Sowders’ other dog, a whippet named GFC Emerald’s a Thief in the Night, or Enzo, also was shown at the event, but he did not place.
“It’s very high-energy,” Fetter said of the Westminster show held at Madison Square Garden in New York. “It’s noisy and it’s very crowded, but Emerson doesn’t really care. It’s not one of his favorite things, but he loves being around people.”
Sowders agreed the graceful 5-year-old greyhound is comfortable in a competitive environment. He faced off against 11 other dogs in the best of breed division. He also competed against the 5-year-old Scottish deerhound from Virginia, named Hickory, who went on to win best of show Tuesday night.
Emerson and Enzo are in Lima now with Fetter for a few days of doggy pampering, and then they are off to the Windy City for the International Kennel Club of Chicago’s 2011 Chicago Dog Show next weekend.
“He’s used to it because we show him every weekend,” Fetter said.
It was the first trip to the Big Apple for the 75-pound greyhound and the first time Sowders had a win at the show. Fetter has been to Westminster many times and placed with her clients’ dogs.
The 85-pound Hickory, who beat out nearly 2,600 entries, became the first of her breed to capture the top-dog spot and was picked from a best-of-seven final show.
An encore appearance at the Westminster show next year for Emerson is “more than likely,” according to Sowders.
Contact this reporter at rmcmacken@daytondailynews.com or (937) 225-0671.
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