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Wire Fox Terrier With Southland Ties Wins Best In Show At Westminster

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — Sky the wire fox terrier became America's top dog Tuesday night, winning best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club.

The No. 1 show dog in the country last year, Sky went wire to wire.

She beat out a standard poodle, a Portuguese water dog, bloodhound, an Irish water spaniel, a Cardigan Welsh corgi and a miniature pinscher.

Judge Betty Regina Leininger picked the winner inside a nearly full Madison Square Garden as the fans called out for their favorites. The standard poodle named Ally was chosen as the runner-up.

This was the record 14th time a wire fox terrier has won at the nation's top dog show. No other breed has won more than eight times.

Handler Gabriel Rangel, who won Westminster four years ago while guiding Sadie the Scottish terrier, led Sky to her 129th best in show ribbon overall. She became a Triple Crown winner in dogdom, having previously taken the National Dog Show and the top AKC event.

The 5-year-old Sky lives in Rialto, Calif., with Rangel.

Rangel's nephew Eduardo has known Sky for years and watched her win the grand title on television.

"It is a tough competition," Eduardo said. "My uncle told me stories about, 'Oh, sometimes it's hard to win,' and for me, just all that together, and to see this right now is amazing."

Ironically, Rangel's son Alexander couldn't go to the world class event because he's allergic to adult dogs.

"I can't really spend more than five minutes around a large group of dogs without sneezing," he said.

There were 2,845 dogs entered in the 138th Westminster Kennel Club show. They were eligible in 190 breeds and varieties.

Nathan the bloodhound was clearly the crowd's pick as all seven dogs circled around in the final ring.

But once again, a terrier prevailed. Terriers have taken 46 of the 105 best in show ribbons presented at an event that dates to the late 19th century.

Sky entered the ring only a half-hour or so after winning the terrier group, and was still fresh.

"We're kind of saving it," Rangel said shortly before the best-of-seven competition.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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