PITTSBURGH,None — A 5-year-old Scottish Deerhound pulled a huge surprise at Madison Square Garden, bounding away with the title of America's top dog in the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Tuesday night.
Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy picked 85-pound Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international — there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, Smooth Fox Terrier, Bearded Collie and Black Cocker Spaniel.
The 135th Westminster was considered a wide-open field from the start. A Smooth Fox Terrier that was the No. 1 show dog of 2010 recently retired and an Australian shepherd that won the big AKC/Eukanuba event did not enter.
Roughly 2,500 dogs representing 179 breeds were in pursuit of Best In Show honors.
Six new breeds debuted in the show this year, including the Boykin Spaniel, Bluetick Coonhound, Redbone Coonhound, Cane Corso, Leonberger and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
For the 21st consecutive year, David Frei co-hosted the show. I had the chance to talk with David on Friday about the new breeds and some possible favorites to take home the grand prize.
Video: Westminster Host, David Frei, Talks To WPXI.com
Jessica: How is it decided that new breeds are going to be added to the show?
David: The Westminster Kennel Club is a member club of the AKC so they determine which breeds are eligible for competition. It takes a certain number, they have to have a certain population in this country and they have to have a certain geographic distribution. Then they have to have a parent club that watches over them, like the Boykin Spaniel Club of America. So the AKC will determine when they're ready to go and that's when we get them.
Jessica: The Wynn Casino always picks a favorite to win Best In Show and for 2011 the favorite is the Smooth Fox Terrier (favored 6 to 1). Is there a certain Fox Terrier we should be looking out for this year?
David: Actually, there are two great Smooth Fox Terriers out there, maybe even more, but the number one dog all breeds in the country last year was a Smooth Fox Terrier named Dodger and the number ten dog all breeds was another Smooth Fox Terrier named Adam. So whoever wins the breed is going to get a good look in the Terrier group, I'm sure, but remember that they place those odds at Wynn Casino for entertainment purposes only.
David's right, but take note that Johnny Avello, executive director of race and sports at the Wynn, was right on with his pick of the Scottish Terrier to win Best In Show in 2010. This year, after the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Pekingese is favored 7 to 1 and the Boxer is favored 8 to 1.
Jessica: The AKC list of the most popular dogs for 2011 has a Labrador Retriever in the No. 1 spot, followed by the German Shepherd at No. 2 and a Yorkshire Terrier at No. 3. Do any of these popular breeds have a chance to win either in their groups or even Best In Show?
David: Well sure they always do and especially if they get some type of following in the crowd, which the most popular breed from registration often does. But it's often a matter of who's the greatest dog at the time, because you're only competing one dog of each breed in each group so it doesn't matter how popular they are in registration, it depends on how good that particular dog is.
Jessica: I have to admit I'll be rooting for the Yorkie as I'm a proud owner of one.
David: Well, that's great. (Laughs) I call that the alma mater factor. If you're sitting at home with your Boykin you're going to be rooting for the Boykin just like if you're an Oregon Duck you'll be rooting for the Ducks so, that's what we want. The real Best In Show dog is the dog sitting on the couch next to you at home anyways, so when it's all over, reach over and hug your dog.
I will be giving my little Gracie girl lots of hugs (and trying to calm her down as she barks at the dogs on TV) while we watch The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 14 and 15 on the USA Network.