2009.02.11
The old dog has his day
He's nearly 70 in human years, but Stump, a Sussex spaniel from Texas, took the Best in Show title at the Westminster Kennel Club show last night, proving the old dog still has a few tricks left.
The 10-year-old pooch came out of retirement on a whim and stole the show at Madison Square Garden, earning the first Westminster Best-in-Show title for his breed and the second for his handler, Scott Sommer.
According to a report from the Associated Press, Stump retired from the show ring in 2004 after winning 50 best-in-show titles and winning his group at Westminster. He was later treated by vets at Texas A&M for a mysterious wasting disease that nearly ended his life. Sommer said the spaniel spent 19 days in the hospital.
After he recovered, Stump lived a dog's life in Houston with Sommer and Sommer's other Westminster champ, J.R., a bichon frise who took the top prize in 2001.
Five days before this year's show, Sommer told the AP that he thought Stump might enjoy one more go around the ring. After the media tour that goes with winning the Super Bowl of dog shows, Sommer said Stump will permanently retire.
Stump faced stiff competition for this victory. He defeated a Scottish deerhound named Tiger Woods, a puli named Conrad and a Scottish terrier named Sadie. Others in the final seven title contenders included Yes, a standard poodle with 94 prior wins, Spirit, a giant schnauzer that is currently the nation's top show dog, and Lincoln, a Brussels griffon that was favored by Vegas odds-makers.
But Best-in-Show judge Sari Tietjen pointed to the reddish-brown spaniel for the coveted silver cup.
"He showed his heart out," Tietjen said. "He was everything you want."
(All photos by Associated Press)
Yay for Stump! He looks like such a sweetie! I refused to stay up late and watch the final because there was a poodle in it. If I had stayed up and the poodle won then I would have been mad so I figured it was best that I go to bed after the last group was shown. I'm sure the poodles are fine canines but you can't tell me that they are better than everyone else in their group almost every single year to make it to best in show. At least the past few years a breed other than the poodle has taken the top honor but I'd love to see the day when some other breed from the non-sporting group takes it all!!
Comment by Kim — February 11, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Kim, my hubby feels the same way. He gets ticked that there always seems to be a poodle in that silly continental cut in the best-in-show round. The gene pool for poodles must be vast and deep.
We always cheer for the greyhounds and the Am Staffs, so obvious reasons. But I grew up with a springer spaniel (my first dog love) so I was pleased to see spaniels take the title two out of the last three years. Not to take anything away from Uno, the beagle from last year. He is a great little hound.
Comment by Nona — February 11, 2009 @ 10:56 am
I was so happy that Stump won! I thought he had the most beautiful eyes in the show! Of course, there isn't a breed of dog that I don't like the look of.
Comment by sarah — February 11, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
I am so happy that precious Stump received the award. He looks so sweet!! I'm feel the same about poodles though...no thanks. I'm sure they are nice dogs but I really have never cared too much for them and seeing them win constantly got very old. I was happy to see Ugo win...he is a charming little dog! Congratuations to Stump!!!
Comment by Deborah — February 11, 2009 @ 6:20 pm