DOG SHOW

Rumor continues winning ways at Westminster

They're show dogs with star power

2/14/2017

Rumor Has It V Kenlyn

westminsterkennelclub.org

NEW YORK — Lockenhaus’ Rumor Has It V Kenlyn, called Rumor for short, won the Herding Group at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog show on Monday, the opening night of the competition.

The 5-year-old female is co-bred and co-owned by Pamela McElheney of Lockenhaus German Shepherds in Springfield Township. She won the herding group in 2016 as well.

Rumor also captured the breed ribbon at Westminster for the second year in a row, besting 16 other shepherds shown in the breed ring Monday afternoon.

Rumor was the nation’s No. 1 show dog last year when she came to the Garden with over 100 overall titles. But she fell short when a German shorthaired pointer named CJ won in a surprise, and it was thought that Rumor would retire.

Asked about 5-year-old Rumor’s chances this time, handler Kent Boyles said, “I have no idea. ... You never know.”

“Really good competition” Boyles said, adding that he was “pretty nervous.”

As for the overall show, a Norwegian elkhound, a pekingese, and a miniature poodle became the first three finalists at the show.

More than 2,800 dogs were competing for the top prize in the New York City show, the second-oldest sporting event in the United States behind the Kentucky Derby horse race.

Westminster drew entries from 200 breeds this year, the kennel club said. The final winner will be announced on Tuesday evening.

Duffy became the 12th elkhound to win the hound group, beating 32 other breeds in the hound category.

“She’s very light on her feet, she notices things,” Judge Polly Smith told announcers, about why she chose Duffy.

A one-year-old pekingese called Chuckie came out top of the toy dogs. Twenty-six pekingese have now won the category, more than any other breed.

Aftin, a miniature poodle, became the 19th mini poodle to win the non-sporting group, trailing only the 30 wins for the standard poodle.

Individual breeds are judged during the day, with the winners of each moving on to group competitions on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The winners of seven groups then compete for the final “Best in Show” award on Tuesday.

Dogs from 49 states and 16 foreign countries have entered this year’s show, where they are judged on characteristics specific to their breeds.

In addition to Rumor two other dogs with area ties also competed. A Shih Tzu from Hallmark Jolei Kennel in Monclova Township owned by Luke and Diane Ehricht, named Hallmark Jolei Pocket Rocket, took home an Award of Merit. A second dog from the kennel was entered at Westminster, but was not shown.

A pharaoh hound co-owned and co-bred by Perrysburg teenager Kendra Williams, Desert Phoenix Hallam Sweet Child O Mine, did not place in her breed Monday morning. Miss Williams also participated in the junior showmanship competition Monday morning, but did not advance.

Today, two more local dogs will begin their bids for titles in their breed. English springer spaniel Crossroad JockeyHill on the Green was co-bred and is co-owned by Laurie and Dick Green of Crossroad Springers in Toledo, and Gordon setter Gilnockie’s Dramatic Entrance was bred and is co-owned by Sarah Armstrong of Gilnockie Gordon Setters in Toledo.

Sporting dogs, working dogs and terriers will be judged on Tuesday. The sporting group, representing hunting and retrieving dogs, has the largest number of entries at more than 500.

In addition to the sloughi, who is making its first appearance, there were two other new breeds in this year’s competition: the American hairless terrier and the pumi.