“Mick” Is Top Dog

Mick, the Kerry blue terrier, stole the prize silver dog dish when he won the coveted Best in Show prize at the 127th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 11. Mick won over the 10,000-strong crowd at Madison Square Garden with his Irish charm and good looks, as his owner Marilu Hansen of New Jersey cheered him on, wearing her lucky shamrock-clad scarf.

“Mick” to his friends, but born Torums Scarf Michael, has won over 113 Best in Show titles. But the Westminster win was an especially sweet victory. Every dog has his day, and Mick’s was winning a triple-crown header to complete his other two major wins, at Crufts in England and the AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational Championship. But now, as he’s dog-tired, Mick’s handler Bill McFadden has taken him out for a vacation in California.

The frisky six-and-a-half-year-old missed out on the top prize last year for being `too jumpy.’ The terrier suffered the indignity of losing the title to the miniature poodle Surrey Spice Girl, who snatched victory from the over-excited pooch’s jaws.

The Kerry blue terrier breed originated in Ireland, and Mick has bred his own family of winners. Twelve of his offspring earned championship titles last year, and he has a total of 20 champion offspring. Now highly in demand, it is rumored that Mick will only be making a few exclusive appearances in 2003. It may be a dog’s life, but Mick’s not complaining.  ♦