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Community Corner

Meet the Winners at Westminster

Find out more about the winners of the Westminster Dog Show as well as where you can find rescue groups for each Best in Show breed.

The Scottish Deerhound was crowned the winner of the Westminster Dog Show last week, leaving meaning people asking, "What kind of dog is that?"  This week, Four Legged and Furry will answer that question not only for the deerhound, but also for the six other breeds that competed in Best in Show. We’ll also give you adoption resources for each of these breeds. 

 Scottish Deerhound – Winner, Best in Show and the Hound Group

The Scottish Deerhound dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries when the dog was used primarily to hunt deer. The deerhound can be up to 32 inches in height and 110 lbs. The breed is generally a friendly one, however, the deerhound was bred to chase.  So, the dog needs vigorous exercise.  Although the dog has a long, wiry coat, it takes minimal grooming. A deerhound generally lives 8 to 9 years

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Deerhound rescue groups:  The Scottish Deerhound Club of America offers a rescue and placement program for Scottish Deerhounds. For more information, visit their website.

Cocker Spaniel (Black) – Winner, Sporting Group

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If you have read this column before, you have most likely seen a cocker spaniel. I adopted Barnum, an American Cocker Spaniel, from a rescue group in 2009, and he is often featured in this column. The cocker spaniel is the smallest of the sporting group, originally bred for hunting.  The cocker is often described as devoted, intelligent and a quick learner.  The breed was popularized in the Disney film Lady and the Tramp. A cocker can be up to 15 inches in height and between 25-35 pounds. Cocker spaniels are attention cravers, so they need an owner who is willing to provide that along with lots of exercise. A cocker’s coat never stops growing. It must be groomed regularly and brushed daily. A cocker spaniel normally lives between 13-16 years.

Cocker Spaniel Rescue Groups: There are many cocker spaniel rescue groups across the United States.  Here are two in the eastern region:  Abandoned Angels and Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England.  Cocker Spaniels are also currently available for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter and the Brookhaven Animal Shelter.

Pekingese – Winner, Toy Group

The Pekingese was the smallest breed to compete in Best in Show.  The peke, as it is often called, dates back to the Chinese empire in the 8th century, where the dog was held sacred. Today, the Pekingese stands between 6-9 inches tall and should weigh no more than 14 lbs. The breed is often described as friendly, sociable, and very confident. However, it is known to show its affection only to those it sees fit.  The peke’s long coat requires daily brushing and regular grooming. The Pekingese can live between 12-14 years.

Pekingese Rescue GroupsThe Pekingese Rescue Network, Pekingese Rescue.org, and Pug-Peke-Tzu Rescue all assist in Pekingese adoptions.

Portuguese Water Dog – Winner, Working Group

The Portuguese Water Dog has been made famous by Bo, the current First Dog, pet of President Obama. However, the first written description of the dog dates back to 1297. The Portuguese Water Dog is normally up to 23 inches in height and up to 60 lbs. The water dog has either a curly or wavy coat that does not shed. However, the coat does grow indefinitely, so it does require grooming.  The breed normally has a friendly temperament and trains easily.  As a working breed, the water dog is often looking for its next task.  To help with this urge, owners should exercise the dog regularly.  Boredom could cause destructive behavior.  This breed can live from 10-14 years.

Portuguese Water Dog Rescue Groups:  The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America offers a rescue and relocation program.  Their contact information can be found here.

Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Winner, Terrier Group

The smooth fox terrier was bred to be a hunter of small game. With this in mind, the modern day fox terrier is inquisitive and active. This terrier breed can be 15 to 18 inches in height and weigh up to 23 lbs. Although, the breed is normally friendly, their hunter instinct can cause aggression towards other animals. The smooth coat of this fox terrier require little maintenance.  This breed often lives up to 15 years.

Fox Terrier Rescue Groups:  Fox Terrier Rescue is the principal rescue agency of this unique breed.

Bearded Collie - Winner, Herding Group

The Bearded Collie is a herding dog, bred to work with cattle and sheep. The beardie is normally 22 inches in height and can weigh between 40 - 60 pounds. Although these collies can be great pets, they are an extremely active breed and the dog's hair requires daily maintenance.  A Bearded Collie owner must be willing to provide a lifestyle that provides the activity this breed needs as well as the grooming. Bearded Collies typically live up to 12 years.

Bearded Collie Rescue Groups:  The Bearded Collie Club of America provides great rescue information on their website along with contacts for each state in the U.S.

Chinese Shar-pei - Winner, Non-Sporting Group

You might recognize this dog by its wrinkles. Outside of its wrinkles, the shar-pei's coat can be rough, when it is a hoarse coat, prickly, like sand. The breed is often used in its native China as a fighting dog.  It is also used as a guard dog, and can therefore be suspicious of strangers.  However, when socialized, Chinese Shar-pei can be great pets.  The shar-pei lives normally between 7-12 years.

Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue Groups: Shar-pei rescue groups include Shar-Pei Rescue North America, Shar-pei Rescue Network, and Mid-Atlantic Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue.

All of these breeds can also be found by looking at the website www.petfinder.com.  Petfinder provides access to thousands of adoptable dogs across the nation.

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