These local dogs are all Westminster winners

Three canines with local ties were named best of their respective breeds at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Bluffton’s Melanie Steele had two dogs in this year’s show in New York.

Mack — a Lagotto Romagnolo officially named GCHS CH Rozebottel’s Big Mack At Grandcru — and greyhound Gia — officially named GCHS CH Grandcru Giaconda CGC — were both tops of their breeds.

Ridgeland’s Janet Rahn saw her three Spanish water dogs claim the top three spots in that breed’s competition.

Jango — GCHB CH Jango CM2 — won Best of Breed.

Cambia — GCH CH Cambia Wavelet — took Best of Opposite Sex.

And Sancho — CH Vivaz Sancho De Boston CM HT CA — was named Select Dog.

“We’re thrilled that we did as well as we did with breed (competition),” Rahn said Tuesday afternoon during a phone interview with The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette.

Rahn said the breed — a newly recognized one that has been allowed to compete only for two years now — was still paying its dues. People automatically know what German shepherds are, she said, but Spanish water dogs aren’t yet well known.

“We’re kind of putting the breed on the map,” Rahn said. “And that’s the important part for us.”

Gia won Best in Show at the National Dog Show Presented by Purina in November 2016.

She did not place in the hound group competition, according to the club’s website, but she did make the cut.

“I think (the judge) made a cut of seven dogs, and Gia was one of them,” Steele said.

This story was originally published February 14, 2017 at 11:54 AM with the headline "These local dogs are all Westminster winners."