After 5: St. John's analyst takes dog to country's top competition

In the dog show world, winning at Westminster Kennel Club is the ultimate award. It's the Olympics of sports, the Super Bowl of football.

For Shawn Barton, a St. John's Health System privacy and data security analyst, simply participating with her prize dog is a dream fulfilled. This month, Barton showed her 5-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Sophie, at what many consider the world's most famous dog show.

"Winning is just the icing on the cake," Barton says of Westminster, considered America's "champions only" dog show with entry limited to 2,500 dogs. "Getting to go and compete is just a great thing."

Barton and Sophie trotted into Madison Square Garden's judging ring Feb. 10, the final day of Westminster.

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are in the "toy group" comprising small companion breeds such as Yorkshire terriers, shih-tzus, pugs, toy poodles, Pomeranians, Pekingese and papillons.

Of the 30 Cavaliers in Sophie's group, she made the first cut to 10, an accomplishment Barton is pleased with considering she was only one of two owner/handlers in the mix. By comparison, most campaigning show dogs are handled by professionals, who show every weekend and advertise their pooches' fame in dog periodicals.

The Westminster experience

Barton describes the Westminster experience as awe-inspiring and chaotic. "Crowds were completely overwhelming," she says.

It was even an ordeal to walk through the lobby of her hotel, The Hotel Pennsylvania, the unofficial headquarters of Westminster. Questions and photos were continuous - even to the point of being followed to the infamous indoor dog park, which is complete with fake trees and fire hydrants.

At Madison Square Garden - with 10,000 show-dog fans strong but down from 15,000 last year, according to The Associated Press - Barton was thankful she could carry Sophie through the pressing crowd.

The media were part of the chaos. Thirty minutes before Sophie's judging, Barton borrowed a friend's grooming table for some final brushing and fluffing.

"(Sophie) had actual TV cameras and (still) cameras in her face the entire time she was trying to be groomed," Barton says. "It was constant. It never let up."

In spite of all this, Barton wouldn't have missed it and has plans for the future. "I'll definitely go back and exhibit again - without a doubt," she says.

"There's nothing like watching Madison Square Garden Westminster show, being right there when they turn the lights down and they're flashing the spotlight around. It's truly an amazing experience."

The road to New York

Barton, who now owns two Cavaliers, had never shown dogs until she bought Sophie. Determined to find a Cavalier puppy, she spent several months looking for a qualified breeder. Unbeknownst to her when she began her quest, it was more likely that she would be screened by the breeder before they'd sell to her. Finally, a couple in Texas had a female puppy of show quality. They sold Sophie on the condition she be trained as a show dog. Barton wasn't interested in turning her new companion over to a professional handler, so she learned the ropes. To train a dog at this level is a huge commitment, but one Barton enjoys.

Working a four-day workweek allows Barton to spend extra time with Sophie. Friday is a full-bath and grooming day, a routine that usually takes a few hours, and during the week, exercise, a touch-up bath and grooming occupy about an hour a day.

Fitness is an important part of the judging process, and it's also beneficial to the dog's overall health. Maintaining this during the winter months is a challenge.

After some debate, Barton bought a dog treadmill this winter. Twenty minutes a day of consistent exercise made a difference, and Sophie was lean and fit for her debut at Madison Square Garden.

"Most show dogs that travel with their handlers travel with a treadmill," Barton says. "That's how they get their exercise and stay in shape."[[In-content Ad]]