Westminster dog show finalist out to break record

South Florida’s Classie is one hot dog. The petite powerhouse miniature pinscher, co- owned by Armando Angelbello of Davie and Leah Monte of Wellington, was one of seven finalists for “Best in Show” at the famousWestminsterKennel Club Dog ShowinNewYork City this month. Now Classie already is back on the show circuit, along with Angelbello, as they try to break the record formost “Best in Show” wins by a Toy dog.

Classie has been toWestminster three times before and was top choice in the show’sToy groupthis year, besting about 500 other competitors that included tiny dogs such as Chihuahuas and pomeranians. She already holds the breed record for most wins by a miniature pinscher, with a career 122 “Best in Show” titles.

Capturing the Toy “Best In Show” record would be one more step up, as Classie must beat out all dogs in her group, not just other “min pins.” Currently, the reigning Toy is a pekingese with128 wins, said Angelbello.

In American Kennel Club- sanctioned “conformation” shows likeWestminster, dogs first compete against others in their breed, with the winners advancing to the group competition.

The seven group winners — representing sporting, herding and other dogs of all shapes and sizes — then vie for “Best in Show,” with judges looking at which best conforms to the physical and personality ideal standards for their breed.

“Classie is as close to perfection to her breed standard as she could be. Her attitude is, ‘ Look at me!’ She knows the world revolves around her,” said Angelbello, 59, who plans to retire his 41⁄ year- old champion after this year. “Wewant her to go out on top.”

A retired executive banker, he raised the dog officially called Marlex Classic RedGlare from11weeks old, after acquiring her from an Ocala breeder who mated an Angelbello male champion to one of her showdogs.

He and wife Xio have been breeding miniature pinschers since 1988. Angelbello shows them instead of hiring a professional handler and has been to Westminster about 20 times.

Monte, a stay- at- home mother, met Angelbello when she was showing Chihuahuas about five years ago, and told him she would be interested in co- owning one of his dogs. While Classie resides with the Angelbellos, Monte gets to see her onweekends.

“Armando is generous enough to share her with me,” Monte said. “She knows me, and that iswonderful.”