I had just arrived at work this morning when I got the wonderful news that Julia had gone Best of Breed with Patrone at Westminster. Yes, that would be Axel’s beloved handler, Julia Foster, and Rottweiler CH Chancellor’s Gorgeous Patrone, TT!
I can only imagine how much more interested in the show Axel will be tonight, when he sees “his” Julia on television!
Obviously, Julia’s win today is a big part of Westminster getting personal for me. But there is more.
Axel has actually been in the ring with six of the Rottweilers who were shown today. They were all Champions competing in Best of Breed during the time he was out getting his Championship. As Winners Dog from the classes, he went back in the ring with the specials dogs, or more specifically, to be defeated for Best of Breed by the specials dogs (it’s okay, that’s usually what happens). One of the Award of Merit winners is the son of Freya’s half-brother. His handler owned Freya’s sire. His owner once owned Freya’s littermate.
So, yes, I watch with a bit more interest each year, because there are more and more personal connections.
I was surprised to see the number of searches on various Rottweiler-ly Westminster topics leading here to the blog today. Here are some answers to the questions posed in those searches.
- A Rottweiler has never won Westminster. A Rottweiler has won the Working Group only once, in 2006: CH Carter’s Noble Shaka Zulu. I so hope to see that happen again tonight.
- Rottweilers have placed in the Working Group only four other times.
- All of the Rottweilers, and in fact all of the dogs entered at Westminster, are Champions. Westminster entry is limited to Champions and it is currently the only AKC show with this requirement.
- The Westminster website and its associated Facebook page and Twitter stream are being updated lightning fast. The Rottweiler winners are here and the list of Rottweiler entrants is here. If you are not a Rottweiler person, the “2010 Show Results” link on the Westminster website will take you to information on how your own breed of choice is doing. The only thing that seems to be taking a little longer is the videos. I so want to see the Rottweiler breed video before the groups tonight!
(NaBloPoMo | February ’10: 16 of 28)
Nick says
I had a slightly personal interest in it 🙂 Our rescue male from a few years back was a Iron Chancellor v. Bergenhof son. I guess that would make him a half-great-uncle to the BOB? For coming from those lines, he sure was an ugly and out of standard dog 🙂
kathi says
Remember how Jake’s two full brothers were solid “V” dogs and Jake was… well, not as attractive? Genetics are funny that way!
Indigo says
Congratulations to Julia! I love the dog show. 🙂
*mingling*
kathi says
I always enjoy watching Westminster on TV, but I have to say it is even more fun and exciting when some of the human and canine players are actual friends and acquaintances!