The 144th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show concluded last week with Siba a black standard poodle winning Best in Show. Siba was absolutely stunning as she glided around the ring to cheering crowds. One of the changes with the 2020 edition of the contest is that the finals were held on a Tuesday.
The other Best in Show contenders were Daniel, a golden retriever, the clear crowd favorite, Conrad, the Shetland sheep dog, Vinny the wire fox terrier, Bono, the Havanese (last year’s Reserved Best in Show), Wilma the boxer and Bourbon, the whippet who was my personal favorite. Bourbon won Reserve Best in Show this year.
There was a huge crowd of very enthusiastic spectators at the Garden, we were all enjoying every moment of the exciting show. I have to say it was one of the most impressive line ups of Best in Show competitors I have ever seen.
The poodle whose full name is Grand Champion Platinum Stone Run Afternoon Tea was just majestic and so beautifully presented, she was very deserving of the prestigious Westminster title. Siba even made the front page of my local newspaper because she is a Lehigh Valley resident. All and all a very exciting night!
Siba, whose full name is GCHP CH Stone Run Afternoon Tea, is a three year old Standard Poodle. She became the fifth of her breed and the first in nearly 30 years to win the show’s top award. Past Standard Poodles to take home Best in Show include Ch. Nunsoe Duc de la Terrace of Blakeen (1935), Ch. Puttencove Promise (1958), Ch. Acadia Command Performance (1973), and Ch. Whisperwind On A Carousel (1991).
This was also the 12th win for the Non-Sporting class; Terriers have won a record 47 times.
The daytime shows were also great to watch, if you were lucky enough to get a ticket, they sold out almost immediately. Ticket sales were limited this year due to the loss of one of the venues.
I liked having the show set up in one building, it was so much easier to see everything and because it spanned three days instead of two, it was less cramped for the spectators.
However some exhibitors were not crazy about the changes, there was less space in the ring waiting area for dogs and handlers. But the benching area was nicely spread out.
Slugger Wins Award of Merit
We were delighted that our smooth coat chihuahua, Slugger received An Award of Merit this year! He showed his little heart out with his terrific handler, Jessy Sutton.
I had a blast with friends and family who joined in the fun and cheered for our favorite dogs, especially Slugger.
Westminster remains one of my favorite times of the year and this year was as wonderful as ever!
» TIME | Meet Siba The Standard Poodle (youtube.com)
» Siba, a standard poodle, wins top prize at Westminster Dog Show and makes history for Lehigh Valley (mcall.com)
» Siba The Standard Poodle Wins Best In Show (forbes.com)
» 2020 Westminster Best in Group Results (westminsterkennelclub.org)
» Siba Wins Westminster! (poodleclubofthelehighvalley.com)
» The Grooming and Diet Secrets of the Fancy Poodle That Won the Westminster Dog Show (gq.com)
BEST IN GROUP WINNERS
Hound Group: GCHG CH Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon | Whippets
Toy Group: GCHP CH Oeste’s In The Name Of Love | Havanese
Non-Sporting Group: GCHP CH Stone Run Afternoon Tea | Poodles (Standard)
Herding Group: GCHP CH Syringa – Akadia The Corsair | Shetland Sheepdogs
Sporting Group: GCHP CH Hillock’s Jack Daniel’S RA JH CA RATN CGC | Retrievers (Golden)
Working Group: GCHP2 CH Cinnibon’s Bedrock Bombshell | Boxers
Terrier Group: GCHB CH Irvonhill Voignier | Fox Terriers (Wire)