Skip, a Yorkshire terrier, is groomed in the benching area before judging at the 2016 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, Feb.15, 2016.
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“The competition was ruff at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show”.
No sooner had judge Dr Richard Meen tabbed CJ for the sport’s biggest prize than Nunes-Atkinson became the first breeder-owner-handler of a best in show victor since 1983, when Chris Terrell performed triple duties with an Afghan hound named Pepsi.
Last year, a friendly female beagle named Miss P won Best in Show, becoming the second of her breed ever to win the title.
CJ is the first Sporting Group victor to take Best in Show since 2009, and the 20th from the group to win overall.
“It’s very frustrating, because they’re worthy of it. There’s attractive dogs”, longtime golden retriever breeder Michael Pickard said with a sigh.
The dog, whose full name is GCH Vjk-Myst Garbonita’s California Journey, is also mercifully known as CJ.
CJ won best of breed earlier in the day, then took the sporting group. Baez, who said she had entered her dogs because of her “incredibly competitive” nature, said the thrill of winning was nearly too hard to describe.
Coincidentally, his top spot in the country’s most prestigious dog show was announced on his third birthday, according to the Westminster Kennel Club.
As for Max, around 1 1⁄2 years old, being a champion show dog is just part of his world, Schuster, 58, a semiretired chiropractor, said. Rumor won 175 Best in Breeds a year ago and 93 Best in Shows.
But she takes it in stride: “Win or lose, we had a blast today”, Pitman said after showing her yellow Lab Prada.
It was that stoicism that won over Judge Meen, he said Tuesday. “He’s an old soul”. “There are a lot of pretty dogs that don’t believe they’re pretty”, he says. Instead, watch what the top handlers wear on the green carpet.
“He has that extra sparkle”, she said. This is the show to win.
Most dog owners brought their own lucky clothes.
“This is the show to win and I’ve dreamt about it since I was 10”.
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A spokesman for NBC Sports said it was “a misunderstanding”.
