It came down to the shape of her head.
After naming Mercedes the best in breed for Kerry blue terriers, the judge informed owner Lynn Mathers, of Arlington, that it was a close call. Nine Kerry blues from around the world competed for the title Tuesday at the 139th annual Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show in New York. The judge narrowed the field to two and examined them closely. The breed should have a smooth head with a muzzle longer than the rest of the skull.
Mercedes was flawless, Mathers said.
Mathers sat with a group of friends, watching as professional handler Bill McFadden led Mercedes forward to accept a purple and gold ribbon.
“We just had a ball taking pictures and getting in people’s way and laughing and crying,” Mathers said. “It was Cinderella time for us. This really was Mercedes’ time, and she was perfect.”
Now, the terrier gets some time out of the spotlight. She’s returning to her second job as a service dog pulling Mathers’ wheelchair. Mathers plans to breed her award-winning Kerry Blue before sending her back to the show ring.
Mercedes was one of 10 Snohomish County dogs invited to compete at Westminster on Monday and Tuesday. Though the coveted Best in Show went to a 15-inch beagle from Canada, several local dogs placed in their breeds.
One local teen also was recognized as a junior showmanship finalist, winning a scholarship and landing a place as one of the top young dog handlers in the country. Christian Rutten, a senior at Snohomish High School, showed golden retrievers at Westminster. The 17-year-old led two retrievers from Lake Stevens into and around the ring. Rutten took second place out of eight junior showmanship finalists, according to Best in Show Daily. He’ll receive a $5,000 scholarship from the Westminster Kennel Club.
JJ, a 15-inch beagle competing alongside the nation’s newly crowned top dog, received an award of merit. The award is given by judges when they feel there is an outstanding dog in a breed that did not claim one of the “best of” rankings.
Sheri Berndt-Smith and Darrell Smith, of Snohomish, own the 2-year-old beagle. They made sure he was primped and pampered for the show. They plan to be back at Westminster with JJ in 2016.
This year’s top two beagles retired after the show, Berndt-Smith said. That puts JJ in a prime position to be a future top dog.
“He should be a very strong contender for winning it next year,” she said.
After this year’s competition, JJ ate his favorite filet mignon dinner but didn’t get a break from a rigorous training routine on the treadmill. He is scheduled to compete at a dog show in Oregon this weekend.
Lura Dunn and David Kerschner, of Bothell, went to Westminster for the first time with their 6-year-old flat-coated retriever, Ronin.
“It was a nail-biter for us,” Dunn said. “He came real close to getting the best of breed.”
Ronin finished as a select dog for flat-coated retrievers.
“It’s almost like saying he’s the second-best male dog,” Dunn said.
Ronin was rewarded with french fries and a walk through New York’s Central Park. Like JJ, he is set to compete in Oregon this weekend.
A Norwegian buhund from Monroe, owned by Vali Eberhardt, John Bradstreet and Amie McLaughlin, also took best in breed. A harrier from Snohomish, owned by Sheila Allen, Linda Johnson and Amy Judge, was named best of opposite sex for her breed. That means she’s the top female harrier in the country; the overall best in breed was a male.
Two Portuguese water dogs, one from Everett and one from Snohomish, were invited to compete at the show but were not listed among the rankings. A Schipperke from Marysville also competed but did not place, according to the Westminster results.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439, kbray@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
