Congrats to my vet tech! She won Best of Opposite with her dog GCH Appalachias Allamyrra Hajji!! I got excited and forgot to ask if she was showing/handling any other dogs!

She must be thrilled

Did anyone else think the Irish Wolfhound was limping? I have never seen this type of dog in person so I don't know if that is the way they normally walk.

The Coton is such a darling dog and :thumbup: to Luke. When it comes to the Yorkies one was just more lovely than the other.

I don't think I saw a limp but my eyes were everywhere.

Luke was also the breeder of that beautiful shih tzu. It's the first time in a long time that a Yorkie placed.

Judy, I tried to get the link on Ustream of the Salukis, but it wouldn't allow me to copy the link. They were in ring 5 at 10:30 est. yesterday.

Thanks! I sat here for hours last evening and managed to get some of the streaming of the Salukis breed class.....I got to see just the line up and my friend with her dog....then it would stop....my son said it was buffering...but nothing ever happened after it "buffered" for over 30 minutes! I dont think that was the issue! I will try again today.....

There were 3 dogs, but I cant remember who they were....I think one was that huge Irish wolfhound.....pour soul did not look like his heart was in it at all....then there was a small little lite colored dog that looked like it had been forced to go into the ring, slinking around and continously nervously looking over its shoulder like it was just waiting to be scolded.....the third little dog looked like it just was sick, or did not feel good....no spark, no enthusiasm, no joy in its movement or face..... The peke was excused from the ring....wonder what it was doing that made the handler decide she needed to take it out of the ring.....

How exciting for her and all that knew her.:)

Judy I'll see if my techno skills are up to it! and post link here for Salukis. I Is she staying for Day 2? I saw all of my Canadian handlers (except 1) in the ring and in group... Fun to watch folks you know. My US handlers will be in the Blackie ring if they will only post that video!


Irish Wolfhound - should not move with lack of energy - maybe they were just meeting their handlers lackadaisical pace? I did not notice an overt limp - just overall ennui with the ring.


The Westminster Kennel Club | Videos


I hope this takes you there - is about 27 minute video

Best of opposite for Black Russian Terriers - goes to my friend Marias' Zara (Soras Legacy). And shown by Graeme Burdon. Canadian owned bred and handled:D

RE the Peke: Hubby told me he heard the announcer say that the handler said this was a young dog and all the excitement was stressing her out too much. Right decision - good on you handler!

A behind the scenes
 

So excited to watch Westminster tonight. I hope some folks from YT will be on to cheer all the dedicated folks that make this very special dog show happen.


After the breed wins - all dogs go back to their benches and handlers/owners and or breeders must sit until they are released. Group Judging is all the way back to midtown - at Madison Square Gardens.


For the group winners of yesterday - final grooming will be going on very shortly. Grooming time must be pre-booked for the grooming room(s).


For the breed winners of today; that will compete in tonights Group competition and the Group#1 will stay on for Best in Show competition. Most of the coated breeds will get feed and exercised now (once their breed competitions are finished) then, final grooming for breed winners will start. And then they have to make their way over to Madison Square Gardens.


For our Black Russians a coated breed, that means decision(s) will be made to do mini wash of either 4 legs and beard - or 2 legs n beard, or no beard just a leg or 2 or 3 or 4, then blow dry out etc.
Show days and most especially for premiere events, it is one long haul for the handlers and groomers. But there is a rapport for the exhibitors, grooming tools can be shared, grooming lines intensely discussed based on what has shown up on movement. The scissors come out and maybe the clippers to fine tune (yet again). Excitement builds, that is tempered with the needs of your dog. Some dogs do very well with the increase in atmosphere, smells, sounds, their owners' excitement. Some dogs not so much.


This is a pinnacle, this is what your hundreds of hours of training in many disciplines, your investment of time n energy and of course money has been for. To give your dog the best chance to win in the Group. And before that to give your dog the best chance to win in the Breed.


A beauty show? Hardly. To my mind it is more akin to an athletic event, where physical training, nutrition, guided competition,mental training needs to placed in the outer packet of a gleaming breed appropriate coat.


I do so wish I had gone this year - but maybe next year with Dara:
d

I've watched Westminster with great interest for many years, and I've always found seeing all of the different breeds to be very fascinating. I watch now with a much greater appreciation and understanding as I learn more about the show world. Thank you for your insightful post. I hope your Dara is everything you have dreamed of.

Patty Hearst back in the news with winning Shih Tzu

Patty Hearst back in news with winning Shih Tzu at Westminster Dog Show 2015 | abc7news.com

from both NBC and ABC News tonight.

Me too, we could all say we knew her when:cool:

I wish I could have seen Crystal get her championship.