Malachy, Westminster Best In Show, Visits 'Morning Joe' (VIDEO)

Malachy the Pekingese, the winner of the 2012 Westminster Dog Show, stopped by the set of "Morning Joe" on Wednesday morning.

The poofy pom-pom of a specimen won best in show at the legendary competition on Tuesday night. Co-host Mika Brzezsinki and contributor Donny Deutsch sat down with Malachy's handler David Fitzpatrick and David Frei of the Westminster Kennel Club the next day.

Brzezinski joked that she was "transfixed" by the dog's special hair spray and "a little jealous that Malachy has a nicer hairspray than I do." She wanted to know what distinguished the Pekingese as the winner. Fitzpatrick explained that he won best in show because he "exemplifies the breed standard," according to the judges' rubric.

"How much does appearance count?" Brzezinski asked. The answer, according to Fitzpatrick, is a great deal. "They have to look good or else they don't have a chance," he explained.

Brzezinski grew more taken with Malachy as the segment went on. She called him a "nice dog" at the beginning, but had declared him "so cute" and "like a pillow" by the end.

Also on HuffPost:

Scenes from the Westminster Dog Show.

Comments

[vidtrainer110]

04:49 PM on 02/16/2012

I think the only reason for a dog show should be to show off rescues for adoption! '

[Hampton Roads]

04:16 PM on 02/16/2012

He looks better than Mika.

[PrairieDog]

03:30 PM on 02/16/2012

Somebody give that dog a stick...please. Our Maltese/Shih-tsu mix may be cute but she aint just leash candy! She always hassling our cat who has a 10 lb advantage.

[mrman]

09:06 AM on 02/16/2012

He's a true cutie! I love watching the Show. HOWEVER, my little ankle-biter, SPIKE (chihuahua) is cuter, smarter and has more personality than all those fleabags :-) on the beautiful green carpet. SPIKE gets all the love and attention and doesn't have to "put out" to get it.

[Jced]

02:38 PM on 02/16/2012

I feel exactly the same way about my two (lapdog) German Shepherds... The sweetest, cutesy most lovable dogs on the planet!!!

[dblueII]

12:59 AM on 02/16/2012

I was pulling for the wire haired dachshund.

[Ramatoulai Fofana]

11:19 AM on 02/17/2012

ALOT OF Ppl were...

[Rita Wood Devins]

11:30 PM on 02/15/2012

They finally had something on worth watching! Ha!

[hrc04]

06:46 PM on 02/15/2012

Didn't they have him on to talk about the contraception controversy?

[dwill123]

06:31 PM on 02/15/2012

Looks like Yoda's grandfather.

[wkingsolomon77]

07:26 PM on 02/15/2012

Isn,t that the head of the repub party

[Dwight Robertson]

06:18 PM on 02/15/2012

Wow, now that's news worthy

[JamesA1102]

06:11 PM on 02/15/2012

That dog is smarter than the whole MJ cast combined.

[wonderYrednow]

09:41 PM on 02/15/2012

You have no clue what is or is not smart, that's obvious !

[JamesA1102]

11:31 PM on 02/15/2012

Weak!

[h23154]

09:02 AM on 02/16/2012

Zinger!!!

LOL

[Neico]

05:48 PM on 02/15/2012

I think Malachy was better suited for a much better TV show than Morning Joe.

Come on Mr. Fitzpatrick don't lower Malachy standards again.

I luv Malachy...but my favorite didn't win...oh well next time.

[SallyMaclennane]

05:18 PM on 02/15/2012

Hand that dog over to Mitt Romney....he'll know what to do with it.

[Jced]

02:41 PM on 02/16/2012

Yeah! Fire it or outsource it!

[PrairieDog]

03:35 PM on 02/16/2012

roof surfing

[SallyMaclennane]

05:16 PM on 02/15/2012

This show has really gone to the dogs.

[Mark in the D]

04:51 PM on 02/15/2012

Maybe the pooch was auditioning to replace Mika...probably be a toss up in IQ..but Mika would probably negotiate a better contract...then again..maybe not

[SallyMaclennane]

05:17 PM on 02/15/2012

Mika makes better funny faces.

[BeasleysMom]

04:19 PM on 02/15/2012

Nothing attractive about these ge n etc engineered animals. Makes no sense to me what the point is. Except money. Poor little things. I prefer alley cats.

[Mattie]

06:09 PM on 02/15/2012

I do love my three cats, but during this interview, they showed a German Shepherd at the show, and it was a beautiful animal. I just love all animals, but like you, I'll stick with the homeless kind. They make great pets, and it feels good to rescue one, and they give back to you tenfold!