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4 breeds that have never won it all at Westminster
Despite the breed's popularity, a Labrador retriever has never won the coveted 'best in show.'
Mon, Feb 06 2012 at 12:23 PM
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Photo: Eduardo Millo/Flickr
When this year's Westminster Kennel Club dog show convenes at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 13, a record 186 breeds will be competing for the coveted "best in show" award.
But while somewhat obscure breeds like the Scottish deerhound and Kerry blue terrier have taken home recent trophies, many popular breeds have never earned the top prize, according to Pets Adviser.
Take the Labrador retriever, for example. The most popular breed in America for more than a decade, the lab has never won "best in show" in the more than 90 years since the breed was first recognized. It has come close though, most recently placing fourth in 2009 and 2010. Last year's top lab, Kaltrav Caribbean Cruise, won "best of breed" and is currently out to stud. Maybe one of his progeny will be a future winner.
Another popular breed, the golden retriever, has done even worse than the lab, with only three near-misses since 1925. A golden retriever came in second in 2009, and one received the "best in group" award in 2006, but that's about it. Last year's golden retriever "best in breed" winner was a gorgeous animal named Sweetlea's Follow Me, also known as "Jacques," who has won "best in show" at other competitions. On their web page, owners Susan and Robert Lee say Jacque is "very loving and has a sweet and gentle temperament. What more could we ask for?"
The ever-popular dachshund has done pretty well for itself over the years, racking up multiple "best in group" awards and numerous fourth-, third- and second-place prizes. Dachshunds are the eighth-most popular dog breed in America, down from fourth in 2000. No dachshunds placed in last year's competition. Dachshunds compete as three breeds: longhaired, smooth and wirehaired.
Another breed that has been slipping in popularity is the Chihuahua, which was the eight-most popular breed in 2000 but is only the 13th most popular today. Chihuahuas — which compete in the long coat and short coat categories — haven't done very well at Westminster, winning "best in group" only once in the Toy category back in 1984. The breed took third place in 2004 and 2006.
You can find information on all 186 breeds competing in this year's Westminster Kennel Club dog show — including the six breeds appearing for the first time in 2012 — here.
Also on MNN: Meet 6 breeds making their debut at Westminster
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And you are all forgetting one important ingredient , politics, usually the favorite wins. Not always but count the number of times and it is not always the best dog. the judges are human and partial to certain dogs. (in dogs shows with my beautiful Goldens).
To the person who said Labs are dumb and all share the same brain cell. You have obviously NEVER owned a Lab, or come in contact with a Lab. I have one. He understands complete sentences-- and has the vocabulary of a 3 or 4 year old human, Dogs will develop their intelligence based on the time and attention given to them by their human family. You must not spent much time with your dog-- or perhaps YOU are the one with a single brain cell.
I have a Llasa Apso: the smartest, sweetest dog ever. They don't even make it to the show...anybody know why??? Irritates me every time!
Who could not love a lab??? or an english bulldog ......Or a basset hound/spaniel mix...or any dog.?? If dogs are loved they love back....sometimes they love back even when it is not deserved....no matter what breed....it is up to humans how
dogs behave/react......just like raising children......dogs truly are man's best friend....who cares what west minister's idea of the perfect dog is.....be good to your dog and he will be faithful/good to you...
Labs, the dumbest dogs? Are you kidding? I have 2. In the morning I open the front door, tell them to go get the paper, and guess what they go out and get? The paper. (sometimes they do it on their own schedule, but they do it!)
My Bassethounds couldn't care less who wins. They feel they are above all the fuss. They do watch the WKC show every year though.
Siberian Huskies are real dogs...
The poodles always seem to t,ka best of group. I think they's something going on there. The poodles are bribing the judges.
All show dogs arn't really correctly born as nature produced them. These dogs are bred to be show dogs, many breeds have been created by cross breeding, some of this has caused problems in the breeds . So what is a petigree?
What are the four breeds that never won? You only stated the Lab!
It is wrong. They are ignoring the most beloved breeds when they should be highlighting them.
These shows are stupid and real dog lovers don't care about these ridiculous people. They're no different than the idiots who put little girls in beauty pageants.
If you are going to have a contest for dogs make it a skills test that is open to all dogs. Even rescue mixed breeds which are often smarter than aka inbred dogs.
I think the funniest part is the judges checking the animals to see if there is even the slightest bit of fat or imperfection...and the trainers are often 150# overweight and out of breath from running 60 feet in a half-circle.
My loving, interesting, fun-loving Schnauzer tops them all...I don't need to watch.
Labs and Goldens are so keyed in to their handlers that it may subtly impact a judges response to them, but if the judge of Best of Show is doing their job - it should not matter.
As a couple posts have stated - the judge's knowledge of each breed is certified and each dog is judged by their AKC standard - body type, coat, dentition, temperament, etc.
YOU ARE VERY LUCKY
IT IS ODD THAT THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER, GOLDEN RETRIEVER, DACHSHUND, AND CHIQUAQUA HAVE NOT WON 'BEST IN SHOE AT THE WSTMINISTER DOG SHOW!!!!
WHAT ABOUT JAMES OF THE WILD BLUE YONDER??""In the seventies or eighties...
Good it may keep the puppy mills away from them!
Too late. Do research on goldenseal and the Amish puppy millers in Pennsylvania. Main Line Rescue in PA has more info. The Amish also debark a lot of their dogs.
Debarking a dog and declawinga cat are so wrong. Puppy mills are pure torture for the dogs. A friend of mine rescued a puppy mill dog. The poor little thing had been bred almost to death. She also had to scrounge for food and now eats anything she can because she's afraid there won't be any food left for her.
Good it may keep the puppy mills away from them!
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