The show’s winner Claire, the Scottish deer hound, stands with her manager Angela Lloyd at the National Dog Show. Lloyd said Claire was “more sure of herself” this year.
Steve Donahue / Photo SeeSpotRun
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Steve Donahue / Photo SeeSpotRun
The show’s winner Claire, the Scottish deer hound, stands with her manager Angela Lloyd at the National Dog Show. Lloyd said Claire was “more sure of herself” this year.
Steve Donahue / Photo SeeSpotRun
A 4-year-old Scottish deer hound named Claire won first place in the show at the National Dog Show, for the second time in two years. The long-legged black and gray terrier poked her nose into the camera and flashed a big smile before scurrying over to pick up the ribbon with her manager, Angela Lloyd.
Claire beat hundreds of other dogs at the annual show hosted by the Philadelphia Kennel Club. The show ran over the weekend but the winner was announced during an NBC broadcast on Thanksgiving Day.
This is the first time in 20 years that a dog has won twice in a row. Lloyd said Claire was “more sure of herself” this year.
The Scottish Deerhound is one of the tallest breeds – a large male can grow up to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh over 100 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club. This species has superior hunting abilities and was bred to track giant wild red deer. The AKC recommends standing from a distance as you gaze at the Scottish Deer Hound to “get the full sense of the majesty of this ancient beast.”
Other finalists for the show include Winter the English bulldog, MM the Lakeland terrier, Sasha the Pyrenean shepherd, Chester the Affenpinscher, Jade the German short pointer and Mo’Ne the Kuvasz, a javelin motion.
There are 196 dog breeds and breeds recognized by the AKC at this year’s show. That includes its newest recognized breed, the Biewer Terrier, which made its show debut and NBC description is “an elegant and athletic toy terrier whose sole purpose in life is to love and be loved.” Rumor has it, a 19-month-old female Biewer Terrier appeared with a sparkling blue bow.
Normally more than 2,000 dogs take part in the event, but numbers fell about 70% last year because of COVID-19 restrictions. Last year’s competition was held without spectators, but fully vaccinated spectators are allowed to participate this year.
