Hood Student at WKC Dog Show

Allie Backos, a junior biology major and honors student competed in Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show after her she won best of breed with a Great Pyrenees, Peyton, whobeat out 10 other dogs of the same breed to qualify for the competition in Madison Square Garden.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the most prestigious dog show in the nation. Backos has been to three Westminster Dog shows but this was the first one she has competed in. 

Backos, who has been showing dogs since she was 6, said shewas excited to be competing in her first Westminster Dog Show. ”It’s like other shows but just on steroids,” she said. “Everything is bigger, people come from all over the world to show dogs and it’s all very flashy and on a grand scale. I was really glad to be a part of it this year and I hope I can do it again next year.” 

Backos who has worked with Peyton eight times said he makes her job of being his handler easier. “He’s a veteran dog,” she said. “He has 24 Best in Show wins at other smaller dog shows and is No. 6 working dog in the nation so he knows the routine. He makes grooming easy for me, especially for shows like this when my day starts at 3:30 a.m. He’s also a fluff ball and has a great personality.”