In front of the cameras Uno has an uncanny ability to pose for Annie Leibovitz approved art direction. At all times his personality is revealed. He's stripped of pretention and full of playful canine antics that he happily dishes out to the media like doggie treats. The public's rapport with and connection to Uno is a common reminder of our very own dogs.
Our dog: the one lying next to us on the couch with his feet straight up and tummy in full view. Or the one scratching urgently at a cubbyhole in search of her favorite squeaky toy that had became lost in that dark abyss. The dog that during a formal dinner party at your home decides the perfect time to enter the room is with your taken from the hamper panties in his mouth. Not exactly the victory lap you'd elicit or encourage your pooch to make, but a favorite memory for your guests that never tire of reminding you of the time when ...
Uno's trademark Snoopy-esque resemblance is just another one of those amazing and fun aspects of this dog. His groundbreaking victory as the first beagle to win at WKC is a tribute to Uno delivering on the magic and essence of the big show. "Westminster. There's only one."
How do you pick only one? You leave it to experienced judges like Dr. J. Donald Jones and this year's Best In Show Judge Sari Brewster Tietjen.
Dr. Donald J. Jones: Uno was the most nearly perfect dog I've judged. What a wonderful dog he is. I know my decision was correct.
W.P.: The crowd went wild over Uno.
Dr. Jones: My focus was 100% on the dogs. The audience was impressed with Uno's locomotion of movement. He moved smoothly and that impressed everyone. He had the correctness of a Beagle as well as the attitude. Uno is a standard of perfection. When he went around the ring it was with precision that spoke well of himself and the breed.
W.P.: What's it like to be the Best In Show Judge for Westminster Kennel Club?
Dr. Jones: It' a joyous role to take on and one that comes with heavy responsibility. I was fully aware I had a job to do.
W.P.: Were you thrilled when they called and asked you?
Dr. Jones: I was shocked. They told me that they couldn't tell me my assignment but that it would be judging just 7 dogs. I was humbled and honored.
W.P.: What advice do you have for this year's Best In Show Judge Sari Brewster Tietjen?
Dr. Jones: Enter the ring with a seriousness of purpose. Focus on the dogs. Make your decision on what you see.
W.P.: Did you realize Uno would win both in the ring as well in the hearts of the public?
Dr. Jones: Uno is America's dog. What you see is what you get. With a beagle there's no real coat grooming. This is the dog in its pure state. The reaction to Uno and his handler was about the mutual bond of them moving and thinking together in seamless fashion. They were a team.
Who better to ask what do we learn from dogs than Sari Brewster Tietjen, this year's 2009 WKC Best In Show Judge.
Sari Brewster Tietjen: What we learn from our dogs is to be human, understanding and compassionate. They teach us about responsibility and how to live with pain when they leave us. Their lives are shorter than ours. During their time with us we share a wonderful life. And, when you lose a dog, which we recently did, a part of your family is gone. Healing will come and the memories will bring both tears and smiles as you work through the grieving process.
Sari's heartfelt grief for Aki, her Japanese Chin, reminds all of the reality that show dogs are not objectified. The dogs at the shows are pets first and athletes next. Invariably when WOOF Patrol contacts the various owners and handlers for quotes or profiles, barking or squeaky toy noises are muffled and welcoming background sounds. Often the 4-legged champions we're inquiring about are on their owner's laps or curled sweetly in a doughnut shape around their feet.
These dogs have it one better than you'd imagine. They usually have more than one loving home. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton stated, "It takes a village to raise a child". Well, that applies to show dogs as well and in more ways than you can imagine. The dogs generally have at least one dedicated handler or more, as well as one or more owners. There are times you have an owner/handler or other combinations. But what is constant and consistent is an atmosphere of caring guardianship.
These show dogs are indeed professional athletes and training is essential. But playtime is never neglected. It's required. Think about what's being judged: the breed standard as well as their temperament and their personality.
WKC is a bench show, meaning the public is encouraged to visit the dogs and their owners in an open viewing area. Here you can learn about the various breeds, their temperaments, health issues and the unique character/personality traits not just of a breed but of a particular dog as well. You can get up close and personal with all aspects of grooming. And you can even have a chance to watch as they prepare to enter the ring.
Nothing is off limits, but the proper etiquette to all attending the show is to politely ask the owner first if they have time to talk to you. Always ask if you may pet the dog. Don't forget this is a competitive sport both physically and mentally. These are tandem teams composed of a handler and a dog. They must connect and be focused when they enter the ring. So use good judgment, especially ringside when the dog and handler are about to show. Trust me, they want you to acknowledge their dogs but they also want to win and that requires them both to stay in the zone.
The Westminster Kennel Club is competitive. Extremely. Consider the math when you start from a field of over 2,500 and narrow it down to seven ... and then just one. "Westminster. There's only one."
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