There's only one Westminster.

Blustery winds and bone-chilling temperatures hovering in the mid-20s didn't keep more than 2,600 dogs representing 173 breeds and varieties from strutting their stuff at the Westminster Dog Show at New York City's Madison Square Garden last week.

The dogs qualified to enter to this 134-year-old event represent the best purebred dogs in America. They have all acquired “;champion”; status (hence the “;Ch.”; designation before each dog's professional name) under rigorous guidelines set by the American Kennel Club.

Among the dogs representing Hawaii was Ch. Pupukea Ridge Ikaika o Spring Valley, a 4-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback from Pupukea.

Ikaika, as he is more casually known, won best of breed, beating 42 other Ridgebacks. From there he moved on to the hound group, which includes dogs trained to bring down wild game or hold it at bay until its hunter arrives. Scent-hounds track game by scent, and sight-hounds by sight.

“;Ridgebacks are unique in the hound breed as they fall into both categories,”; said owner Tom Peach. “;They have both a keen sense of smell and sight.”;

Considering that Ridgebacks were originally bred to be stealthy lion hunters, such skills can be lifesaving. Other breeds in the hound group are beagles, dachshunds, greyhounds and whippets.

Ikaika lost the group to a 3-year-old whippet named Starline's Chanel. Had Ikaika won that leg of the competition, he would have received the title of “;Best Dog in Hound Group,”; advancing in the competition against the best of the sporting, working, terrier, toy, herding and nonsporting groups.

Dog owners and trainers Adrian Agard and Earl Takahashi of Wahiawa also made the journey to show their two Shih Tzus (toy), 2-year-old Ch. Xeralane's Face the Music (Music for short) and her half sister, 1-year-old Ch. Xeralane's Delicious Face (Chopi).

Also along for the competition were their two longhaired dachshunds (hound), 4-year-old Ch. Xeralane's Supersonic (Sonny, recently featured on Animal Planet's “;Eukanuba Championship Show”;) and his litter mate, Ch. Xeralane's Supersize (Scooter).

Sonny received an award of merit in the longhaired dachshund breed competition.

“;It's an enormous amount of work, the travel, grooming and training,”; Agard said. “;While winning would have been great, our satisfaction comes from the fact that we are maintaining and promoting the ideal standards of the breed. It's really a labor of love.”;

'Iolani School senior Mirabel Koike showed her 4-year-old boxer (working group), Ch. Cachet's Sentinel, or Slater for short, in the Westminster Junior Showman competition. The Junior Showman contest was established in 1934 to insure continuation of the sport.

Juniors learn dog-handling skills and sportsmanship and, after accruing enough wins, may qualify to show at the Westminster. While Slater didn't place, Koike remained positive, enjoying all she's learned while working with Slater.

“;We try to train every day, and we have a dog training class every Thursday night. As for grooming, because he is a shorthaired dog, I do not need to do as much as, say, a golden retriever would require to be groomed,”; she said. “;What keeps me motivated is the excitement of being in the ring, having the spotlight on the dog and me. I am thankful for the support from my parents and extended dog show family.”;

This year's Best of Show was awarded to a shiny jet black Scottish Terrier, Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, known as Sadie, who glided around the ring with poise and sophistication, outshining the winners of the other six groups.

And what does the top dog receive at the “;creme de la creme”; of dog shows? Unlike other sporting events where the winner bags a monetary award, the Best in Show dog receives a giant ribbon and an inscribed silver bowl, earns a visit with David Letterman on his late-night TV show and, of course, serious bragging rights.