Uno is Number One at Westminster
Uno the underdog beagle first captured the hearts of the crowd at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and then he won the affection of the judge, becoming the first beagle to win Best in Show Tuesday night. He's Numero Uno now.
"He's the most perfect beagle I've ever seen," judge J. Donald Jones said. "The standard of perfection for the beagle is very clear. It describes him."
"If you saw him go around the ring, you saw a perfectly smooth locomotion," Jones said. "Not one muscle went the wrong way. ... And look at his face, you just melt right down."
Uno defeated a toy poodle named Vikki, the nation's No.1 dog last year; a Sealyham terrier named Charmin; a standard poodle named Remy; an Australian shepherd named Deuce; a Weimaraner named Marge; and an Akita named Macey, the No.2 dog last year.
Expect Uno to be one of the most popular Westminster winners, says the longtime TV host of Westminster, David Frei, given that a beagle is an all-American dog and one of the most popular breeds in the country.
"He's the people's dog," handler Aaron Wilkerson said. "He's exactly what a beagle is supposed to be, a merry little hound." Besides, he's awfully cute.
With dreamy brown eyes and a continually wagging tail, Uno was clearly a crowd pleaser at Madison Square Garden. Even during quiet moments, fans shouted "Uno!" as if this was a football game and not a dog show full of tuxedoed and sequined fans. When Jones picked Uno, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
But he's more than just a pretty face and a fan favorite. He's also one accomplished hound. Almost 3, Uno, who is officially named K-Run's Park Me in First, was the No.6-ranked dog in the country and ended last year as the No.1 beagle and No.1 hound. He won the hound group at the prestigious AKC/Eukanuba national championship in December.
When Wilkerson, who lives with Uno in Columbia, S.C., was asked in the news conference about Uno's personality, Uno woofed as if on cue. He also grabbed a hold of a fuzzy microphone boom on the end of a TV camera a few times as if it was his favorite duck toy. Of course, he barked throughout, which sounds more like ahh-rooo.
After making the rounds of the TV morning shows, Uno will spend the rest of today being feted at various luncheons. He will also eat steak on a silver platter at Sardi's Restaurant in Manhattan, as is the custom for the winner. He has even been asked to ring the opening bell on Wall Street on Friday. And it's only just beginning.
Farewell, Vikki: Vikki, the all-time winningest toy poodle, is headed on a plane to Japan to begin retirement with her breeders.
Which is why Tuesday was difficult for her handler, Kaz Hosaka, who has lived with Vikki the last 21/2 years in Greenwood, Del. It will be so emotional that Hosaka said he can't drive her to the airport. "The sad thing is she doesn't even know she's leaving," Hosaka said.
"I will miss her, and she will miss me," Hosaka said as he snipped Vikki's pompons. "And she will miss dog shows." (Vikki, officially known as Ch. Smash JP Win A Victory, has 108 Best in Show wins.)
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