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Meet Long Island Dogs Participating in the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Posted on by angelo
Meet Long Island Dogs Participating in the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

For the more than 50 Long Island dogs entered in the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, the competition will be fierce and the potential prizes worthy of won.

More than 2,500 top-ranked dogs representing 200 different breeds from all 50 states and 12 nations will compete for top honors such as best in breed and the sacred Westminster growl – make that holy grail – best in show.

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For the more than 50 Long Island dogs entered in the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, the competition will be fierce and the potential prizes worthy of won.

More than 2,500 top-ranked dogs representing 200 different breeds from all 50 states and 12 nations will compete for top honors such as best in breed and the sacred Westminster growl – make that holy grail – best in show.

This year, New York leads the pack with 190 dogs competing, just behind Florida’s 201. The Long Island canine contingent includes both Westminster veterans and newcomers with the best winning granddogs in the breed.

“It’s very competitive. All the best dogs in the country will be there in all breeds,” says Leslie Plank, 60, owner and breeder of Forestwood Labradors in Smithtown. This year, Plank welcomes its eighth Labrador retriever since its first in 2001.

Here are the portraits of the Long Island participants to watch out for in the dog walk considered the largest dog show in the world.

CALL NAME: Arthur, a 3 year old male mastiff

WEIGHT: 152 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owner/handler/breeder Kay Reil of Huntington

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 14, 9 a.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Kielbasa sausage

COOLEST TIP: Arthur can bow.

FUN FACT: His grandfather won the 2017 Best of Breed title.

CALL NAME: Caleigh, a 2 year old English setter

WEIGHT: 49 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owners Gregory and Susan Palleschi, of Locust Valley

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 14, 2:15 p.m.

COOLEST TIP: Catch a tennis ball.

CALL NAME: Arya, a 3-year-old female German shorthaired pointer

WEIGHT: 48 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Co-owners Rick and Christina Iacopelli, of Smithtown, and Cathy Iacopelli, of East Meadow, and handler Deirdre Dunbar, of Bluepoint.

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 14, 1:15 p.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: pizza crust

COOLEST TIP: Move in and out of your legs.

FUN FACT: Arya is named after the “Game of Thrones” character, Arya Stark.

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CALL NAME: Kylie, a three-year-old female Labrador Retriever

WEIGHT: 74 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owner/Breeder Leslie Plank of Smithtown

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 14, 8 a.m.

FUN FACT: Kylie was conceived using a surgical implant eight years after her father’s death. “She comes from a long line of champions,” Plank says.

CALL NAME: Sigge, a 3 year old male Swedish hunting dog

WEIGHT: 30 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owner/manager Sonja Haasper of Riverhead

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 10 a.m.

FUN FACT: Sigge lives on a working farm.

CALL NAME: Ming, a 9-year-old Beijing girl

WEIGHT: 11 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owner/Manager Karen Peterson of St. James

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 10:30 a.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Shrimp

FUN FACT: Ming makes his third and final appearance on the show.

CALL NAME: Whimsy, a 3 year old female Siberian husky

WEIGHT: 42 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Co-breeder/owner Kara Hickey and co-owner Robert Cataldo, both of Patchogue

WESTMINSTER SHOWING: May 14, 2 p.m.

FUN FACT: Whimsy has won titles in obedience, tricks and fitness.

CALL NAME: Fearghas, a 2 and a half year old male Irish Wolfhound

WEIGHT: 154 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owner/manager Lisa Konnerth of Brookhaven Hamlet.

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 8 a.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Dried chicken

FUN FACT: Feargh appeared in a documentary with actress Isabella Rossellini, of Bellport.

CALL NAME: Merlin, a 5 and a half year old male Cairn Terrier

WEIGHT: 16 1/2 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Breeder/owner Alicia Smilowitz of Mill Neck and handler Roz Mintz-Fosco of Hicksville.

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 14, 9 a.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Raspberries

CALL NAME: Sophia, a four-year-old female beagle

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owner Kalena Phillips of Westbury

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 2:30 p.m.

FUN FACT: Sophia is named after a character in the classic television series “The Golden Girls.”

CALL NAME: Diva, a 2 and a half year old female chow chow

WEIGHT: 57 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owners Linda Albert and Victor Fernandez, both from Hauppauge

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 2:45 p.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Vanilla ice cream

FUN FACT: Diva’s grandfather won the 2010 Best of Breed award.

CALL NAME: Ava, a 7 year old female whippet

WEIGHT: 33 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owners Keith Kamer and Jessica Vaz, of Lindenhurst

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 3:45 p.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Steak

FUN FACT: Ava can run over 30 mph, according to her owners.

CALL NAME: Jamba, a 3 year and 4 month old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

WEIGHT: 19 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Co-owners Charles Weidig, Katie Kennedy, Alyssa McLaughlin and Veronica Kennedy, all of Huntington. McLaughlin is also the manager.

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 9:45 a.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Cheerios

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CALL NAME: Estee, a three-year-old Canaan dog

WEIGHT: 35 pounds

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owner Pamela S. Rosman of Woodmere and handler Kimberly Pastella-Calvacca of Westbury

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 8 a.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Türkiye

COOLEST TIP: Give high fives.

CALL NAME: Marguerite, 6 year old female English setter

WEIGHT: 50 pounds

REGISTERED NAME: GCH Birdhaven brings the rebels

LONG ISLAND CONNECTION: Owner/breeder Maura Romer of Huntington

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 14, 2:15 p.m.

CALL NAME: Tino, a four-year-old long-haired male chihuahua

LOCAL CONNECTION: Owner/manager Maria Pinto Smith of Westbury.

FIRST PRESENTATION: May 13, 10 a.m.

FAVORITE SNACK: Whipped cream

The 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

WHEN | OR May 13-14, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows—Corona Park, Queens; streamed live both days, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on westminsterkennelclub.org. General admission tickets start at $32.80.