An owner comforts a Xoloitzcuintli after it was startled by a dog that caused a ruckus. Photo by Chris Stone
An owner comforts a Xoloitzcuintli after it was startled by a dog that caused a ruckus. Photo by Chris Stone

CJ, a 3-year-old male owned and handled by Valerie Nunes-Atkinson, won Best of Show in the USA-network-televised Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

C.J., a German Shorthaired Pointer, who won Best of Show at the Westminster Dog Show, failed to place in the sporting dog competition at the Silver Bay Kennel Club. Photo by Chris Stone
C.J., a German Shorthaired Pointer, who won Best of Show at the Westminster Dog Show, failed to place in the sporting dog competition at the Silver Bay Kennel Club. Photo by Chris Stone

But in a turnabout, CJ didn’t even make the cut in the Sporting Group at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show at the fairgrounds.

At Westminster, also known as “America’s Dog Show,” Canadian judge Richard Meen chose CJ from the best of the best. At Silver Bay on Sunday, a judge opted against advancing CJ to the next round.

“You win some, you lose some,” said Nunes-Atkinson after the two-day event involving more than 1,700 dogs each day.

However, another one of her dogs — a Borzoi named Lucy — made it to the Best of Show round and won runner-up honors, Reserve Best of Show, Sunday afternoon. That’s the same position Lucy won at Westminster two Tuesdays ago.

Best of Show at Del Mar was Amazing Grace, a 4-year-old Australian shepherd handled by Megan Hof of Pleasanton.

Judy Webb, a judge from New Mexico with 56 years’ experience, said: “We judge [based] on words in the standards [description of the breed]. Some judges interpret it slightly differently. Some will give more emphasis than others to the parts of the dog. That’s why the same dog doesn’t win all the time.” Webb did not judge the sporting group on Sunday.

Asked whether a dog’s winning record has any impact on a judge, Webb said it’s irrelevant.

A Basset Hound get close inspection by judge Judy Webb. Photo by Chris Stone
A Basset Hound get close inspection by judge Judy Webb. Photo by Chris Stone

Show observers said many factors go into a judge’s selection of a winner. The dogs are judged against a perfect standard for that breed.

Before the Sporting Group judging, Nunes-Atkinson said winning at Westminster was “incredible.”

“It’s everybody’s dream,” she said.

CJ — short for “GCH Vjk-Myst Garbonita’s California Journey” — is like a “human, born knowing that it’s special,” Nunes-Atkinson said. “There’s something about the dog that stands out, an extra spark. It has the ‘It’ factor. He has it in a big way.”

She said CJ has won 18 Best of Show awards and is considered the No. 1 sporting dog in the country.

Valerie Nunes-Atkinson embraces CJ after winning Best of Show at Westminster. Photo via westminsterkennelclub.org
Valerie Nunes-Atkinson embraces CJ after winning Best of Show at Westminster. Photo via westminsterkennelclub.org

Some went up to take pictures of CJ.

Nunes-Atkinson, a breeder who has been showing dogs at Westminster since she was 10, said of CJ: “He is a great family dog.”

What does it take to be a winner?

“The dog has to put in the time and the conditioning to have a few moments of glory,” she said. On Sunday, she said CJ “never does anything wrong.”

CJ’s grandfather also won Best of Show at Westminster — in 2005, and Nunes-Atkinson said: “Perhaps he is one of my past dogs [reincarnated] to greet me again.”

Bruce Schultz of Bonita, whose 3-year-old Gordon setter, Jessie, won first place in the Sporting Group, said: “It was quite an honor, especially to beat a Westminster winner.”

The Silver Bay Kennel Club of San Diego was established in 1934 and this year’s event drew numerous dogs who have won multiple awards and are recognized as top dogs nationally in their breeds.

Fifty-seven Rottweilers were entered into competition at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday. Photo by Chris Stone
A Brittany is held closely before grooming at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Photo by Chris Stone
An Irish wolfhound tries to play with its mother at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Photo by Chris Stone
Two Xoloitzcuintlis competed in the dog show. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog is groomed before the show. Photo by Chris Stone
A Basset hound get close inspection by judge Judy Webb. Photo by Chris Stone
An Afghan hound is groomed before showing in the ring. Photo by Chris Stone
A Chow Chow is brought to the judging ring. Photo by Chris Stone
A Chinese Shar-Pei stands before being judged. Photo by Chris Stone
A Chinese Crested dog is approached by a child wanting to pet it. Photo by Chris Stone
A Pembroke Welsh Corgi rests between competitions at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Photo by Chris Stone
An English springer spaniel waits as its ears are dried. Photo by Chris Stone
Danny, the most honored Pomeranian in its breed, poses for photos after a win. Photo by Chris Stone
A poodle trots during Best of Show competition at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Valerie Nunes-Atkinson handles her German shorthaired pointer, CJ, who won Best of Show at the Westminster Dog Show two weeks ago. Photo by Chris Stone
A Poodle runs in the spotlight of the sun during the Toy Group competition of the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
A judge watches as a handler runs her Rottweiler around the ring. Photo by Chris Stone
Judge Carl E. Gomes chooses a winning dog in the Rottweiler competition. Photo by Chris Stone
A handler talks to her Irish wolfhound during competition at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Valerie Nunes-Atkinson talks to her Borzoi, Lucy, which won reserved best of show at the Westminster Show and Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Ribbons are stacked up next to trophies for dog winners. Photo by Chris Stone
A Coton de Tulear plays with its handler after showing. Photo by Chris Stone
A multiple award-winning Boston terrier pauses as the judge looks it over. Photo by Chris Stone
A Chinese Crested gets a touchup before going in the ring. Photo by Chris Stone
Judge Carl E. Gomes examines dogs in the ring. Photo by Chris Stone
The Best of Show trophy awaits a winner. Photo by Chris Stone
A Gordon setter licks Kellie Dahlberg, who is grooming it. Photo by Chris Stone
An English setter gets last-minute grooming. Photo by Chris Stone
A Gordon setter wins first place in the sporting dog competition. Photo by Chris Stone
A Gordon setter leaps with joy after winning the sporting dog competition. Photo by Chris Stone
A Gordon setter has his ears wrapped during grooming. Photo by Chris Stone
A Pumi allows its teeth to be checked by judge Judy Webb. Photo by Chris Stone
CJ, a German shorthaired pointer who won Best of Show at the Westminster Dog Show, failed to place in the sporting dog competition at the Silver Bay Kennel Club. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog in the Toy Group happily runs around the ring. Photo by Chris Stone
Judge Carl E. Gomes examines an American Eskimo dog. Photo by Chris Stone
An owner comforts a Xoloitzcuintli after it was startled by a dog that caused a ruckus. Photo by Chris Stone
A Xoloitzcuintli waits to be shown in a ring at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Photo by Chris Stone
A English spaniel eyes a judge during competition at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
CJ, a German shorthaired pointer, won Best of Show at the Westminster Dog Show in New York City. Photo by Chris Stone
Valerie Nunes-Atkinson shows Lucy, her 3-year-old Borzoi that won first place in the Hunting Group. Photo by Chris Stone
Australian shepherd Amazing Grace, 4, won Best of Show with handler Megan Hof at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Photo by Chris Stone
A Briard patiently waits to be groomed at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Photo by Chris Stone