Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Best in Show (and Fiction)

Today's post is a double-feature to celebrate the Westminster Kennel Club's 134th Annual Dog Show (Feb. 15th-16th.) First, enjoy some interesting info about the show's history and, then, peruse the reading list to find a great book for dog lovers!

Westminster Kennel Club Historical Highlights:
*The club was formed in 1876 (or earlier) by a group of sporting men who often met to discuss their hunting achievements and the skills of their dogs at a bar in a Manhattan hotel. They decided to form an official club called The Westminster Breeding Association, named after their favorite hotel.
*"The Czar of Russia" was noted as the breeder for a Siberian Wolfhound entered in the 1889 show.
*A German Shepherd named Filax of Lewanno was exhibited at the show in 1917. The dog was a hero of WWI, bringing 54 wounded soldiers to safety.
*The Westminster Kennel Foundation established an annual scholarship program for veterinary students in 1987.
*In 2009, a ten-year-old Sussex Spaniel called "Stump" (formally named Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee) became the oldest dog ever to win Best in Show. Stump was later featured on the cover of AARP Magazine.

Fiction for Dog Lovers:
*Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt
*The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
*Dog Lover's Mystery series by Susan Conant
*Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
*Melanie Travis series by Laurien Berenson
*Nose Down, Eyes Up by Merrill Markoe
*The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
*The Unscratchables by Cornelius Kane

All Westminster Kennel Club info found on the group's webpage.

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