Drake
Owner Janice Smith with Drake
VACAVILLE, CA - At just 18 months old and only a foot tall, Drake the Boston Terrier took "Best of Breed" at the 134th Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
"Every breeder, every handler dreams of going to the big tent - the Garden," said owner and handler Janice Smith.
Drake began winning shows when he was barely over 6 months old, quickly stacking up major victories. At the end of his first year on the show circuit, he was poised for the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club's 134th annual dog show.
"I didn't really have any thoughts of winning. I went there just to show up and experience it," said Smith, who got Drake from her mother's Flying Ford Boston Terriers kennel in Oregon.
From day one, she said the black-brindled Boston Terrier charmed everyone. "People would come up, is this Drake, is this Drake? They always wanted to see Drake."
In both Smith and Drake's first time at the Westminster show, they won.
"I think I screamed and hopped all the way over to the best of breed sign," she said.
Away from the show circuit, Smith said Drake is just like any other good canine companion.
"He's fantastic. He's a companion dog. He's funny. He plays. He runs around. He fetches...and he snorts a lot," Smith said.
In just two weeks, Smith and Drake will be back on the road, hitting the show circuit again.
For now, Smith just wants to savor a stunning win. "It was just a dream come true," she said.
By Dave Marquis, dmarquis@news10.net
News10/KXTV