American Fido: Illinois native son named top dog at Westminster show

NEW YORK -- With enough baying and barking to make Simon Cowell cringe, an Illinois-born beagle nicknamed Uno became the new "American Fido" at the Westminster Kennel Club show Tuesday night.

Uno, whose full name is "Park Me First," lived up to his name Tuesday night by becoming the first beagle to win best in show.

Uno was bred by Belleville breeder Kathy Weichert.

"We knew from the very beginning that he is a special one," Weichert told the Belleville News-Democrat. Weichert owns K-Run Kennels in Belleville. "He is the kind of dog every breeder dreams of producing. There is no other way to put it. He is what you strive for."

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The nation's new top dog was clearly the crowd favorite, and drew a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden when he was picked.

Uno got right into the act, jumping up on handler Aaron Wilkerson of Coloumbia, S.C., and confirming his other title: noisiest in show.

Uno is co-owned by Weichert, Caroline Dowell of Texas, Eddie Dziuk of Columbia, Mo., and Jon Woodring of North Carolina.

The only dog consistently listed among America's most popular breeds for nearly 100 years, a beagle had never won in the 100 times Westminster picked a winner. That changed when judge J. Donald Jones pointed to this nearly 3-year-old package of personality.

Good ol' Snoopy, a champion at last.

Uno beat out two perfect poodles, a top Sealyham terrier, a sleek Weimaraner, a lively Australian shepherd and a sprightly Akita.

More than 169 breeds and varieties were represented at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club event, and the competition brought 2,627 entries.

Barks echoed around Madison Square Garden as a sold-out crowd cheered its favorites, among them a Neapolitan mastiff that lumbered around the ring, a Chihuahua that spun in circles and a miniature pinscher that plucked a piece of food off the green carpet without missing a beat.