[ad_1]
A bracco Italiano named Lepshi won the debut of his breed at the most famous dog show in the United States. And dog lovers might not be the only audience that can’t forget something like that.
Lepshi (prounouced LEEP’-she) happens to be owned by country music and “1883” series star Tim McGraw. But that difference only played in the background to a chorus of cheers as Lepshi and eight other examples of his handsome Italian hunting breed took turns in the ring Tuesday at Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
“He’s a wonderful ambassador for the breed,” said handler Ryan Wolfe after the 6-year-old’s victory. Lepshi is the breed’s trademark ground-covering trot, Wolfe explained, and “he loves everything.”
McGraw, known for hits including “Something Like That,” and his wife, country luminary and “1883” co-star Faith Hill, have several bracchi at home and show them off in social media posts. In a 2020 video, a bracco howls while one of the couple’s daughters sings some high notes.
“Stromboli is happy that Maggie is home from college!!!!!” McGraw wrote at the time. A message was sent on Tuesday by a representative on his behalf about Lepshi’s groundbreaking victory in Westminster.
Wolfe, who handles the dog for McGraw and co-owners Kristi Libertore, Tony Libertore and Jenell Tonini-Zanotto, said “it’s an honor to be the first.”
The bracco (pronounced BRAH’-koh) has an ancient European heritage. It became eligible to compete at Westminster this year after being acquired recognized by the American Kennel Club, which is the oldest dog registry in the country and is similar to a league for many dog shows in the US. Recognition is voluntary and involves signing an agreed standard for dogs and various criteria.
AKC recognition can add to everyday recognition, with some bracco owners cautioning that prospective owners need to understand what good dogs need. look, kind.
“We want these dogs to hunt,” said Siva Aiken, whose bracco Tillie-rye Hogwallop — yes, she used her full name — was named best female competitor of the breed on Tuesday. (If a woman wins, a man receives the same award.)
Bracchi can be easyat home, but only if they get enough activity, Aiken said. The Tillie-rye Hogwallop, for example, hunts quail, pheasant and other birds. He and Aikin’s other bracchi also walk two to six miles a day (three to 9.5 km) each day in a nature preserve near Aiken’s home in Aiken, South Carolina.
“It’s not different for everybody,” he said. “This breed needs work.”
___
New York-based Associated Press reporter Jennifer Peltz has been covering the Westminster dog show since 2013.
[ad_2]
Source link