A nearly four-year-old beagle took the top award at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.
David Merriam, a retired state trial judge and a California state breeder who has been spending his time with dogs for more than 50 years, judged Miss P as "Best in Show" at the world's most prestigious dog show for all breeds. It's not common for dog show judges to explain their choices, and Merriam did not veer from tradition. Speaking in the language of the dog show world, Merriam said Miss P "had wonderful type" and a "wonderful head." As Miss P moved gracefully along the carpeted floor of the garden, Merriam said he could see "the beagle in the ring and the beagle in the field."
"She never let me down. She didn't make any mistakes. She was wonderful out there," said Miss P's handler Will Alexander, who appeared exhausted just as Miss P reclined in his arms quietly.
