At the respectable age of 10, Stump the Sussex spaniel should be living his second childhood. However, the doggie who formally retired approximately four years ago managed to strike again and won the Best in Show award on Tuesday at the 133rd Annual Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden, thus becoming the oldest canine representative to take home the sought-after prize.
In spite of the fact that Stump, whose official entire name is Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, might have come like a bolt from the blue for fans of the event, who had set their minds on a giant schnauzer, the sprightly dog was evidently loved by audiences, as he was greeted with endless rounds of applause each time he showed up on the ring.
Stump’s win marked the first time that a representative of the Sussex spaniel was awarded with the top honor, notwithstanding the fact that the breed, which derived as a hunting companion in England, was among the first breeds to be acknowledged by the American Kennel Club.
Judge Sari Brewster Tietjen explained that she made up her mind at the last minute, although she was not aware of his identity or age. The judge said that Stump had everything one could wish for from a Sussex spaniel and that “I couldn’t say no to him.”
Less than a year after winning the sporting group at 2004’s Westminster, Stump fell seriously ill with an undefined sickness, according to Scott Sommer, the dog’s handler and co-owner, together with Cecilia Ruggles and Beth Dowd. Despite the fact that Stump managed to get back on his (four) feet, Sommer told the New York Times that he had not decided until last Wednesday whether to bring the Sussex spaniel at the show.
Uno, the beagle who grew to be a famous canine last year after becoming the first in his breed to win Best in Show, saw his reign end on Tuesday, but ceded his crown with dignity and deference. The past year was a very flourishing period for Uno, who hit the road for a tour of the country, visited the White House and even participated in the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade.
In accordance with American Kennel Club statistics, Sussex spaniels are less common than 144 other breeds. Moreover, Stump’s victory outperforms Ch. Loteki Supernatural Being, an 8-year-old papillon who was awarded with the Best in Show prize in 1999, and steals his title of oldest winner to win the competition.
Spirit, a giant schnauzer who was the top-ranked canine representative in the country last year and who won her working group just a few minutes before showing up on the Best in Show ring, was among the night’s favorites. Other dogs in the competition were a standard poodle, a puli, a Scottish terrier, a Scottish deerhound and a Brussels griffon.
