Last hurrah on grandest stage for dog show heavyweight

It's to be his last hurrah. The exclamation point on a career that surpassed all expectations. It's time for his departure. After all, he is an old man in a sport dominated by young pups.

But it will be a hard life for him to give up, having been competing since he was 6 months old. But what better way to go out than on the grandest of stages, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

His full name is Champion Shadowcast N' McBrides Design - Polo to his friends - and he is a 4-year-old American cocker spaniel. When he takes the stage tomorrow in New York, it will be his third trip to the big show.

"You have to be invited to Westminster. This show is it. It's the biggest most prestigious dog show in the world," said Tori McBride, Polo's owner.

In the world of dog shows, Polo is a heavy hitter. He has won numerous awards and Best of Show honors and looks to place in the top four in his breed. The top choice in each breed competes for Best of Show honors and a $50,000 cash prize from Eukanuba.

"It takes 15 points to become a champion in your breed," McBride said. "You have to compete throughout the year to obtain your ranking and be in the top five to be invited to Westminster. Polo has over 10,000 points."

Dogs are judged against the standard for the breed as established by the American Kennel Club. For cocker spaniels, some of the standards include ears lower than eye level, a tail that comes directly off the back of the dog's hindquarters, a scissor bite and a muzzle exactly half as long as the dog's head.

It takes between $60,000 and $70,000 a year to prepare a dog for a show like Westminster, including a handler, training and grooming for events.

"Polo's handler is Jan Bruni. She handles only cocker spaniels and is known for her professionalism and for her handling and grooming of the dog," McBride said.

Because there are very few monetary prizes awarded during dog shows, most owners do it strictly because they love dogs and participating.

"Winning isn't the best thing," McBride said. "Participation in the competition, that's the best. I still root for other dogs. We all travel together. Even if you aren't in our breed we know you."

McBride's love of dogs goes beyond mere competition, it is her life. When she is not watching Polo compete she is managing her business, All American Dog Grooming in Carson City.

"I've been a breeder for 15 years and I've never wanted kids, but I always wanted puppies," she said.

No matter what the outcome of Polo's final competition, he can take comfort in the fact that while his show career is ending, his 4-month-old daughters - Paris and Nicky Hilton - are ready to begin theirs.

"It's in their blood," she said. "Mommy's a champion and dad is Polo, so they should do very well."

-- Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.