Lockport resident is top dog

***dogs4life*** · 01-17-2006, 09:21 PM

Alaskan Malamute is national champion

Sandra D'Andrea and Alaskan Malamute Costello do a victory dance after taking top honors at the American Kennel Club competition in Tampa, Fla.
LOCKPORT - Sandra D'Andrea returned home Monday from Tampa, Fla., with the top dog.
Costello, an imposing Alaskan Malamute, was crowned the nation's premier canine Sunday at the fifth annual American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championship.

Costello, also named best bred-by-exhibitor in show, brought D'Andrea more than $80,000 in prize money.

D'Andrea has a unique view of Costello, whose full name is Nanuke's SnoKlassic No Boundaries.

"I think he's a really great representative of the breed, and he's got great legs," D'Andrea said.

Costello's good looks run in the family. His father, Tyler, won a top prize from the Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1998, D'Andrea said. And Costello's brother, Abbott, also known as Nanuke's SnoKlassic Still Standing, won Best of Winners at the 2004 Alaskan Malamute Club of America National and a Best in Specialty from the classes at the Chicago Regional. "We welcome Costello into the distinguished group of AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winners," said Ron Menaker, AKC chairman. "And for the first time in the history of our show, the same dog took home all the top prizes."

D'Andrea said she gives Costello and other dogs she breeds some rewards once in a while for bringing home the top prize.

"Whatever we're eating they like. They like McDonald's cheeseburgers the best," D'Andrea said.

D'Andrea said she plans to pay off some bills with her winnings, noting: "It's a very expensive sport."

Costello is co-owned by Patty Ann and Tex Peel of Lennon, Mich., D'Andrea said.

In all, 2,648 dogs in every breed and variety competed in Tampa for a total of $225,000 in prizes.

And even though D'Andrea values her dogs - primping and preening them - the airlines apparently are unimpressed.

"They don't let the dogs fly first class. They go with the luggage," she said.

By PAM KOWALIK
News Niagara Bureau
1/17/2006

Associated Press

01-17-2006, 09:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
*dogs4life* I'm Crunchy Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 1,957 Blog Entries: 11 Rep Power: 101	Lockport resident is top dog Alaskan Malamute is national champion Sandra D'Andrea and Alaskan Malamute Costello do a victory dance after taking top honors at the American Kennel Club competition in Tampa, Fla. LOCKPORT - Sandra D'Andrea returned home Monday from Tampa, Fla., with the top dog. Costello, an imposing Alaskan Malamute, was crowned the nation's premier canine Sunday at the fifth annual American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championship. Costello, also named best bred-by-exhibitor in show, brought D'Andrea more than $80,000 in prize money. D'Andrea has a unique view of Costello, whose full name is Nanuke's SnoKlassic No Boundaries. "I think he's a really great representative of the breed, and he's got great legs," D'Andrea said. Costello's good looks run in the family. His father, Tyler, won a top prize from the Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1998, D'Andrea said. And Costello's brother, Abbott, also known as Nanuke's SnoKlassic Still Standing, won Best of Winners at the 2004 Alaskan Malamute Club of America National and a Best in Specialty from the classes at the Chicago Regional. "We welcome Costello into the distinguished group of AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winners," said Ron Menaker, AKC chairman. "And for the first time in the history of our show, the same dog took home all the top prizes." D'Andrea said she gives Costello and other dogs she breeds some rewards once in a while for bringing home the top prize. "Whatever we're eating they like. They like McDonald's cheeseburgers the best," D'Andrea said. D'Andrea said she plans to pay off some bills with her winnings, noting: "It's a very expensive sport." Costello is co-owned by Patty Ann and Tex Peel of Lennon, Mich., D'Andrea said. In all, 2,648 dogs in every breed and variety competed in Tampa for a total of $225,000 in prizes. And even though D'Andrea values her dogs - primping and preening them - the airlines apparently are unimpressed. "They don't let the dogs fly first class. They go with the luggage," she said. By PAM KOWALIK News Niagara Bureau 1/17/2006 Associated Press

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