Sage, a miniature poodle, was named best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday night, modeling the kind of poise and composure unfamiliar to most humans in front of a whooping crowd at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
The competition began with 2,500 dogs from more than 200 breeds, then pared down to a field of just seven group champions. The best in show judge, Rosalind Kramer, selected Sage over what she called an “absolutely glorious” lineup of dogs: Mercedes the German shepherd, Comet the Shih Tzu, Louis the Afghan, Micha the black cocker spaniel, Monty the giant schnauzer and Frankie the colored bull terrier.
Victory at Westminster is considered the apex of canine achievement. Last year, the prize went to Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen who was the first of his breed to win best in show. The dog was later sworn in as the “canine mayor” of his hometown, Palm Springs, Calif.
Source: Elections - nytimes.com
