C'mere dog-breath! A kiss for Hickory as 60-1 shot Scottish deer hound wins Westminster Dog Show

By Amy Oliver for The Mail on Sunday
Updated: 17:19 EDT, 16 February 2011

She was a rank outsider with odds of 60-1 whose breed had never before won at the Westminster Dog Show.

But today Hickory, a five-year-old Scottish deerhound, is basking in glory after beating some of last year's stars to bound off with the title of America's top dog.

And today she celebrated with a day of city glamour in New York, tucking into a filet mignon at Sardi's restaurant and taking part in a photo-shoot at the top of the Empire State Building - a world away from her usual hobby of chasing rabbits and deer on a farm in Virginia.

Pucker-up: Handler Angela Lloyd gives Scottish deerhound Hickory a kiss after she beat 60-1 odds to win the crown at the Westminster Dog Show

She may be more used to the countryside, but Hickory was not fazed by the bright lights of the city, winning praise from judge Paolo Dondina who said: 'This animal is like in the heavens. It is not of this world.'

The Italian judge wasted no time in picking 85-pound Hickory from the seven finalists at last night's final at Madison Square Garden, calling her an 'outstanding dog' whose movement was 'super'.

Hickory's handler, Angela Lloyd, said: 'People who own the breed have dreamed of this day their whole, entire life. I think Hickory could feel my lead that I was excited and went with it.'

As well as her big day out in the city, elegant Hickory will also meet children who are being treated for cancer later today.

A real dog's dinner: V.Max Kilmavicius, owner of Sardi's Restaurant, gives Hickory, who was crowned top dog at the Westminster Dog Show, her prize of a medium-rare filet mignon

On top of the world: This year's Westminster Dog Show winner, Scottish deerhound Hickory, takes in the view from the Empire State Building with her handler, Angela Lloyd

Hickory won the hound group on Monday, then faced a nervous wait all day before competing for the prestigious purple-and-gold rosette and shiny dog bowl last night.

Waiting inside was a lot to ask from a breed of dog most comfortable in the wild, but she kept her composure to beat the seven other finalists.

They included a cute Pekinese called Malachy, who trotted around the ring to whoops from the audience, a cocker spaniel called Beckham, a bearded collie called Mr Baggins, named after the Lord of the Rings character as well as a Chinese shar-pei and a smooth terrier.

And she also beat a Portuguese water-dog, the breed that captured the hearts of President Obama and his family last year.

Popular pooch: The winner of the 135th Westminster dog show, Hickory, gets another kiss from judge Paolo Dondina, who said she was 'in the heavens'

Walk in the park: Elegant Hickory enjoys the limelight as she gambols along with handler Angela Lloyd at the 135th Westminster dog show

When Ladybug, the Portuguese water dog made her once-round the ring judges quipped: 'I’m not sure if Mr Dondina is a democrat, but I’m sure there’s some cheers going up for this dog over in DC.'

But even her presidential credentials could not triumph over Hickory, who lives on a 50-acre farm in Warrenton, Virginia. Her owners Sally Sweatt, Cecilia Dove and Dr Scott Dove will no doubt let her have the run of the place after her victory.

Hickory triumphed over 2,600 pampered pooches to win the prestigious dog show, in its 135th year.

Around15,000 people filled the arena at Madison Square Gardens each day to watch America's top dogs battle it out for the title.

Crowd-pleaser: Malachy, a Pekinese, won applause from the audience but lost out in the final to Hickory the deerhound at the 135th Westminster dog show

President's pooch: Ladybug the Portuguese water dog - the breed favoured by President Obama - won the Working Group, but lost to Hickory in the final

The competition was tough. Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum, an Army surgeon who was held as a prisoner during the Gulf War said there was 'no question' that ascending in the show ring was tougher than in the military as she exhibited her Gordon setter.

And, proving you can teach an old dog new tricks, social media was everywhere at the event, which began in 1877.

People in the audience kept those outside updated on Twitter, Facebook and even YouTube.

Lorraine Shore of Sequim, Washington, was showing a pair of German pinschers, and posted updates of her favourite dogs on YouTube.

It's a dog's life: Two wolf-like Samoyeds, left, take it easy as they wait to be groomed and right, this shaggy Skye Terrier looks like he is waiting for an eyebrow wax

Anyone need a mop? This magnificent Komondorak parades around the ring under his mane of hair on the last day of the prestigious New York dog show

She said: 'From Germany to Australia to California, people are waiting for my postings. People who have never been here, now they've experienced Westminster.'

By late Tuesday afternoon, the show had 49,000 friends on Facebook, reaching 60,000 by the endo of the final.

One enterprising owner, Ken Roux, even tagged his Boston terrier, Hoss, to make him internet-friendly. He put a special QR code - a sophisticated set of small squares on a larger square - on his dog's crate. Anyone pointing their smartphone at the pattern was then taken to his website.

Brook Berth, an assistant to Hoss' handler said: 'I noticed a lot of people taking pictures. It's just so convenient. You don't have to worry about people writing down information or passing out cards. They have it all right away.'

Man-handled: A handler takes her dog for a bathroom break, left, and right, Capone the rottweiler gets a hug

Quick wash and blow dry: Danny, a west highland white terrier, is prepared for his big moment at the 135th Westminster Dog Show

We are not amused: Potter, left, an English springer spaniel and Jackson, right, an American cocker spaniel, wait sadly in their fetching coloured pig-tails to be groomed

This year there were 179 breeds and varieties from 49 states and several countries as far away as Australia. Six new breeds, including the Bluetick Coonhound and Icelandic Sheepdog, were also  trying to claw their way to the top.

Last year Sadie the Scottie trotted to glory. Terries have always been favourites to win the show having won the title 46 times.

The year before Stump, a Sussex Spaniel, amazed everyone when he came out of retirement to win the silver bowl.

Tough cookie: Jayne, a Chinese shar-pei, competes in the final - but even this stern pooch could not beat Hickory, the Scottish deerhound

 At 10 years old he was the oldest dog to win the Westminster.

Best in show from 2007 was James, an English Springer-Spaniel who has since retired to pursue a career in therapy.

He has worked with Alzheimer's patients, children and people who have cancer and according to The New York Times, a picture of James was displayed at the wake of a 20-year-old who died of cancer.

Westminster Dog Show has seen 25 presidents since it began in 1877. It pre-dates the invention of the light bulb, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and even the invention of basketball. 

The Empire State Building honoured the show by lighting its tower in the Westminster colours of purple and gold.

Show time: Around 30,000 people watched ring-side and millions more on television as more than 2,000 dogs competed over the course of the two-day event held by the American Kennel Club