NEW YORK — In human years, he’s almost 70!
An old Sussex spaniel taught dogdom a new trick. At age 10, “Stump” became the oldest “best in show” winner at the Westminster Kennel Club, coming out of retirement only last week to walk off with the top prize Tuesday night.
Perhaps the cheering fans knew Stump’s background — he almost died in 2004 from a medical condition, saved by the vets at Texas A&M.
Then again, maybe folks just liked rooting for the old guy. With floppy ears and a slow gait, Stump beat out a field that included a giant schnauzer that was ranked the nation’s No. 1 show dog, a favored Brussels griffon, a Scottish deerhound named Tiger Woods and a standard poodle with 94 best in show wins.
Viewers of the dog show may have had a peek at the next First Dog. Among the 170 breeds and varieties at the 133rd edition of Westminster was a pooch named Domino, a Portuguese water dog. President Obama said his family had narrowed the choices to a “Porti” or a Labradoodle, a designer mix of a Labrador retriever and a poodle.
“These Portuguese water dogs can cause all sorts of mischief,” handler Paul Clas said. “They’ll bring comedy to the White House. Obama may not take bribes, but his Portuguese water dog would.”
Westminster spokesman David Frei said the Obamas are doing a good job taking their time.
“It’s an important decision. Whichever dog he picks will probably be with him longer than anyone in his Cabinet,” Frei said.
Ben Walker, The Associated Press
