Going into the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday, we promised ourselves we would uphold the highest of journalistic standards, even at a dog show. But all that went out the window once we met Swagger, the old English sheepdog you see illuminating the photo above like a shaggy white sun. He's a surprise contender for Best-In-Show after he won best in group for herding dogs last night at MSG. And when his owner (jokingly) offered to sell him to us for $250, we'd be lying if we said we didn't strongly consider it.
Unfortunately, as soon as photographer Katie Sokoler mentioned she lived in Brooklyn, he immediately took his offer off the table: "Oh no, Swagger can't live in Brooklyn, no way." Swagger, who lives in Colorado most of the year, is an 18-month-old, 90-pound mass of white-and-grey fur whose eyes can barely be seen. He almost wasn't admitted into this year's competition—Westminster expanded its rules this year to allow so-called "class dogs," which are dogs that have not won enough shows under American Kennel Club rules to be considered "champions," and Swagger was allowed in last minute.
And honestly, as much as we were taken with his giant paws and goofy face, we didn't think he'd have much of a chance going up against the likes of a Puli, a Beauceron and a Canaan Dog. But Swagger charmed the judges and crowd (he got the loudest applause when he ran around the stadium) during the competition.
In their media packets, Westminster offers journalists tips on "storylines" to follow during the show—the sort of stuff that can really make the event seem like a macro version of its most famous cinematic depiction, Best In Show. Swagger was unsurprisingly nowhere to be found on that list—but now that he's broken through to our cold, pasty heart, he's the only storyline we need. Suffice to say, we'll be cheering for him tonight.
Click through to see the many faces of Swagger—and check back today and tomorrow for lots of other Westminster Dog Show coverage.
