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Sussex Spaniel, 10, Is Top Dog at Westminster

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 10, 2009 9:40 PM CST
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(AP) – An old Sussex spaniel taught dogdom a new trick. At 10, Stump became the oldest best-in-show winner ever at the Westminster Kennel Club tonight. A nearly full crowd at Madison Square Garden cheered loudly when judge Sari Tietjen pointed to the new champion. Perhaps the fans knew Stump's back story—he almost died in 2004 from a medical condition, saved by the vets at Texas A&M.

Or perhaps the people just liked rooting for the old guy. Never before had a Sussex spaniel won the nation's top pooch show. The previous oldest winner was 8. With floppy ears and a slow gait, the golden-red Stump beat out a sparkling field. Expert handler Scott Sommer guided him past a giant schnauzer that was ranked the nation's No. 1 show dog, a favored Brussels griffon, a Scottish deerhound named Tiger Woods, a standard poodle with 94 best-in-show wins, a Scottish terrier, and a puli.

Handler Scott Sommer and his Sussex spaniel, Stump, pose for pictures after winning the top prize.
Handler Scott Sommer and his Sussex spaniel, Stump, pose for pictures after winning the top prize.   (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Stump, a Sussex spaniel, poses for pictures after winning being named top dog.
Stump, a Sussex spaniel, poses for pictures after winning being named top dog.   (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Stump, a Sussex spaniel, accepts a treat during the Sporting Group competition.
Stump, a Sussex spaniel, accepts a treat during the Sporting Group competition.   (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Digit, a 3 year old Portuguese water dog from Charlotte, N.C., waits to compete during the 133rd annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Digit, a 3 year old Portuguese water dog from Charlotte, N.C., waits to compete during the 133rd annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York.   (Mary Altaffer)
Handler Scott Sommer and his Sussex spaniel Stump, wait for their turn in the ring during the Sporting Group competition.
Handler Scott Sommer and his Sussex spaniel Stump, wait for their turn in the ring during the Sporting Group competition.   (Peter Kramer)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guest
Feb 11, 2009 9:30 PM CST
This was a beautiful dog. Glad he won.
Guest
Feb 11, 2009 4:58 AM CST
This dog looks great. I thought I'd misheard when they said he was 10. Wow!
bacimom
Feb 10, 2009 7:36 PM CST
Did you see that bat of a tail wagging for all it was worth?

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

US • Sports

 
competition • Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show • dog

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