The winner in last night's hound-group judging was Ch. Viking's Thor, a massive red bloodhound owned by Charlie Sexton of Springfield, Delaware County.
The sporting group was captured by Gary Stone and Carol Chadwick's German shorthaired pointer, Ch. NMK's Brittania v. Sibelstein of Beverly Hills.
The rather undistinguished toy group was won by Skip Piazza and Olga Baker's Pomeranian, Ch. Great Elms Prince Charming II of Avondale, Pa.
Experts adept at predicting Westminster winners agree that the best-in-show award is up for grabs. An incredible 58 percent of the entries went into the show with the title of champion.
Though last year's winner, the German shepherd Ch. Covy Tucker Hill's Manhattan, hasn't returned for another shot at the silver bowl, three of the other 1987 finalists are on hand: Ch. NMK's Brittania v. Sibelstein, Ch. Viking's Thor and William MacKay's Pekingese, Ch. Briarcourt's Coral Gable of Belle Mead, N.J.
One thing the forecasters seem to agree on is that the nation's top-winning show dog, Ruth Cooper and MacKay's wirehaired fox terrier, Ch. Galsul Excellence, nicknamed Paddy, probably isn't in good enough shape to go far.
"The judging just doesn't look good for Paddy," one observer said. "I frankly don't know why they're even bringing him."
BEST-OF-BREED WINNERS
Dorothea Berry, Robert Elstor and Richard Fox's English setter, Ch. Foxtract's the Invincible One; Doris Hodges' curly-coated retriever, Summerwind Jala's Ready-Set-Go; Mary Ann Breininger's Brittany spaniel, Ch. Carosel Tropic-Ana of Jen Mar; Jean Freiderich and Gaston Lauri's flat-coated retriever, Ch. d'Acqus of Manoridge.
