Meet Knotty

Fourth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
2005 Best in Show
2005 Iams Viewers' Choice Award

Breed: Bloodhound

Age at Time of Win: 4

Home State: California

AKC Show Name: CH Heather's Knock on Wood

Titles: No. 1 Bloodhound in the United States and No. 1 hound in the United States

Story Behind the Name: The theme of Knotty's litter at the Heather Kennel in Quebec, Canada, was wood. So, he became "Knock on Wood" and his litter mates, Logger and California Pepper. "Knotty" is also short for "Knotty Pine."

Favorite Pastime: "Bloodhounds have this reputation for being the kind of dog that likes to sleep on the porch," owner Lyn Sherman says. "But that's not true for Knotty. He's a very high-energy dog." When he's not in the ring, he likes to trail. Recently, he tracked liver hidden in a plastic bag in the garage. His owner found him enjoying the treat on a workbench.

What People Are Saying: Knotty is the only liver/tan bloodhound to ever win an all-breed Best in Show in the United States and now he has won 34 of them. Sherman has been told that Knotty's color, upbeat attitude and excellent physical condition make him a truly outstanding bloodhound.

KNOTTY'S TRAINING ROUTINE

Physical Conditioning

• Jogging on a custom-made, $2,800 dog treadmill 20 minutes a day.
• Hiking trails for three miles every day.
• Climbing stairs, three to five flights at least three times to maintain sleek 127 pounds of muscle.
• Walking the show floor every few hours before a competition to experience the congestion, bright lights and noise.

Emotional Training

• Listening to tapes of dog noises and traffic jams to prepare for travel and the show ring.
• Being followed by an imitation TV camera boom to become familiar with the foreign looking object
• Hire security guard to fend off media and adoring fans at competitions

Beauty Regiment

• Brushing teeth with Sonicare electric toothbrush.
• Sleeping on hotel beds while watching the History Channel.
• Having nails ground, not cut.
• Being spritzed with water from spray bottle to stay cool.