York Going to the Dogs for Over 100 Years
It seems like every year we hear of York County connections to the premier Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Just this year a toy poodle from Dillsburg named Vikki won the best of breed to make it to the finals.
Did you know that York County dogs and their owners have been bringing home prizes from the show since its infancy? The following report is from the February 14, 1908 York Gazette:
“PRIZES GIVEN TO YORK DOGS. FOUR LOCAL EXHIBITORS GIVEN PRIZES AT MADISON SQUARE DOG SHOW–OVER 2,000 PERSONS ARE ATTENDING.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13. Four York County dogs, contesting in the second annual bench show of the Westminster Kennel, at Madison Square Garden, were awarded prizes by the judges today. Over 2,000 of the aristocracy of the canine world are competing for honors at this show. A number of residents of York city and different county towns are present at the show.
Miss Amy L. Bonham of York won first in the open class and winners, with her well known bloodhound, ‘Champion Imperial Panther 2.’ She was in competition with two famous bloodhounds, ‘Champion Black Prince’ and ‘Ripple Hector,’ but won easily.
Hugh H. Hostetter of Hanover exhibited his Russian Wolf Hound, ‘Safa O’Valley Farm,’ winning fourth prize in the limit class and taking the special prize of $10 for the best bitch bred by Valley Farm kennels. Over fifty wolf hounds were on exhibition and Mr. Hostetter’s dog competed with nine.
J. Milton Trone, of Brooklyn, NY, formerly of Hanover, was awarded first in the open class and winners, on his Gordon setter, ‘Mohawk A.’ J. C. Weeks, formerly of York, was also an exhibitor and got highly commended on his Airedale terrier, ‘The Scout.’
Dr. J. Fletcher Lutz, of Glen Rock, president of the York Kennel Club, won two prizes with his famous Harlequin Great Danes. ‘Champion Protz Kerner” was awarded third in the open dogs’ class, and ‘Champion Cora Ransbona” was placed second in open bitches.”
Does anyone know if their dog’s pedigree traces back to one of these illustrious pooches from the past? Maybe there is a reason why your pet acts so “high class.”
