The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the crowning glory of the dog show world.  If you win Westminster, it’s a ticket to a full-time retirement, no matter what the dog’s age.  For this year’s winner, retirement means breeding and chasing rabbits for the rest of her days.  This year’s best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is Hickory, a Scottish Deerhound.  Actually, her full name is Grand Champion Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, but everyone calls her Hickory, so I will too.  Hickory is owned by Sally Sweatt of Minnesota, but lives on the farm of breeders Cecilia and Robert Dove in Flint Hill, Virginia.

“She went in there tonight and she showed like she’s never shown before,” said her handler, Angela Lloyd. “She was solid and steady and even through all of the lights and cameras and the noise and spotlights, she came right through it.  The breed is very sensitive to their surroundings and this is quite an extreme experience for a dog who lives on a farm and chases deer and squirrels daily.”

This is back-to-back victories for Scottish dogs.  Last year’s best in show winner was a Scottish Terrier named Sadie.  Looks like everything’s coming up Scotland in the dog world!

Tags: scottish deerhound, hickory the scottish deerhound, hickory, westminster kennel club 2011, westminster kennel club, best in show goes to scottish deerhound, westminster best in show for 2011, unusual animals, unusual dogs, dog breeds, purebred dogs, Grand Champion Foxcliffe Hickory Wind

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