Best In Show 2012: Westminster Dog Competition (PHOTOS/VIDEO)

(Updates with announcement of winner, details)

By Chris Michaud

NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - A placid Pekingese slowly trotted to victory on Tuesday at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, beating a Dalmatian, a German Shepherd, a Dachshund and three other canines to become the first of his breed to win the prestigious annual event since 1990.

Malachy, a four-year-old dog formally known as Ch. Palacegarden Malachy, charmed the packed Madison Square Garden arena crowd, who roared their approval when his win was announced.

Judge Cindy Vogels, who was sequestered from the two-day competition until she entered the ring for the best-in-show finale, described the 11-pound Malachy as "a super dog who had a stupendous night."

"He was spectacular," she said of the dog who has been number-one in the toy group for the past two years and has won 115 best-in-show titles.

"He conforms to the (breed's) standard so magnificently ... tonight, he was flawless," she said.

The Pekingese, who drew a fair amount of affectionate laughter from the crowd with his mop of highly fluffed hair, won them over with soulful glances up at handler David Fitzpatrick, as he strode about the ring at a deliberate pace that contrasted with the other dogs' trotting gates.

"Their gate should be slow and dignified," Fitzpatrick said of the toy breed. Earlier in the day, he added, the dog had been "very quiet and relaxed," although he noted "he's an extrovert in the ring."

The other dogs competing in the best-in-show round included an Irish setter, a Kerry blue terrier and a Doberman pinscher. No Irish setter, Dalmatian or Dachshund has ever won best in show at Westminster, the nation's second-oldest sporting event behind only the Kentucky Derby race for thoroughbred horses.

Fitzpatrick said Malachy, owned by Iris Love and Sandra Middlebrooks as well as himself, would now retire to the life of a house pet. "He won't be doing commercials, he's been working hard enough for the past two years," Fitzpatrick said.

But first, the nation's newest top dog will embark upon a string of television appearances on news and talk shows befitting other celebrities with one name, such as Madonna and Cher.

The handler promised the dog would soon be back to "running around the house and chasing squirrels outside -- all the normal things."

Describing Malachy's nature, Fitzpatrick said "he's dignified, devoted, and a wonderful companion. He's charming."

(Editing by Greg McCune)

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Comments

[olitenup]

09:24 PM on 02/20/2012

Can someone tell me what the hell has happened to the German Shepherd dogs? We raised them as kids and today's dogs don't even look like shepherds anymore.

I have lost all my respect for the AKC.

[cindyw]

10:42 AM on 02/17/2012

Beautiful dogs, but I was disturbed to hear that Westminster was dropping Pedigree dog food as a sponsor because their commercials featuring shelter dogs were "too sad". I'll take my two shelter dogs over a purebred any day. I like to think mixed breeds are the pinnacle of evolution.

[Edy Williams]

08:41 PM on 02/16/2012

" the Golden magnificent GERMAN SHEPARD! :CaptainCrunch, got all the attention ,whistles, applause, & the Irish Setter all silky perfection, even the DALMATION was equisite! It seems a scandal, this mutt of a SQUIRT beat the three Kings here"? PHOOEY. It is FIXED! Think someone got a big BONUS here!!??"

[Reader200]

11:16 AM on 02/16/2012

It seemed to me that just as the Best in Show judge had been introduced, before she entered the ring, there was a scuffle to her left--a man apparently trying to get to her or cause a disturbance of some kind. He was hustled away by another man (presumably a security person). Did anyone else notice this, and does anyone out there know what this was about? It seemed so odd.

[SylviaS]

10:16 AM on 02/16/2012

We could really get better children if we applied the dog breeders tactics. Take the strongest male and make him breed with the prettiest female. We could get a superior breed, take him/her away from the parents and sell it! We could keep extensive records of who they bred with and who owned them just to make sure we weren't getting a dud. Oh, wait a minute. that's been done. It was called slavery. My bad.

[mlaiuppa]

10:15 PM on 02/15/2012

Love the picture of that Dogue de Bordeaux and it's owner eyeball to eyeball.

I wouldn't have picked the pekinese. The crowd didn't either. While it would have been sweet karma for the Irish Setter to win (revenge of Seamus) I was hoping for either the Doberman or the German Shepherd. They were both fabulous dogs. Especially the "fifinator".

[Edy Williams]

09:47 PM on 02/15/2012

The German Shepard was the big time winner Dr "Grunch", A single Woman judge?? Whe picked that person? It was a man judge that brought out the glamorous gorgues Irish Setter, The perfect Dalmation, the most beautiful Black Doberman in the world! The "boo's" to hear after her choice? Really ruined the show. She should go back to her bridge game in her penthouse for her martini. She had to be drunk to pick a tongue hanging out, with a rif raf odd face of a raggedy whatever it was. Please have a three person judging group for some fairness here!

[contardi]

05:47 PM on 02/15/2012

I am a breeder/owner/ handler of Irish Setters and of COURSE my pick was the divine Ms. Em as she is a spectacular Irish; however, ANY dog in that ring last night could have been pointed to, it just so happened that Cindy decided that LAST NIGHT (as has happened 114 PRIOR times) that Malachy BEST fit the breed standard of the Pekinese. They are not supposed to have rollicking personalities, they are not supposed to have huge side gait - they are a TOY and a LAP dog. Malachy is an OUTSTANDING specimen of what a peke is supposed to be!

[GirlUsingBrain]

05:13 PM on 02/15/2012

I love dogs and it doesn't matter if they are blue ribbon material.

[gingercurls]

03:26 PM on 02/15/2012

I love all animals but this is one ugly little mop! Congratulations anyway.

[Edy Williams]

09:51 PM on 02/15/2012

Yes, ugly! with no legs!a Zero, this Cindy is "CRINGY"! she stinks big time. The German shepard all Golden was outstanding! The Irish setter glorious & the Dalmation a 10 ! Hope they are able to manage at least 3 judges to get it right! To hear the audience "BOO"! Right on!

[EveryCliche]

04:57 PM on 02/16/2012

The Peke was not my favorite but I do have to stand up a bit for the breed. My parents rescued one while I was in college. She was a very sweet dog and adorable too but we kept her hair short. She hated when it got too long and loved it right after it was cut. She would run around the house with far more speed then you would think because she was so happy. It's crazy to me to keep a dogs hair that long, it can barely walk, it looks like it can barely breath.

BTW, the Dalmation was my favorite followed by that adorable dachshund. Both of those dogs tails did not stop waging the entire time.

[Cygnus1]

01:56 PM on 02/15/2012

The Dachshund and the Irish Setter were my picks. That Peke had all the personality of a doorstop.

[Edy Williams]

08:46 PM on 02/16/2012

Looked like a Mish Mash of carwash rags with a piece of gum stuck to it! YUK! Oh, the Irish Setter was a dream to see, the breeze blowing her mane back!

[gjohnso627]

01:39 PM on 02/15/2012

One of the cutest dogs I have seen.