A catalog merchant’s true best of breed

If you’re a dog-show fan, you might have noticed Pete, the seven-year-old Lhasa apso who took the best-of-breed title at the 129th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February. What’s significant about Pete, aside from the fact that he is the country’s top-ranked Lhasa apso, having defeated about 700 Lhasas and 10,000 dogs in total during the 2004 show season? Pete, whose full name is Ch. Ta Sen Victory Peyote, is owned by Susan Giles, senior vice president of merchandising for children’s apparel catalog CWD Kids, a title from Richmond, VA-based Children’s Wear Digest. Giles, who cut back to part-time status at the cataloger two years ago, has been breeding Lhasa apsos for 30 years. Pete’s best-of-breed victory is her first such win at Westminster. Our congrats to Giles — and to Pete: You go, dawg!