Some breeds only featured one or two fledgeling , but that ’s still a fortune to promote dog that are completely strange to some Americans .
When Josie theNorwegian elkhoundentered the strain gang at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday afternoon , she did n’t have much competition .
Er , make that any contest . She was the only dog in the band . Her judgment lasted less than 90 seconds , and she won Best of Breed for the Norwegian elkhound . That made it no less sweeter for her proprietor , Andrew Vance of Columbus , Ohio .
Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images
" Westminster Kennel Club is the most authoritative dog-iron show in the country , banish none , and so to take the air aside with Best in Breed is always an honor , " he tells Daily Paws .
That was the reality for several rare dog breed at Westminster in 2023 . Only oneEnglish foxhoundentered the show . Only twoboerboelscompeted , and none of theFinnish spitzesshowed up . ( Thegolden retrieverring , meanwhile , featured 37 entrants . )
But while in pocket-size numbers , the rare breed enthusiast still had the chance to further their frump , putting them on interior television in the evenings . That ’s where the journey cease for most of them — except for thePetit Basset Griffon Vendéenwho won it all after being one of only three of his breed to contend .
Courtesy of Laurie Green
" It ’s a small strain and we like it for that because they ’re not for everyone … We ’ve [ spent ] a long time really getting this strain to be noticed and it ’s fantastic to put them on the mapping , " said Janice Hayes , the owner and manager of Buddy Holly , the well in Show - winning whelp .
The PBGV is the 154thmost pop dogin the United States . ( The lean , from theAmerican Kennel Club , measures how many hotdog from each breed are register with the club . ) But even further down the list is one of its touch on strain , the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen at No . 185 out of 199 .
The top - grade GBGV , Colt , was the only one of his breed to vie Monday at Westminster , which owner Laurie Green says is a pretty even occurrence . The most she usually sees at all - breed shows is three or four .
" There ’s just not a circle of the great unwashed , " she says .
While winning Best in Breed was nice , the pocket-sized contingent of Chinook owners would ’ve like to see a few more in the ring than just two . But that ’s intemperate to come by for the breed ranked No . 180 . Heather Osborne , owner and handler of Best in Breed winner Illamaaq , name there are just over 800 Chinooks in the United States , and even fewer are show dogs with enough backup point in time to qualify for Westminster .
So it ’s even more crucial for one to get that 20 second of air time on television set in the group stage . perhaps someone was especially strike with the Chinook , a stock native to New Hampshire that originated from amastiffandSiberian huskybreeds .
" This is why we do this , " Osborne , who live in Connecticut , says . " Because the quinnat salmon are a tall strain . They are a healthy , dynamic , well-informed stock , and we ’d jazz to have them get more vulnerability . "
Sure enough , when Illamaaq entered the Working Group ring at Arthur Ashe Stadium , FOX Sports analyst Jason Hoke mentioned how it was a shame to not see too many Chinook at dog shows .
" I ’m so glad this breed is symbolize , " he said . " It ’s really one of the hidden gems of the sportsman as well . "
The elkhound is No . 100 on the AKC ’s listing , but Vance and his married woman decide to make for Josie — who , competition or not , demonstrate quite well — home in edict to promote the strain . honest-to-god breeder were retiring , and they were worried the breed could fleet away .
" We ’ve done a lot of gain with her , but , ultimately , the important thing is that we introduce other people to this bully breed , " Vance says . " We want to attempt to preserve the Norwegian elkhound . "
Plus , Josie ’s a great ducky . She ’s active but will calm down down when need , and she even partners with Vance ’s girl in third-year showmanship event . That ’s the character of associate we ’re all looking for .
