A 4-year-old dog from Homer Glen was in elite company Tuesday night at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Tanner, a Norwich terrier, made it to the final round of seven at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club’s dog show.
Tanner did not win best of show — that honor went to a German shepherd named Rumor — but he did leave for home as best of group among 32 breeds of terriers, according to a spokesperson for the kennel club.
Lisa Sons, Tanner’s owner, who flew home from New York to Homer Glen on Wednesday, was ecstatic.
Tanner Julie Jacobson / AP
Tanner, a Norwich terrier, jogs through the ring during the terrier group competition at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 14, 2017, in New York.
Tanner, a Norwich terrier, jogs through the ring during the terrier group competition at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 14, 2017, in New York.
(Julie Jacobson / AP)
"It felt like a dream that came true," Sons said. "I was crying because I was so excited for my dog, I was so excited for my handler, we were all so excited."
Sons said placing best of group was also a big moment for Tanner’s handler, Susan DePew of Wisconsin. In 40 years of showing dogs and 39 appearances at Westminster, DePew had never advanced so far, Sons said.
Rumor the German shepherd wins best in show at Westminster Jennifer Peltz
Quite a rally for Rumor — a commanding comeback for German shepherds, too.
Rumor was crowned America’s top dog Tuesday night when, a year after a near miss on the very same green carpet, she came out of retirement to win best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club.
Cheered loudly all around the…
Quite a rally for Rumor — a commanding comeback for German shepherds, too.
Rumor was crowned America’s top dog Tuesday night when, a year after a near miss on the very same green carpet, she came out of retirement to win best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club.
Cheered loudly all around the…
(Jennifer Peltz)
"We both kind of made each other’s dreams come true with this little dog," Sons said.
Some Westminster participants spend hundreds of thousands on advertising and showing their dogs. That’s not Sons’ way of doing things, she said. Breeding and shows are a passionate hobby, but not a full-time job.
Sons depends on handler DePew to take Tanner to most out of town shows, and attends the ones she can, the most important shows and those within in the region. Doing it single-handedly would be near impossible because dog shows happen nearly every weekend, she said.
About 2,800 dogs competed in Westminster this year, an event which dates back to 1877. Before advancing to the group competition, Tanner competed against 17 Norwich terriers in best of breed.
According to the kennel club’s website, Norwich terrier were developed in the late 1800s around East Anglia, England. Bred for "portability, a harsh weather-resistant coat, and a desire to dispatch small vermin or to bolt fox." The breed is one of the smallest working terriers and is "loyal, affectionate and an ideal family dog," according to the website. Fans of mockumentary "Best in Show" may recognize that show dog Winky, owned by the Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara characters in the film, is a Norwich terrier.
They’re also adorable, if you asked Sons. About 12 years ago, she discovered the breed and fell in love with their pointed ears and scruffy, hard hair that can not be groomed with a shave or cut, but must be hand-stripped from the roots.
"They looked like little bears and I just thought they were so cute, little ewoks almost," she said. "I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’d love to have one of these running around my house."’
Sons said she has bred many Norwich terriers over the years, but Tanner stuck out immediately. When DePew saw him at eight months, she told Sons he would be her "next best show dog."
The 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show runs Feb. 11-14, 2017, in New York.
His mother was selected twice at Westminster as "Best of Opposite Sex," the best dog opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner, a perplexing title to the layman who does not know dogs are shown at Westminster primarily for breeding purposes, Sons said. Tanner’s mother was a driven and hardworking show dog, but was best motivated by food. She would "probably sell me down the river for a piece of chicken," Sons said.
Tanner on the other hand, is a natural showman who began competing at 2 years-old. In October 2016, Tanner was named Best in Show at the Montgomery County Kennel Club show, which is significant to Terrier breeders.
"He really thinks he’s beautiful and he will tell you, he thinks he’s beautiful," she quipped.
In the final round at Westminster, 5-year-old Rumor bested out Tanner and five other dogs — a Norwegian elkhound, a Pekingese, a miniature poodle, a boxer and an Irish setter called Adrian, which finished second. Awards are only given to the top two in the final round.
Rumor was crowned a year after a near miss on the very same green carpet. She’s just the second German shepherd champion at the event, which began in 1877.
"Unbelievable," handler and co-owner Kent Boyles said.
"The German shepherd standard talks about quality and nobility," judge Thomas Bradley III said. "When you recognize it, it hits you at home, and that’s what it really is. She is just magnificent."
Rumor is named for the hit song "Rumor Has It" by Adele.
Rumor joined the fittingly named Manhattan in 1987 as the only German shepherds to go best in show at the Garden.
The 141st Westminster canine competition featured 202 eligible breeds and varieties.
mmccall@tribpub.com
The Associated Press contributed.
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