Looking Back at a Famous National Dog Show Champion: Rufus

Rufus has his own Facebook page. He is written up in articles all over the internet. He won the Triple Crown of U.S. dog shows, namely the National Dog Show, the Westminster Dog Show and the Morris & Essex Kennel Club Shows. In fact, in his Show Dog Career he has won 35 Best of Show awards and 138 Terrier Group First Place finishes. He returned to the National Dog Show in 2010 on Thanksgiving day in a new capacity, with a triple crown career.

Rufus the Therapy Dog, Career 2

After retiring from the show circuit, Rufus went on to become a therapy dog and member of both Angels on a Leash and Therapy Dogs International. His owner Barbara Bishop jets him to hospitals and nursing homes all over the country where he spends hours bringing joy and health benefits to patients. He also makes frequent visits to schools and helps special needs children. A Rufus miracle: An autistic child who had been mute suddenly started talking again after spending time with Rufus.

Perhaps Rufus most famous therapeutic visit occurred at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he met with a bomb technician who had been wounded in Afghanistan. The soldier was hooked up to wires and tubes and monitors but insisted the dog lie on his bed. Rufus delicately positioned himself on the bed without disconnecting anything and settled down for a long visit.

Ironically, Walter Reed is one of the many military bases and facilities that are now off limits to Rufus and other dogs who have "bull" in their breed names. New bans against "bully breeds" are now in force, including bull terriers, bull mastiffs and pit bulls. More irony: General Patton's dog Willie was a bull terrier too, who would not now be allowed on base to visit him.

Rufus the Misguided Breed Ban Ambassador, Career 3

In 2010, Rufus became Therapy Dog Ambassador for the National Dog Show Presented by Purina, out to prove that "there are no bad dogs or bad breeds, just bad owners." Even though Rufus has a spotless humanitarian service record, his long respected bull terrier breed still gets lumped with the generic pit bull mix.

At the 2010 National Dog Show, Rufus was an honored guest, presented in the center show ring, and available later for Meet and Greet sessions with his many fans. Children, adults and seniors all agree: This dog is not only a champion, he is a sweetheart.

Sources:

http://dogfriendly.com/dognews/?p=956

http://www.pawnation.com/2010/11/22/dangerous-dog-rufus-to-be-honored-at-national-dog-show/?icid=maing

The National Dog Show: A Thanksgiving Day Entertainment Tradition http://www.suite101.com/content/the-national-dog-show-a154208#ixzz16ANWNTSl