Westminster Trivia Answers
February 7, 2011 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
1 B. The Poodle was the top dog for twenty-two consecutive years, from 1960 to 1982. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1887, but didn’t crack the top ten until the 1950’s when it ranked number seven. In fact, the popular poodle skirt was inspired by the breed.
2 C The Leonberger, Cane Corso, and Icelandic Sheepdog were added to the AKC’s list of recognized breeds in 2010. New for 2011 are the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, the Six-Toed Norwegian Lundehund, and the Xoloitzcuintil (pronounced show-low-etz-queent-lee). This brings the total number of recognized breeds to 170.
Several new breeds were also added to the Miscellaneous Class, the first step to recognition as a new breed. New Miscellaneous Class breeds include Bergamasco, Boerboels, Portuguese Podengo Pequenos, Sloughis, Peruvian Inca Orchid, Pumi, Dogo Argentino, and Wirehaired Vizsla. These dogs are likely to be placed in conventional breed classes in one to three years.
3 A The Labrador Retriever is celebrating its 20th year atop the list of most-registered dogs in the United States in each breed.
4 D The Bulldog broke into the top ten in 2007, when it was ranked tenth. It was the first time the Bulldog had been in the top ten since 1935, after being recognized by the AKC in 1886. In 2000, the breed ranked 21st, but by 2005 it had risen to the 13th position. Today, Bulldogs are the 6th most often registered breed in the United States.
5 C The original nine breeds recognized by the AKC were the Sussex Spaniel, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, English Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and Pointer, all members of today’s Sporting Group. See the full breed list with the year each was recognized. You’ll note that many dogs show up as being recognized in 1878. This was the year Dr. N. Rowe started the Stud Book that was eventually given to the AKC when it formed in 1884.
6 B As described in this Wall Street Journal article, Beagles used by A & C Exterminating come from a special academy in Florida at a cost of $11,500 each.
7 D According to fourteen experts impaneled by PetMedsOnline, the German Shepherd Dog ranks seventh on the list of the top ten best guard dogs. However, the German Shepherd is the only one of the top ten guard dogs to also appear on the top ten breed registration list.
8 A Of course, German Shepherds are used by many police and military organizations. Labrador Retrievers and Beagles are used to detect drugs, chemicals, and other illegal products from entering the county’s borders. The Golden Retriever may be used for search and rescue on land and in the water.
9 C The Dachshund is known as a “hot dog” because of his long, skinny shape.
10 B Buddy was just three months old when he came to live at the White House in December, 1997. Clinton named the chocolate lab Buddy after his great-uncle Henry Oren “Buddy” Grisham, who had died in June. Some say the man’s nickname, as well as the dog’s name, were inspired by Budweiser beer.
As a side note: Socks the cat and Buddy didn’t get along, and the Clintons decided one would have to be left behind when the family moved to a smaller home in New York. Guess who got to go to the Big Apple? Buddy made the trip (of course!) while Socks was left behind with Clinton’s secretary. Buddy crossed the Rainbow Bridge on January 2, 2002.
11 D The Red Baron’s nemesis, everyone’s favorite Beagle Snoopy, made his debut on October 4, 1950, just two days after Peanuts premiered. The name Snoopy was coined by Charles Schultz’ mother, Dena, after a Norwegian term of endearment, “snuppa”. In case you’re interested, Snoopy’s thoughts were never shown in the comic strip until May 27, 1952. His cognitive abilities developed over the years from his original one-word thoughts such as “Food” to his ability to “speak” his thoughts to both readers and the other characters in the comic strip. On June 28, 1957, Snoopy began walking upright on two legs and was given a larger snout and a longer body. Read more about Snoopy’s history and exploits and check out the Charles M Schulz museum.
12 D Comet, a beautiful Golden Retriever, was the Tanner family’s dog in the 1980’s sitcom. See a clip of Comet.
13 A The Bulldog has been the United States Marine Corps’ mascot since German reports during World War I called the attacking Marines “Devil Dogs”. Soon after, the tenacious dog graced recruiting posters, dressed in a Marine Corps helmet. The first official canine Marine was King Bulwark, known as Jiggs, who enlisted on October 14, 1922. See all the details from Heritage Press International.
Handsome Dan, Yale’s mascot, is believed to be the fist live college mascot in America. The first Handsome Dan debuted in 1889, when Yale tackle Andrew Graves purchased the dog from a local blacksmith. Fifteen dogs have succeeded him to date.
Jack the Bulldog is the Georgetown Hoya’s mascot, having been chosen after the school tried out several different breeds during the early 20th Century. The bulldog was chosen because of his tenacity. The school wanted to rename the original 1964 dog “Hoya”, but he wouldn’t respond to any name other than Jack.
At the University of Georgia, the Bulldog became mascot in 1956. Uga (pronounced UH-guh) lives with his owner Frank W. Seiler in Savannah, but travels to every home football game in Athens, Georgia, as well as to many of the away games and other special events.
14 C The Shih Tzu.
Call me crazy, but I’m just not seeing the resemblance.
15 B How many of you guessed that only the Yorkie is a toy breed? Don’t forget that the poodle comes in Standard, Miniature, and Toy varieties, meaning all three are the same breed, following the same breed standard, except for height. Standard poodles must be at least 15 inches high at the withers, and Toy Poodles are 10 inches or less. Miniatures fall in the middle.
I only got 8 right but its alright that was a good quiz