Two Triangle teens primp pets for Westminster spotlight

They've shown at hundreds of dog shows nearly every weekend for the past year, driven hundreds of miles in cars stuffed with grooming tables, brushes, sensible shoes and professional suits.

Today, all the driving, training and grooming comes to a head for Emily Goldstein and Lauren Williams.

The Triangle teens are competing in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, the Super Bowl of the dog world, in New York City. They make the trip as competitors and friends.

Goldstein, 15, of Chapel Hill, will be showing Winston, her 19-month-old beagle. Williams, 19, of Cary, will be showing Hula, her 5-year-old English springer spaniel.

Both dogs are precisely bred to be the best their breeds can be. They've trained their whole lives for an examination from a Westminster judge.

Williams graduated from Green Hope High School last year, but qualified for Westminster before she turned 18. She's now taking classes at Central Carolina Community College to become a veterinary technician.

Goldstein, a sophomore at East Chapel Hill High School, has been prepping Winston for months. She competes at dog shows within a five-hour drive nearly every weekend.

Winston and Hula are already considered "champion" dogs. You have to be a champion just to qualify for Westminster. Dogs become champions by accumulating points from wins at local dog shows throughout the year.

But Winston and Hula are not just for show. They're members of the family.

"I love her so much, and she is just the best show dog any anyone could ever ask for," Williams said.

Goldstein plays fetch, tug of war, walks and watches television with Winston like she does with her family's other three dogs, but there's a special rapport that develops in training.

"I really love dogs, and it's very rewarding being able to work with something I can't directly communicate with," she said.

Goldstein and Williams could compete with the professionals, but will instead compete in the junior showmanship category for handlers ages 9 to 18. In this category, judges evaluate the handler, not strictly the dog's physique.

About 100 juniors from across the country will compete at Westminster in a preliminary round today, and the finalists will compete Tuesday.