Local dog to compete in Westminster Dog Show

The 2016 Westminster Dog Show will feature seven breeds newly recognized by the American Kennel Club in the past year.

Ms. McElheney said Rumor faced stiff competition from the other German shepherds, but her personality sets her apart.

As dozens gathered around Rumor post-win, her owner and handler Kent Boyles lauded the black-and-brown pup’s personality.

“She’s a sweet, lovely animal”, co-owner Pamela Buckles said. “Structurally, she’s near ideal, very close to the standard”. Both purebred and mixed-breed dogs are eligible for this contest. Now in its 140th year, the show is the second-longest continuously running sporting event in the US after the Kentucky Derby. The evening finals (Groups and Best In Show) will be held at Madison Square Garden and televised live from 7-10 p.m. today on CNBC and Tuesday on USA Network.

More than 100 dog breeds, separated into hounds, toy dogs, non-sporting dogs and herding dogs, competed Monday, which followed the agility competitions on Sunday.

Ricky, who sprawled across a grooming table backstage as revelers took photographs, bested 20,000 dogs as victor of the 2014 Crufts show in Birmingham, the world’s largest dog show.

“It’s her first experience showing and mine too”, she said.

Zack, a 5-year-old bearded collie – the breed made famous in “Peter Pan” – was one of the many unlucky pups that didn’t advance. Rally titles are similar: the dogs go through a course designed by judges where the dog has to complete a skill with their handler based on instructions from the judges.

Ditlow, of Camp Hill, Penn., was nevertheless hopeful.

Ophelia, a 4-year old bulldog from West Islip, N.Y., participates in the meet the breed portion of the 140th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

At the Westminster Kennel Club’s first-ever obedience competition Monday, dogs had to sniff out and fetch a dumbbell their handlers had touched from a pile of identical dumbbells.

No beagle had won the Westminster show until Uno, and he drew a standing ovation from a packed Garden crowd the night when Aaron Wilkerson guided him around the ring.