Two Shih Tzu dogs owned by a breeder from this province recently took home big awards from a prestigious international dog show in the United States.
Three-year-old Jax was named Best of Breed, while two-year-old Stuart picked up one of only two Awards of Merit in the same category at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an all-breed annual event held Feb. 12-13 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
“There were so many beautiful dogs there, so when Jax was named Best of Breed, it was absolutely phenomenal,” said the dogs’ owner, Wendy Anderson of St. John’s.
“Then, when Stuart received an Award of Merit, holy smokes, it was doubly exciting.”
The Westminster show, which is televised nationally, attracts top dogs in various breeds from around the world. First held in 1877, it is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the U.S., behind the Kentucky Derby horse race.
Jax’s Best of Breed award is believed to be a first for a dog bred and owned in this province.
The dogs are judged according to their breed standards — a blueprint of what each breed should be. Since Shih Tzu are bred to be companion dogs, judges look for good temperament, expression and general structure, along with coat, movement and overall presentation.
Shih Tzu are categorized in the toy group. Other breeds fall into such categories as working, terrier, sporting, non-sporting, herding and hound.
It’s the fourth time Anderson, who has been breeding dogs since 2002, has entered dogs in the Westminster show and the first time she has shown a dog herself.
Jax has been with his handler, Mandy Carlson, in Minnesota for the last year and a half, during which time they have competed in various shows across the U.S. Jax finished 2017 as the No. 1 Shih Tzu All Breed and the No. 7 toy dog in the country.
“The good show dogs, the top dogs, love to show, and that shows when they compete,” said Anderson, who is also a dog judge, licensed with the Canadian Kennel Club.
She said both Jax and Stuart are friendly, easy-going dogs that love children.
“They’ve done so well and, for me, having my dogs compete in shows is fun. You get to meet so many great people,” Anderson said.
“This one was quite an honour, as a Westminster win would be considered a pinnacle for breeders. We have several great breeders in Newfoundland. We might be a small place, but we really have some top-notch dogs in this province.”
Twitter: TelyRosie
