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Thanks Kimberly for thinking of us and posting!
We just got back a few hours ago. WHAT A RUSH!!! I know alot of people here don't really understand the importance of this, but Westminster Kennel Club is THE big dog show of the year!
It's the highest money making event at Madison Square Garden every year, and is the second longest running sporting event in the US (with the Kentucky Derby beating it out by one year).
In a big show when there are so many entries of one breed, the judge will have everyone come in the ring, in numerical order, then seperate them into two more manageable groups. Out of each group, she (or he) will pull certain dogs they really like. This is called "making the cut".
The second group comes in, and she makes the cut from them. Then all the ones that made the cut come back and she chooses the winners from them. Quite often the judge will put them in order of preference, run them around the ring a time or two, maybe change her mind, or not... then point out the winners.
At Westminster, all dogs are Champions, so there are no placements. Best of Breed (BOB) is chosen, then Best of Opposite Sex to BOB (BOS). At Westminster, they can also award Award of Merit (AOM) - the total AOM depends upon the total entry of that breed.
Arlene (Gingery's) had four dogs showing... and all four made the cut... including TOBY!!! We were THRILLED!!! He made the top 10!!!
When she pulled them out and put them in order of her choice... she pointed to BOB, BOS, then the 4 AOM - then Toby was the next dog.
No, he didn't get a ribbon, but making the cut was awesome! Usually the dogs you see out there are the top ranked in the country, and Toby doesn't go to many shows. The dog that took BOB is the #1 ranked Crested, probably going to shows every weekend. Actually, all the dogs that got awards were in the top ten, except for Midnight. We were thrilled for Arlene and Cindy - Midnight is going to be 12 years old!!
Here is the link to the video. Check out the Chinese Cresteds. Toby was the first in the ring, so at the beginning, when you see them moving around the ring, Toby is the first one coming towards the camera. He is also the first one you will see on the table, then moving on the diagonal - out to the camera, then back to the judge.
The dogs have to be there all day, and cannot leave until 8pm. When they aren't showing, they are 'benched'. All day long, people come through the benching area to see the dogs, take photos and ask questions.
Toby had a great time, and did really well through all the noise and chaos. Several people held him and he fell asleep in one gal's arms, making her day! A younger girl wanted to see him, Bruce said "you wanna hold him?". WOW YES!!! so he handed him to her, she got this HUGE smile on her face and her mom took photos.
Actually, almost everyone who held him, had their photos taken!
I guess the Assoc Press and USA TV took photos of him as well, I just don't know if or where they would be published.
Sorry this is so long, but had to tell you guys all about it!!
-------------------- Dana Ferry St Cloud, MN Posts: 1556 | From: St Cloud, MN | Registered: May 1999
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I was watching tonight, mostly for the herding group..I was THRILLED to see an Old English make best of group!!!(MY favourite breed) the Aussie was in the top three (that's what I have now)
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Congrats Dana and Bruce. That must have been a really exciting weekend!
I gotta ask. That last pic of Bruce & Toby, behind them is a little brown dog on a table. Is that a toy? I've never seen a dog with a long neck like that!
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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We watched it on TV. We kept hoping to see Toby mentioned. Thanks for sharing the site here where we could just see the Chinese Crested. Toby sure did seem confident and "strutting his stuff"! Congratulations! Bruce looks like he is really having a great time being a proud owner.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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Guess we're gonna hafta start calling you "Dan Bow-wowers" I watched part of it last night! I thought the Irish Setter should have won over the Golden but that's why I'm not a judge, LOL.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Bruce looks like he is really having a great time being a proud owner.
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