Carlee makes a point to become top dog

POSING like the very symbol of the Westminster Kennel Club, a German short-haired pointer called Carlee became America’s top dog on Tuesday night.

The five-year-old female with the soft eyes and gliding gait won best in show, beating out a popular Norfolk terrier, a champion bloodhound and a wobbling Pekingese.

All seven finalists gave fine performances on the green carpet of Madison Square Garden. But the sellout crowd and judge Lynette Saltzman were clearly won over by Carlee’s “free stack”, the time when the dog stands alone and shows its stuff.

Paying rapt attention to star handler Michelle Ostermiller, Carlee pointed with perfection as the cheers grew louder and louder.

“She was spectacular,” Ostermiller said.

Last year, Ostermiller neatly guided a big Newfoundland named Josh to this best in show title. This time, she came back to be the tops among the 2,581 entries in 165 breeds and varieties.

“I’m stunned,” she said.

Carlee, with a brown face and white-and-liver spotting, now will retire to Castle Rock, Colorado, with her ninth best in show title overall. Carlee became the second German short-haired pointer to win at Westminster, and was a direct descendant of the other winner in 1974.

A sprightly Norfolk terrier named Coco represented the terriers. She was the favourite at Westminster last year, and came back this time at six-and-a-half years old after taking off six months to deliver three puppies - Tom, Dick and Harry.

Fans called out Coco’s name when she showed for the last time, her tongue hanging out and her ears flopping. She might’ve been No 2 overall, but there’s no way to know - only a winner is picked.

Bloodhound Knotty was trying to become the first hound in 22 years to take best in show at Westminster, while a Pekingese called Jeffrey was the toy winner. His father won Crufts in England in 2003.