Uno is Westminster's Best in Show

NEW YORK — Snoopy is a champion at last.

Barking and baying up a storm, Uno lived up to his name Tuesday night by becoming the first beagle to win best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club.

The nation's new top dog was clearly the fan favorite and drew a roaring, standing ovation from the sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden when he was picked.

Uno got right into the act, jumping up on handler Aaron Wilkerson and confirming his other title: noisiest in show. Years from now, he'll be known for the "ah-roo" heard 'round the ring.

"He's a people's dog, a merry little hound," Wilkerson said.

The only dog consistently listed among America's most popular breeds for nearly 100 years, a beagle had never won. That changed when judge J. Donald Jones pointed to this nearly 3-year-old package of personality.

Uno was numero uno, beating out two perfect poodles, a top Sealyham terrier, a sleek Weimaraner, a lively Australian shepherd and a sprightly Akita.

"We knew he was going to be No. 1. I didn't know he'd do it this fast," Wilkerson said.

Uno celebrated by chewing on the microphones of reporters who tried to interview his winning crew. Those had to suffice for the yellow, soft duck that's his favorite toy.

"He's perfect, he was a 10," Jones said. "He does cuteness well."

More than 169 breeds and varieties were represented at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club event, and the competition brought 2,627 entries.

Barks echoed around Madison Square Garden as the crowd cheered its favorites, among them a Neapolitan mastiff that lumbered around the ring, a Chihuahua that spun in circles and a miniature pinscher that plucked a piece of food off the green carpet without missing a beat.

Formally known as Ch. K-Run's Park Me in First, Uno came into this competition wagging his white-tipped tail with 32 best-in-show ribbons overall. Yet he was surely an underdog — make that an Underdog — because no beagle had even won the hound group since 1939.

But Uno fixed that, breezing in the 15-inch breed judging on Monday morning and taking his group several hours later. So while other dogs tried to reach the final ring Tuesday, Uno spent the day going on a brisk walk around Manhattan and taking a nap.

But when it came time to show, Uno was as precocious and precious as ever.

With fans calling out his name and clapping, he soaked in the cheers as he paraded around the ring, the cheers becoming more thunderous with every step. And when he made his final stop in front of Jones, Uno went to town, baying over and over.

Even when he returned to sidelines as other dogs were judged, Uno kept going. Quite a win it was for Eddie Dziuk of Columbia, Mo., and the other three co-owners.

"My sister called me today and said she's always turned off the dog show on TV because she's tired of all those poodles winning," Jon Woodring, one of the other co-owners, said earlier in the day. "But she watched last night. I think Uno winning would show that an everyday dog can do it."

Although no local dogs made the top spot, some earned best-of-breed honors.

A Portuguese water dog from Snohomish County, Ch. Del Sur's Keno Of Cascade, took best of breed. The dog "is an absolute show dog. I couldn't ask for a better dog," said Shea Skinner, a professional handler from Stanwood.

"Keno's a wonderful dog, outgoing, loves to retrieve, full of energy, smart — a total blessing," said owner-breeder Cynthia Thorson.

Likewise, "showmanship and attitude" gave toy fox terrier Ch. Valcopy Kasey Kahne a best of breed win. Breeder-owner Dana Plonkey lives in Lynnwood. Plonkey co-owns the dog with Mike Smiley of Camano Island and Lynn McKee of Lake Stevens.

A bichon frisé named Jake (Ch. Paray's Paragon) also took best of breed. The dog is owned in part by David and Dianne Anderson of Seattle, according to a Westminster official.

As for the exuberant puppy from Woodinville, Zeus (Ch. Gingerbred Celestial Thunder), he reached the top 15 in the Labrador retriever judging. "But ... he didn't win anything," owner Tony Leitao said from his cellphone outside Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

Leitao, a program manager for Microsoft, had reason to be optimistic that Zeus might make a strong showing at Westminster. The 13-month-old yellow lab had swept his breed in 17 of his last 19 shows.

Lisa Wogan contributed to this report for The Seattle Times.