This year’s top dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was a German Shorthaired Pointer named C.J. He beat out more than 2700 other entries to win ‘Best in Show’ at the main event in Madison Square Garden. Owner and Handler Valerie Nunes-Atkinson led the triumphant GCH Vjk-Myst Garbonita’s California Journey (aka C.J.) to the contest’s top prize on Tuesday evening.
Reserve Best In Show was awarded to “CH Belisarius Jp My Sassy Girl.” a Borzoi. See full results.
I attended several of this week’s events in New York, my first as just a spectator instead of a competitor in several years. I had a great time and look forward to next year’s show.
Here are my quick reads:
- I was very pleased to see that the handler was the breeder and owner of the Best in Show winner. It is good for our sport.
- The Borzoi that came in second was an absolutely stunning animal.
- The general buzz among dog people was that is was “a good line up” for the seven group winners.
- The German Shepherd and Bulldog were crowd favorites.
- Security for the event was very tight. There were many guards present.
- This is the last year for David Frei, 66, as the “Voice of Westminster.” He has served at the event for the past 26 years but got caught up in a contract issue when Fox Sports signed on to televise Westminster beginning next year. But you will still be able to hear his voice describing different breeds on the National Dog Show on NBC every Thanksgiving.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is called Europe’s premier hunting dog and has roots dating back to the 17th century. It is a high energy and medium size dog that is happiest when outdoors. It is also excellent with kids, but can knock over toddlers due to its abundant enthusiasm. It was first imported into the United States in 1925 and was recognized officially by the AKC in 1930. This is the third ‘Best in Show’ win for the breed in the contest’s history (1974 & 2005).
FAST FACTS:
- This was the 140th edition of the Westminster Kennel Club Show dating back to 1877.
- First official ‘Best In Show’ winner was crowned in 1907.
- 46 winners were Terriers. The Wire Fox Terrier has won 14 times.
- More than 3,000 animals participated across all three competitions held at both Madison Square Garden and Pier 94 in New York City.
- Weekend featured the 7th Annual AKC ‘Meet the Breeds’ and the inaugural Masters Obedience Championship
- 2,752 dogs entered in main event. 199 breeds and varieties were eligible.
- Breeds with most entries: Labrador Retrievers (51), Golden Retrievers (50), French Bulldogs (48).
- Seven breeds made their first Westminster appearance this year:
Sporting Group – Lagotto Romagnolo; Hound Group – Cirneco dell’Etna; Working Group – Boerboel; Herding Group – Berger Picard, Miniature American Shepherd, Bergamasco, and Spanish Water Dog. - 12 foreign countries as well as all 50 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico were represented. New York, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, and Ohio sent the most entries. Canada was tops in foreign entries.
- FOX Sports 1 and Nat Geo WILD will serve as the new television broadcast home beginning in 2017.
ABOUT THE WINNER:
Name: GCH Vjk-Myst Garbonita’s California Journey (aka C.J.)
Date of Birth: January 16, 2013
Breeder: Alice Manning & Anita Weiss & Valerie Nunes-Atkinson
Sire: CH Star K’s Mile Hi Carlos-Stardust RN
Dam: CH VJK-Myst Garbonita’s True Bliss SH
Owner: Valerie Atkinson & Alice Manning & Yvonne Hassler-Deterding
7 DOG GROUPS
The breed group system was introduced at Westminster in 1924. Here are the seven main groups you will see in competition.
TERRIERS:
Popular Breeds: Scottish Terrier, Bull Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, West Highland White Terrier
Lesser-Known Breeds: Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, American Hairless Terrier
SPORTING:
Popular Breeds: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Pointer
Lesser-Known Breeds: Clumber Spaniel, Irish Setter, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
NON-SPORTING:
Popular Breeds: Poodle, French Bulldog, Dalmatian, Bulldog
Lesser-Known Breeds: Coton de Tulear, Finnish Spitz, Keeshond
HOUNDS:
Popular Breeds: Beagle, Bloodhound, Dachshund, Basset Hound
Lesser-Known Breeds: Bluetick Coonhound, Borzoi, Ibizan Hound
WORKING:
Popular Breeds: Great Dane, Alaskan Malamute, Doberman Pinscher, St. Bernard
Lesser-Known Breeds: Tibetan Mastiff, Portuguese Water Dog, Leonberger
HERDING:
Popular Breeds: German Shepherd, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog
Lesser-Known Breeds: Puli, Pyrenean Shepherd, Norwegian Buhund
TOYS:
Popular Breeds: Pug, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Lesser-Known Breeds: Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Papillon
AT-A-GLANCE
GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER
- Breed officially recognized by AKC in 1930
- Males measure between 23-25 inches at the shoulder
- Typical weight is anywhere from 55 to 70 pounds for males
- The coat is solid liver (a reddish brown), or liver and white in distinctive patterns
- 8 standard colors and 3 standard markings
- Built to work long, hard days in the field or at the lake
- Known for power, speed, agility, and endurance
- Described as “noble” and “aristocratic”
Additional Resources:
DogTime.com – the German Shorthaired Pointer
Wikipedia.com – German Shorthaired Pointer
AKC.org – Official GSP Breed
WKC 2016 Press Release
FiveThirtyEight.com – Terriers Were Once The Greatest Dogs In The World