Rufus: A Woofer Of A Choice?

Dear Dog Lady,

I was disappointed in the results of the Westminster dog show. I thought the winning bull terrier, Rufus, was kind of creepy looking. Also, a bull terrier is the mascot used by the Target department store chain to advertise all its stuff. Do you think that's why the judges chose it? I wanted the Rottweiler to win or the pug, or any other dog but that bull terrier.

Wendy, Forest Hills, NY

Wendy, the champion dog, Rufus, must have attributes visible to those bullish on bull terriers, notably Westminster commentators and judges. The dog looked comical, but he went through all his paces with ease. Dog Lady admits the football-sized mug is a face only a mother, the Best in Show judge, department store marketeers, and Britain's Princess Anne could love. The Princess, reportedly, keeps bull terriers. One of them chomped into a favorite corgi owned by Anne's mum, the Queen of England. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3345585.stm

Often, a Westminster winning dog becomes all the rage. Dog Lady advises caution in acquiring a bull terrier. Fanciers say these dogs are really cuddlekins in wolf's clothing. A bull fan calls them "couch potatoes." Whatever. Like all highly-bred, muscular dogs with heavy jaws and strong instincts (think pit bull and Rottweiler), these animals are not instant house pets. They need proper training and supervision.

Posted by Dog Lady at February 19, 2006 03:45 PM