Some MPs Had A Dog Show And It Was Utterly Ridiculous

    The Westminster Dog Show happened today. It was the only place to be if you like seeing elected members of parliament holding little bags of poo.

    by
    Jamie Ross
    by Jamie Ross

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, UK

    ,
    Ryan Grimley
    by Ryan Grimley

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Imagine 21 MPs gathered in a park to whoop and cheer as two pugs dressed as a bride and groom are wheeled towards them in a pram.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    You have just imagined the annual Westminster Dog Show, and it actually, really happened this morning.

    After weeks of campaigning, today was the day when the most important dog in British politics was crowned.

    Andrew Mitchell's springer spaniel Scarlet was an early favourite thanks to this powerful poster campaign.

    The dogs seemed happy to be there. Here's Simon Reevel MP with Cosmo...

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    ...and David Burrowes MP with Cholmeley.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Burrowes told Buzzfeed News he was confident Cholmeley would get a podium place, as the labrador had been developing his social media profile. "Cholmeley recognises the importance of the new forms of electoral communications," he said.

    But Nadine Dorries MP was less confident about the chances of her puppy Darcey, as the Highland terrier has only recently mastered the art of not peeing in the house.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Each MP took their dog to this little pen to get judged.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Then the dogs had to undertake an assault course, which they almost universally hated. Here's Christopher Chope MP failing to persuade Minnie to go into a tube.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Chope said he sometimes takes Minnie, formally known as Minerva, into difficult meetings as a diversionary tactic. "People tend to forget about their political differences when there's a cute puppy in the room," he said.

    Nadine Dorries and Darcey didn't have much more success on the assault course...

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed
    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed
    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    ...but Chris Skidmore MP and Indie showed them how it was done.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Having said that, Indie wasn't on her best behaviour all morning...

    Jamie Ross @JamieRoss7

    Here's Chris Skidmore MP carrying a little bag of poo. #westminsterdogshow

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    ...and there were some heated exchanges between the competitors.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed
    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed
    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell had a little bit of trouble getting his dog to pose for the cameras.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    And again.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    There we go. Perfect. Except for Michael Gove MP's face.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Gove's dog is called Snowy and she's a "naughty, greedy, and stubborn" Bichon Frise.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Gove said he'd given Snowy a bath specially for the event, but was modest about his chances in the competition. "Snowy is a debutant dog and he's a little bit nervous today," he said. "The most important thing is that he makes some friends, and goes on to bigger and better things in the years to come."

    Snowy took a shine to BuzzFeed News.

    Jamie Ross @JamieRoss7

    Michael Gove's dog likes me!!!

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    But if it's possible to choose one highlight of the day, it was the appearance of David Amess MP's two pugs, who arrived in a pram dressed as a bride and groom, obviously.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    Amess's stunt divided the other competitors. Burrowes complained that "Amess is shameless", but Gove thought it a "fantastic idea".

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed
    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    It soon came down to the serious business of naming the Westminster Dog of the Year. This was the prize up for grabs.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed
    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    And the winner is...

    Vine
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    Harry Cole / Via vine.co

    ...Rob Flello MP's enormous alsatian, Diesel! Snowy came second, and Laurence Robertson MP's Sausage came third.

    Flello said he was "absolutely delighted" with the victory and would reward Diesel with some cheese. A bitter Gove said: "Once again we have a German winner."

    Some dogs struggled to cope with the disappointment of losing.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed
    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed
    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    But congratulations to Diesel, the most important dog in British politics...

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    ...and long live the Westminster Dog Show, one of the oddest events on the political calendar.

    Ryan Grimley/ BuzzFeed

    The Westminster Dog Show is organised by Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club.