The 2019 Houston World Series of Dog Shows is about to wrap up, but who won earlier in the week?
The 2019 Houston World Series of Dog Shows wraps up today, and AKC.TV was there for Friday and Saturday’s showing of one of the bigger competitions on the conformation circuit.
Held in the NRG Center, it was four separate shows from Thursday to Sunday, along with a Meet the Breeds, freestyle competition (dog dancing), an obedience competition, an art show, and many other activities.
But why is it called the “World Series” of dog shows?
Because it was originally held in 1977 at an amusement park called AstroWorld, and that was at the height of the gas shortage crisis, so the promoters thought, “What if we gathered several shows together at once to save time and money?” This is a pretty common practice now, called a “cluster,” and was used during the OKC Summer Classic Canine Olympics last month.
So it was the AstroWorld Series of Dog Shows, gradually shifting into its current name at some later point.
But, anyway, who were the Houston World Series of Dog Shows Friday top dogs?
Herding Group
The top prize in the Herding Group went to a Miniature American Shepherd named Jimmy (registered as GCHG Love That Jimmy Fallon), named after Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon. He was handled by owner Jeanie McAdams.
Finishing second through fourth in the Herding Group were a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, a German Shepherd and an Australian Shepherd.
290 dogs competed in this class.
Hound Group
The Whippet Bourbon (GCHG Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon), sister of last fall’s National Dog Show champ Whiskey, was the champion in her class, just as she was at the WKC Dog Show in February. She was handled by her owner, Cheslie Pickett Smithley.
Placing in the Hound Group were a Saluki in second, a Wirehaired Dachshund in third and a Borzoi in fourth.
There were 257 hounds entered overall.
Non-Sporting Group
In the Non-Sporting Group, a Miniature Poodle called Delta (officially GCHG Danfor Keep the Madness Rolling), handled by owner Nicole Munneke, took top honors.
In second was Smoke the American Eskimo Dog (Best of Breed at the AKC National Championship in 2018), No. 9 overall dog Colton the Schipperke was third and a Boston Terrier was fourth.
247 dogs were entered in the Non-Sporting Group.
Sporting Group
A Golden Retriever called Memphis (registered name GCH Walk the Line at Cimarron Bay DN) claimed the Sporting Group, handled by Rebecca Heiman.
Placing were a Cocker Spaniel, Gordon Setter and Irish Setter at second through fourth.
The Sporting Group had 348 total entries.
Terrier Group
The Terrier Group was claimed by an American Staffordshire Terrier called Pancho (officially GCHG Alpines LBK Living on the Road BCAT DS CGC TKN), shown by owner Ed Thomason. He was the Best in Show on Thursday.
Second through fourth here went to a Colored Bull Terrier, a Sealyham Terrier, and in a surprise, No. 1 Terrier Isaac the Norwich was fourth.
There were 246 dogs entered in this group,
Toy Group
In the Toy Group, a Brussels Griffon called Booker (with the very long official handle of GCHS New Years Somerset Single Barrel Batch) won the category, handled by Paul Catterson.
Placing here were a Papillon, a Pomeranian and a Pug.
There were 228 entrants in this category.
Working Group
One of the top three dogs overall this season, Wilma the Boxer (registered name GCHP Cinnabons Bedrock Bombshell) and her handler Michael Shepherd crushed the competition in the Working Group.
Placing were a Russian Terrier, a Newfoundland and a Mastiff.
285 dogs were entered in this category.
Best in Show
Out of nearly two thousand dogs in total (1,904 officially), the Reserve Best in Show (second place overall) went to Bourbon the Whippet, while the Houston World Series of Dog Shows Friday’s top prize, Best in Show, went to Wilma the Boxer.
The conformation season is about halfway through, and a clear-ish championship picture is starting to emerge leading up to Orlando for the 2019 AKC National Championship in December.