By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN — A five-year-old Scottish deerhound named Hickory was named best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Show Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
The dog, which spends the rest of its year chasing deer on a 50-acre farm in Virginia, beat out 2,600 other contenders for the title, with judges saying Hickory perfectly captured the essence of her breed, the New York Daily News reported.
"This animal is like in the heavens," judge Paolo Dondina told the News.
Hickory won the best of the hound group and became the first Scottish deerhound in history to be named best in show by the Westminster Kennel Club.
The Scottish deerhound beat out a pekingese (toy group), a Chinese shar-pei (non-sporting group), bearded collie (herding group), black cocker spaniel (sporting group), Portuguese water dog (working group) and smooth fox terrier (terrier group) to win the coveted trophy.
"She showed like she never showed before," handler Angela Lloyd told the New York Post.
The Scottish deerhound is one of the oldest recognized breeds dating back as far as the 16th Century, according to the American Kennel Club. The dogs, which can weigh up to 110 pounds, were used to hunt deer and at one time were not allowed to be owned by anyone under the rank of earl.
To celebrate taking top prize at the 135th Annual show, Hickory's owners said she would now be allowed to eat all the ice cream that she wanted, the Post reported.
Hickory will spend the day Wednesday visiting the sick at Ronald McDonald House on the Upper East Side, lunching on Steak at Sardi's restaurant, and visiting the Empire State Building.
