I’ll bet this sweet little puppy was sitting on the sofa with her owner while watching Westminster and thinking…”Someday I’m going to be on that green carpet, too!”  Do you know this breed?  This puppy is a Japanese Chin.  This breed is a member of the Toy Group and originated in China as a companion dog for royalty.  They were bred to accompany the ladies of the Imperial Palace and warm the laps of Chinese aristocracy.  Today they are wonderful family dogs, very intelligent, playful and affectionate.  Most often the coat is black and white, but the breed can also be red and white in color.  I met this little pup at the Lehigh Valley Kennel Club show last month in Allentown, Pa.

A huge congratulations to David Fitzpatrick and Malachy [BISA, BISS Gr. Ch. Palacegarden Malachy] on winning Best in Show last night at Westminster!!  A very well deserved and exciting win!  It was so much fun to hear the crowd at Madison Square Garden screaming for Malachy and David as they made their way around the ring in the spotlights!   I love this little dog and so today I thought I would post an image from the first time I met him.  It was in November 2010 at the Back Mountain Kennel Club show in Bloomsburg, Pa.  I was seated ringside photographing the Group judging.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone come up behind me and as it turned out, it was David with Malachy in his arms.  David put Malachy down gently on his blue mat and groomed him while waiting for their turn in the ring.  That was my first look at this beautiful pup and it was a love affair from then on.  Malachy won Best in Show that day in Bloomsburg and I’ve been a fan ever since!   I wish him all the best as he enjoys his time in the limelight and moves on to retirement.  [Though I’m REALLY going to miss seeing him in the show ring!]  Congratulations sweet Malachy!

Night one of Westminster was awesome!  The Wirehaired Dachshund, Pekingese, Dalmation, and German Shepherd Dog all moved into the finals.  Who will win the Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups and ultimately Best in Show?  Watch for the Boxer, Scarlett, GCH CH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream, in the Working Group.  She was one of the top 10 dogs in the country in 2011 and will certainly be an eye-catcher at The Garden tonight. 

In the Terrier Group, keep your eye on Skye Terrier, Buddy, [GCH Cragsmoor Buddy Goodman] and handler Larry Cornelius.  I love this dog – so much fun to watch in the ring!   So who will ultimately win Best in Show?  We’ll know in just a few hours!  Let the excitement begin!

It’s here….the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! 
Day 1 features the Toy, Hound, Non-Sporting and Herding Group judging!  Will Whippet Chanel [Ch Starline’s Chanel] win the Hound Group?  Tune in tonight on USA Network at 8:00 PM EST and CNBC at 9:00 PM EST to find out!

What would be more perfect than a dog named “Cupid” winning Best in Show on Valentine’s Day?  I would be delighted as Cupid is one of my all-time favorite dogs!  I only had a chance to see him a few times last year, but each time I do, he commands the ring with his happy-go-lucky personality.  Cupid is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen – or PBGV for short.  They are scent hounds and the name means:   Petit– small; Basset– low to the ground; Griffon– rough or wire coated; and Vendéen- the area of France from which they originated.  I love their wirey tousled coat and lively, inquisitive personality.   Best of luck tomorrow and Tuesday little guy….I’ll be cheering for you!  Here’s the scoop on the Westminster TV schedule:  Monday, 2/13 – 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST on USA Network.  Then from 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM on CNBC.  On Tuesday it’s 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST on USA Network all evening.  You know where I’ll be!  🙂