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    Four Breeds that Have Never Won the Westminster Dog Show

    By Mother Nature Network (mnn.com) | Pets – Tue, Feb 7, 2012 2:38 PM EST

    By John Platt, Mother Nature Network

    Labrador retrieverLabrador retriever

    When this year's Westminster Kennel Club dog show convenes at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 13, a record 186 breeds will be competing for the coveted "best in show" award.

    But while somewhat obscure breeds like the Scottish deerhound and Kerry blue terrier have taken home recent trophies, many popular breeds have never earned the top prize, according to Pets Adviser.

    Take the Labrador retriever, for example. The most popular breed in America for more than a decade, the lab has never won "best in show" in the more than 90 years since the breed was first recognized. It has come close though, most recently placing fourth in 2009 and 2010. Last year's top lab, Kaltrav Caribbean Cruise, won "best of breed" and is currently out to stud. Maybe one of his progeny will be a future winner.

    [Related: Meet 6 breeds making their debut at Westminster]

    Another popular breed, the golden retriever, has done even worse than the lab, with only three near-misses since 1925. A golden retriever came in second in 2009, and one received the "best in group" award in 2006, but that's about it. Last year's golden retriever "best in breed" winner was a gorgeous animal named Sweetlea's Follow Me, also known as "Jacques," who has won "best in show" at other competitions. On their web page, owners Susan and Robert Lee say Jacque is "very loving and has a sweet and gentle temperament. What more could we ask for?"

    The ever-popular dachshund has done pretty well for itself over the years, racking up multiple "best in group" awards and numerous fourth-, third- and second-place prizes. Dachshunds are the eighth-most popular dog breed in America, down from fourth in 2000. No dachshunds placed in last year's competition. Dachshunds compete as three breeds: longhaired, smooth and wirehaired.

    [Related: Study finds that dogs communicate on the same level as human infants]

    Another breed that has been slipping in popularity is the Chihuahua, which was the eight-most popular breed in 2000 but is only the 13th most popular today. Chihuahuas - which compete in the long coat and short coat categories - haven't done very well at Westminster, winning "best in group" only once in the Toy category back in 1984. The breed took third place in 2004 and 2006.

    You can find information on all 186 breeds competing in this year's Westminster Kennel Club dog show - including the six breeds appearing for the first time in 2012 - here.

    Like this story? Follow @MNNPets on Twitter for more just like it.

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    • Cliff Woods
      Cliff Woods  •  3 months ago
      I have had three Border Collie's, one saved a child in our neighborhood, another bit my mother-in-law on her butt (had mixed emotions over that one), and my current one is perfect.
      • Display Name
        Display Name 3 months ago
        Sorry, I can't stop laughing
      • cheryl
        cheryl 3 months ago
        I also have my Border Collie Lucy she is the greatest dog
      • TJ
        TJ 3 months ago
        hehehe... that's crazy... hehehehe
    • Joylynn
      Joylynn  •  3 months ago
      Their dogs might be best in show but my dog went through a window and chased a burgular who was trying to break into my house away. Who cares about awards when your dog saved your baby and yourself. Its a dog the AKC crowd hates, too - a white german shepherd. The dog was fine, btw, and no one has tried to break into my house since.
      • Anya J
        Anya J 3 months ago
        there is a lot of hatred in the cat and dog fancy when a new color is introduced to an existing breed....funny, you would think people who profess to love them would not be so nasty towards something like "color"
      • Jellyfish
        Jellyfish 3 months ago
        my sister's boston terrier ran off burglers too. even little, i wouldn't have wanted to tussle with Buster (the boston) once he got his back up!
      • Auntie Social
        Auntie Social 3 months ago
        GOOD DOG!!!!!!
    • ddawg
      ddawg  •  Madison, Wisconsin  •  3 months ago
      Labs and Golden Retrievers are the best dogs in the world and much better "people" than most people are. I've had both breeds and they are absolutely the best companions you could ask for. If a Lab or a Golden could read this story, they'd say "who cares! Where's the tennis ball?"
      • I_luv_my_Pittie
        I_luv_my_Pittie 3 months ago
        Had to laugh! Your last comment was perfect Golden Retriever/Lab attitude! Same with Pitties :)
      • heather
        heather 3 months ago
        So true!
      • Andrew S
        Andrew S 3 months ago
        Unfortunately, companionship is not something that is judged at a dog show.
    • dadofjay
      dadofjay  •  3 months ago
      A friend of mine has a Newfoundland---what a great dog--150 lb baby
      • 12know
        12know 3 months ago
        These dogs are adorable. Big and yes, they do drool a lot, but are very loving dogs. Unfortunately, they only live about 10 years.
      • Up the Irons
        Up the Irons 3 months ago
        A friend of mine owns one- Charlotte. For the longest time, I thought she was half bear.
      • Heywood
        Heywood 3 months ago
        A Newfie won Best In Show in Westminster in 2004. He was jumping and barking and acting like a dog should. It was glorious.
    • Pam
      Pam  •  3 months ago
      The Alaskan Malemute should be considered too.
      • I_luv_my_Pittie
        I_luv_my_Pittie 3 months ago
        Alaskan Malamutes are some of the most beautiful show dogs!
      • A Yahoo! User 3 months ago
        Alaskan Malemutes are the most BEAUTIFUL dogs of all. They are also very, very smart and loyal. I love these dogs. The reason I don't have one now is that their thick fur is too hot for the temperatures in Texas.
      • Spanky
        Spanky 3 months ago
        My Mal was the sweetest dog ever and helped my mom recover from a very serious surgery. They need love not prizes.
    • Susan
      Susan  •  Denver, Colorado  •  3 months ago
      I've had pure-bred dogs and mutts. Most, but not all, were dogs that needed homes for one reason or another. My current dog, Brandy, is a Boxer that needed rescueing from an abusive owner. When I first got her she was afraid of EVERYTHING. Pick up a broom or shoe and she'd run. She didn't even wiggle! And anyone who knows Boxers will tell you that they wiggle! A LOT! Now the cats sleep with her, she adores my 1yr grandson (and vise-versa) loves to hike and has her WIGGLE BACK! Great dog.
    • greene_teeth
      greene_teeth  •  Chattanooga, Tennessee  •  3 months ago
      I despise people who 'rescue' dogs from a shelter then abuse them. I have known a whole lot of these people.
    • Tammy
      Tammy  •  Alliance, Ohio  •  3 months ago
      ALL dogs are champions!
    • peg
      peg  •  Tulsa, Oklahoma  •  3 months ago
      then there is my favorite the redbone coonhound.. what a dog!
    • ds
      ds  •  3 months ago
      Neither has a any of the Belgian breeds, Belgian Malinois (more common than German Sherperd Dogs as police and military dogs now), Belgian Sheepdog, and Belgian Tervuren.
    • corgilover
      corgilover  •  Panama City, Florida  •  3 months ago
      My daughter has 3 labs..all sisters and they are GREAT! Such great dispositions and personalities. (Shh, don't tell my Corgis I said that.)
    • GailC
      GailC  •  3 months ago
      Dog shows have nothing to do with popularity or personality. Its all about whether the dog is close to the "ideal" for the breed. Unfortunately, the more popular a breed is, the worse the breeding is in most cases.
    • Maryann
      Maryann  •  Kaiserslautern, Germany  •  3 months ago
      This is off the subject but it is about dogs..Dont ship your pet through United airlines, you may not get them back..I shipped my pet from germany to fla.. Jan 24th,They lost one of our dogs in london..When asked what happen they replied..They follow every guideline to ensure pet safety....Just saying!
    • Daniel
      Daniel  •  San Diego, California  •  3 months ago
      My Lab Lucy is the sweetest most gentle dog...she would say yawn...who cares about a contest...I want to chase a ball a stick anything you throw....
    • FrancesH
      FrancesH  •  Tampa, Florida  •  3 months ago
      The best dog is the one you pick from your shelter. These dogs know what you saved them from. The love shining from their eyes make them beautiful and you know they see you as their hero. (My chihuahua is a shelter dog, and to me he is worth a million dollars!)
    • Artemis
      Artemis  •  3 months ago
      I would love to see a Chow Chow win best in show! I have two "chowdren" one cream and one blue, guess they just aren't the "popular" breed these days sadly.
    • Mary
      Mary  •  Winter Park, Florida  •  3 months ago
      They apparently don't see dogs the way I do. Love them all. Our family favorite was a shepherd, collie ??????????????? non designer mix. Everything about him was perfect.
    • Elizabeth
      Elizabeth  •  Orlando, Florida  •  3 months ago
      How about the beautiful, sweet tempered, Samoyed - the dog with the smile! Our children were raised with these wonderful dogs. I never worried when they were all together - such fun!
    • KATHLEEN
      KATHLEEN  •  Phoenix, Arizona  •  3 months ago
      I want a greyhound to win!!!
    • Thumper
      Thumper  •  Chicago, Illinois  •  3 months ago
      An American Eskimo should win! They are always overlooked. They are awesome dogs. More like family to me!
     Post a comment

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