Say Hi to the New Dogs in Town

The Super Bowl, Fall Fashion Week, and now the Westminster Dog Show. I love February in New York.

The Finnish Lapphund, Myles, walking across Seventh with his owner. The dogs were much better behaved then all us people crowding around to take pictures, of course.

Before fashion week officially starts, I'd like to pay homage to the new dogs in town. Above are several of the six new breeds walking across Seventh Avenue, aka Fashion Ave, near the welcoming arms of Madison Square Garden, the Westminster venue. Naturally, these aren't "new" breeds but they are new to Westminster. Click here for a list of all six. Hickory, a Scottish Deerhound and last year's Best in Show, led the new dogs across the street.

Hickory, walking with host David Frei. Is she not gorgeous? And she just had puppies! What a pro.

OMG, the Cesky Terrier, Katrina, what a doll!

The Xoloitzcuintli, Alma Dulce. I'm going to call her breed the XO. Hairless, chic with the jewels, and fabulous in interviews.

And now a little photo montage of my favorite, the Norwegian Lundehund, aka the Puffin Dog as the Norwegians used them to hunt puffin birds in rocky cliffs. It's the facial expression that kills me.

The Lundehund, Eowyn, with her owner Harvey Sanderson: So chill, so well-tempered, and I just love the face. She reminds me of my cute but evil cat. I think they'd make a great team. Her owner said the Lundehund makes an excellent apartment pet. 

Don't freak: this was like second nature to Eowyn. Harvey is showing that she's got six toes and is double-jointed. Also, she can bend her head backwards along her spine. This is all to help her hunt vertically.  Flexible and cute, she's awfully versatile. In the background is the American English Coonhound, what a beauty. 

A rare perked ears shot. Her owner says when the ears are down she's bored, which was the case through most of the press conference. Attitude, I like it.

Return next week for more dog news, as I'll be reporting from Westminster Monday and Tuesday, in between the other fashion shows. 

Stump the Pros

Stump, from The Daily News, working it at the Westminster Kennel Club Show.

Can the Westminster Dog Show winner be a 34th Street fashion post? Why not:

The Show is Held in Madison Square Garden: MSG is in the 34th Street District. 34th Street, check. Next year I'm so applying for a press pass.

Stump is Not Exactly Trim: I wasn't there, but from the photos he looks big boned. Or really furry. Either way, I can relate. We all go through fat days, weight gain fluctuation, etc. But Stump proves not only the skinny guy (ahem, standard poodle) can carry the day.

Stump is No Spring Chicken: He's ten years old, which makes him the oldest winner of the Westminster Dog Show. So life doesn't end at 10, it just gets better looking (that's 10 dog years, so let's pretend it's 40 in girl years). And with age comes experience: Stump's trainer said he hardly prepared the Sussex spaniel for the show.

It's All in Your Walk, or "Screw the Experts, Wow the Crowd:" The pros were gunning for the giant schnauzer, but the audience loved Stump. The New York Times said "...the crowd clearly preferred the jaunty spaniel. Stump was greeted with deafening applause every time he plodded around the ring." Plodded! I love that. Learn from Stump, because obviously how you carry yourself can work magic.

The Comeback Kid: Stump was stricken with a serious illness in'05, but healed eventually with the help of the experts at Texas A&M. It's been 5 years since he last competed. What a story.

I'd kiss him all day.
Ok, not really about fashion, but think of Stump when you're feeling like a troll while surrounded by well-dressed beauties. Plod onward with style! And for more Stump, go here for the Westminster Best in Show video. It's a long one, so forward right to 9 minutes and listen to the crowd roar and watch Stump do his thing.



All photos from The New York Times except where noted.

Madison Square Garden, 7th Avenue between 31st & 33rd