Will the next top Westminster dog be from the suburbs?
Suburban residents will have local canines to root for in next week's Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York.
Among them are a Grayslake Great Dane named Cruze; Koda, a Norwegian elkhound from Addison and Oscar, a Glen of Imaal terrier from St. Charles.
They are among the dogs competing for Westminster's coveted Best in Show.
The action starts Monday night for the World Series of dogs. Competitors must get through the Best of Breed and Best of Group competitions Monday and Tuesday evenings before the Best in Show dog is crowned late Tuesday night to have a chance at Best in Show.
Cruze, the 5-year-old male Great Dane, lives with Tom and Edie Proios in Grayslake. Gina and Erik Hales are Cruze's co-owners.
It'll be the first Westminster show for Cruze and his owners.
Tom Proios said the 168-pound Cruze has been running about a mile daily on an indoor treadmill in preparation for the prestigious competition.
With what he calls excellent temperament and an elegant presence, Proios said he believes Cruze has what it takes to get from a preliminary round to Monday night's Best of Breed competition at Madison Square Garden.
“He's what a Great Dane is supposed to be,” Proios said.
Patricia Viken and Leslie Forrest own Koda. According to the Norwegian elkhound's biography, he was just a year old when he was returned to Viken and Forrest because the original owners were relocating and did not believe they would have been allowed to keep him.
Dr. Theresa Nesbitt of St. Charles owns Oscar, who was born near Dublin in County Wicklow, Ireland, just a few miles from Glen of Imaal.
If the local dogs make it far enough, they'll be seen on national television.
CNBC will have Monday's coverage of the hound, toy, non-sporting and herding groups from 7 to 10 p.m. USA Network will have coverage of sporting, working, terrier groups and Best in Show on Tuesday.
The Westminster might be more interesting to watch if you can root for a local dog.
Meet the local dogs headed to Westminster
Addison
Norwegian Elkhound
Owners: Patricia Viken and Leslie Forrest
Handler: Chris Jones
Dog's name: GCH Silver Sleuth Vikrest
But just call me: Koda
Food: Taste of the Wild
Crystal Lake
Australian Cattle Dog
Owner: Gaye Lynn Todd
Handler: Sarah Krickeberg
Dog's name: GRCH Littleflock Sacred Ground HIC
But just call me: Grimm
Grayslake
Great Dane
Owners: Edie and Tom Proios, Gina and Erik Hales
Handler: Amanda Ciaravino
Dog's name: GCH CH Mavro-TwinOaks Hollywood Tough, AOM
But just call me: Cruze
My dog food: Purina Pro Plan
Lake Forest
Retriever (flat-coated)
Owners: Marv Farwell, Karen Welke, Todd Farwell
Handler: Carlos Puig
Dog's name: GCH Flatford Ruffles and Flourishes MH
But just call me: Ruff
Food: Purina
Northbrook
Coton De Tulear
Owners: Leslie and Emilio Machado; D. and P. Simenauer
Handler: Lisa Bettis
Dog's name: GCH Dior's Besame Mucho Morninglow, CM2
But just call me: Besito
Food: Fromm's Family/Nature's Variety Instinct
St. Charles
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Owner: Dr. Theresa Nesbitt
Handler: Carlos Puig
Dog's name: GCH Abberann Torcan
But just call me: Oscar
Food: Stella & Chewys
Western Springs
Portuguese Water Dog
Owners: Jan Kaspar and Pat DeVries
Handler: Laura King
Dog's name: GCH Marshview Uh, How YOU Doin'? RATO
But just call me: Joey
Food: Canidae Pure Elements
Yorkville
Shetland Sheepdog
Owner and Junior Handler: Grace Szczurek
Dog's name: CH Blue Heavens Iced Latte
But just call me: Latte
Food: Fromm, Bravo! Raw