It was a small entry in the Boxer ring at the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club show on Tuesday, Feburary 14. Ten Boxers were entered, and six made it to the Big Apple for their turn on the famous green carpet at Madison Square Garden.
Among the entries were four of the five Boxers invited to the show -- the top five Boxers in the country, based on AKC rankings from January 1 to October 31, 2011. Of those five, only two actually competed. GCH Carillon's M V P, or "Jake" as he's known to his fans, was not entered in the show, and "Zoey", GCH Sapphires Violet Sky In Vegas Of Streamline, was absent.
Danny, GCH R and G's Mystical Dancer, who was also absent today, but was represented in the ring by his son, CH R and G's Rocket Man. Keeping things in the family, Duke is handled in the Specials ring by Gary Steele, while Gary's daughter Kimberlie handles Danny.
Rounding out the entries were the aptly-named "Clark", CH Regalis Man of Steel, who finished his Championship last April from the Bred By Exhibitor class; CH Hi-Tech Hi-Drama of Sherry Shoot JP, a half-sister to Danny and Jake whose dam was Winners Bitch at the ABC National in 2007; and "Thelma", GCH Aboxa's Moonlight Serenade, the only uncropped Boxer entered at Westminster this year.
Judge Mrs. Judy Harrington sorted through the exhibits and eventually made her picks of the dogs that, in her opinion, best met the breed standard on the day. Best of Breed, to no one's surpise, went to Scarlett, GCH Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream. Scarlett has been at the top of her game, and finished 2011 as the #1 Boxer, #1 Working Dog, and #3 All Breeds (per Canine Chronicle statistics). With Danny absent, Best of Opposite Sex was anyone's guess -- the honor went to Danny's son Duke, CH R and G's Rocket Man. One Award of Merit was given and went of course to Macey, GCH Winfall's I Dream of Style, who has also been hot on the heels of her sister, Scarlett and finished 2011 as the #3 Boxer all systems.
Scarlett goes on to compete in the Working Group this evening, and is hoping to break ther three-year streak of Group Second placements. A video of Boxer breed judging is on the Westminster Kennel Club website. Group judging is broadcast live on the USA Network at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
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