Dr. Robert A. Indeglia, a cardiac surgeon and longtime participant in the world of purebred dogs, has been selected to judge Best In Show at the 131st Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, February 12-13, 2007 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the club has announced.
Dr. Indeglia is a native of Rhode Island and lives in Narragansett. He is senior surgeon and chief of cardiac surgery at The Miriam Hospital, a teaching institution of Brown University. Growing up, he showed his family's Cockers, and in 1960 became involved with Norwegian Elkhounds. He has bred or owned 50 champions, and has served as president for the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America. He began judging in 1971 and has judged seven times previously at Westminster, including the Hound Group in 1996 and the Non-Sporting Group in 2003.
Dr. Indeglia heads a panel of 35 judges from 14 states, Canada and England. Group judges will be Mrs. Jeannette McGinnis of Upland, Calif. (Sporting); Mr. Michael J. Dougherty of La Mesa, Calif. (Hound); Ms. Jean Fournier of Calhoun, Ga. (Working); Mrs. James Edward Clark of Greenwood, Del. (Terrier); Mr. R. William Taylor of Havelock, Quebec, Canada (Toy); Mr. Richard L. Bauer of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Non-Sporting); and Mr. Eric J. Ringle of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Herding). Mr. Nicholas P. Urbanek of Glenshaw, Pa. will judge the Junior Showmanship Finals.
There are 165 breeds and varieties eligible for competition.
The Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster's influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all-breed, benched dog show held every year at New York's Madison Square Garden. The show is America's second-longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby.
The Group competition and Best In Show are televised live on USA Network on Monday and Tuesday evening. In a popular recent addition for canine enthusiasts everywhere, highlights of breed judging that take place during the day on Monday and Tuesday may be viewed in streaming video on the Westminster web site. Breed judging video from the past two years is still available on the site at present. To date, millions of streams have been downloaded by online viewers from more than 140 countries.
It's no shaggy-dog story. This Komondor is one of the 165 breeds and varieties eligible to compete in the 131st Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this February. |
