LI dogs gear up for Westminster dog show

When the lights go up on the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Monday morning at Madison Square Garden, more than 80 dogs with Long Island connections will be among the 2,500 canine contenders.

For Long Island dogs, their owners and handlers, the moment crowns weeks of special preparation leading up to the big show.

Archy, a field spaniel who lives in Holtsville, had his teeth cleaned by a veterinarian, "so they are shiny and bright," says his co-owner, Gail Schuljan. Then came the daily shampooing with a conditioner that will make his coat shiny. Archy's show-day treat: slices of grilled rib-eye steak, which his handler uses as bait in the ring.

Another Westminster-bound Long Island dog is a trailblazer.

Cocoa, a Boykin spaniel from Wading River, represents a breed newly recognized this year by Westminster (five other breeds are also competing in the ring for the first time).

"We want to make sure Cocoa feels she is number one," says owner Jacqueline DeAngelo. That involves a weekend of bathing and grooming to meet American Kennel Club standards - as well as a last-ditch appearance at the Riverhead Kennel Club Match to practice competing in the ring.

Here's a closer look at Archy, Cocoa and several other Long Island dogs who hope to be trotting into Westminster history.

Quixote

FORMAL NAME GCh E-Lin Traveling Man

BREED Chow chow

AGE 3

WEIGHT 65 pounds

LI CONNECTION Co-owned by Victor and Jeanne Fernandez of Commack and breeder-co-owner-handler Linda Albert of Hauppauge, who handles him in the ring

CLAIM TO FAME A grandson of Paw Paw, Martha Stewart's late chow chow, Quixote won his breed group last year at Westminster.

FIRST SHOWING Noon Monday

Archy

FORMAL NAME Ch Wicksford's Archy McRally

BREED Field spaniel

AGE 3

WEIGHT 41 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Gail Schuljan and Scott Gillis of Holtsville

FAVORITE TREAT Zuke's salmon

CLAIM TO FAME Works as a therapy dog at Sunrise Assisted Living in Holbrook

FIRST SHOWING 1:30 Tuesday

Yuri

FORMAL NAME Ch Krona Rossii Yaroslav

BREED Greater Swiss mountain dog

AGE 4

WEIGHT 137 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Laurie Carmody of Manorville

FAVORITE PASTIME Hiking

FIRST SHOWING 9 a.m. Tuesday
 

Jack

FORMAL NAME Ch Doriann's Tennessee Gentleman Jack

BREED Bichon frise

AGE 3

WEIGHT 14 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Michelle and Gordon Brosdal of Coram and their daughter, Carol Konik

FAVORITE TREAT Boar's Head chicken and Alpine Lace Swiss cheese

FIRST SHOWING Noon Monday

Cocoa

FORMAL NAME Ch Carolina's CoCoa Chanel

BREED Boykin spaniel

AGE 2

WEIGHT 45 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Jacqueline DeAngelo of Wading River

FAVORITE PASTIME Hunting pheasants and ducks in Long Island fields

FIRST SHOWING 10:45 a.m. Tuesday

Balducci

FORMAL NAME Ch Miracle's Balducci

BREED Bulldog

AGE 4

WEIGHT 60 pounds

LI CONNECTION Co-owned by Linda Fiordiliso of West Islip with Bonnie and Chris Quartarone of Mount Sinai

FAVORITE PASTIME Going to the beach

FIRST SHOWING Noon Monday

Elsa

FORMAL NAME Ch Broadcreek's Elsa CGC

BREED Belgian Malinois

AGE 3

WEIGHT 62 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Ed Avellez of Bay Shore

FAVORITE TREAT Pistachios

CLAIM TO FAME Won best of breed in 2009 over the current No. 1 Malinois in the country, her father, Ch. Broadcreek's Junis Brutus

FIRST SHOWING 8 a.m. Monday
 

Ethel

FORMAL NAME Ch Rockee Top Golem Ethel E

BREED Mastiff

AGE 1 year

WEIGHT 175 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Stanley and Roberta Einbender of Dix Hills

FAVORITE TREAT Carrots

FIRST SHOWING 9 a.m. Tuesday

Brigette

FORMAL NAME Ch Milroc Nothin Gonna Break My Stride

BREED Beagle

AGE 1

WEIGHT 18 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Kelly Lockwood of Babylon and handled by Kimberly Pastella-Calvacca of Westbury

FAVORITE TREAT Raw tuna

CLAIM TO FAME Brigette is a half-sister to Uno, the beagle that won best in show at Westminster in 2008.

FIRST SHOWING 8 a.m. Monday

Merlin

FORMAL NAME Multi Ch Merlin De Pomerland

BREED Giant schnauzer

AGE 4

WEIGHT 87 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Tonilyn Fay of Smithtown

FAVORITE TREAT Italian bread

CLAIM TO FAME International champion with titles in Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar

FIRST SHOWING 11:30 a.m. Tuesday

Kiki

FORMAL NAME GCH Goldidachs Veronica Kiki

BREED Standard longhaired dachshund

AGE 3

WEIGHT 22.5 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Esta Sue Goldin of Brightwaters

FAVORITE TREAT Salmon-skin bone

FAVORITE PASTIME Hunting

FIRST SHOWING 1 p.m. Monday

Pi

FORMAL NAME Ch Towzie Tyke Puddin and Pie

BREED Border terrier

AGE 5

WEIGHT 15.5 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Joan and Ken Courtney of Bayport

FAVORITE TREAT Mozzarella sticks

CLAIM TO FAME Howls to the Irish lullaby, "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral."

FIRST SHOWING 8 a.m. Tuesday

Commander

FORMAL NAME Ch Caramist Klingon Commander Ube

BREED German shepherd

AGE 4

WEIGHT 83 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Carolyn Z. Gerganoff of Melville

FAVORITE TREAT Freeze-dried Nibblets

FIRST SHOWING 11:45 a.m. Monday

Bailey

FORMAL NAME GCh Keepsake N Sunlaine Special Blend

BREED English springer spaniel

AGE 3

WEIGHT 37 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by Bonnie Regan of Manorville

FAVORITE TREAT Chicken

FIRST SHOWING Noon Tuesday

Ray

FORMAL NAME Ch McG's for the Good Times

BREED Australian shepherd

AGE 3

WEIGHT 50 pounds

LI CONNECTION Co-owned by Janice McGivney-Keiser and William Keiser of Medford, and Alexandra Mace of Dix Hills

FAVORITE TOY Sterilized knuckle bone

CLAIM TO FAME Ray's grandmother is Ch Zerlahn's Stargazer, 15, who also lives with the family.

FIRST SHOWING 1 p.m. Monday

Cole

FORMAL NAME GCh Claddagh's Unforgettable Knight

BREED German shorthaired pointer

AGE 3

WEIGHT 60 pounds

LI CONNECTION Owned by John Marinos of South Huntington

FAVORITE TREAT Froot Loops

CLAIM TO FAME Last summer, appeared in an episode of the Biography Channel's "Celebrity Ghost Stories" with Christopher Knight.

FIRST SHOWING 8 a.m. Tuesday

135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

WHEN | WHERE 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan

INFO 866-858-0008, westminsterkennelclub.org

ADMISSION $40 general admission ($75 two-day pass) for adults; $20 per day ages 12 and younger. $120 reserved seating.

On television

MONDAY 8-9 p.m. live on USA Network; 9-11 p.m. on CNBC for hound, toy, non-sporting and herding groups.

TUESDAY 8-11 p.m. on USA Network for sporting, working and terrier groups followed by Best in Show.