Second Time’s the Charm

After losing Best in Show last year to a Scottish deerhound, Malachy the Pekingese experienced the sweet smell of success, winning the title at Westminster, the fourth time for this pipsqueak breed. A crowd favorite and a member of the Toy Group, Malachy beat a German Shepherd, Dalmatian, Doberman pinscher, Irish setter, Kerry blue terrier, and wire-haired dachshund to claim the silver bowl.

I rooted for Malachy last year and was disappointed when he lost. Maybe because of that, I didn’t expect him to win. I’d pegged the Doberman as top pooch, mostly for his streamlined body and the magnificent way he moved. But then all the dogs paraded around the floor really well, each in his/her own unique fashion. The Dalmatian and Doberman had athletic strides and the Irish setter moved like a dancer. Then there was the German Shepherd’s loping gait, the Kerry blue’s swagger, the dachshund’s frantic shuffle, and the Peke’s unmistakable waddle.

In other news, demonstrators held a protest outside Madison Square Garden, where the dog show is held, up in arms at Republican candidate Mitt Romney. What had he done to rile dog lovers? Apparently Romney once strapped a crate containing his Irish setter, Seamus, to the top of his car while driving from Boston to Canada. (You’d think with all his money he could afford better transportation for his pooch.) The dog wasn’t harmed and Romney claims Seamus enjoys riding this way, but the Dogs Against Romney group isn’t buying it. They held up signs proclaiming “I Ride Inside” and “Dogs Aren’t Luggage”.

We Wuz Robbed!

Okay, first a pug loses top honors in the Toy Group to a Peke. I could live with that because the Peke was an outstanding loaf of fur. I had my heart set on him taking home the Best in Show cup at Westminster, but it was not to be. Malachy the Peke lost to Hickory, a Scottish Deerhound.

So be it. The Deerhound was an appealing dog and seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the hoopla after he won. According to an article in the New York Times, he soon tired of all the attention and walked off stage. It was the first time in Westminster history that a Scottish Deerhound won.

Has a pug ever aced Best in Show at Westminster?  Yes, but only once and that was thirty years ago! In 1981, a male fawn pug named Dhandy’s Favorite Woodchuck, aka Chucky, scooped up the prize, beating out 2,909 other champions. I’d say we’re long overdue for another win. As they say in baseball, there’s always next year!

Rooting for Malachy the Peke

 

Malachy the Peke, copyright Reuters

The first day of the Westminster Dog Show has ended, and the results are in. First group up–the Hounds. The winner was a sight hound, a Scottish Deerhound. Next were the Toys, always a large group. It took forever, but at last the pug, Oscar, made his showing. He was definitely a good-looking pug, but to these eyes he seemed not as “on” as some of the other dogs. Still, he placed a respectable third. The winner was Malachy, a great-looking Peke with plenty of charm to spare under all that fluff.

After the toy group exited, so did Pablo, jumping off the armchair we were sharing. He plopped down in his dog bed and remained there until it was time to go upstairs. Clearly, he had not been impressed by any of the dogs he had seen so far.

On to the next group. The Non-sporting group is such a grab bag of dogs of all shapes and sizes. They are basically the leftovers after the working group and herders splintered off to form their own groups. The wrinkly Shar-pei took first. Last were the herders. My very first dog, Duke, was a German Shepherd and so I’ve always had a special fondness for this group. The German Shepherd didn’t even make the first cut, though, and the win went to a Bearded Collie. By that time, it was eleven, and Pablo and I went yawning up to bed.

Tonight, it’s the Sporting dogs, the Working dogs, and the ever-numerous Terriers. Then Best in Show! Me, I’m rooting for the Peke!

Here’s another trailer from Christopher Guest’s brilliant Best in Show, featuring Harlan Pepper expounding on nuts. This one never fails to crack me up (pardon the pun!).