Sandy Robins • E-mail

NEW YORK - Typically at a dog show such as Westminster, with 169 breeds and varieties taking part, it all comes down to two groups — the judges’ choice and the people’s choice. But this time, everyone was on the same page as a spunky little Beagle named Uno became America’s top dog for 2008.

This was the first time that a beagle had ever won the title, which prompted the capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden to give the confident little hound a standing ovation.

The crowd embraced Uno from the start. He showed he was a compact package of personality and knew how to work the crowd. He barked, bayed and wagged his tail and seemed to have his own secret conversation going with handler Aaron Wilkerson throughout the performance.

“Weather wise, it was certainly a dark and stormy night at the Garden, and Snoopy would have been very proud of his canine brother winning such fame and fortune for just being charismatic and good looking,” said James Benton, Trenton, N.J.

"He's perfect, he was a 10," said judge J. Donald Jones. "He does cuteness well."

The judge is absolutely correct. The seasoned show dog is only three years old, but he has already mastered the art of working a crowd. Cute could be his middle name.

The crowd got their money’s worth in entertainment value — and it was just as well because many played hooky to attend the show.

“I save my frequent flyer miles so that I can come to Westminster every year,” said Caroline Bent, Charleston, S.C. “This year I called in sick. So I hope my boss doesn’t read this.’

“I was hoping Uno would make it,” said Jane Smith, San Diego, Calif. “I have been watching the show on TV for years and this year I decided to come. It was definitely the right year because I love beagles.”

Video   Numero Uno Feb. 12: See the final moments and celebration of the beagle Uno winning best in show at the Westminster Dog Show. NBC Sports

One of the show’s highlights is being able to walk around the benching area and meet and greet these famous show dogs.

“I never had a favorite beforehand,” said Nicholas Lord, N.Y. “I just walked around and looked at the dogs. I really liked the Tibetan Mastiff.”

That breed made its Westminster debut this year and earned roaring crowd approval when it came on to the carpet.

Video   ‘It’s an honor’ Feb. 12: Uno’s handler, Aaron Wilkerson, was speechless after winning best in show at the Westminster dog show. NBC Sports

“I would love one,’ continued Lord. “He reminded me of Nana in ‘Peter Pan.’”

It can be a very long day for handlers and other canine groupies. Having the crowd coming around to admire the dogs helps break the monotony.

For Jan Simpson and Cheryl Snedaker-Sims of Madison N.H., sitting amid the cacophony was too much. Once their longhaired Dachshunds had finished in the breed ring, they hired bodyguard John Rice to doggy sit so that they could walk around and shop for show souvenirs and memorabilia.

“It’s $206 well spent for peace of mind,” Snedaker-Sims said. And no one in their right mind would even consider messing with Rice. With shoulders measuring three feet wide (no kidding, we measured with a six-foot dog leash), he took up position and hovered over his three charges, who were only too happy to snooze in their crates unaware of the beefcake watching over them.

Despite Uno’s success, many people were convinced that this was going to be the year of the poodle. Both a white pouffed standard poodle and a white miniature version of the breed made it on to the best in show green carpet and earned great crowd approval.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Wild action on the baseball diamond, fun on the football field, and more. more photos

“I really thought my poodle would make it,” quipped John Munro of Sutton, Ontario, Can. “After all, his name is Trump. Even his hair is the same color as The Donald’s.”

Uno is now about to embark on a year of canine celebrity. He will have to get used to people pawing him and begging for favors. His newly acquired top dog status means that his hotel accommodation during Westminster week is complimentary, and his pawdigraph will soon to be a hot-seller on eBay.

In the next couple of hours the whole world will be introduced to him as he sets off on a world media tour that will take in all the top TV talk shows in New York City and a stop to greet the pupperazzi at Grand Central Station.

Soon he will no doubt discover what dog-tired really means …

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