Matford Vic
Encyclopedia
Ch.
Matford Vic (1912–??), a Wire Fox Terrier, best known for being one of only five dogs to have won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
on more than one occasion. She was originally purchased for the sum of £2 before changing hands twice prior to winning Best in Show at Westminster for the first time in 1915.
Vic was brought along to a dog show
where her owner was showing his Cocker Spaniels. A terrier fancier happened to catch sight of the dog
and said to him "That is a fine dog that you have there. Why don't you exhibit it here?" He entered the dog in the classes, and Vic would end up winning her classes. An offer of $500 was made for Vic, which was turned down but eventually a higher offer of $1,000 was made, and the dog changed hands, being sold to Mr. H Trimble. George W. Quintard's agent then purchased the dog, along with another named Ruby Dazzler for the sum of $5,000 which brought them to the United States.
, England
on 28th October 1913. The prize for "Best Exhibit in Show" was won by Matford Vic, being handled by her second owner, Mr H. Trimble. She was sold shortly afterwards.
Vic travelled to America several months before the Westminster competition in 1914. She had an unbeaten record and had won a major competition at Boston
. Following a win in the Wire Fox Terrier Bitch class, she was paired with the winner of the Dog class, Vickery Fast Freight, and was eliminated. Vickery Fast Freight would end up placing third, with former champion Bulldog
Strathtay Prince Albert placing second to new champion best in show Slumber, an Old English Sheepdog
.
In June 1914, she became best in show at the annual Ladies' Kennel Association of America at the Mineola Fair Grounds. However her 1914 would end in defeat in late December as she was beaten into reserve by a Japanese Spaniel named Omija at the annual show of the Toy Spaniel Club of America. It caused a considerable amount of surprise as Vic was much favoured for the win as earlier in the year at a show in Albany, she had beaten Omija. An impression was made that the judges were influenced in their choice as while a part of the show, Fox Terriers don't come under the designation of a toy dog
.
In 1915, Vic was entered in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
. She was first judged best Fox Terrier
before going on to become Best in Show for her owner George W. Quintard. Quintard would also win "Best Reserve" with Wireboy of Paignton. Wireboy and Vic also won the "Brace Special" before teaming with Ruby Dazzler and Holmbury Reve to win the "Best Team Special". Following her victory at Westminster, she was expected to be entered at the show in Devon, however she was held back so that Wireboy of Paignton would have the opportunity of gaining the honor. In the end, Wireboy placed best in show, with Holmbury Reve placing in reserve. The show was noted for the members of the Sealyham Terrier Club withdrawing their entries following the election of Mrs. Marie Willets as a judge, even though Mrs. Willets was the first person in America to own a Sealyham Terrier
. She lost at the Ladies' Kennel Association of America show to another Fox Terrier, Vickery Gypsy Moth, and even lost in her own breed class to Vickery Greenbank Selection.
For her victory in 1916, Vic's breed was judged by Winthrop Rutherford. Rutherford was the owner of Warren's Remedy, a Smooth Fox Terrier who won the Westminster on three occasions previously. Vic repeated her successes of 1915, taking the "Brace Special" again with Wireboy of Paignton again and with Wireboy, Ruby Dazzler and Holmbury Reve for the "Best Team Special".
Championship (dog)
Championships are awarded to dogs who have passed through a process of selection at dog shows. Traditionally, a championship was received at a conformation show, but championships are now offered for dogs who have attained a high degree of perfection in other dog sports as well.-The conformation...
Matford Vic (1912–??), a Wire Fox Terrier, best known for being one of only five dogs to have won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a two-day, all-breed benched conformation show that takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City every year. The first Westminster show was held in 1877....
on more than one occasion. She was originally purchased for the sum of £2 before changing hands twice prior to winning Best in Show at Westminster for the first time in 1915.
Early life
Vic was purchased from an English barnyard for the sum of £2. Upon bringing the dog home, her first owner tried to give it to each of his two sons, who told him that they did not want that kind of dog.Vic was brought along to a dog show
Conformation show
Conformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, are a kind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.A...
where her owner was showing his Cocker Spaniels. A terrier fancier happened to catch sight of the dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
and said to him "That is a fine dog that you have there. Why don't you exhibit it here?" He entered the dog in the classes, and Vic would end up winning her classes. An offer of $500 was made for Vic, which was turned down but eventually a higher offer of $1,000 was made, and the dog changed hands, being sold to Mr. H Trimble. George W. Quintard's agent then purchased the dog, along with another named Ruby Dazzler for the sum of $5,000 which brought them to the United States.
Show history
The first show of the Wire Fox Terrier Association of the United Kingdom was held at the Corn Exchange, LeicesterLeicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 28th October 1913. The prize for "Best Exhibit in Show" was won by Matford Vic, being handled by her second owner, Mr H. Trimble. She was sold shortly afterwards.
Vic travelled to America several months before the Westminster competition in 1914. She had an unbeaten record and had won a major competition at Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Following a win in the Wire Fox Terrier Bitch class, she was paired with the winner of the Dog class, Vickery Fast Freight, and was eliminated. Vickery Fast Freight would end up placing third, with former champion Bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
Strathtay Prince Albert placing second to new champion best in show Slumber, an Old English Sheepdog
Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a large breed of dog which was developed in England from early herding types of dog. The Old English Sheepdog has very long fur covering the face and eyes...
.
In June 1914, she became best in show at the annual Ladies' Kennel Association of America at the Mineola Fair Grounds. However her 1914 would end in defeat in late December as she was beaten into reserve by a Japanese Spaniel named Omija at the annual show of the Toy Spaniel Club of America. It caused a considerable amount of surprise as Vic was much favoured for the win as earlier in the year at a show in Albany, she had beaten Omija. An impression was made that the judges were influenced in their choice as while a part of the show, Fox Terriers don't come under the designation of a toy dog
Toy dog
Toy dog traditionally refers to a very small dog or a grouping of small and very small breeds of dog. A toy dog may be of any of various dog types. Types of dogs referred to as toy dogs may include Spaniels, Pinschers and Terriers that have been bred down in size. Not all toy dogs are lapdogs,...
.
In 1915, Vic was entered in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a two-day, all-breed benched conformation show that takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City every year. The first Westminster show was held in 1877....
. She was first judged best Fox Terrier
Fox Terrier
Fox Terrier refers primarily to two different breeds of the terrier dog type: the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier. Both of these breeds originated in the 19th century from a handful of dogs who are descended from earlier varieties of British terriers, and are related to other modern...
before going on to become Best in Show for her owner George W. Quintard. Quintard would also win "Best Reserve" with Wireboy of Paignton. Wireboy and Vic also won the "Brace Special" before teaming with Ruby Dazzler and Holmbury Reve to win the "Best Team Special". Following her victory at Westminster, she was expected to be entered at the show in Devon, however she was held back so that Wireboy of Paignton would have the opportunity of gaining the honor. In the end, Wireboy placed best in show, with Holmbury Reve placing in reserve. The show was noted for the members of the Sealyham Terrier Club withdrawing their entries following the election of Mrs. Marie Willets as a judge, even though Mrs. Willets was the first person in America to own a Sealyham Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
The Sealyham Terrier is a dog breed of the terrier type. The Sealyham Terrier was originally developed in Wales.- History :thumb|right|A Sealyham Terrier photographed in 1915....
. She lost at the Ladies' Kennel Association of America show to another Fox Terrier, Vickery Gypsy Moth, and even lost in her own breed class to Vickery Greenbank Selection.
For her victory in 1916, Vic's breed was judged by Winthrop Rutherford. Rutherford was the owner of Warren's Remedy, a Smooth Fox Terrier who won the Westminster on three occasions previously. Vic repeated her successes of 1915, taking the "Brace Special" again with Wireboy of Paignton again and with Wireboy, Ruby Dazzler and Holmbury Reve for the "Best Team Special".