Sandy Robins • E-mail

NEW YORK -

In the spirit of true sportsmanship, many dog lovers leaving Madison Square Garden in New York at the end of the 130^th Westminster Dog Show agreed that despite the fact that they didn’t like bull terriers as a breed, the best dog definitely won.

America’s new top dog is Champion Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid of Holmdel, New Jersey, known to his personal family and friends as Rufus.

While his owners went out to paint the town red, the canine celebrity enjoyed a large Greenie and then settled down at his complimentary doggy suite at the Pennsylvania Hotel with his favorite toy, a Planet Dog Earth Ball that is stuffed with his pet treats and makes a noise as its rolls.

Westminster may be the country’s most celebrated dog show, but that didn’t stop a lot of catty remarks.

Hot gossip surrounding the Best in Show choice hissed that the results may have been very different if many of the country’s leading show dogs had been able to compete. A large number of contestants never made it to New York as a result of the blizzard that blanketed the city in tons of snows and temporarily brought all modes of transport to a halt.

“My money was on the Dalmatian, Champion Merry Go Round Mach Ten,” said Cathy Isbell of Holliston, Mass.” He had such charisma and the crowd loved him. But I guess when it came to the final round, it was very apparent that Rufus had the mindset of a champion.”

Isbell’s friend Diane Systrom, also from Holliston, Mass., was supporting the Golden Retriever, Champion Chuckanut Party Favour (Stet) O Novel.

Slide show   Doggy doings Check out some of the best moments, cutest dogs from Westminster Dog Show.

“I thought he had the right personality and he certainly had the crowd at the other end of his leash rooting for him.”

When the seven dog finalists did their last lap around the green carpet, it certainly did appear that that golden retriever was the crowd favorite. They screamed with delight and the dog even got some appreciative wolf whistles.

“I am very disappointed that the Pekinese and the Norfolk terrier that won their breeds never made the final group judging. At that point, it was all over for me,” said Patricia Kirkland of Portland, Ore., as she waited in line for a taxi.

Westminster Dog Show Doggone good day for Best in Show winner Stump is oldest to win Best in Show Opinion: Stump charms his way to win   Slideshow: Images from Westminster Robins: Once best in show, always best in show   Slideshows: Past winners  |    Last year's show

But New York artist Dorothy London agreed with the judge’s choice.

“I just loved that dog from the moment I met him in the benching area. He’s a real sweetheart and he’s going to be a very good ambassador for what is currently quite a controversial breed.”

When it comes to selecting the Best in Show winner, special emphasis is given to the dog’s appearance and behavior. The judge takes note of the head, ears, eyes, teeth and expression. Points are also given for body, neck, legs, feet and tail. Gait is important as well as coat color and texture. And then of course the winning dog has to have the “It Factor” — that special something that makes it stand out in the crowd.

“One of Rufus’s owners, Barbara Bishop said that he has always had that special something.