Margery & Charmin
Photo: “Courtesy of
American Kennel Club.”

On February 12th, The Westminster Kennel Club will crown its next Best In Show canine champion. Ch Felicity’s Diamond Jim was victorious last year in more ways than one. The standout English Springer, aka James, raised the bar on what it means to win. He retired but kept his most important job as a certified Alzheimer therapy dog.

This year another dog will step into the ring at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club show, the second longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, one year behind the Kentucky Derby. Ch Efbe’s Hidalgo at Goodspice, “Charmin”, crowned the nation’s top dog in December at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, just might be that winner.

Click Here to purchase poster

“Charmin” is not a certified therapy dog, but he is an intuitive one. Margery Good, owner and handler of the Sealyham terrier, told the press earlier this year: “He’s a prince. Charmin’s the most consistent and generous dog I’ve ever had. I couldn’t love him or respect him more.”

Good has been involved with dogs and the sport of showing purebreds since 1964. This year Westminster Kennel Club’s tagline ‘There’s only one” reflects the one outstanding purebred as well as highlights the all encompassing tight and intimate bond between an owner and its handler.

At 15, Good saw herself someday owning a Newfoundland or another large breed. She was not smitten with little dogs, especially white ones. There was no particular reason for her canine persuasion. However, once she began working at a kennel she was introduced to Sealyham terriers that were regular boarders. Riding her bicycle 3 miles each way every day for work and spending time with many breeds could have led her to a number of breed biases.

Margery & Charmin taking the title of AKC/Eukanuba National Champion Photo: “Courtesy of American Kennel Club.”

WOOF Patrol: What drew you to the Sealyham terriers?

Away from the spotlight and back at home, Charmin is more than a show dog, he is Good’s shadow. He trails her everywhere which is in keeping with the breed’s personality of being a devoted companion.

M.G.: Judy Carter, Charmin’s co-owner, was handicapped relying on a motorized scooter. From the time Charmin was 4 months old, he rode everywhere with her.

USA Network and CNBC will be providing exclusive live telecasting of The Westminster Club Dog Show starting on Monday, February 11th at 8 p.m. 2,500 champion dogs will be competing for the one and only Best In Show title. What are the judges looking for? The judges want to identify the dog that conforms most to his or her breed standard. The American Kennel Club’s website (www.akc.org) provides the particulars for each breed standard.

We asked Good what she felt was Charmin’s greatest strength going into the competition.

Charmin turns four on May 19th. His favorite treat is liver and his best dog pal is Babs, a female Parson Russell that often travels with him on the show circuit. He loves playing with others dogs and if the tread mill is not working or available, then he’ll settle for jumping on and off the bed to maintain his svelte, champion-like figure. Of course you know that wherever you find him, owner/handle Margery Good will be there as well.