Beagle is best in show at prestigious dog contest

By Chris Michaud

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A crowd-pleasing beagle known as Uno was named best in show at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday, becoming the first of his breed to win the U.S. canine world's top prize in its 132-year history.

Formally named "K-Run's Park Me In First," the 2-year-old dog enthralled the Madison Square Garden crowd, which through cheers and applause had clearly signaled its overwhelming preference for the sprightly, 15-pound baying beagle.

David Frei of the Westminster Kennel Club and on-air host of the show's television broadcast, said the audience response to Uno was the loudest and most enthusiastic he had ever witnessed.

"I'm not at all surprised" he won, Frei said.

Best-in-show judge Dr. J. Donald Jones of Marietta, Georgia, said that while the choice was difficult, the winner fit "the standard for perfection for the beagle," citing in particular the dog's attitude and "locomotion."

"It was the right choice. He's a beautiful dog -- just flawless," said Jones after awarding Uno his 33rd best-in-show title. "Everything he does is correct. And just look at his face."

Jones said he was unaware that Uno was the first beagle ever honored as the nation's top dog.

"I had no idea -- that's wonderful," he said when told of his history-making choice.

Terriers have won best in show most often, prevailing nearly half the time throughout the club's history. This year's competition featured 2,500 entrants representing 169 breeds and varieties.

"There's no words to explain how you feel right now," said Aaron Wilkerson of Columbia, South Carolina, who is Uno's handler and one of his four co-owners.

"He's what a beagle's supposed to be -- he's a merry little hound. He's just the best dog I've ever had. He's my best friend."

For at least the next week Uno will bask in the kind of limelight traditionally reserved for more established one-named celebrities like Madonna, Cher or Diddy, as he embarks on a round of national television appearances as the nation's newest top dog.

The other breeds vying for the big prize on Tuesday were a standard poodle, an Akita, a toy poodle, all breeds competing for best in show for a second consecutive year, as well as a Weimaraner, an Australian shepherd and a Sealyham terrier.

(Editing by Bill Trott)