A golden retriever owned by local dog breeder Robyn McGonigle has come home from a famous dog show with a prestigious award.
Skittles (GCH Castlefin's Night In The City, CCA, SDHF) won Winners Dog when he attended the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show in New York City Feb. 16.
McGonigle, of Castlefin Golden Retrievers, says that means he had to win his class and then had to compete against all the other males who won their class.
"The winner of all the first place males is awarded Winners Dog. By placing Winners Dog he got to compete in the line up for Best of Breed."
McGonigle explains Westminster is a benched dog show, "which means from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. your dog and you have to remain on your 'bench,' only released for ring times and scheduled bathroom breaks."
If a competitor is not back to the bench in the allowed time the kennel club officials impose a fine of $250 for the offence.
"The purpose of the benched shows is so the public has a chance to meet your dog and ask questions about the dogs and breeds," says McGonigle.
It was a hectic couple of days for McGonigle and Skittles.
"We arrived in New York at 5 p.m. and a taxi met us at the airport and took us to our hotel. We had a two-hour wait in line to check into the hotel."
Once they arrived, it was time to prepare.
"Monday I spent the day bathing Skittles and getting him ready for the show.
“Tuesday came and we were up at 3:30 a.m. to make sure we were ready to catch the bus to the show at 4:30 a.m. We arrived just before 6 a.m. to the show grounds and waited for about half an hour in line to get checked into the show. We found our bench and set up. I started grooming and getting Skittles ready about 9 a.m. for ring time of 11 a.m."
When they weren't in the ring, they were on the bench for some appreciation.
"After we were done showing and the show photos were taken, we had to get back to our bench where he got lots of love from all the spectators," says McGonigle.
When they were released from the benches at 5 p.m. it was another two-hour wait in line to catch the bus back to the hotel. It had been a long day for Skittles.
"When we got back to the hotel he was exhausted," says McGonigle. "He jumped onto the bed and was sound asleep snoring so loud I am sure the hotel guests on the floor beneath us could hear."
Then it was another early morning and time to come home.
"We were up early again on Wednesday to check out of the hotel and catch a taxi back to the airport by 8:30 a.m."
Skittles was the only Canadian golden retriever in the best of breed line up.
"There were many Canadian dogs representing many different breeds that did very well at the Westminster Dog Show," says McGonigle. "There was a total of 116 Canadian dogs and about 65 of them placed respectively in their own categories and I am proud to say Skittles was one of them."
Attending the famous Westminster Kennel Club dog show was thrilling, says McGonigle.
"Being at Madison Square Garden watching the groups and Best in Show was very exciting. To see the electricity fly through the rings and see many of the world's top dogs in person was very enjoyable."
She adds, "It was very thrilling to be showing my own dog, who I bred, on the famous green carpet. It has been a life-long dream to be there and I am very proud of the way Skittles showed, and to come home with Winners Dog makes the trip even more fulfilling."
McGonigle says the fact he brought home the purple ribbon is still sinking in – a dream come true.
"Skittles always gives his best when he shows, as he truly enjoys it. I am very proud of him and it's a great way to start off his career this year. I look forward to an exciting year ahead with him."
Skittles is a purebred golden retriever, one out of McGonigle's first litter. He has completed his Canadian Championship and his Canadian Grand Championship and he has earned a Certificate of Conformation Assessment, an American title. Last year he earned a spot in the Canadian Show Dog Hall of Fame.
In 2014 Skittles was the eighth-ranked golden retriever in Canada and was also given the Shadywell Trophy from the Golden Retriever Club of Canada for being the top male golden retriever in Canada.
The Westminster Kennel Club show was Skittles’ first of the season. Now, McGonigle begins the campaign for top golden retriever in Canada for 2016.
McGonigle says, after this year, Skittles will be retired from the show ring and will start training for field work and "has earned his place on the couch."
