N.J. bull terrier collars dog world's top trophy

Rufus, a colored bull terrier, took Best in Show at the 130th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Hailing from Holmdel, N.J., just south of New York, Rufus was a hometown favorite judging from the hoots and hollers in the Garden. He had already racked up more than 30 all-breed Best in Shows and is the 44th terrier to win the dog world's top prize.

Shaka, a 4-year-old Rottweiler who lives in the Atlanta suburb of Sharpsburg with his owner, Keith Carter, was one of only seven dogs that competed for the title.

Among dog show enthusiasts like Carter, Best in Show is the Nobel Prize and Oscar rolled into one. On Monday, Shaka first won Best of Breed and then went on to vanquish 23 other dogs to capture the Best in Group title for working dogs. He bested the boxer, slew the Samoyed and nudged out the Newfie.

"He's such a good dog who was obviously special at an early age," Carter said.

Unlike most other Westminster dogs that make it into the final rounds, Shaka's breeder and handler is also his owner. Typically, dog owners hire a handler to work with the dogs inside the ring.

But the affection between dog and master was evident as the two strode around the ring.

Both are powerfully built athletes. Shaka is a sweet and alert mass of solid muscle, while Carter is broad-shouldered with a linebacker's physique — 15 years after playing football at Florida State.

"He's such a happy-go-lucky dog," said Carter, rubbing Shaka's nose. "He loves life and loves people."

This was Shaka's first Westminster Best of Breed win in three consecutive tries. Shaka holds the breed record for the most Best in Show wins at competitions around the country.

Citing Shaka's "exceptional breed type," Carter noted the dog's "very good bone and good substance," making him sound just a bit like a roast leg of lamb.

Yet Carter feels the real reason Shaka shows so well is because he is so eager to please his master in the ring. Carter has been handling his own six Rottweilers for the past eight years.

Shaka wasn't Carter's only companion in New York. He and his girlfriend, Felita Domino, made a weekend of it. Competing for Best in Show at Westminster made for an unusual, if nonetheless thrilling, Valentine's Day.