“And while I’m sad this is my final Westminster telecast, I’m very excited to continue my National Dog Show role on NBC for the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, I am delighted to continue my Angel On A Leash charity, and I am thrilled to work with NBC on some exciting projects moving forward”, he said. These photos were taken during the daytime completion on Monday.
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Meen, a psychiatrist at the University of Toronto, has been selected to judge the best-in-show competition, taking place this year at Madison Square Garden.
Last February, a bouncy female beagle named Miss P was named the victor, earning a trophy and a USA media tour. Making their competitive debuts at Westminster are the Bergamasco, the Berger Picard, the Miniature American Shepherd and Spanish Water Dog, all competing in the Herding Group; the Boerboel, competing in the Working Group; the Cirneco dell’Etna, competing in the Hound Group; and the Lagotto Romagnolo, competing in the Sporting Group. The top sporting, working and terriers get chosen Tuesday night, followed by the best in show pick shortly before 11 p.m.
The dogs get used to all the pampering, said Grace Kaplan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the owner of a 5-year-old Old English Sheepdog named Peekaboo’s.
“These dogs live just an enormously lovely life, and that was just my pleasure to give that to him”, she said.
“You make an educated guess when they’re young whether they have a chance to do well”, she said.
PERFECTLY PRIMPED: Less than an hour before Bugatti was due in the ring, Michael Parks was in fast motion prepping his toy poodle. Getting them primped and ready can take hours, and includes everything from clipping nails to fluffing fur.
His nametag says it all: Doggie Concierge.
By his count, Frei has watched more than 72,000 dogs from the TV tower above the ring at Madison Square Garden.
Special requests? No problem.
“That’s for the owner”, he said.
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“He was on that night, and I was on that night”, said Cerilli, who had three other dogs in the competition.
