Ch. Darbydale's All Rise, better known as Josh, a 155-pound, boisterous Newfoundland, won the Westminster Dog Show last night. During the exciting and tense final best in show round, judge Burton Yamada chose Josh other a number of other amazing dogs: Coco the Norfolk terrier, a tiny Pekingese, a Sussex spaniel named Stump, Ibizan hound "Bunny" (named so because of her markings, not her pointy ears), Kevin the Pembroke Welsh corgi and a standard poodle (we still don't understand the weird pompoms its the back). Judge Yamada (who designs missiles or something, as Gothamist learned from USA's coverage) chalked up his decision to the dogs' flair and attitude, likening them to actors, "What makes a good actor? They assume the part, and have the desire and attitude to win." Josh had barked while Judge Yamada inspected him, which drove the crowd crazy.
Josh is going to Sardi's for lunch today. More about the Westminster Dog Show.





while i completely agree that standard poodle grooming looks silly, there is actually a point to the weird pompom things. they're there to keep the hip joints warm during swimming and other outdoor activities that poodles were used for back in the day. i am such a nerd.
So standard poodles don't have hair on that back part of their bodies? I had heard the warm thing before, but I just thought "Why can't they just grow hair all over?"
So am I - I was just about to post the exact same thing!
they can grow hair all over - it's a visual thing, as well as keeping the dogs joints warm.
That looks like a fast dog
Slate today has an interesting story on the history of those odd poodle cuts.
I just wrote about DOG NERDS on my site. I met one last night at the show. What on earth do you read?
http://stephanieklein.blogs.com/greek_tragedy/2004/02/not_another_kni.html