While he didn’t win, one Williston Park dog took a shot at canine royalty this week.
Luke, a 7-year-old German shorthaired pointer, made his second appearance at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Manhattan on Tuesday as he nears the end of a winning career as a show dog.
“He has as good chance as any,” said Luke’s owner Linda Caputo, a lifelong Williston Park resident, said Monday. “He’s a very solid dog, and if he shows great, he has a very solid chance of winning an award.”
Luke was one of about 3,000 dogs in the 140th annual show. He appeared for judging with about 40 other dogs of his breed Tuesday morning.
He didn’t make it out of that first round, but another German shorthaired pointer named CJ won best in show in the final round at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night.
Caputo started entering Luke in dog shows when he was about six months old, she said. She said she likely won’t show him as much after this year because of his age.
In his active years, Luke has entered more than 50 shows and has earned the American Kennel Club distinction of being a “Silver Grand Champion,” Caputo said. She said she hopes to get him to the platinum level.
In 2014, he was among the top 25 for his breed in the country, Caputo said, the same year he made his first appearance in the Westminster Kennel Club show.
“He’s usually in the winner’s circle some way or another,” she said.
Caputo has had dogs since she was 6 years old, she said.
Luke is her third German shorthaired pointer, but the first dog she’s ever entered in shows. He sired a litter recently, but she didn’t take any of the puppies.
He seems to enjoy it, she said of Luke’s participation in shows — he’s always upbeat and looks happy with his handler, Michelle Porfido. The fact that he gets lots of attention and treats probably helps, Caputo said.
“He’s perky, his ears are up, his tail is up, he looks great,” she said. “He looks the part of a show dog.”
In addition to being sociable, Luke loves to play with a flying disc and eat, Caputo said.
He’s also proven a loyal companion for Caputo, she said — he can tell when she’s stressed out and will bring her a ball to get her to play with him.
“He’s my best friend. He is truly a very special dog,” Caputo said. “He knows when I’m sad, he knows when I’m happy.”
The winner there advanced to the “sporting dog” group round, which also includes breeds such as golden retrievers and Irish setters, Caputo said.
The top dog in each group went on to the “Best in Show” round at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night.
