Culture

Numero Uno at Westminster

by Amy Judd | February 13, 2008 at 09:56 am

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A beagle named Uno, who was named winner of the hound group at Westminster on Monday, took top honours at the show yesterday by being named best in show. When it was announced he had won, the crowd stood up and cheared as Uno took his victory lap. Too bad he didn't start dancing like his more famous counterpart - Snoopy.

The only breed consistently among the nation's most popular dogs for nearly 100 years, a beagle had never won in the 100 times the Westminster Kennel Club had chosen a winner. That changed when judge J. Donald Jones pointed to this nearly 3-year-old package of personality.

No longer an underdog — make that an Underdog — Uno beat out two neatly primped poodles, a top Sealyham terrier, a sleek Weimaraner, a lively Australian shepherd and a sprightly Akita.

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

Precocious as he was precious, 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.

His tri-colored image certainly drew a nationwide following, and that will surely prompt a spike in beagle adoptions. Wilkerson had one bit of advice for anyone planning to get one as a pet.

"Better have a fence," he said.

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