For the first time a Colored Bull
Terrier has won the annual Westminster Kennel Club
show. His classic bull terrier profile helped
him edge out six of his strongest competitors,
including a few fans' favorites.
The Bull
Terrier named Rufus (a.k.a. "Ch Rocky Top's Sundance Kid")
beat stiff competition from a Golden
Retriever, an Old English
Sheepdog, a Scottish Deer Hound, a Dalmatian and a
Pug in the final round of judging, which ended just before 11 p.m. Tuesday.
His owner, Barbara Bishop of Homedale, N.J.
described Rufus as being a "couch potato"
in his spare time.
His owner, Barbara Bishop of Homedale, N.J. described Rufus as being a
"couch potato" in his spare time.
The Westminster Kennel Club has its
roots in the 1870's when a group of sporting gentlemen
met regularly in the bar of a Manhattan hotel to trade stories about their shooting accomplishments and the talents of their dogs. Eventually they formed a club and named it after their favorite hotel: The Westminster Breeding Association.
Early on, the club owned a kennel and
raised Pointers for hunting and field trials. In
1877, the First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs, given under the auspices of the Westminster Kennel Club,
was held in the Hippodrome at Gilmore's Garden in New York City, drawing an entry of 1,201 dogs.
The Bull Terrier is classified in two distinct
varieties: White or Colored - only the White variety
had previously won Best of Show.
Over 165 breeds and varieties were
represented at this year's show (in 7 groups) which
took place on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th
February.
