A day after earning a coveted spot in the final ring of seven at the Westminster Kennel Club, Colton the schipperke was ruled ineligible for best in show Tuesday night. There was a conflict of interest — top judge Peter Green’s longtime partner has co-owned dogs with one of Colton’s co-owners, including 2013 Westminster champion Banana Joe the affenpinscher. Spirited and compact, Colton was going to be allowed to walk on to the green carpet at Madison Square Garden when the finalists are announced. Judge Peter Green was then to excuse Colton from the ring, leaving only six contenders for the big prize. “This doesn’t negate all he’s done here,” handler Christa Cook said as she brushed Colton’s colt backstage at the Garden.

Source: thestar February 13, 2019 01:52 UTC