WESTMINSTER 2002

February is a fine month. First of all, it’s short. It doesn’t hang around for 31 damp and gloomy days like January and March. Then there’s Valentine’s Day, i.e., chocolate and flowers. And finally, for all our dog lovers out there, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a major event to anticipate and thrilling to watch. Always the second Monday and Tuesday of the month at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, this year the show is February 11 and 12.

Actually, this year was the year I expected to make a personal visit once again to the show. There’s nothing like actually being there, but a conflicting opportunity arose for a visit to sunny shores. It’s true that Westminster is fascinating, but if I can watch it on television while sipping pina coladas, then just this once I’m willing to forego the up close and personal experience and let the camera tell the story.

No matter how you choose to follow the action, Westminster is an exciting contest. During these two days, 2,500 dogs representing 157 breeds, each a champion, will compete first within their breed, then within the Group, with the seven Group winners vying for Best in Show (BIS). At Geronimo’s, we’re having a little extra fun with the contest this year. With a $25.00 purchase, our customer can draw a breed card. Holders of the Group winner cards will receive a gift certificate and the holder of the Best in Show winner will receive another gift certificate.

The USA Network, Channel 35, will broadcast the show live from 8:00–11:00pm, covering the seven Group competitions that culminate in the ultimate competition for BIS Tuesday night. In addition to the actual ring competitions, there are visits back into the benching area, interviews with celebrity dog owners and plenty of action to keep the show entertaining, informative and suspenseful.

To help you identify potential stars in the line up, February’s Dog Fancy Magazine lists some dogs to watch in each group, beginning with the Working Group that starts off the action on Monday night. Dogs in this group traditionally provided services to people such as guarding, hauling and rescuing. With only 14 wins out of 94 BIS, the last winner was a Standard Schnauzer in 1997. Last year’s group winner was a Standard Schnauzer, Ch. Charisma Jailhouse Rock, who is favored again this year, along with Doberman Pinscher Ch. Deco’s Hot Fudge V Legend.

The Terriers are the major BIS stars, taking home wins 42 times out of 94. Last year’s Group winner, Kerry Blue Ch. Tornum’s Scarf Michael, “Mick,” has topped more than 100,000 dogs in 2001 and has that special something that portends BIS. Another favorite is a Scottish Terrier Ch. Carpescot Charismatic Devil.

In the Toy Group, the Papillon, Ch. Loteki Supernatural Being, took home the silver bowl in 1999. This year, the unusual Affenpinscher, Ch. Yarrow’s Super Nova, is once again favored along with a Pug, Ch. Broughcastl Bugatti.

Monday nights’ activities wrap up with the Non-Sporting Group, companion dogs not included in any other category. “J.R.,” an enchanting Bichons Frises, took BIS last year. Strong contenders for this year include a miniature poodle, Ch. Surrey Spice Girl, and another Bichons, Ch. Paray’s I Told You So.

The Sporting Group is first up on Tuesday night. The spaniels are the top picks with “Henry,” a liver-colored Field Spaniel, Ch. Marshfield’s Boys’ Night Out, and a Brittany, Ch. Magic Sirly You Jest, who placed 3rd in the Group competition last year.

The Hound Group has won BIS only 3 times, twice with Afghan Hounds and once with a Whippet. The uncommonly-favored Basset Hound, Ch. Topsfield Bumper Cars, is a strong contender in this Group along with a Saluki, Ch. Sharar’s Copy Cat.

The final group to compete is the Herding Group, winner of only 1 BIS in 1987 with a German Shepherd Dog. Once again a German Shepherd Dog, Ch. Kismet’s Sight for Sore Eyes, is one to watch, along with the rarely seen Puli, Ch. Cordmaker Mississippi Mud, a favorite pick again this year for this Group.

The largest winner of BIS was a 155-pound Newfoundland in 1984 and the smallest was a 4-1/2 pound Pomeranian in 1988. Amazingly, our island-favored retriever breeds have never won. Last year an elegant 8-year old flat-coated retriever came close by winning Group, but lost out to the Bichons “J.R.” Does a favorite have an edge? Not necessarily; more than once the favorite is not the winner and that, along with a ringside seat to watch canine perfection in motion, is why this show so compelling.