Champion colored bull terrier Rufus named National Dog Show CANINE Ambassador!

'05 Winner now Therapy Dog!

Rufus, the greatest Colored Bull Terrier in dog show history, will represent The National Dog Show Presented by Purina® and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia as Canine Ambassador for the annual shows this November 14 and 15.  The announcement was made by Wayne Ferguson, President of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, which hosts the National Dog Show, America’s most widely-viewed purebred competition, airing Thanksgiving Day on NBC-TV following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The only dog to win both the National Dog Show (2005) and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (2006), Rufus has retired from the show world to work as a therapy dog, interacting with kids and adults alike at schools, hospitals, nursing homes and animal rescue leagues.  He is a Certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dog International.”Rufus is one of our most popular champions ever,” offered Ferguson, whose club’s shows are the centerpiece of the annual cluster set for November 12-15 at the Greater Philadelphia Convention Center in Oaks/Valley Forge, PA.  “People are drawn to him.  His ongoing work as a therapy dog and his celebrity presence make him an asset.” 

Rufus’s official role will include a presence on various websites (www.philadogshow.com; www.nationaldogshow.com), a Facebook Fan Page, press relations and appearances at events this fall and at the shows in November.

Four years ago, Rufus pulled off the unprecedented feat of winning both The National Dog Show Presented by Purina and The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in the space of just three months.  By going Best in Show earlier that year at the renowned Morris and Essex (NJ) Kennel Club Dog Show, Rufus became champion of three of the most important dog shows in America during the same competitive season.

 Rufus, who is fueled by Purina® Pro Plan® brand dog food, boasts 35 Best in Show awards and 138 Terrier Group First Place finishes. Owned by Barbara and Tom Bishop of Holmdel, NJ, Rufus is also an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen®, a program that rewards dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.