The 2019 Houston World Series of Dog Shows continued on Saturday, but who came out victorious?
The 2019 Houston World Series of Dog Shows took place July 17-21, with separate shows running each day from Thursday to Sunday.
The HWSDS also featured an art show, Meet the Breeds, a flyball tournament, and competitions in freestyle (dog dancing), disc dog, obedience, and other events.
Why is the event called the “World Series”? Because originally it was held at an amusement park called AstroWorld, and since it was the height of the gas shortage crisis of the mid-1970s, the event promoters figured it would save everyone time and money if several events were held at one time.
This practice, called a “cluster,” is fairly common among the confirmation world now, like with the OKC Summer Classic Canine Olympics last month.
So the original title was the AstroWorld Series of Dog Shows, gradually shifting into the current name when it shifted location, and it’s currently held in the NRG Center.
But who were the Houston World Series of Dog Shows Saturday champs?
Herding Group
The Herding Group was claimed by Jimmy the Miniature American Shepherd (registered name GCHG Love That Jimmy Fallon),
Placing second through fourth were a Berger Picard, a Collie and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Hound Group
Bourbon the Whippet (registered as GCHG Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon) continued her reign through the Hound Group with the group title here. Louis Sosa judged this group.
A Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen was second, a Saluki was third and an Ibizan Hound was fourth.
Non-Sporting Group
In the Non-Sporting Group, the top dog honors went to Colton the Schipperke (registered name unknown), the No. 1 of his breed and the No. 9 dog overall. The judge of this group was Cindy Stanzel.
Also placing were Delta the Miniature Poodle, Smoke the American Eskimo Dog and a Norwegian Lundehund.
Sporting Group
The winner of this category was a Springer Spaniel called McCanaughey (registered name unknown). This group was judged by Johnny Shoemaker.
Placing here in the Sporting Group were a Brittany, a Gordon Setter and a Vizsla .
Terrier Group
Pancho the American Staffordshire Terrier (officially GCHG Alpines LBK Living on the Road BCAT DS CGC TKN) won the Terrier Group after being Best in Show on Thursday. This group was judged by Gayle Denman.
Also placing were Isaac the Norwich Terrier, a Colored Bull Terrier and Carmen the Scottish Terrier.
Toy Group
Booker the Brussels Griffon (registered as GCHS New Years Somerset Single Barrel Batch) won the Toy Group, which was judged by Helen Winski Stein.
Second through fourth went to an Affenpinscher, a Miniature Pinscher and an English Toy Spaniel.
Working Group
Finally, the Working Group was won by Wilma the Boxer (registered name GCHP Cinnabons Bedrock Bombshell), which wasn’t a surprise at all, given that she’s the No. 1 dog in the group and the No. 2 dog overall this season. Judging this group was James Moses.
Placing here were a Doberman in second, a Rottweiler in third and a Russian Terrier in fourth.
Best in Show
Finally, it all came down to the seven group winners, judged by Rita Biddle.
Reserve Best in Show (second place overall) went to Pancho the Staffy, while Best in Show was claimed by Bourbon the Whippet. who ruled as the Houston World Series of Dog Shows Saturday winner..
If you like you can view the entire show on AKC.TV. Congratulations to all the winners!