pet connection

Folks always wonder how I can guess the Westminster winners year after year with such accuracy. Here’s the deal: Top show dogs are on the road every weekend with top professional show handlers, with some dogs attending more than 100 shows a year. At that level of competition, the dogs are close to perfect in conformation, and the handlers are incredibly skilled at presenting the dogs in ways that minimize whatever small flaws they have.

These top dog-handler teams are well-known to the judges, who see them most every weekend. They’re spot-on gorgeous dogs in top condition, and they win and win and win.

By the time Westminster comes around, there’s a buzz around these dozen or so top dogs — and a ranking (No. 1in breed, No. 5 working group, No. 3 all breed, etc.). I look at those rankings, and watch which teams are coming in on a hot streak. Sometimes I see something I like from an outsider who’s just coming into top form. That happened a few years ago, when I picked the English Springer Spaniel to win it all … and she did. No one saw that one coming.

Tonight, I see two dog-handler teams coming in with hot hands, which is why I still like the Dandie Dinmont for Best In Show, but I’m hedging with the Akita. I think one of those dogs will end up on top.

There are always some upsets. A couple years ago the great bloodhound Knotty barely got a look in the Hound Group. Today the Old English sheepdog didn’t win his breed and so won’t advance to the Herding Group final. In that group, I now like the Cardigan Welsh Corgi to snag the top spot and advance to Best In Show. In the Sporting Group, still liking the Springer (with the same handler who won it all with a Springer before). In the Hound Group … still not feeling anything strongly enough but maybe the PBGV (sorry, Christie). A breed like the PBGV has an easier time “sparkling” for the judge than a large Scottish deerhound does.

I won’t know how I did until it’s all over, since I can’t be home to watch tonight and will be TiVoing. Maybe Christie will come on here and gloat if I get it all wrong.

Update: I’m getting a vibe. I’m leaning more and more strongly towards the Akita.

Update No. 2: Yes, I make this all up as I go along. It’s fun.