Rocky Top's Sundance Kid
Encyclopedia
Ch. Rocky Top's Sundance Kid (aka: "Rufus") (b. April 8, 2000), is a Bull Terrier
who is best known for being the 2006 Best In Show
winner at the Westminster Dog Show. He is the first Colored Bull Terrier to win Best in Show at Westminster, with the only other victory for his breed going to a White Bull Terrier in 1918. He also won Best in Show at the National Dog Show in 2005, and on retirement trained as a therapy dog. He is the most successful Colored Bull Terrier Show Dog
of all time.
in 1995.
He has lived with his owners, Barbara and Tom Bishop, since he was 10 weeks old.
title and Register of Merit.
In 2005 Rufus won Best in Show at The National Dog Show, hosted by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia.
Also in 2005 Rufus won Best In Show at the Morris & Essex Kennel Club Dog Show.
In judging for Best in Show at Westminster, Rufus was joined by a Golden Retriever
(Ch. Chuckanut Party Favour O' Nove), a Dalmatian
(Ch. Merry Go Round Mach Ten), a Rottweiler
(Ch. Carter's Noble Shaka Zulu), a Scottish Deerhound
, a Pug
(Ch. Kendoric's Riversong Mulroney) and an Old English Sheepdog
. Of all the breeds being judged, only the Pug and the Sheepdog had previously won Best in Show. Judging was conducted by James Reynolds, with the crowd favouring the Golden Retriever. The Dalmatian, was owned by Dick and Linda Stark who also own the German Shorthaired Pointer
Ch. Kan-Point's VJK Autumn Roses, who won the previous year's Best in Show. When the judge announced the winner, it seemed like an upset, although the Terrier group
is the most successful at Westminster. On winning, Rufus became the first Colored Bull Terrier to take the title, with the only other Bull Terrier to take the title being Ch. Haymarket Faultless, a White Bull Terrier, in 1918. Speaking of Rufus, judge James Reynolds described him as "The classic profile of a colored bull terrier." Following his win, owner Barbara Bishop announced his retirement from the show ring.
Rufus retired as the most successful Colored Bull Terrier of all time, with 35 all breed Best in Shows, 128 Best in Group firsts and the BTCA National Speciality on three occasions.
by the Monmouth County
Board of Freeholders
at a meeting in Freehold
, New Jersey
.
Following his retirement, Rufus retrained as a therapy dog
, visiting schools, nursing homes and senior citizen programs. In 2010, he was one of the winners at the 11th AKC Humane Fund Awards Award for Canine Excellence (ACE).
Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family. They are known for their large, egg-shaped head, small triangular eyes, and "jaunty gait." Their temperament has been described as generally fun-loving, active and clownish...
who is best known for being the 2006 Best In Show
Best in Show
Best in Show may refer to:* Best in Show , a 2000 film* Best in Show , a 2005 album by Grinspoon* The Best in Show award or the Best in Show competition in conformation dog shows** Best in Show winners of Crufts...
winner at the Westminster Dog Show. He is the first Colored Bull Terrier to win Best in Show at Westminster, with the only other victory for his breed going to a White Bull Terrier in 1918. He also won Best in Show at the National Dog Show in 2005, and on retirement trained as a therapy dog. He is the most successful Colored Bull Terrier Show Dog
Show dog
A show dog might refer to any dog entered into a dog show. More specifically, a show dog is a dog which has been specially bred, trained, and/or groomed to conform to the specifications of dog shows, so as to have a chance of winning...
of all time.
Early life
Rufus' sire was Einstein the Joker, whose most notable win was for becoming the youngest Bull Terrier World Champion at the World Dog ShowWorld Dog Show
The World Dog Show is a Fédération Cynologique Internationale-sanctioned international dog show, held yearly since 1971. The World Show includes agility, obedience, junior handler, conformation, and other events and demonstrations. International championships for many events are awarded at the...
in 1995.
He has lived with his owners, Barbara and Tom Bishop, since he was 10 weeks old.
Show History
By the age of thirteen and a half months Rufus had earned his ChampionshipChampionship (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...
title and Register of Merit.
In 2005 Rufus won Best in Show at The National Dog Show, hosted by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia.
Also in 2005 Rufus won Best In Show at the Morris & Essex Kennel Club Dog Show.
In judging for Best in Show at Westminster, Rufus was joined by a Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...
(Ch. Chuckanut Party Favour O' Nove), a Dalmatian
Dalmatian
Dalmatian may refer to:* Dalmatia, a region mainly in the southern part of modern Croatia* Dalmatae, an ancient people from the region* Dalmatian language, an extinct Romance language* Dalmatian , a breed of dog...
(Ch. Merry Go Round Mach Ten), a Rottweiler
Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a medium to large size breed of domestic dog that originated in Rottweil, Germany. The dogs were known as "Rottweil butchers' dogs" because they were used to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat and other products to market...
(Ch. Carter's Noble Shaka Zulu), a Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound, or simply the Deerhound, is a breed of hound , once bred to hunt the Red Deer by coursing.- Appearance :The Scottish Deerhound resembles a rough-coated Greyhound. It is however, larger in size and bone...
, a Pug
Pug
The pug is a "toy" breed of dog with a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail. The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, and a compact square body with well-developed muscle. They have been described as multum in parvo , referring to the pug's personality and...
(Ch. Kendoric's Riversong Mulroney) and 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...
. Of all the breeds being judged, only the Pug and the Sheepdog had previously won Best in Show. Judging was conducted by James Reynolds, with the crowd favouring the Golden Retriever. The Dalmatian, was owned by Dick and Linda Stark who also own the German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German shorthaired pointer is a breed of dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting.The breed is streamlined yet powerful with strong legs that make it able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has moderately long floppy ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and...
Ch. Kan-Point's VJK Autumn Roses, who won the previous year's Best in Show. When the judge announced the winner, it seemed like an upset, although the Terrier group
Terrier Group
Terrier Group is the name of a breed Group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. In general, a Terrier Group includes one particular type of dog, the Terrier, although other types may be included in a kennel club's Terrier Group...
is the most successful at Westminster. On winning, Rufus became the first Colored Bull Terrier to take the title, with the only other Bull Terrier to take the title being Ch. Haymarket Faultless, a White Bull Terrier, in 1918. Speaking of Rufus, judge James Reynolds described him as "The classic profile of a colored bull terrier." Following his win, owner Barbara Bishop announced his retirement from the show ring.
Rufus retired as the most successful Colored Bull Terrier of all time, with 35 all breed Best in Shows, 128 Best in Group firsts and the BTCA National Speciality on three occasions.
Retirement
After winning at Westminster, Rufus was presented with a proclamationProclamation
A proclamation is an official declaration.-England and Wales:In English law, a proclamation is a formal announcement , made under the great seal, of some matter which the King in Council or Queen in Council desires to make known to his or her subjects: e.g., the declaration of war, or state of...
by the Monmouth County
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
Board of Freeholders
Board of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
at a meeting in Freehold
Freehold Township, New Jersey
Freehold Township is a Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 36,184. Freehold Township was first formed on October 31, 1693, and was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21,...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Following his retirement, Rufus retrained as a therapy dog
Therapy dog
A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties, and stressful situations, such as disaster areas....
, visiting schools, nursing homes and senior citizen programs. In 2010, he was one of the winners at the 11th AKC Humane Fund Awards Award for Canine Excellence (ACE).