Boston terrier wins award at Westminster

DIXON – Two Dixon pooches took on the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York City this weekend.

Hoss, a Boston terrier owned by Ken’s Dog Daycare and Grooming Service owner Ken Roux, won an Award of Merit, the award below best of breed.

Hoss took home best of breed last year, but this year’s show has been marked by a number of upsets, Dennis Considine said.

Considine’s dog, a bulldog named Cooper, made his first appearance at Westminster but didn’t place.

“It’s a little disappointing, but it’s been nothing but upsets for the couple of days,” he said. “It’s been a crazy kind of a show.”

The dogs are still at the top of the heap nationally.

Both recently won best of breed at the American Kennel Club Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Fla.

“Westminster has a whole different aura than Eukanuba,” Considine said. “Eukanuba is a little bit more laid-back. Westminster is a bit more traditional.”

Either way, Considine said as crowds cheered in the background Tuesday afternoon, they’re having a good time and plan to go sightseeing before heading back to Dixon on Thursday.

Before long, the dogs will be back on the road, though.

Cooper, a relative newbie to the show world, will be in St. Louis next weekend. Hoss, in comparison, competed in 180 shows last year.

See them strut their stuff

Go to westminsterkennelclub.org for more information about the Westminster Kennel Club.

To find videos of Cooper and Hoss competing, click Videos and then Breed Judging - Day 1.

Find Cooper by watching the bulldog video and Hoss on the Boston terrier video. Cooper's handler has a 15 on her sleeve, while Hoss' handler has a 5 on his sleeve.