Jo's Cafe

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A colored bull terrier known as Rufus made history on Tuesday, becoming the first of his breed to win best in show at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Formally named Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid, the 5-year-old tan and white bull terrier beat six other finalists, including classic family dogs such as a golden retriever and an Old English sheepdog who were the clear crowd pleasers. He also triumphed over more than 2,600 other entrants at the world’s largest and most prestigious dog show.

But Rufus’ owner Barbara Bishop of Holmdel, New Jersey, said her dog was “first and foremost a family dog,” even though he had won best in shows 31 times previously.

“We’re going to have a buy him a steak somewhere,” the beaming owner said after his big win before a packed arena at Madison Square Garden.

Thank god it wasn’t that awful looking Standard Poodle again. Hopefully the days of that poor dog being put through the humiliation of having to wear balls and fluff are over. Of course, I was again saddened that our favorite breed, the Australian Cattle Dog, didn’t even make the cut in the herding group, but at least this year a black and tan made the breed winner instead of the red. Yes, even in our favorite breed, we have a preference in this house.

But there is really only one “best in show” in our hearts: