Reflected Glory
The 2020 Westminster Kennel Club Show is now history. This show is the super bowl of our sport. Established in 1877 it is the second oldest continuous sporting event in America after the Kentucky Derby. Westminster's influence is felt through its famous all-breed, benched dog show and is held every year at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Dogs entered from around the world make Westminster like no other.
This year the honor of the coveted Best in Show was awarded to the Standard Poodle, GCHG Stone Run Afternoon Tea CD, call name Siba. To manage this feat, Siba, owned by William Lee and Connie s. Unger, bred by Unger, outlasted some 2,500 competitors representing 204 breeds across three days.
Siba is a three-year-old black standard poodle although, from afar, she resembles a sculpture. Her grooming and cut is perfect. Currently America’s most famous dog, her victory was followed by a whirlwind day of press appearances and a celebratory lunch at Sardi’s.
Her handler, Chrystal Murray-Clas, reports that Siba definitely knew she had won. "The energy in that building was so intense that she was just on her toes the whole time. She gave 110% the whole night."
The judge decides which is "best" by comparing the dog against its own breed and the group's ideal standards. “Dogs were originally bred to do specific jobs, whether hunting, guarding, tracking, or companionship. The standard describes how a dog should look in order to carry out its job" reports the Westminster Kennel Club.
Standard poodles typically stand over 15 inches tall and are the largest members of the three categories of poodles, with females weighing between 40 to 50 pounds and males as much as 70 pounds. Though members of the nonsporting group, they are great hunters and love to swim. The calm, confident, and happy canines also make great service dogs. As you may have guessed, the show dogs do require extensive grooming, pets less so.
Needless to say we in the poodle community are proud and thrilled with this win. Chrystal said of Siba “she’s beautiful and has that something.” We would agree. Siba is an excellent representative of the breed. Elegant with a flowing gait, she moves seamlessly around the ring.
This is not Siba’s first win. She has earned fifty-seven Best in Shows and the important Best of Breed win at the 2019 Poodle Club of America National Specialty. Poodles attend from all over the world to compete within the breed in all three sizes; the Standard, the Mini and the Toy. Each size is measured against the same breed description. David Frei, longtime dog expert explains “ don’t let the haircut fool you. This is a smart, athletic, active dog originally developed in Germany as a water retrieving dog.”
How are we connected to the story of this glorious bitch and her amazing win? Toy poodle breeder, Janet Reed and I own a young dog, GCHB Foxmore Tough Targa, call name Charlie. Our little Charlie won Best of Opposite Sex (or second) to Siba at the 2019 Poodle Club of America National Specialty.
Our great and enthusiastic congratulations go to Siba as we bask in her reflected glory.