2011 Westminster Dog Show: Scottish Deerhound wins Best in Show

After a chaotic 2010 edition that saw in-stand trash talk and fisticuffs, and onstage PETA protests, normalcy was restored – at least in the ring – at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in Madison Square Garden.

But as far as the results themselves were concerned, the surprise winner was a Scottish Deerhound, the first ever to win Best in Show honors at Westminster.  Ch Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, also known as Hickory, captured the title in what was considered to be a wide-open field after a couple of favorites did not enter the competition.  The win was just Hickory’s 16th Best in Show; in contrast, the heavily-favored Sadie was ranked No. 1 heading into her 2010 Westminster victory and 113th Best in Show championship title.

Two of Hickory’s opponents were Chinese dogs: Jayne (Ch Vaje’s Miss Jayne Hathaway) became the first Chinese Shar-Pei to win the Non-Sporting Group and Malachy (Ch Palacegarden Malachy), a Pekingese, won the Toy Group.

The 2011 Westminster Dog Show was the last competition for Hickory, a five-year-old from Flint Hill, Va. She had her first litter of puppies in October.

For photos from the show as well as behind-the-scenes shots from the dogs’ preparations at the Hotel Pennsylvania, be sure to click through our slideshow below!

Photos: 2011 Westminster Dog Show
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine