Salon.com > Ben Walker

Scottish deerhound is best in show at Westminster

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:04:00 +0000

Hickory just might like the big-city life.

A Scottish deerhound that loves to chase deer and rabbits on a 50-acre farm in Virginia did more than fine at Madison Square Garden this week, winning best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club on Tuesday night and the title of America's top dog.

"She's not used to lights, camera and noise," handler Angela Lloyd said.

Whatever, Hickory will get a couple of Manhattan treats on Wednesday -- steak at famed Sardi's restaurant and a trip to the top of the Empire State Building.

The 5-year-old Hickory became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.

By dog world standards, it was an upset. OK, maybe not quite as big as the Hickory Huskers winning the Indiana high school state basketball championship in the film "Hoosiers," but quite a surprise nonetheless.

"I think Hickory could feel my lead that I was excited and went with it," Lloyd said.

Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy thanked every person and dog inside the arena, then picked Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international -- along with a Scottish deerhound, there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, smooth fox terrier, bearded collie and black cocker spaniel.

New dogs hope to learn old tricks at Westminster

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:40:00 +0000

Kaffi looked as if he needed a coffee break. Rolling on his back, paws in the air, eyes getting heavy, he was dog tired.

"It's been a long day," owner JoAnn Secondino said a few days ago after arriving in town.

And the Westminster Kennel Club show hadn't even begun for this Icelandic sheepdog, one of six new breeds this year at America's top pooch pageant.

Lola got off to a good start Monday. The 15-inch beagle, officially named Ch. Torquay Midnight Confession, was a repeat winner in her breed.

Nearly 2,600 dogs are competing, and they all carry the abbreviation "Ch." before their names -- it stands for champion, since every dog at Madison Square Garden has already been a winner somewhere.

This year's entries come in 179 breeds and varieties. They're from 49 states -- North Dakota is absent -- and from several countries, including Thailand, Brazil, Slovenia and Australia.

The winners in the hound, toy, nonsporting and herding groups were being picked on Valentine's Day. The top sporting, working and terriers will be chosen Tuesday, and judge Paolo Dondina of Italy will point to the best in show that night shortly before 11 p.m.

Galarraga robbed? MLB reviewing ump’s call

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:25:00 +0000

Major League Baseball was still deciding Thursday morning whether to review the umpire's blown call that cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game.

Commissioner Bud Selig has the power to reverse umpire Jim Joyce's missed call that came with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday night in Detroit. Joyce ruled Cleveland's Jason Donald safe, then admitted he got it wrong.

Selig would likely consult with his top advisers before making such a ruling. St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa says the call should be overturned.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said MLB gave Joyce the option to not work Thursday's game between Detroit and Cleveland, but Joyce chose to stick with his job behind the plate. Leyland added that Galarraga would present the lineup card and shake hands with Joyce at home plate before the afternoon game.

In 1991, a panel headed by then-commissioner Fay Vincent took a look at the record book and decided to throw out 50 no-hitters for various reasons.

The instantly infamous play, which had social networking sites all abuzz, will add to the argument that baseball needs to expand its use of replays. As of now, they can be used only for questionable home runs.