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David Fitzpatrick reflects on judging Best in Show at Westminster’s 150th, sharing insights on his selection and the event’s lasting impact.
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David Fitzpatrick: I was quite surprised.
David Fitzpatrick: Participating in Westminster on any level is a privilege. This was my 53rd year and it is always exciting to be involved. My dogs, with me as their handler, have been a part of WKC’s history and now I am honored to have been the BIS judge of the 150th show.
David Fitzpatrick: No, judging BIS at The Garden was not something that I thought about.
David Fitzpatrick: I was very excited about getting on with it. I knew, with the Group judges assigned, it would be a strong final. Knowing so long in advance, and keeping it a secret for much of that time, the actual day seems like it will never come.
David Fitzpatrick: I don’t think there was a heightened energy coming from the dog and handler teams. Everyone appeared very professional and not over the top in their handling or presentation. None of the handlers or dogs seemed to be suffering from nerves. I felt they were enjoying representing their breeds at this historic event.
The crowd seemed more engaged than I’ve seen in the past. From the floor of The Garden, all the dogs seemed to have great support that night.
David Fitzpatrick: Best in Show judging at Westminster presents its own unique challenges. One could suffer from stage fright at The Garden, so you must keep that in check. You also don’t want to trip, fall, get food poisoning, or any number of things that might prevent you from fulfilling the assignment.
At a regular show, these potential hazards wouldn’t cross your mind.
My selection process when judging starts when the dogs enter the ring and continues dog by dog, and by the last one gaiting I usually know what I’m going to choose, barring any unforeseen circumstances. At a show like Westminster, faced with several great dogs, one hopes they will rise to the occasion.
David Fitzpatrick: My choice for Best in Show was the Doberman Pinscher bitch. What can one say that hasn’t been said already? She ticked all the boxes for me—and ticked several twice. Type, balance, style, soundness, and condition were in abundance. Strength and elegance, medium in size, feminine, proud carriage, noble… I could recite the Standard and, to my eyes, she fit it. She looks like she could handily do her job. Quality in dogs is sometimes indescribable, but to me, standing there, she was pure quality, looking like a porcelain statue. Add to this her demeanor and showmanship on the night, I could not deny her.
Years ago, there was a saying: “reveal the art (dog), conceal the artist (handler).” This handler and charge brought this to life and it was beautiful to witness.
David Fitzpatrick: Westminster, with its stature in the sports world and dog world combined with a high social media presence, is a great promoter of purebred dogs and our sport. This year, it was amazing how many media outlets covered this show. This visibility, as far as I noticed, seemed highly positive.
David Fitzpatrick: I think the fancy and the public truly appreciate Westminster and are so happy that the show is back in NYC at the Javits Center and The Garden! I can’t imagine what it takes to put on a show of this caliber. We are all so lucky to have sponsors such as Purina to support our dog shows. Westminster is the show that everyone loves to participate and hope for a win.
David Fitzpatrick: I feel Westminster has been key to much of my success through the years; winning there kept me relevant and in the limelight. I was never content to breed champions, I wanted to breed dogs capable of winning at Westminster. Westminster keeps the dream alive for so many in our dog world.
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