Champion beagle hails from Illinois

BELLEVILLE, Ill. Uno, a dog bred in Belleville, Ill., lived up his name when he became the first beagle to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club show on February 13, 2008. The show is the nation's biggest canine competition.

The crowd chanted Uno's name and exploded into applause and cheers when the beagle was picked named numero uno at Madison Square Garden. He beat out two poodles, a terrier, a Weimaraner, an Australian shepherd and an Akita.

More than 2,500 dogs from 169 breeds and varieties competed at the 132nd Westminster show.

Uno's breeder, Kathy Weichert, owns K-Run Kennels in Belleville. She is one of the dog's four co-owners, who are known collectively as "Team Uno."

Weichert has been breeding beagles for 12 years.

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