Golden retriever 'Daniel' from Ligonier Twp. captures hearts at Westminster dog show

Everybody loves a golden retriever, and everybody’s favorite golden after this week’s Westminster dog show is Ligonier Township’s very own Daniel.

The 5-year-old, bred and trained by Tammy Tomlinson of Hillock Golden Retrievers, won best-in-breed and best sporting dog at the 144th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Daniel was one of seven dogs to advance to the best-in-show competition Tuesday night but lost to Siba, a standard poodle.

“It was awesome,” Tomlinson said. “What was really amazing was people in the stands were chanting (Daniel’s) name. When we left, there were groupies outside waiting for Daniel. … He has a huge following.”

That Daniel, whose handler is Karen Mammano of Webster, N.Y., was a popular favorite was evidenced by the hashtag #DanielWasRobbed generating traffic Wednesday on Twitter.

#DanielWasRobbed https://t.co/LD7QIeIJdg

— Elias Makos (@eliasmakos) February 12, 2020

#DanielWasRobbed https://t.co/sKrXvpc3Mk

— Kerry Flynn ? (@kerrymflynn) February 12, 2020

Tomlinson declined to join the fray, declaring all seven finalists worthy contenders.

“They’re all top dogs,” she said.

Even prior to Westminster, Daniel ended 2019 as the nation’s top golden retriever and No. 4 sporting dog, Tomlinson said. He competed in about 100 shows last year, winning best sporting dog at the 2019 National Dog Show and best of breed in October at the Golden Retriever Club of America National Specialty in Ontario, Calif.

Although he didn’t win best-in-show at Westminster, Daniel has won 19 best-in-show titles and 26 specialty wins over his career — making him the winningest golden retriever in the United States in the past 35 years, Tomlinson said.

“That’s huge for a golden retriever,” she said in November, “because goldens historically don’t win best in shows. He’s broken that stereotype.”

Daniel will retire to Ligonier Township to do field work and for breeding purposes, she said.

Already, Daniel is making a mark through his bloodline. His daughter Frankie won best of opposite sex (first runner-up) at Westminster, and his nephew Zane is the first comfort dog employed by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.