A dog from Nanoose Bay is going to North America’s oldest and most prestigious dog show.
‘Pixie’ the Silky Terrier is the winningest female Silky Terrier in Canadian history and she’s got her sights set on the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City.
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the longest-running in North America dating back to 1877 and is one of the biggest stages for our furry friends as it’s televised around the world.
“I watch it every year. We have big parties with the kennel clubs and go to the bar and watch it live,” said Nicole Simpson, a professional dog handler who lives in the Nanaimo area.
But this year is going to be extra special for Simpson as she’ll not only be there in person but showing Pixie in the ring, a four-year-old Silky Terrier from Nanoose Bay, who has been topping numerous competitions.
Pixie gets a First in Group Ribbon from the Ladies Kennel Club of B.C. in February
“I’m pretty excited. it’s been kind of surreal. I still can’t believe it’s happening
Pixie’s owner fell in love with dogs as a child and has been showing dogs for more than 30 years. She currently admits to having fewer than 10 dogs but Pixie is proving to be a cut above.
“She’s stunning. She really is. She’s better than her daddy and he was the best that I had up until that so we’re really eager and keen. For January and February she was number one silky in the U.S. in the all-breeds standing,” said Carolyn Cool, Pixie’s Owner.
But getting to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is, in itself, no small feat.
“Not only did she have to be a champion and get our certificate in time like early February she had to get her place in the lottery system. Westminster is a limited show. You enter and you hope you make it through the lottery and she did. Some of the top dogs in Canada did not,” said Cool.
Cool has gone to New York to watch the show before but having her precious Pixie competing will make it feel completely different.
“We’re hopeful that she will place in the breed anyway and win the breed that we want so that we can be on TV at night in the breed ring,” said Cool.
“I have some people that are hoping that we get to be in prime time but we’ll have to win the breed for that,” said Simpson.
The dogs will be judged based on how they compare to the standard of their breed.
Pixie’s big competition is just two weeks away when she’ll be working like a dog and strutting her stuff on the dog walk. Pixie will compete on May 8th of the competition.
Kendall Hanson
