Mongrel wins Westminster dog competition

[KatzNK9]

Way to go mutts!

Mongrel wins Westminster dog competition (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/25/ndogs125.xml)

Parliamentarians and their dogs gathered in Victoria Tower Gardens on Thursday to take part in the fifteenth Westminster Dog of the Year competition.

The winner, a mongrel named Max, belonged to Mike Hall, Labour MP for Weaver Vale. Mr Hall said Max was "excited" to take part.

Max, who was retrieved from a rescue home in Cheshire, was so nervous when he was first brought to Mr Hall's home that he hid in the washing machine, but the MP said that his confidence had since increased dramatically.

Organised jointly by the Kennel Club and the Dogs Trust, the annual competition is intended to promote responsible dog ownership.

It has always been open to all MPs and Lords, and for two years now it has allowed entries from parliamentary journalists. The hacks put on a strong showing, with the Daily Express political correspondent's cocker spaniel Myrtle taking the silver medal.

Speculation that the Prime Minister would enter a Gordon setter proved to be unfounded, but both the leading parties were well represented in canine form, with Conservative MP for Southend West David Amess' labrador retriever taking third place.

While the event is described as "strictly apolitical", Labour MP Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull) admitted that there was some rivalry.


Photo & continuation of article on the link.

[sheplovr]

That is pretty cooooll! Looks alot Lab huh? :D

[Monkey]

how could a mongrel take part? Isnt that like a many ways mixed breed?

*is confused* was the contest for mixed breeds? I don't really understand...

[KatzNK9]

I don't know why a mixed breed couldn't be "Westminster Dog of the Year" ... what's there to understand?

[Monkey]

I don't know why a mixed breed couldn't be "Westminster Dog of the Year" ... what's there to understand?


I asked vagreys he explained...

I thought it was about the westminster dog SHOW, but this was more a gimmick/yearly show for respsonsible ownership and not a dog show as in pure breed dog show, and that didn't come across for me so. That's why I didn't understand.

[vagreys]

I don't know why a mixed breed couldn't be "Westminster Dog of the Year" ... what's there to understand?
Well, the whole point of the headline being written the way it is, is playing on the Westminster angle, see? So what's there to understand is the difference between the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog of the Year. For the uninitiated, who only know "Westminster" (meaning the Dog Show), this can be a point of confusion, hence, the whole play on words in the headline. :)

[montanagal]

That's a neat article. But, how come only members of parliment and Lords and take part in it?

[Borzoi mad]

i think the Westminister here actually refers to Westminster area of London (i.e. westminster Abbey etc.)and not the Westminster as in the USA It is a special fun show run by the Kennel Club and the Dog's Trust for Mmbers of Parialment who own dogs. Its a bit like they have one called Scruffs for crossbreeds and Mongrels which is sort of take off of Crufts.

Hope this helps.

[montanagal]

i think the Westminister here actually refers to Westminster area of London (i.e. westminster Abbey etc.)and not the Westminster as in the USA It is a special fun show run by the Kennel Club and the Dog's Trust for Mmbers of Parialment who own dogs. Its a bit like they have one called Scruffs for crossbreeds and Mongrels which is sort of take off of Crufts.

Hope this helps.I think it's cool that there is a dog of the year competition that includes mixed breeds. But why can't the commoners join in?


P.S. Borzoi mad-One of your bunny's ears is a bit off.:pLOL

[Borzoi mad]

I think it's cool that there is a dog of the year competition that includes mixed breeds. But why can't the commoners join in?


P.S. Borzoi mad-One of your bunny's ears is a bit off.:pLOL



As I already said this one is for Members of Parliament and their dogs. There is already some others for the "Commoners" as you put it and their mixed breeds i.e. Scruffs.

Think one of the dogs must have have had a nibble at the Bunny'a ear LOL

[KatzNK9]

Well, the whole point of the headline being written the way it is, is playing on the Westminster angle, see? So what's there to understand is the difference between the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog of the Year. For the uninitiated, who only know "Westminster" (meaning the Dog Show), this can be a point of confusion, hence, the whole play on words in the headline. :)

I just assumed the first sentence of the article cleared that up. My bad, I suppose.

[Doberman's]

Cool article!

BorzoiMad is correct :) It has no affiliation with the Westminster Kennel club at all. ;) I have been a avid watcher and follower of the Wsetminster Kennel Club for my entire life, watching the dog show with my Dad as a small child!:)

Westminster Kennel club.... here is some History :


http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/

The Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster's influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all breed, benched dog show held every year at New York's Madison Square Garden. The show is America's second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby.

[KatzNK9]

BorzoiMad is correct :) It has no affiliation with the Westminster Kennel club at all. ;)

Yes, of course. I would have thought an article starting with the word "Parliamentarian" would have been the first clue that we're not in Madison Square Garden, NYC any more, baby!

[Monkey]

Yes, of course. I would have thought an article starting with the word "Parliamentarian" would have been the first clue that we're not in Madison Square Garden, NYC any more, baby!

Well... sorry. first of all I thought that that show was HELD in brittain and second that is a BIG word for me that I am not that aquianted with and on top of that fresh out of hospital with fever so.. yeah I was totally LOST on that one.

I'm still learning, trying to improve my english, trying to understand, and just be better member of the american society hence no I am not ashamed of asking. cause if I don't ask I will never improve.

I'm greatfull for all of you peoplex explanations it has helped up, and I don't say I don't understand for being funny or anything. Sometimes a keyword just flies over my head. English is only my second language..
*is a bit slow at times* :(

[Doberman's]

Well... sorry. first of all I thought that that show was HELD in brittain and second that is a BIG word for me that I am not that aquianted with and on top of that fresh out of hospital with fever so.. yeah I was totally LOST on that one.

I'm still learning, trying to improve my english, trying to understand, and just be better member of the american society hence no I am not ashamed of asking. cause if I don't ask I will never improve.

I'm greatfull for all of you peoplex explanations it has helped up, and I don't say I don't understand for being funny or anything. Sometimes a keyword just flies over my head. English is only my second language..
*is a bit slow at times* :(

NO one was coming at you Monkey.... we are just clarifying what it meant and what the article said.

[Monkey]

NO one was coming at you Monkey.... we are just clarifying what it meant and what the article said.

Oh no I know.. I was just clarifying if someone at any other time would think differently. if that make sence? I've discussed my ways of expression with a few people that is very good at american english and grammar etc, and they have told me I come across quite differently at times. I take my swedish and do a direct translation including certain expression (that is in swedish not mean that bad at all but overhere is straight out rude etc). so.. Hence I am just making sure.. cause it seems like my englsish is even worse of than I first belived.. Mooo

[sheplovr]

Had me wondering just looking at the group, but then who am I to judge.?? happy it is clear for us to understand as I felt that was a truly big deal over there? Goodie~~~:D

[The Muttlies]

Monkey, if it makes ya feel any better, I was a confused too. My first thought was "I thought mutts weren't allowed in the Westminster?" So, don't feel bad! You weren't the only one. :D I understand your confusion.

[eb4i]

I just assumed the first sentence of the article cleared that up. My bad, I suppose.

Yeah. Jeez, be careful. eh?

We don't wanna have to READ ya know.

[KatzNK9]

Yeah. Jeez, be careful. eh?

We don't wanna have to READ ya know.

LOL:drunken:

[vagreys]

i think the Westminister here actually refers to Westminster area of London (i.e. westminster Abbey etc.)and not the Westminster as in the USA It is a special fun show run by the Kennel Club and the Dog's Trust for Mmbers of Parialment who own dogs. Its a bit like they have one called Scruffs for crossbreeds and Mongrels which is sort of take off of Crufts.

Hope this helps.
What Kennel Club are they referring to in the article? Is it a local club or something like a national one? The Dog's Trust is national, right? I thought it was a play on the Westminster Kennel Club (US vs UK), too....:o

[Borzoi mad]

What Kennel Club are they referring to in the article? Is it a local club or something like a national one? The Dog's Trust is national, right? I thought it was a play on the Westminster Kennel Club (US vs UK), too....:o

Its the UK KJnnel Club and the Dog Trust in the UK that organise this competition The article KatzK9 quoted was from a UK Paper

[Doberman's]

Its the UK KJnnel Club and the Dog Trust in the UK that organise this competition The article KatzK9 quoted was from a UK Paper

Yes it was and it was a good read. :) I think the competition is kind of cool!

[Borzoi mad]

Yes it was and it was a good read. :) I think the competition is kind of cool!


I agree it was a good read and a bit of fun for the members of parialment and their dogs, nice to see them getting invoved with dogs in a nice way and not harassing them under the DDA and the press covering something which gives dogs a nice image and nice publicity :cheers:

[Harry]

That's a neat article. But, how come only members of parliment and Lords and take part in it?

Because this is Britain darling and only Lords and Ladies are allowed to play :D

This thread is sooooo funny .... I don't know anything about dog or kennel clubs, so I just read Westminster and thought "London", and then you lot were going on about Westminster this and that, and I got soooooo confused :rolleyes:

Actually, still am a bit......so there are two dog clubs right?!!! :D

[Borzoi mad]

Yes Harry - there is what we in the UK call The Kennel Club and then there is the American and the Canadian Kennel Clubs etc. and Westminter Show is the American equivalent to Crufts in the UK.

Hope this helps.