Well what did everybody think of the beagle winning at the big W for the first time in many years
Randall

Randall,
as in "ever". This is the first time in the history of the Westminster show that a Beagle has gone BIS.

Uno is a feisty little show dog, absolutely the epitome of the breed both structurally and in terms of temperament. I thought he was a good choice.

In terms of movement, I loved the Weim. In terms of politics, I thought the Standard Poodle Minimoto was hard to beat but folks really got behind the Beagle and I think the judges fell in love with him.

Jim

I had a spouse on the couch chanting Beagle while I was picking the Weimaraner. I think the Beagle was a sentimental choice. Yes he was nice but the movement on the Weimaraner and the Standard Poodle was really hard to ignore.
Even the Sealyham was a higher pick for me but I must admit it is a fun show to watch.
I picked well among the sporting in matching the judges choices but I had a hard time with the working group.
How did you do in matching what the judges picked for the groups?

I also picked the weimie but the beagle was very deserving. Hallie and I train at the center owned by the handler of "Barnes" (who we affectionately call "Champy Grampy" as he is a huge dog at 7 yrs of age) the Tibetan Mastiff who was pulled in the group. I posted some pictures of him with my Santa shoot this year. I was happy to see my breed get group II in the hound group.

Dee Dee, when I saw the long haired Doxie come up I thought of you and was really pleased with that pick. Very pretty. And that Mastiff was charming. A very nice pick too.
Randall, what did you think?

I wasn't really surprised by the picks. I called the Working Group right on the money. The Akita is hard to beat and the Dobe is owned by the Dinardos so it was a foregone conclusion that she'd place. Not that the Dobe isn't pretty standing still -- she's gorgeous and perfectly trained -- but she is not a good-moving dog at all. She was here on the Florida Circuit and I was really surprised at how much winning she does. Her handler, Ann White, presents her to perfection.

The Dane is the #1 Dane in the country so that was no surprise and the Bullmastiff was very nice.

As for the other Groups, the Harrier surprised me in the Hound Group (loved the LH Doxie); the Sealyham beating the Scottie was a surprise in Terrier; there was never a question about Minimoto in the Non-Sporting Group; but the Aussie over Jimmy Moses' GSD in Herding was a big surprise. The Weim in Sporting was absolutely the best moving dog I saw in all the Groups; and the Toy Poodle in Toy was kinda a no-brainer based on politics if not how they actually showed.

All in all, a typical Westminster Show. There are no dogs at Westminster that really don't belong there so you are seeing the best of the best. There is no wrong answer and decisions are made for a number of reasons -- just like at your regular weekend shows. Ultimately, I thought the Best In Show dogs put on a great show.

Jim

I thought it was pretty exciting seeing the beagle win. Beagles are so much fun to watch - high energy, very affectionate dogs.

Unfortunately, my sole experience with the show this year was being stuck in traffic around Madison Square Garden trying to get someplace in midtown. It would have been fun to watch...particularly because we just recently watched 'Best in Show.'

Cheers
James