Westminster 2008

[quintessence]

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My friend with the hairy hounds (Salukis) has just sent me this link through, she has this mis-guided opinion of me that I sit at the computer reading about dogs when I should be working. Really would I do that :thumbsup: If I have read it correctly whippets are judged later today

http://westminsterkennelclub.org/index.html

 

[maggie217]

Thanks for that link. I've just had a look at the website and will look again later at the Whippets.

Pauline

 

[seaspot_run]

Ch. Sporting Fields Rock On (who is a Veteran now, I believe) went BOB at Westminster.

Just reported on another list.

Karen Lee

 

[petrezselyem]

Results ( cited from Whppetly Yours)

Best Of Breed:

12 Ch Sporting Field's Rock On

Breed: Whippet

Sex: Dog

AKC: HM 93992707

Date of Birth: November 24, 2000

Breeder: Dionne E Butt & Owen J Light

Sire: Ch Wenrick's Man About Town

Dam: Mimbres Zophisticate N Fld

Owner: Dan Black & Bruno Gideon & Dionne E Butt

Best Opp:

20 Ch Cariad's No Doubt At Baccarat

Breed: Whippet

Sex: Bitch

AKC: HP 14158102

Date of Birth: July 03, 2004

Breeder: Kim Pritchard & T C Taft

Sire: Ch Baccarat Graymorn Thunderbird

Dam: Ch Cariad's All Or Nothing

Owner: Kellie Padon & K Pritchard & T C Taft & M Slowinski

1st - AOM

8 Ch Shamasan Houndhill Body & Soul JC

Breed: Whippet

Sex: Dog

AKC: HP 13352001

Date of Birth: November 26, 2004

Breeder: Phoebe Booth & Joan Fisher & Cora N Miller

Sire: Ch Hound Hill Classical Rag CD JC

Dam: Ch Shamasan Flame 'N Queen JC

Owner: Cora N Miller & Phoebe J Booth

2nd - AOM

19 Ch Moongaze Jomyr Some Splainin Ta Do

Breed: Whippet

Sex: Bitch

AKC: HP 14346704

Date of Birth: February 05, 2005

Breeder: Aaron Todd Miller & Mary Graham & Terri Motola

Sire: Ch Moongaze Tophat And Tail JC

Dam: Ch Peppertree Jomyr Illusory Ball SC

Owner: Aaron Todd Miller MD & Susan Vernon

 

[JAX]

What a shame there were only 20 whippets entered , the year I went there was 34 . :cheers:

As the American equivalent of our Crufts you would think they could find a bigger venue than one that only takes 2500 dogs max wouldn't you . Just because its in New York and what a great place NY is too :cheers:

 

[seaspot_run]

What a shame there were only 20 whippets entered , the year I went there was 34  .  :cheers:
As the American equivalent of our Crufts you would think they could find a bigger venue than one that only takes 2500 dogs max wouldn't you . Just because its in New York    and what a great place NY is too  :cheers:

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We supposedly live in this great Democracy, but Westminster is NOT the least bit Democratic.

I have often tried to enter my champions in that show, and have been receiving rejections even though my entries were sent in time for the posted deadline. The one year I got a dog into that competition, I spent five times the entry fee to pay a special courier service to convey my entries to the superintendent.

The top 10 ranked show dogs get an automatic 'bye" into the competition. After that, it's first come, first served, but even that is a misnomer. There are entry services that literally fly your entries in in a backpack and show up at the superintendent's offices, camping outside at dawn the day entries open. OR you can "bundle" your entries in with a friend or co-owner who has an automatic qualifier. But this doesn't help people who don't know or can't prevail on someone who has a dog in the Top 10 somewhere.

It's a terrible system and there are always way more people who would like to enter than there are entries accepted.

I think Crufts has it right. If you are going to say you have the "Best of the Best", then you need to open it to everyone who might have a competitive dog who qualifies.

Westminster BOB wins have therefore lost their luster, as specialty wins in the USA show you have beaten a far larger entry of your breed, including more Champions.

That being said, going to Westminster is an experience every exhibitor should have, just as a trip to Crufts. While you may not see the best competition in your breed, it is a true faceoff of the top-ranked animals and therefore, a great sporting event.

 

[JAX]

What a shame there were only 20 whippets entered , the year I went there was 34  .  :cheers:
As the American equivalent of our Crufts you would think they could find a bigger venue than one that only takes 2500 dogs max wouldn't you . Just because its in New York    and what a great place NY is too  :cheers:

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.

That being said, going to Westminster is an experience every exhibitor should have, just as a trip to Crufts. While you may not see the best competition in your breed, it is a true faceoff of the top-ranked animals and therefore, a great sporting event.

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To go just as a spectaor is great in itself Karen, The `razzamataz ` was enough . When I went ,15 years ago , Id never before heard such `hooting and hollering` as certain dogs entered the ring , and when they did their move (w00t) , It was as if the one who got the loudest , longest cheer should win , Obviously some whippets had bigger `followings` than others

This `noise ` was completely alien to anything Id experianced before , now its creeping into things over here Luckily just for the top place winners , please lets not get it as we enter the rings too :blink:

The group rings were something else , esp when some of the lady exhibitors came into the ring wearing ball gowns 8)

but certainly an experiance not to be missed :cheers:

 

[seaspot_run]

To go just as a spectaor is great in itself Karen, The `razzamataz ` was enough . When I went ,15 years ago , Id never before heard such `hooting and hollering` as certain dogs entered the ring , and when they did their move  (w00t)   , It was as if the one who got the loudest , longest cheer should win , Obviously some whippets had bigger `followings` than others 
This `noise ` was completely alien to anything Id experianced before , now its creeping into things over here    Luckily just for the top place winners , please lets not get it as we enter the rings too  :blink:

The group rings were something else , esp when some of the lady exhibitors came into the ring wearing ball gowns 8)

but certainly an experiance not to be missed  :cheers:

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I think the British system of spectating is a lot more polite. It's great if you have a lot of fans in the audience, but if you are there without all your friends and fan club, it's a lonely trip to make up and down the mat when the dog that just moved ahead of you got wild cheers.

But that's at the breed judging level.

Our top group dogs "turn on" for the roar of the crowd and they would probably think they were doing something wrong if they didn't hear their customary cheers.

I like the yelling and cheering in the Group and Best in Show ring, but every competitor should get applause--just clap a little harder for the ones you like, that's all.

As for dress, I'm always a bit disappointed when our representative doesn't have something a bit more special on. I love the sequins and glitter and beautiful show outfits. That's part of the allure of Westminster. It is my dream to be out there someday, I will probably drop a lot of coins on my show outfit if I ever make it that far.

It was a total shock to me the time I went to Crufts to see jeans in the Group Ring. I expected it to be more like Westminster. It seemed you could pretty much wear anything you wanted and people didn't change between winning the breed and going into Group.

Just a different way of looking at it. I see Crufts as being about the dogs, but Westminster is very much about the "show" and spectacle is desired and the handlers are supposed to be a part of that.

I must say the Whippet winners each year at Crufts are turned out very smart. :thumbsup:

 

[seaspot_run]

Oh, and last night's Whippet BOB winner was shortlisted in the group, but no placement.

The Hound Group was won by "Uno", the Beagle, who is one of the punter's favorites this year to win it all. He's a neat dog and shows a lot around here. I've found myself standing behind him in lineups.

Second in the Hound Group went to quite an impressive Longhaired Dachshund. Incredible mover.

Third to a Harrier, a very rare breed over here.

And fourth to a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Tough crowd for the sighthounds...an Afghan and a Borzoi also made the shortlist but walked out without a placement.

 

[JAX]

As regards changing clothes from winning BOB to the Group , I dont think many folk would be so bold as to expect to win BOB and therefore take extra clothes , and of course the NEC is miles fom any shops , whereas in NY you could always `nip` out to Macys , Bloomingdales , and some of those great designer shops you have in there. :cheers:

 

[petrezselyem]

link tip

 

[05whippet]

link tip

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Thanks for that...it's great to have the pics to go with the names,there are some really lovely dogs in there! :thumbsup:

 

[maggie217]

I don't know if anyone else had the same problem, but I can watch the videos of the beagles classes at Westminster but cannot get the Whippet one

Pauline

 

[quintessence]

I don't know if anyone else had the same problem, but I can watch the videos of the beagles classes at Westminster but cannot get the Whippet one
Pauline

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I can't get whippets either, it probably takes a little bit of time to get all the videos on. I got greyhounds yesterday.

Jenny

 

[Zephyr]

I can't get Whippets either, but I did see that Uno won Best in Show! :cheers:

 

[kennelmaid]

link tip

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Thanks for that. Very interesting

Yvonne

:huggles:

 

[doris]

esp when some of the lady exhibitors came into the ring wearing ball gowns 8)

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OMG!! And here's me, going into mild panic, cos I've actually gone out a bought a jacket to show in

Yes Jenny and Juley, before you start chanting 'we told you so!!', I HAVE BOUGHT SOMETHING TO SHOW IN!!!!!

You both win, ok, please be gracious in vicory :b :lol: :thumbsup:

 

[aslan]

I have to say, as much as I enjoyed the shows I went to in America - I don't like the whooping and hollering for dogs as they enter the ring and on their run arounds. I think that should be reserved for when the dog you like wins. I can't see that it would not be very influential on the judges. It would be very hard to ignore.

I watched a group judging in California and the Akita was absolutely stunning but you could have heard a pin drop as he entered the ring and ran around. But for a number of the other BOB's that came in there was wild applause and cheering and yelling. The Akita did not win.

People are doing that here in Australia now - particularly at big events like our Top Dog competitions. I just think it's wrong. Either every dog should be given the same polite applause or nothing at all (which I prefer - because not every dog is used to big situations and loud applause/cheering whilst their doing their job) until the award is made. THEN go wild with delight.

 

[maggie217]

I have to say, as much as I enjoyed the shows I went to in America - I don't like the whooping and hollering for dogs as they enter the ring and on their run arounds.  I think that should be reserved for when the dog you like wins.  I can't see that it would not be very influential on the judges.  It would be very hard to ignore.
I watched a group judging in California and the Akita was absolutely stunning but you could have heard a pin drop as he entered the ring and ran around.  But for a number of the other BOB's that came in there was wild applause and cheering and yelling.  The Akita did not win.

People are doing that here in Australia now - particularly at big events like our Top Dog competitions.  I just think it's wrong.  Either every dog should be given the same polite applause or nothing at all (which I prefer - because not every dog is used to big situations and loud applause/cheering whilst their doing their job) until the award is made.  THEN go wild with delight.

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Although it doesn't happen much in horse showing in Britain there is hollering and cheering with the Welsh Cobs and has also started with the Arab horses. I hate it, and it does put a lot of the horses off their stride. Not for me, I'm afraid.

Pauline

 

[JAX]

I have to say, as much as I enjoyed the shows I went to in America - I don't like the whooping and hollering for dogs as they enter the ring and on their run arounds.  I think that should be reserved for when the dog you like wins.  I can't see that it would not be very influential on the judges.  It would be very hard to ignore.
I watched a group judging in California and the Akita was absolutely stunning but you could have heard a pin drop as he entered the ring and ran around.  But for a number of the other BOB's that came in there was wild applause and cheering and yelling.  The Akita did not win.

People are doing that here in Australia now - particularly at big events like our Top Dog competitions.  I just think it's wrong.  Either every dog should be given the same polite applause or nothing at all (which I prefer - because not every dog is used to big situations and loud applause/cheering whilst their doing their job) until the award is made.  THEN go wild with delight.

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Completely agree with you Lana o

When the late Ann Argyle judged Salukies at the Westminster , I asked her , when she got home , Were you influenced by the hooting and hollering? , she said ` my dear , I pulled in one saluki , who got the loudest hollering ive ever heard , and the watchers obviously thought that it had won, ,I put my hand under its chest , lifted it up and let it place its front feet down naturally , then they all saw how 10-2 it was (w00t) , I just said to the handler `thankyou , you may return to the line up ` What a star she was

So , maybe some judges would be influenced , but not any worth their salt