"History for the German Shepherd breed was made for the second time on Valentine's Day in New York City at the Westminster Dog Show when the German Shepherd Dog "Rumor"( GCH CH LOCKENHAUS' RUMOR HAS IT V KENLYN) won Best in Show.  Rumor was handled by Kent Boyles and was judged by Tom Bradley III.

 

She is named for the hit song "Rumor Has It" by Adele, a champion herself who had sweeping success when she won top song of the year, top record of the year and top album of the year at the Grammy Awards this month.

 

I have attended the prestigious Westminster Dog Show for the last 20 years and I thought the competition this year was the best. Rumor nearly won Westminster last year when she came to New York as the nation's No. 1 show dog with more than 100 overall ribbons but was beaten by a German Shorthaired Pointer named CJ. Rumor joined the fittingly named Manhattan "Hatter" as the only other German Shepherd Dog to go Best in Show at the Garden in 1987, handled by James Moses.

 

There were nearly 2,800 dogs entered in the 141st Westminster canine competition, spread across the 202 eligible breeds and varieties.  A win at this show is important in every breed because it is on live television before a worldwide audience. It is also the place to showcase the traits and attributes of a breed in front of millions who are able to listen to noted authorities discuss the breeds special traits and characteristics.

 

Rumor represented the breed in the best of ways. Last year she won the group. The judges who have judged her and the media all discussed her attributes and the work ethic of the breed, its smooth and effortless movement and its many uses as a companion and service dog. Congratulations to Kent Boyles and Pamela McElheney who are the breeders and to her owners: Deborah Stern, Pam Buckles, Patti Dukeman, Pamela McElheney & Kent Boyles who invested the time and effort to promote her. " 

 

-  Dr. Carmen Battaglia

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The slide show below shows some of Rumor's adventure.  To enlarge just simply click the picture.