Acampo handler shows champion terrier owned by comedian Bill Cosby

Handler Bill McFadden of Acampo poses for a picture with Harry, a Dandie Dinmont Terrier, after winning best in breed in the 131st Westminster dog show Monday at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Acampo handler shows champion terrier owned by comedian Bill Cosby

By Matt Brown
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Saturday, February 17, 2007 7:52 AM PST

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An Acampo dog handler came close to taking a Dandie Dinmont terrier owned by Bill Cosby to top honors at the nation's most prestigious dog show.

Star handler Bill McFadden took Cosby's dog, Harry, to the final round of judging at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York on Tuesday.

"I was really pleased," McFadden said by telephone from New York, where he is snowed in. "I would have loved to go Best in Show. It's pretty exciting when you do well."

The dog that did take Best in Show honors was an English springer spaniel by the name of Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim.

More than 2,600 dogs entered the Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Dogs are first judged by their breed, then by their group. Winners of the seven groups advance to the final Best in Show round.

Originally from Washington, McFadden and his wife, Taffe, have owned Bold Oaks Kennels in Acampo for the last 15 years.

The Westminster Kennel Club dog show is the premier event for show dogs. A dog McFadden handled in 2003 won the title of Best in Show, the top honor, at the show, according to David Frei, Director of Communications for the kennel club.

Frei, who also provides the color commentary for USA Network's coverage of the show, said McFadden was one of the top handlers in the country.

"Bill is as good as there is," Frei said. "He's a talented guy and he understands how to present dogs."

An animal lover, McFadden, 48, said he got involved with the sport of dog shows 30 years ago. He said he has been showing Cosby's dogs for the last six years.

"(Cosby) called after the show and thought the dog looked wonderful," he said. "He was really pleased."

Frei said a handler is responsible for grooming the dog and presenting it to the judges.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only breed named for a literary character. Sir Walter Scott's 1814 novel, "Guy Mannering," contained a farmer named Dandie Dinmont who had a pack of terriers indigenous to the English-Scottish border area.

The Dandie evolved as a hardy working terrier. It needed the stamina to hunt vermin all day over the rough terrain of the English-Scottish Border country, often in inclement weather.

It was bred to be not too small and light nor too large and clumsy with a strong neck, strong jaws and large teeth. Its quarters are muscular to give it endurance and its body is flexible to enter a den and to retreat quickly when necessary. It has a double coat to keep it warm and dry at the skin and to shed wind and water.

Today's Dandie is known as the gentleman of the terrier family. When not hunting, it is calm and reserved, placid and affectionate.

Source: Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America.

"The handler is very important," he said. "He's got to know his dog and be able to show off its good points to the judges. The best handlers are invisible."

Of all the dogs in this year's show, Harry was the only Dandie Dinmont terrier, a breed of dog from Scotland. McFadden said the dog was originally bred to kill badgers.

Frei said Westminster Best in Show dogs receive a trophy and accolades and respect from the dog world.

"It's the greatest dog show in the world," he said. "There's nothing else to win after you win at Westminster."

Contact reporter Matt Brown at mattb@lodinews.com.

First published: Saturday, February 17, 2007