considered a breed for the casual owner. The guardian traits of this breed require thorough socialization, and he will remain an active, energetic dog for his entire lifetime. Visit the official website for the National Entlebucher Mountain Dog Association FINNISH LAPPHUND (Herding Group) The Finnish Lapphund is a reindeer herding dog from the northern parts of Scandinavia. The breed is thought to have existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, as the helper dog of the native tribes. In modern day, Lapphunds are popular as family pets in their native Finland. They are devoted to their family, friendly with all people, highly intelligent and eager to learn. The dogs have a thick, dense coat that comes in a variety of colors and beautiful, soft, expressive faces. They are strong but very agile. Visit the official website for the Finnish Lapphund Club of America NORWEGIAN LUNDEHUND (Non-Sporting Group) The Norwegian Lundehund – or Puffin Dog -- spent centuries on the rocky cliffs and high fields of arctic Norway hunting and retrieving puffin birds, an important meat and feather crop to local farmers. Uniquely equipped for their task, this little Spitz-type dog has at least six toes on each foot for stability in the near vertical environs where puffins nest. A flexible skeletal structure enables the dog to squirm out of tight spots or spread-eagle to prevent slips and falls. Lundehunds have a protective double coat, reddish-brown, often with white collar and feet and a white tip on the tail. Today puffin birds are protected and the puffin dog has taken up its new role as an alert, cheerful and somewhat mischievous companion. Visit the official website for the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America XOLOITZCUINTLI (Non-Sporting Group) The Xoloitzcuintli - "show-low" as it is commonly called - is the national dog of Mexico. Previously known as the Mexican Hairless, it comes in three sizes as well as a coated version - seen in the show ring only in the US and Canada. These dogs descend from hairless dogs prized by the Aztecs and revered as guardians of the dead. Over 400 years later, these dogs were still to be found in the Mexican jungles. Shaped by the environment rather than by man, their keen intelligence, trainability and natural cleanliness have made them a unique and valued pet today. Visit the official website for the Xoloitzcuintli Club of America