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NEW YORK ? A bobbing little pompom put on a peak performance at the Westminster Kennel Club. Malachy the Pekingese wobbled off with best in show Tuesday night, becoming America's top dog much to the delight of an ...
Malachy the Pekingese wobbled off with best in show Tuesday night, becoming America's top dog much to the delight of an adoring crowd that called his name.
The 4-year-old Peke won his 115th overall best in show title. He beat out a Dalmatian, German shepherd, Doberman pinscher, Irish setter, a Kerry blue terrier and wire-haired dachshund at Madison Square Garden.
Fitzpatrick gave his 11-pound champ a bit of help ? he carried him a short way onto the green carpet for the final lineup, shortening the long walk the ring. Malachy's pink tongue popped out from his black face, his eyes sparkling like black diamonds as he soaked in the cheers.
Malachy chilled out after his win, resting his silver and white coat on a cool pack. He had plenty of time to get ready, having won the toy group Monday night.
Judge Cindy Vogels chose the winner as fans hollered for their favorites. The No. 2 show dog in the nation this year was clearly the most popular. Malachy had heard it before, having taken the toy group here last February.
The champion at Westminster wins a coveted silver bowl, but not a cent of prize money. Instead, the prestige of this title lasts a lifetime for any owner, and brings a wealth of opportunity in breeding potential.
This was the fourth time a Peke won at Westminster, and the first since 1990. Fitzpatrick, who's also a co-owner, said Malachy was likely headed back to East Berlin, Pa., for a life in retirement.
Right before the champion was picked, two PETA members were stopped by security as they tried to reach the center ring, drawing boos from the crowd. A few years ago, two protesters from PETA disrupted the presentation.
A black cocker spaniel called Beckham who was the nation's No. 1 show dog and a wire fox terrier named Eira picked by many to win proved once again it takes more than a great reputation to own the green carpet.
Because no matter how many blue ribbons or silver bowls or shiny trophies any dog brings to Westminster, there's a phrase that ultimately decides who wins the top prize.
More than 2,000 purebred dogs were entered overall and Marlene Ness came from Canada to show her black cocker, Ace, at Westminster for the first time. Her main opposition? Beckham, a popular pick to win the whole thing.
The fans gathered around Ring 3 seemed to sense an upset, cheering for Beckham but then yelling for the smoother-looking Ace. Judge Donald Sturz Jr. studied them intently, checking their body type and making them run around several times before making his final choice.
Ace, however, was topped by Emily the Irish setter in the sporting round. Emily was a favorite of working moms ? she had a litter of 15 last May.
Eira made a real early exit. She won the prestigious National dog show that was televised on Thanksgiving Day and was the top terrier last year. That meant a lot ? terriers often rule Westminster, with wire foxes winning the silver bowl more than any other kind.
Major won his breed, a nice start for Debbie Parsons and Brad Slayton. A few hours later, the co-owners from the Seattle area made it a special Valentine's Day ? they got married in the backstage benching area where hundreds of dogs are housed.
With dogs brushing by, people climbing on crates to get a better view and the total crush of the crowd, it made for a somewhat chaotic scene. Cherilyn Frei, a chaplain and director of family support for Ronald McDonald House in New York and the wife of Westminster television host David Frei, performed the 5-minute ceremony.
The 54-year-old Parsons wore a pale pink Vera Wang gown and the 58-year-old Slayton donned a silver tux, with each sporting accents of Westminster purple. The 120-pound Major stood right between them, giving away the bride, and they kissed him to celebrate.
"This dog brought us together," Slayton said. "Today," he added, choking up, "I bought a Valentine's Day card for my wife, not my girlfriend."
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Pekingese Malachy poses for photographers after winning Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 14, 2012 in New York City. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was first held in 1877, is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the U.S., second only to the Kentucky Derby. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Getty Images)
NEW YORK — A bobbing little pompom put on a peak performance at the Westminster Kennel Club. Malachy the Pekingese wobbled off with best in show Tuesday night, becoming America's top dog much t...
NEW YORK — A bobbing little pompom put on a peak performance at the Westminster Kennel Club. Malachy the Pekingese wobbled off with best in show Tuesday night, becoming America's top dog much t...
(Updates with announcement of winner, details) By Chris Michaud NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - A placid Pekingese slowly trotted to victory on Tuesday at...
Best In Show 2012: Westminster Dog Competition (PHOTOS/VIDEO) Who Took Home Best In Show At 'The 136th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show'? (VIDEO)
(Updates with announcement of winner, details) By Chris Michaud NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - A placid Pekingese slowly trotted to victory on Tuesday at...
TheDailyBeck "For those whose withdrawal symptoms make some more photos of the finalists an enticing option, Philadelphia... http://t.
ryanpfluger RT @NOWNESS: Ryan Pfluger documented the Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club?s annual canine beauty pageant http://t.
AliciaMaleno RT @grubstreetny: Martha Stewart's chow-chow, Genghis Khan, lunched with her at the Plaza on Sunday. http://t.co/BbMbAg3F (And yes, we have a photo.)
alexJoneill RT @NOWNESS: Ryan Pfluger documented the Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club?s annual canine beauty pageant http://t.
Timikaiwrav Malachy, the 4 year old Pekingese wins Best in Show at the 2012 Westminster Dog Show. Check out cute photos of t... http://t.
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15 hours ago ( 7:51 AM) sadly, human nature drives us to improve our gene pool & be sadly proud of handsome kids - but there is a disconnect hopefully with dogs - how does it affect your ego if u have a decent, lovable, ugly mutt?
08:21 PM on 02/17/2012 what is the point of this competition? this dog doesn't look any more special than a dog you see in the pound.
07:39 PM on 02/17/2012 There's something not quite right about people who do these pet shows. Those who 'breed' poor little creatures like this. Yuck.
07:28 PM on 02/17/2012 It's a shame this people insist on continuing the breeding practices which create dogs that are more fragile and susceptible to disease. Inbreeding is as bad for dogs as it is for people.
06:12 PM on 02/17/2012 Does this mean that Malachy the Pekingese is now the frontrunner to be the Republican candidate for the Presidency?
05:58 PM on 02/17/2012 That is not a proper dog. It's a piece of shuffling fur with legs, which has no purpose in use or ornament. A waste of good dog food and oxygen.
07:50 PM on 02/17/2012 People say the same thing about many breeds of dogs. People think all toy dogs are yappy and annoying, some people think all Rottweilers Mastiffs and Pit Bulls are all hellhounds, some people think hounds are stupid and some people thinks mutts should ne wiped off that face of the earth. If some one wants a dog it doesn't matter what breed just as long and this dog is loved, well trained, well cared for and of course properly socialized. I love all dogs but my favorites are some of the dogs in the Molosser group. Molossers were ancient mastiffs and many of their decendents are alive today.
05:47 PM on 02/17/2012 I think Westminster is partial to small dogs. Except for the Norwegian Elkhound who won last year, the westminster judges always pick small dogs.
06:55 PM on 02/17/2012 I pretty much agree with you. I think it was a Wolfhound that won last year, which I loved! I thought the Doberman and the Irish Setter were the best out of the bunch this year, myself.
07:57 PM on 02/17/2012 GCH Protocol's Veni Vidi Vici FTW! I liked the Cane Corso as well. My favorite dog however was GCH Castle Rock's Sbigstaff Mad About You.
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