Photograph of Uno posing with his Best in Show trophy by Jason DeCrow/AP
Given the state of the Knicks and Rangers, the Garden hasn't heard cheers as resounding as it did last night during the Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show ceremony for some time. But a Beagle named Uno brought the house down, becoming the first ever of his breed to win Best in Show. The last time a beagle even made it to the final round was in 1939.
The playful 15-inch dog bayed in response to the rousing standing ovation he received as his giant ribbon was awarded along with the Westminster Kennel Club's silver cup. According to Newsday, the dog to beat was a toy poodle (a 7 pounder that relaxes in the ring by eating half a pound in meat), while the Daily News mentioned tough competition from a standard poodle who "looked like a cross between a British magistrate and a 20-something Farrah Fawcett."
The judge, Dr. Donald J. Jones, said of Uno, “He's the most perfect beagle I've ever seen...If you saw him, you saw that perfectly smooth locomotion. Not one muscle went the wrong way. Look at his face, you melt right down." And his handler, Aaron Wilkerson, basked in Uno's win, "He's a super dog, a great dog."
Photograph of Uno eating the traditional Best in Show winner's meal of steak at Sardi's by Frank Franklin/AP
Uno will turn three years old in May, but has already reached the pinnacle of dog-showing competition, after beating out 25 other dogs for the top prize. Another beagle, Snoopy, would probably be proud - Uno certainly is Joe Cool in front of the cameras...he even made an appearance on Martha Stewart.
