Neosho dachshund Westminster-bound

Thomas, a longhaired dachshund, will soon be on his way to New York City.

He is not going to see the sights, but to participate in the 132nd annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, held Feb. 11 and 12 at Madison Square Garden.

“This is the first dog that we have taken to Westminster,” said Cynthia Perceful, Neosho dog breeder and owner of Royal Oak Miniature Dachshunds Kennel.

“I bought his mother from a breeder in Oklahoma City, and when I heard the story behind these dogs, I could not help but to show her,” Perceful said. “I showed her in AKC dog shows and finished her championship and she carried this color, cream, it is very rare. Most people have not seen a cream dachshund. You probably will not see another cream dachshund unless you see him on TV.”

Perceful said there are several cream dachshunds throughout the nation and the world, but compared to the blacks and the red dachshunds, there are very few of them.

“So when she finished her championship, I bred her,” Perceful said. “Thomas was one of the puppies.”

Thomas, 5, has been showing since he was 6 months old.

“You start showing your dogs when they are 6 months old,” said the owner. “And he just racked up the points and finished his championship before we knew it. He was just barely a year old when he finished his championship. And, in fact, he was in the top 25 in the U.S. He was shown for several years and was invited to the Eukanuba Tournament of Champions.”

He participated in that in 2002, 2003 and 2004. After 2004, Thomas retired from showing.

“He has produced some beautiful puppies that are racking up show points across the nation in the show rings,” Perceful said.

Then came the opportunity to participate in Westminster.

“Showing dogs is very, very expensive,” Perceful said. “I entered him and the problem is that Westminster only accepts 2,500 dogs. It is the largest dog show in the United States. You might have 5,000 to 6,000 dogs entering, and you just don’t know if you are picked or not.”

Perceful will not be able to go with Thomas, but Zeke Cook of Arkansas, a professional dog handler, will take Thomas.

“Thomas has to beat 22 other dachshunds in the dachshund ring and if he wins that, he will go to the hound ring,” Perceful said.

Thomas will have a couple of things to do when he is in the competition.

“He will have to look beautiful,” Perceful said. “His conformation will have to be compared to AKC standard for long-haired dachshund, the way his head is shaped, the shape of his eyes, the coat, the color, his bone structure, his muscle strength, the way he carries himself, the way he walks and the way he behaves in the ring.

"He will be very animated, he will keep his eyes on his handler and he will be excited and happy. When he gaits he will be trotting and look like he is kind of floating on air, as he goes around the ring. The judges will be comparing all of these dachshunds, not to one another, but to the perfect dachshund standard.”

Thomas, along with the other dachshunds, will be judged by Patricia Trotter. Only champions are allowed to enter this dog show.

In preparation for the competition, Perceful has groomed the dog.

“Grooming is very important and since he has been retired, he does a lot of playing,” said Perceful. “I am still working on his coat. We have trimmed his neck and trimmed his feet. Once he gets in the ring, he knows what to do. He is a pro. Mental preparation, you want him to be relaxed. Being in the ring is a very special time. You want him to have fun and a good time.”

There are no agility courses during this prestigious event. And if Thomas wins, he will receive a big trophy and prestige.

“It (participating in Westminster) is a once in a lifetime event to go,” said Perceful. “I am excited for him. I have always been proud of him. There are some dogs that go several times throughout their show career. But I never thought that I would be fortunate enough to have my dog there.”

The event will be televised at 7 p.m. central time Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 on the Animal Planet and Discovery Channel.

Westminster, established in 1877, is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of pure breed dogs and this show is the second longest continuously held sporting event in the United States.

Neosho Daily News