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Beagle named Best in Show at Westminster

BY DENISE FLAIM | denise.flaim@newsday.com

11:26 PM EST, February 12, 2008

Snoopy fans, rejoice.

At Madison Square Garden last night, Westminster Best in Show judge J. Donald Jones made history by giving the gargantuan purple-and-gold ribbon to a beagle called Uno (Champion K-Run's Park Me In First to you).

"We just knew he was going to be number one," said handler Aaron Wilkerson about Uno's prescient name, and as he remarked that the dog's favorite toy is a stuffed yellow duck.

The feisty hound's singular names are fitting, as this was the first time a beagle has won top honors in the Westminster show's 132-year history.

It was also only the third time that a hound has won at the Garden, the previous two victors being Afghan hounds.

The No. 6 dog in the country last year, the 15-inch beagle bayed enthusiastically at Wilkerson as a crowd peppered with equally vocal fans screamed its approval. It was a display of approbation that commentator David Frei noted was the most enthusiastic he had ever heard, complete with standing ovation.

The seven-dog Best in Show lineup included Monday's other winners -- a standard poodle called Remy (Champion Brighton Minimoto), a Sealyham terrier dubbed Charmin (Champion Efbe's Hidalgo at Goodspice) and an Australian shepherd who answers to Deuce (Champion Vinelake Collinswood Yablon).

The dog to beat last night was toy poodle Vikki (Champion Smash JP Win A Victory), the nation's top dog. Eating close to a half-pound of steak is the only way Vikki relaxes in the ring, said handler Kaz Hosaka. After reprising last year's Toy group win, the 7-pounder returns to her native Japan, to stay for good.

Earlier in the evening, Sporting group judge Elliott Weiss validated the thundering applause of the audience and pointed to Champion Colsidex Seabreeze Perfect Fit, a Weimaraner nicknamed Marge. "She looks like she could be the perfect athlete," said Weiss of the gray lady, whose 50s-sitcom of a nickname belied her sleek form.

In the Working group, judge Constance Barton did the expected, giving the nod to Macey (Champion Redwitch Reason To Believe). The English-bred Akita, the nation's No. 2 dog, won the group here last year, and is owned by Long Island real-estate developer Roger Rechler.