For those in hockey, it含羞草研究社檚 the Stanley Cup.

For the CFL, it含羞草研究社檚 the Grey Cup.

For the world of dog showing, the Westminster Kennel Club is the premier event for the elite in each breed.

This year, a cocker spaniel named Sirius, whose full registered name is BIS MBISS Am GCH Can CH Aladdin含羞草研究社檚 Sirius Blak N Tan, made the trek to New York for the prestigious show.

Sirius is bred and owned by longtime breeders Carol and Rob Edwards of Aladdin Cocker Spaniels in Lavington, outside Vernon.

The letters in front of Sirius含羞草研究社� name indicate he is the winner of both Best in Show and Best in Specialty Show titles, which are wins specific to his breed. The others refer to his champion titles in both Canada and the United States.

Since July, Sirius has been in the United States with professional handler Marlene Ness racking up points and ribbons.

含羞草研究社淗e含羞草研究社檚 a young dog, only 20 months, so he含羞草研究社檚 done very well. It含羞草研究社檚 pretty fantastic. I含羞草研究社檝e been in cockers for 30 years and you always dream you will have a dog that can go to Westminster, so it was a tremendous thrill,含羞草研究社� says Carol.

In addition to grooming, show ring training and conditioning, dog showing is also about that 含羞草研究社榠t factor含羞草研究社� that draws the judge含羞草研究社檚 eye. And with only a few minutes to make an impression, every move counts. For this reason, Carol watched her dog while hiding from his view.

含羞草研究社淭he last thing we wanted was for him to spot me and lose his mind. So I hid somewhere that I could see him but he couldn含羞草研究社檛 see or smell me.含羞草研究社�

While Sirius didn含羞草研究社檛 take the best of breed ribbon, he showed he was competitive with the top dogs in his breed from around the world. And this was from a puppy who was almost placed in another home. Edwards already had two male show dogs and was a bit reluctant to add a third. She also felt she might be biased because the black colour with the tan facial markings is her favourite colour variety, and reminds her of another very special cocker she owned years ago.

含羞草研究社淚 knew he was a nice puppy, but I wondered if I was looking at him that way, just because the black and tan touches my heart. But everyone I knew kept telling me how nice he was, so he stayed and became my first-ever best in show dog,含羞草研究社� she laughs. 含羞草研究社淎t least he isn含羞草研究社檛 the one that got away. And he won含羞草研究社檛 be going anywhere anytime soon.含羞草研究社�

Sirius returned with Carol from his U.S. show career and will now continue to show in Canada.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檒l see what happens,含羞草研究社� says Carol. 含羞草研究社淗e含羞草研究社檚 already done way more than I ever dreamed.含羞草研究社�

While Sirius is enjoying some downtime, so too is the region含羞草研究社檚 most famous member of the canine set, Miss P, the beagle from Enderby who actually won the Best in Show title at Westminster in 2015.

Miss P含羞草研究社檚 breeder Lori Crandlemire says she spent this year含羞草研究社檚 Westminster watching at home with Miss P on the couch. The adorable beagle has now moved on to a new career, that of a stay-at-home mom. Since her win, she has now had a litter of puppies 含羞草研究社� five boys.

含羞草研究社淪he含羞草研究社檚 a wonderful mom and is loving retirement,含羞草研究社� says Crandlemire.

All the puppies were spoken for and have gone to homes across North America.

But one has remained in Enderby in hopes of a show career of his own. His name is Boss and Crandlemire hopes to begin his show career in the spring.

Puppies can be shown after they are six months old, but most dogs do not come into their prime as show dogs until fully mature.