Lexington dog to compete at Westminster show
Get ready to root for a local dog in the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
Lyric, a 3-year-old Siberian Husky from Lexington, will compete at the 140th annual event, set for Feb. 15-16 in New York City.
Lyric’s owners are Reid and Katie Fleming, members of Charleston Kennel Club and Greater Columbia Obedience Club.
Katie Fleming said Wednesday the top five dogs of each breed are invited to compete in Westminster, with Lyric just missing that benchmark. Lyric is the No. 3 female of her breed but No. 6 overall. Other dogs, which Katie Fleming said should be breed champions, can enter the competition. The Flemings entered her back in October.
She said many judges prefer male Siberian huskies because they are stronger and better suited for their original purpose of pulling sleds.
“To get a girl ranked up high in our breed is not as easy as it would be for a boy,” she said.
Lyric will compete against about 38 other Siberian Huskies. The best out of those will go on to the group level – in Lyric’s case, the working group of dogs competing for best in show.
Lyric was shown by her owner, Reid Fleming, and was the top Siberian in owner-handled points for 2014, winning her AKC Championship, Grand Championship, and an Award of Excellence at Eukanuba.
Surgery sidelined Reid in early 2015, and Lyric was then shown by handler Jamie Clute of Williamston. The two have received many accolades in competition since, among them a top 10 ranking, Best in Show Specialty, Bronze level Grand Champion and more.
Lyric will be among more than 3,000 dogs competing in the events of Westminster Week, which includes the iconic all-breed dog show, 3 Agility Championship and the inaugural Masters Oobedience Championship.
Katie Fleming said Lyric stands out because she is elegant but “not a diva.”
“She just floats around the ring,” she said. “... She just has to look up and bat those eyes, and the judges melt.”
For the full Westminster Week schedule, see www.westminsterkennelclub.org.