NEW YORK — A Scottish deerhound who loves to chase wild animals caught her biggest prize yet, winning best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club.
The 5-year-old dog, Hickory, pulled a huge surprise at Madison Square Garden, bounding away with the title of America’s top dog.
Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy picked Hickory from a seven-dog final show ring that also featured a Pekingese, a Portuguese water dog, a Chinese Shar-Pei, a smooth fox terrier, a bearded collie and a black cocker spaniel.
Hickory is the first kind of her breed to win the purple-and-gold ribbon and silver bowl.
“People who own, breed, show dogs dream of this day,” handler Angela Lloyd said.
Hickory lives on a 50-acre farm in Warrenton, Va., where she enjoys running after deer and rabbits. Owners Sally Sweatt, Cecilia Dove and Dr. Scott Dove will certainly let her romp all she wants after this victory.
The 135th Westminster show was considered a wide-open field from the start. A smooth fox terrier who was the No. 1 show dog of 2010 recently retired, and an Australian shepherd who won the big AKC/Eukanuba event did not enter.
