Purina Pro Plan-Fed Dogs Sweep 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Purina Pro Plan-fed dogs took top honors at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, winning Best in Show and all the Group Firsts. More than 2,800 dogs competed at the prestigious dog show, which aired live to millions of viewers worldwide.
The Best in Show winner was a 5 1/2-year-old Bichon Frise, GCH Belle Creek’s All I Care About Is Love (“Flynn”). The stars aligned for Team Flynn, with love and luck, plus beautiful conformation and a shining, happy personality, prevailing.
On his way to Madison Square Garden, handler Bill McFadden, a now two-time Westminster Best in Show winner, having handled 2003’s top winner, the Kerry Blue Terrier “Mick,” saw a penny on the ground. He thought of the late Anne Rogers Clark, an icon in the sport, who would walk around at dog shows giving away pennies for good luck.
“Although at first I didn’t pick up the penny, I went back and got it,” he says.
Breeder Lorrie Carlton (Belle Creek), describes Flynn in a word -- love. “He exudes love, is love and gives love,” says the second-generation dog breeder who recognized Flynn’s potential early. “He stuck out like a sore thumb and had all the qualities to go with it.”
One of four Bichons in his litter, Flynn, the only male, is related to Westminster’s other Bichon Frise winner, “J.R.,” who took Best in Show in 2001. The top Non-Sporting Group winner in 2017 with 116 Group Firsts, Flynn placed third in the Group at the 2017 Westminster dog show. The 2018 win at the Garden was his 44th Best in Show.
Here is a recap of the winners:
Best in Show & Non-Sporting Group
GCH Belle Creek’s All I Care About Is Love
Call Name: “Flynn”
Breed: Bichon Frise
Breeders: Lindsay Van Keuren, Glenda Blue, Lorrie Carlton, and Dr. Larry Letsche
Owners: Patrina and Bruce Odette, Lindsay Van Keuren, Lorrie Carlton, and Dr. Larry Letsche
Handler: Bill McFadden
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula
Reserve Best in Show & Working Group
GCH Ingebar’sTynan Dances With Wildflowers
Call Name: “Ty”
Breed: Giant Schnauzer
Breeder: Maryann Bisceglia
Owners: Sandra Nordstrom, Carol Mann and MaryAnn Bisceglia
Handler: Katie Bernardin
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula
Hound Group
GCH Belisarius JP My Sassy Girl
Call Name: “Lucy”
Breed: Borzoi
Breeder: Kyoko Ozeki
Owners: Michelle Molnar, Jamie Danburg and Minoru Kato
Handler: Valerie Nunes-Atkinson
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Formula
Toy Group
GCH Hill Country’s Puttin’ On The Ritz
Call Name: “Biggie”
Breed: Pug
Breeders: Kristy and Kevin Ratliff
Owner: Carolyn Koch
Handler: Esteban Farias
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
Herding Group
GCH Majestic Elite Clever Endeavor
Call Name: “Slick”
Breed: Border Collie
Breeder: Ronni DeLay
Owners: Ricki Johnson, J. Frank Baylis and Ronni DeLay
Handler: Jamie Clute
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 and Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice formulas
Sporting Group
GCH Kamand’s Full Of Beans @ Erinhill
Call Name: “Bean”
Breed: Sussex Spaniel
Breeders: Karen Ann Toner and Amanda W. Toner
Owners: Karen Ann Toner and Amanda W. Toner
Handler: Per Ingar Rismyhr
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Formula
Terrier Group
GCH Yarrow Venerie Winning Ticket
Call Name: “Winston”
Breed: Norfolk Terrier
Breeders: Pam Beale and Beth Sweigart
Owners: Victor Malzoni Jr., Nancy Shaw and Pam Beale
Handler: Ernesto Lara