After naming America’s top dog, judge Richard Meen said CJ was an “outstanding example of the breed”.
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Those seven breeds just added to the American Kennel Club’s registry are the Bergamasco, Lagotto Romagnolo, Berger Picard, Miniature American Shepherd, Boerboel, Spanish Water Dog and Cirneco dell’Etna.
Lucy, registered name Belisarius Jp My Sassy Girl, has the characteristically narrow head and long, silky coat of a borzoi.
Top dogs may have a naturally winning style, but it takes a lot primping and prep to compete at the nation’s top dog competition – The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
And if you’re reading this, CJ, feel free to come over this weekend to play.
The three-year-old CJ only began showing six months ago, but Nunes-Atkinson sensed immediately he was a natural. Other finalists were a Skye terrier, a German shepherd, a bulldog, a shih tzu and a Samoyed.
There’s no monetary award attached to the honors, but CJ’s owners will enjoy valuable breeding rights.
Boyles, who was raised in Wisconsin Rapids, says making the final group is among the highlights of a 30-year career as a pro dog handler.
Last year, a beagle named Miss P won.
Meen explained that CJ “floated around the ring beautifully”.
The fan favorite earlier in the night was a large Leonberger, who wanted a treat and kept gnawing at his handler’s suit pocket all the way around the ring.
Congratulations to CJ on the big win!
“He loves it here”, she said.
Nunes-Atkinson became the first owner, breeder and handler to win Westminster since 1983.
CJ has his rituals, too. Before romping around the ring, he usually bows down and sneezes.
“At home, he’s silly”, she said.
“It’s the best show in the world, the one everybody wants to win and the one where everybody cries if they lose”, Cornelius said. “People are a mess”. “They keep us in touch with our past and that’s why purebred dogs are so important, because they have journeyed with us and made it possible for us”.
“Oh, they’re all so handsome”, Scott said. “I don’t think that would work”.
And if there’s anything more calming than the sight of a dog sleeping like, well, a dog, I’d like to hear about it.
“This was the first article of clothing in my suitcase”, he said.
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David Frei co-hosted the event again this year with NBC Sports analyst Mary Carillo and reporter Kelli Stavast.
