Stump is Best in Show!

Best in Show: Stump, 10, stuns at Westminster Dog Show
By Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY
Tuesday, Febuary 10, 2009

The 10-year-old Sussex spaniel became the oldest Westminster winner in history and the first of his breed to win the silver cup. In one of the most stunning results in recent Westminster history, Stump came out of retirement to win his first show in four years. Owner-handler Scott Sommer decided last Wednesday to bring Stump to the big show, just for fun.

Needless to say, there was no pressure or expectations. "This was like going for a walk with my pet," Sommer said.

Stump won the Sporting Group in 2004; the next year he nearly died after a serious ailment. "His insides stopped working," Sommer said. Stump spent 19 days with veterinarians at Texas A&M, who saved his life. "A miracle," Sommer said. He could have been talking about both feats.

There was no preparation other than a walk around Sommer's Houston driveway, quite different from the green carpet and bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

Judge Sari Tietjen didn't know who Stump was or his age when she pointed to him. "I just couldn't say no to him," Tietjen said. "He is in fabulous shape."

As for Sommer? "To bring a dog into the Garden who hasn't been showing, he was a little insane," Tietjen said. In 2001, Sommer won Best in Show with J.R., a Bichon Frise, and the two champs are buddies.

When Stump plodded around the ring, the Garden crowd erupted. He celebrated his victory by standing on his back legs and the crowd loved him even more. By winning the prestigious show, Stump proved you can teach an old dog new tricks.

His next one? No more comebacks. "He really is retired this time," Sommer said.

With floppy ears and a slow gait, the golden-red Stump beat out a sparkling final field. Sommer guided him past a giant schnauzer that was the nation's top show dog, a favored Brussels griffon, a Scottish deerhound named Tiger Woods, a standard poodle with 94 best in show wins, a Scottish terrier and a puli.

Nearly 2,500 dogs were entered at Westminster. Last year's champion, a beagle named Uno, was perhaps the most popular winner ever.

But with a bounce in his step, Stump is sure to win over plenty of people while he reigns for a year and gets extra playtime with his green Grinch toy.