Below are 16 dogs to watch in this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which runs Monday and Tuesday, February 13-14. I predict we’ll be seeing some of these dogs make the leap into the final seven, for a shot at Best in Show.
It’s a tough task (to put it mildly) to choose just 16 dogs from 2,000 total entrants(!), so please let me know what you think: Are my guesses totally off-base? Leave me a comment below and tell me your own picks!
Hound Group
Qing
The pharaoh hound named GCH CH Northgate’s As You Like It (“Qing”) finished last year at #8 among all breeds, and is the winningest pharaoh hound ever. So look for a strong start from Qing, though it should be noted that a pharaoh hound has never won Best of Group at Westminster.
Extremely strong competition will come in a small package. The whippet known as GCH CH Starline’s Chanel (“Chanel”) is also on a roll, and she is the winningest whippet ever — no small feat.
Regardless of who wins the Hound Group, what are the prospects of a hound (any hound) winning it all in 2012? Pretty slim, in my opinion. Last year’s Best in Show winner (the Scottish deerhound “Hickory”) came from the Hound Group, but hounds have snagged the big win only four times over all these years, with two of those four wins coming in the past five years. So, no, I don’t think “hound lightning” will strike two years in a row.
Toy Group
Malachy
Hot off his 50th Best in Show — with the latest coming yesterday at the Progressive Dog Club’s all-toy event — Malachy, a Pekingese more formally known as GCH CH PalaceGarden Malachy, has what’s known as momentum. Lots of it. This is last year’s #1 toy dog, and he now has been deemed by Las Vegas oddsmakers [PDF] as the most likely to take Best in Show at Westminster. Don’t put too much faith in those odds, but it’s a safe bet we’ll be seeing Malachy advance.
Another Toy to watch: An affenpinscher named GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari (“Joey”) — winner of more than a handful of Best in Shows so far this year — is a force to be reckoned with. But can Joey best Malachy? We’ll just have to see.
Non-Sporting Group
London
At least two standard poodles are very strong contenders. But Billy Wheeler, of the blog Dog Show Poop, thinks GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore (“Ally”), the white standard poodle who was last year’s #1 Non-Sporting Dog, will edge out the black standard GCH CH Jaset’s Satisfaction (“London”). Respectfully, I think he’s wrong. Look for a Non-Sporting Group win by London, who is on one heck of a roll, including the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship this past December.
Another Non-Sporting dog to watch: GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy (“Drummer”), a very cute bichon frise.
Libby
Herding Group
If you’re going to take a wild guess at the herders, you couldn’t be faulted for going with the German Shepherd Dog GCH CH Babheim’s Captain Crunch (“Capi”), who finished as the #1 herding dog in 2011. But I’m going to go rogue here and nudge another herding dog into the win column: the cardigan Welsh corgi known as GCH CH Aubrey’s Tails of Mystery (“Libby”). Libby is something of a dark horse (er, dog), but finished strong last year.
Sporting Group
Beckham
The black cocker spaniel GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction (“Beckham”) has good buzz going into Westminster. Bend it like Beckham? No problem, especially with around 70 Best in Shows so far.
Others to watch in the Sporting Group:
English setter, GCH CH Oakely’s B’Dazzled (“Dazzle”)
English springer spaniel, GCH CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova (“Peyton”)
Working Group
Scarlett
Boxer GCH CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream (“Scarlett”) is a stunner. She has nearly 90 Best in Shows and was last year’s #1 working dog. I have seen her up-close, and she’s the real deal. But the path won’t be easy for Scarlett, who has been laying low so far in 2012. Actually, there’s something of a Tuesday-morning boxer face-off brewing at the Garden. And it’s a battle of the sexes. GCH CH R And G’s Mystical Dancer (“Danny”), a male, who also happens to be the #3 working dog, threatens to steal the spotlight, making the boxer judging one of the “must see” matchups of the show.
But in the end, I predict Scarlett’s refined, feminine look will propel her into the final seven this year. And I wouldn’t be surprised if she wins the big prize.
Terrier Group
Adam
The wire fox terrier GCH CH Steele Your Heart (“Eira”) finished last year as the top terrier in the country (barely). Meanwhile, the smooth fox terrier GCH Slyfox Sneak’s A Peek (“Adam”) won Best of Breed last year at Westminster, and was top terrier for much of 2011. Both of these terriers have a decent shot at Best of Group. One of the biggest differences between Eira and Adam? Hair texture. Will the judge prefer wiry or smooth? My prediction: Smooth. That means we would see Adam get a berth into Best in Show contention.
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Update: I have filled out my Westminster predictions, and have posted them here. Download our awesome bracket so you can print it out and fill in your own picks. Perfect for office pools.
More Westminster Coverage
Pets Adviser has been covering the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show since 2011. Check out these great posts from the past:
- Which Dog Won the Best in Show in 2011?
- Westminster Dog Show 2011 Photo Gallery
- 10 Mixed-Breeds We Should Have Seen at Westminster
- 11 Oldest Dogs Ever to Win Best in Show
- The Sun Will Come Out… for Chewee
- Westminster’s “Everydog” Storyline Hits New Low in 2011
- Meet the 6 New Breeds Added in 2011
- “Buzz Campaign” Not Just for Oscar Wannabes — Dog Show Contenders Do This Too
- 8 of America’s Favorite Breeds Have Never Won Best in Show
- Name Name That That Chow Chow
- Poodle Flying to 2011 Dog Show in Private Jet
- Jane Lynch Should Lighten Up!
