Published on January 24, The rest of the available slots 2, total this year, including 91 junior showmanship competitors go to the lucky dogs whose entries are opened first on the day they are all delivered to the Westminster Kennel Club for processing.
Can any dog have his day at Westminster? The show was for a time limited to champions, but this year it is open to any dog who has earned points toward a championship. Even so, getting a dog to Westminster takes a lot more than just the luck of the draw. Hamil says dogs must be in top physical condition not only to get a look from the judge but also to withstand the rigors of being on the road and the stress of competition. Like any great athlete, the dogs eat right and spend a lot of time working out, whether that means jogging with a handler, running alongside a bicycle, swimming, spending time on a treadmill or doing dog sports such as agility.
At shows she bicycles him around the fairgrounds, and at home he goes on daily walks in the woods or plays with her other Labs. When the weather is bad, Hawkeye works out on a treadmill.
The tail must be an otter tail, wider at the base and no longer than to the point of the hock [the ankle]. They have a loving personality, not aggressive or timid; and a double coat — a fine inner coat that keeps them warm in the water and the coarse outer coat that repels water and keeps them dry. A top show dog must also be adaptable. The best show dogs love the limelight. They are the stand-up comedians or movie stars of the dog world, responding avidly to people cheering and clapping for them.
The making of a top show dog is an expensive proposition. The dogs who receive invitations have competed in enough shows by the qualifying period to have beaten more dogs in their breed than any other dogs competing. How many dogs that is depends on the breed. But a top Golden Retriever might have to win against over 3, other Golden Retrievers to achieve top status.
