【1990 Archives】

990 Archives144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show crowned its Best in Show on Tuesday night, bestowing the honour upon a black standard poodle named Siba.

In usual circumstances we can all agree that all dogs are good dogs, and no dog is more good than others. But the Westminster Dog Show is not usual circumstances. Pitting pup against pup, this thunderdome forces its audience to evaluate the goodness of dogs against each other, whittling them down in a brutal competition to find the Best in Show.

The ritual was completed again this week, when the Westminster Dog Show bestowed the coveted title upon Siba. Indeed, few would disagree that Siba is a very good dog.

However, many viewers were unconvinced Siba was the best — not when Daniel was around.

The internet has exploded with vocal support for Daniel the golden retriever, winner of the Sporting category. (All dogs at the Westminster Dog Show compete in one of seven categories — Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding — with Best in Show picked from one of the winners.)

Daniel instantly charmed everyone with his joyful smile, sweet demeanour, and undeniable fluffiness. Carrying his bright blue Sporting ribbon off in his mouth, it seemed impossible to conceive there could be a gooder dog in the competition.

The audience cheered loudly when Daniel's handler Karen Mammano showed him off for judging, making it clear he was the crowd favourite. A golden retriever has never won Best in Show, so the good boy had the rare chance to make history as well. In contrast, poodles have won five times.

Sadly, it was not to be. Daniel lost out to Siba, and general sentiment has been that this was a terrible call. Many are using the hashtag #DanielWasRobbed, and some even booed when Best in Show was announced.

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To understand how this apparent injustice occurred, it is imperative to understand the Westminster Dog Show's judging criteria.

Despite common belief, the judges aren't looking for the best, most doggy dog. Rather, judges evaluate each dog to determine which is closest the "ideal" of their specific breed. The judges also all conform to the same written, uniform standard of what is considered "ideal," so nobody can go rogue and say that their idealborder collie weighs 100 pounds and just lies in bed with you all day.

Many in the audience considered Daniel to be a much more appealing pup than Siba, and I can't say I disagree. However, this is more of an issue of breed preference than with the specific dog. The judges simply decided that Siba was better at being a poodle than Daniel was at being a golden retriever.

Still sounds fake, but okay.

Frankly, the whole concept of the "ideal" dog perpetuates unrealistic and damaging canine beauty standards. You're perfect as you are, Daniel, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The internet has your back.

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Daniel didn't win Best in Show, but he did win thousands of hearts. In some ways, his was the greater victory. Would still be nice to have that trophy, though.