Scottish deerhound is best in show at Westminster
By BEN WALKER, Associated Press
Feb 15, 2011 10:44 PM CST
Scottish deerhound Foxcliffe Hickory Wind is led in the ring during competition at the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The dog won the hound division. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)   (Associated Press)

A Scottish deerhound that loves to chase wild animals caught her biggest prize yet, winning best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club.

A 5-year-old named Hickory pulled a huge surprise at Madison Square Garden, bounding away with the title of America's top dog.

Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy picked Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international _ there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, smooth fox terrier, bearded collie and black cocker spaniel.

A couple of those pooches on the green-carpeted ring with Hickory were among the country's top show dogs in 2010. Hickory wasn't on that list, but she got to wag her long tail at the end after becoming the first kind of her breed to win the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.

"People who own, breed, show dogs dream of this day," handler Angela Lloyd said.

Hickory lives on a 50-acre farm, where she enjoys running after deer and rabbits. Owners Sally Sweatt and Cecilia Dove and Dr. Scott Dove will certainly let her romp all she wants after this victory.

The 135th Westminster was considered a wide-open field from the start. A smooth fox terrier that was the No. 1 show dog of 2010 recently retired and an Australian shepherd that won the big AKC/Eukanuba event did not enter.

Hickory won the hound group Monday night, then had to wait around all day for her big chance. That was a lot to ask for dogs that feel most comfortable in the wild, and she clearly managed to do just fine.

Lloyd had won at Westminster before _ in 1998, she was honored for her handling in the junior showmanship for youngsters who hope to work in the dog world.

Among the owners who showed earlier in the day: Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, an Army surgeon who was shot down from a helicopter during the Persian Gulf War and briefly held as a prisoner of war. She was at the Garden showing a Gordon setter.

Cornum was clear on which was more difficult, ascending in the show ring or in the military.

"No question, it is dogs," she said.

From the stands, to the rings to backstage, people were a-twitter _ iPads, Blackberries, Droids and then some at an event that started in 1877. Signs of social media were everywhere at the Westminster Kennel Club show.

Proving, in fact, that it is indeed possible to teach an old dog show new tech tricks.

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