Hillside Special And Hamazing and Mcmagic's Candied Ham Of Pebblesrun

February 11, 2014 1:42 PM

All of the best of breed winners from this year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, courtesy of the New York Times.

So far, Best In Group has been awarded to a Bloodhound (Hound), Miniature Pinscher (Toy), Standard Poodle (Non-Sporting) and, in an upset, Cardigan Welsh Corgi (Herding). The Sporting, Working, and Terrier groups are judged today. Those seven good, good doggies go on to compete for Best In Show tonight.

This year, for the first time since the show's founding, the new Agility competition was open to mixed-breed dogs, with awards for both the top finisher (Kelso, a border collie) and the top "All-American" dog (Roo!, husky mix).

In less factual news, SB Nation presents 27 irrefutable dog facts: Everything you need to know for the Westminster Dog Show

And if you were wondering, yes, the club has heard of doge. Much shibes. Wow.

posted by maryr (65 comments total)

Belgian Sheepdog is best dog.
posted by Wolfdog at 1:45 PM on February 11, 2014

26. Corgis are over, man.

WRONG

in an upset, Cardigan Welsh Corgi (Herding)

WOOT
posted by kmz at 1:46 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

On the one hand, squee love the doggies so cute.

On the other hand, ever since this FPP in December its hard for me to look at purebreds without wondering what we humans have wrought on our companions.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:46 PM on February 11, 2014 [6 favorites]

You guys can say whatever you like, but this is the best dog, BAR NONE.

Even Nick and Nora agree.

/thread.

Mods, go ahead and close 'er up. This one is done.
posted by notyou at 1:49 PM on February 11, 2014 [3 favorites]

God loves a terrier.

Yes, he does.
posted by Madamina at 1:51 PM on February 11, 2014 [7 favorites]

Someone has to.
posted by Wolfdog at 1:52 PM on February 11, 2014 [12 favorites]

I think Ziggy the Puli was also a winner in the last Westminister show. And that is seriously the best possible name for that dog.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:55 PM on February 11, 2014

why has nobody told me about vallhunds before
posted by Sticherbeast at 1:56 PM on February 11, 2014 [5 favorites]

Frog, registered as Stackem Up My Way Or Highway
Surfer, registered as De Lamer Point Break
Branson, registered as Mickalady's Breakdancin' B-Boy
JJ, registered as Hill Country's Tag I'm It

These guys/gals sound fun.
posted by troika at 1:59 PM on February 11, 2014

Yes, these are dog.
posted by 2bucksplus at 2:01 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

No Yugoslavian Mountain Hound?
posted by entropicamericana at 2:05 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

Fuck dog eugenics.
posted by Jon_Evil at 2:06 PM on February 11, 2014 [4 favorites]

Stitcherbeast - there's an fpp about vallhunds and biscotti and I have three. happy to answer qns.

If you're looking for pictures etc, remember to look for vastgotaspets and lansigootansmanpystykorva.

Oh yeah... the Westmister blurb for vallhunds? Biscotti wrote that.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 2:07 PM on February 11, 2014 [2 favorites]

I want a Puli so bad!
Or a Bedlington Terrier (aka a hammerhead dog)
Or a Basenji

...I just really want any dog.
posted by Lemurrhea at 2:07 PM on February 11, 2014 [4 favorites]

So, based on his picture, I needed to see video of Swagger the Old English Sheepdog as quickly as possible.

The internet did not disappoint in this, but with the sound off I am so very confused by what is happening here.
posted by sparklemotion at 2:08 PM on February 11, 2014

AAAAAHHH MAYA THE BORDER TERRIER IS MY BREEDER'S DOG AND I HAVE MET HER AND SHE TRIED TO EAT MY DOG WHEN HE WAS A POTATO-SIZED PUPPY OMG MY DOG ALMOST GOT EATEN BY A CELEBRITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by phunniemee at 2:13 PM on February 11, 2014 [23 favorites]

Erm...these are last year's best of breed winners....

(sad that I know that because the Vallhund was the wrong Vallhund, Tiwaz won this year)
posted by biscotti at 2:13 PM on February 11, 2014

That picture of the prize-winning German shepherd is . . . concerning. Is that seriously the way German shepherds' backs and back legs are supposed to look now? Can someone who know about German shepherds comment at all?
posted by ostro at 2:15 PM on February 11, 2014 [2 favorites]

YAY THIS IS MY STUPID DOG AND THIS IS HIM WHEN HE WAS POTATO SIZED WITH HIS MOMMA TROLLOP WHO IS MAYA'S SISTER!!!!!!!!!

This is very exciting for me.
posted by phunniemee at 2:15 PM on February 11, 2014 [13 favorites]

Is this cocker spaniel wearing a skirt?
posted by donajo at 2:19 PM on February 11, 2014

Are you sure, biscotti? Because Coco the corgi in the NYT link seems to be the same Riverside Telltail Coco Posh who just won Best of Group.
posted by maryr at 2:21 PM on February 11, 2014

We have a pure bred Cocker Spaniel rescue. His tail had been docked, and I'm disheartened to see it still in practice here. Shame on them!
posted by Brocktoon at 2:28 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

My apologies, biscotti, you're right, there's no Chinook on the page, a breed that competed for the first time this year. I wish NYT had made that clearer.

Ah well, enjoy puppies anyway.
posted by maryr at 2:29 PM on February 11, 2014

The date stamp on the article is Feb 12, 2013.
posted by coppermoss at 2:30 PM on February 11, 2014

However, there is a Banana Joe on the page, so no problems here.
posted by postcommunism at 2:31 PM on February 11, 2014

The date stamp on the article is Feb 12, 2013.

...Well I'm just dumb then.
posted by maryr at 2:34 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

Everything under the cut should be from this year, though.
posted by maryr at 2:34 PM on February 11, 2014

Since that's last year's list, I feel obligated to inform everyone that this year's best Shiba Inu is named Dragon House Mr. Jones.
posted by Metroid Baby at 2:40 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

That picture of the prize-winning German shepherd is . . . concerning. Is that seriously the way German shepherds' backs and back legs are supposed to look now? Can someone who know about German shepherds comment at all?

A lot of that is how they are "stacked" or posed, which is meant to "accentuate" the natural slope in a GSD, but it does seem like American show breeders are selecting for longer dogs that seem to have more slope and a looser gait.
posted by muddgirl at 2:47 PM on February 11, 2014

I will pet all these dogs.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 2:58 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

AAAAAHHH MAYA THE BORDER TERRIER IS MY BREEDER'S DOG AND I HAVE MET HER AND SHE TRIED TO EAT MY DOG WHEN HE WAS A POTATO-SIZED PUPPY OMG MY DOG ALMOST GOT EATEN BY A CELEBRITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My dog actually is a celebrity. She's one of the pups in this episode of Dogs 101.

(No I cannot say which one; all look same.)
posted by notyou at 3:05 PM on February 11, 2014

Since that's last year's list, I feel obligated to inform everyone that this year's best Shiba Inu is named Dragon House Mr. Jones.

wow
such name
very glamor
much pedigree
posted by BrashTech at 3:07 PM on February 11, 2014 [2 favorites]

I was watching last night with my dogs, but they got distracted.
posted by The Bellman at 3:07 PM on February 11, 2014 [2 favorites]

That fucking defective-looking German shepherd. Heart-breaking.
posted by Squeak Attack at 3:20 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

ostro: "That picture of the prize-winning German shepherd is . . . concerning. Is that seriously the way German shepherds' backs and back legs are supposed to look now? Can someone who know about German shepherds comment at all?"

From the last FPP we had about this:

The German Shepherd Dog is also a breed that is routinely mentioned when people talk about ruined breeds; maybe because they used to be awesome. In Dogs of All Nations, the GSD is described as a medium-sized dog (25 kg /55 lb), this is a far cry from the angulated, barrel-chested, sloping back, ataxic, 85-pounders (38 kg) we are used to seeing in the conformation ring. There was a time when the GSD could clear a 2.5 meter (8.5 ft) wall, that time is long gone.

posted by danny the boy at 3:20 PM on February 11, 2014

You guys can say whatever you like, but this is the best dog, BAR NONE.

It reminds me of the "best facial hair in the Civil War" that was linked here ages ago
posted by Hoopo at 3:28 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm not sure why I'm so happy that the dogs are listed in alphabetical order by their nicknames, but it makes me so very happy.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 3:33 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

Can we just talk about how the Ziggy the Puli's real name is Cordmaker Rumpus Bumpus?
posted by fancyoats at 3:35 PM on February 11, 2014 [4 favorites]

Ok, so how many of this year's dogs are named 'Faramir'? Because there are two on last year's list.

Neeeeerrrrdddds and doggies.
posted by theweasel at 3:39 PM on February 11, 2014

Poor German Shepherd. We're breeding terrible back problems into them because some people think it makes them look better.
posted by dazed_one at 3:47 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

And some breeders cull Ridgeback puppies born without ridges. :(
posted by peripathetic at 4:20 PM on February 11, 2014

26. Corgis are over, man.

I refute it thusly.

I mean, corgis are no vallhunds. But stumpy legged cattle dogs gotta stick together in a hard world, man.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:27 PM on February 11, 2014 [2 favorites]

Show titles are only one way to evaluate a dog, especially in working breeds. Conformation is supposed to establish that the dog is structurally sound - not just standing still, but moving effortlessly, smoothly, and efficiently. A dog in motion can demonstrate with its gait that its shoulders, hips, elbows, and hocks are properly angulated and balanced, that its spine is the right length, not just to look pretty but to minimize strain and painful wear and tear. Form should follow function; corgis can't work right if they have greyhound knees, and great danes need different joint angles than what suits the dachshunds. The geometry matters!

But equally important are health clearances for whatever conditions might be idiosyncratic to a breed - cardiac issues, joint structure integrity, congenital deafness, and so on. Now DNA tests can identify several carrier genes. A detailed knowledge of a dog's pedigree is really valuable for tracking health issues too - if my dog's mother had 3 littermates who eventually died of bloat, I'd want to know about it. If the father had relatives who developed the condition as well, I'd definitely want to know! If a breeder is not doing the minimum breed club recommended health clearances, it's really hard to justify an assertion that they have an interest in the welfare of the breed. Titles aren't awarded for this, sadly. They don't give titles for longevity, either. I kind of wish they did, though it would be a lot more boring on TV. But at least we have health clearances, certificates and records, to show due diligence.

The third facet of breeding a balanced dog is performance. There are lots of other competitions and titles for dogs besides conformation. Agility, waterwork, search and rescue, obedience, coursing, herding, hunting - even pulling little carts. Titles are earned in events like these to show that they can excel in the fields they were originally bred for, or just to demonstrate that they're versatile and well-rounded. Personally I also think temperament falls under this facet - dogs are overwhelmingly companion animals after all, and some breeds have no purpose but to be companions. Even those breeds can do cool stuff purely for having good personalities - Canine Good Citizen, and Therapy Dog are titles too. While each breed has its own general personality tendencies, well-bred dogs should be stable, sane, and happy. The healthiest, prettiest dog is worthless if it has a dangerous temperament, or if it's too anxious to enjoy its life.

I know some people get into breeding dogs for wrongheaded reasons, and there are definitely some wackos in the mix. But those who learn all they can, who invest their efforts to maximize the health and soundness and quality of a breed? They are really amazing, and their dogs are amazing too. It's great to see them realize their potential.

Upon updating the comments: I dunno how someone can love a breed enough to devote so much of their life to it, but then to cull some for purely aesthetic reasons. Sure don't breed from them, but I don't see how that's compatible with love.
posted by Lou Stuells at 4:35 PM on February 11, 2014 [7 favorites]

A dog from my area won Best in Breed for Brussels Griffon, and the dog's name is: Sizzling Bacon Bit. I told you we're special here.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:00 PM on February 11, 2014 [2 favorites]

Bloody hell, but that sheltie has had its ears cropped and glued at some point. Used to work next to a sheltie breeder, and it broke my heart to see the little dudes traumatized with their ears stuck around foam forms.
posted by scruss at 5:07 PM on February 11, 2014

Yeah, I do so not understand the ear taping thing. My girlfriend has a rough collie with natural ears, and they are so damn cute. (Of course, her collie is a semi-rescue from a terrible breeder, so while the dog is registered she has absolutely wretched genetics and conformation. But still! Cute!)
posted by restless_nomad at 5:09 PM on February 11, 2014

I was watching last night with my dogs, but they got distracted.


I have been busy making dinner, but we have the show on in the other room so I run out every few minutes and make funny dog-approving noises.


I totally just busted Norma sitting in front of the TV, watching the dog show by herself.
posted by louche mustachio at 5:44 PM on February 11, 2014

My friend's dog competed in agility! She got a second place ribbon! Go Trudi!
posted by Stewriffic at 6:37 PM on February 11, 2014 [8 favorites]

That is truly a majestic pug you've got there. Look at the strong, cobby body. Low center of gravity. Alert and ready to attack at a moment's notice. Intelligent and keen eyed with a tightly coiled tail like a compressed spring waiting to explode. Truly one of God's most noble beast.
posted by Telf at 6:52 PM on February 11, 2014

And literally no nose.
posted by restless_nomad at 6:58 PM on February 11, 2014 [2 favorites]

There should be an open class where any dog can enter from the most mixed bred mutt to the purest purebred, but what they have to do to judge the dog is to see how they are to hang out with at home. The most loving, loyal companion. One that's not annoyingly hyper, or unfathomably indifferent, but the perfect companion. Of course, there's no way to quantify that, so everyone with a dog? We all WIN!!!!!
posted by Eekacat at 7:18 PM on February 11, 2014

There should be an open class where any dog can enter from the most mixed bred mutt to the purest purebred, but what they have to do to judge the dog is to see how they are to hang out with at home. The most loving, loyal companion.

Oh, so it's all about us? My dogs beg to differ. They think that if you're going to give dog awards, it should be for stuff dogs care about, such as:

--Assiest Smelling Ass
--Fastest Regurgitation + Reingestion
--Leaf-Chasing
--Most Adorably Prominent Shoulder-Mohawk of Rolled-in Dead Worm Goo and Bird Shit
--Special Achievement Prize for Lab Mix Who Can Pee Longest After Eating Approximately His Own Weight in Fallen Icicles
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:30 PM on February 11, 2014 [6 favorites]

"there's an fpp about vallhunds and biscotti and I have three. "

I thought this meant there were dogs called valllhunds and biscotti. I am soooo disappointed now.
posted by emcat8 at 8:18 PM on February 11, 2014

So it seems the Wire Fox Terrier won. That makes it the Triple Crown for Sky (Westminster, National, AKC).

Like I said, BAR NONE.
posted by notyou at 10:49 PM on February 11, 2014 [1 favorite]

German Shepherds scared my dad Because Of The War.

I just saw the photo from the kennel show. I guess he has his posthumous revenge.
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:03 AM on February 12, 2014

Scruss, Sheltie ears are not cropped. Ever. They are sometimes helped to tip by a dab of glue joining a twist of fur at the base of the ear to the fur at the tip, but then again many, many Shelties have naturally tipped ears. Tipping is frivolous and purely cosmetic, yes, but I've never known a puppy to even notice it. Never seen them paw at it even a single time. It obviously doesn't bother them. They definitely are not traumatized and this is coming from someone who sometimes makes even the craziest of crazy dog ladies think I worry too much over nothing. There may be other ways of doing it that I wouldn't approve of, but this is the most common and I really don't think it's much to worry about. It's way, way, way less traumatic than having a little girl's ears pierced. Or putting braces on a kid. Or even giving a dog a bath, for that matter.
posted by HotToddy at 6:10 AM on February 12, 2014 [2 favorites]

We have a dachshund who was previously a show dog for our breeder. He gets the same, "I hate my life" look that the dachshunds have in these pictures sometimes.
posted by charred husk at 7:08 AM on February 12, 2014

Why do so many of these dogs have like 15 owners? I find it weird, the idea of sharing a dog. You can share with your immediate family but anything past that is kind of weird. They're dogs, not investments.

And no matter how many times I see it - I cannot get over either the inhumane and IDIOTIC docking of ears or tails to meet "breed standards" or the increasingly silly names people use to register their dogs. Which is not inhumane, not necessarily, but I find the show names to be just weird.
posted by caution live frogs at 9:17 AM on February 12, 2014

No two AKC registered dogs can have the same name, so you get people coming up with super weird names to avoid duplication. Part of my deal was that I had to neuter and AKC register my dog with my breeder's name. My dog's real name is Truman. His AKC name is Meadowlake Truman Capote Parkway. It's stupid on purpose.



They're dogs, not investments.
Well, unfortunately not when the "show quality" puppy costs upwards of $10K.
posted by phunniemee at 9:36 AM on February 12, 2014

Also, looks like Pugnator is an old latin word for fighter or combatant.

Where as Pugnax could be used to describe someone as combative.

These are golden pug names if anyone is reading.
posted by Telf at 10:05 AM on February 12, 2014

No two AKC registered dogs can have the same name

That's not true; AKC permits up to 37 dogs with the same name in any breed and AFAICT an unlimited number across breeds. ISTR that they mostly don't care since they just use ID numbers anyway but will append their names with I, II, III, up to XXXVII.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:42 AM on February 12, 2014

"DiOgi the Spinone Italiano" Oh god, someone besides my dad also thought this was a funny name for a dog? That poor, poor puppy...
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 10:53 AM on February 12, 2014

I cannot believe Tenzin the Tibbie (last year's Non-Sporting group winner) was edged out this year by some damn standard poodle. There is a sinister poodle mafia pulling the strings at these clambakes, I just know it.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:08 PM on February 12, 2014

Re: culling.

Keep in mind that many breeder "cull" simply by placing those puppies on a pet contract and making sure they aren't bred (i.e. they are culled from the gene pool but aren't killed). I know of exactly zero breeders who actually euthanize puppies for cosmetic faults. I am sure there are some, but they are very, very few.
posted by biscotti at 4:04 PM on February 12, 2014 [2 favorites]

The breeders I know go to extraordinary lengths to find good homes even for dogs that have very serious health defects that will severely shorten the animal's life. Absolutely none of them would kill an animal for a cosmetic fault. I mean, think about it. The Amish puppy millers and their ilk don't care about meeting breed standard. And the serious conformation breeders, at least all the ones I know, numbering in the dozens, went down that road because they are diehard dog lovers.
posted by HotToddy at 6:25 PM on February 12, 2014 [1 favorite]