In 147 editions, no Little Basset Griffon Vendée had managed to win the annual dog show of the Westminster Kennel Club in New York. But little Buddy, a six-year-old male from Palm Springs, California, USA, has broken that statistic.
Buddy bested more than 3,000 dogs from 210 breeds and varieties to claim the award recognizing him as the most prestigious dog in the country. The animal was bred by Gavin and Sara Robertson to track hares in the Vendée department in western France.
"I never thought that PBGV would do this," Janice Hayes, the dog's co-owner and caretaker, told Reuters after the show offered by the dog, before hundreds of spectators. She and she added: "Buddy Holly is the epitome of the dog show."
Buddy has made history by becoming the first Little Basset Griffon Vendeen to win the prestigious show organized by the Westminster Kennel Club, an American organization dedicated to dog sports. It is a small, short, hard-haired dog of French origin, generally used for hunting rabbits thanks to its great nose.
A winning dog is chosen from each breed, which then represents them in the different modalities of this exhibition. Winners are separated into seven groups to determine the show's top finishers: Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding, Sporting, Working and Terrier. Buddy Holly won the hound group.
The runner-up went to the winner of the toy group, a Pekingese named Rummie, from breeder and owner David Fitzpatrick.
The Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show is a most prestigious show. This gathering, held this year at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the New York City borough of Queens, dates back to 1877 and has become an annual television event.
All participating dogs must appear in the breed registry of this organization. During the contest, the judges examine the dogs closely, place their hands on the animal, and then watch as the handlers lead them through the course.
Based on their performance, they classify them according to breed standards, taking into account their appearance, size, coat, temperament, and other relevant characteristics.
