LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A local Cardigan Welsh Corgi is going to the big dog show put on by the Westminster Kennel Club in New York City. Mick is owned  by Lori Sams of Collier County. He stands a decent chance of winning Best in Breed.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this dog can win at Westminster," says Mick's handler, Stephanie Hall. "My job is to make sure he is relaxed and shows the best he can in the ring. Doesn't matter if I like the judge or don't like the judge, I have to make sure the dog shows the best."

Lori Sams had a Cardigan Corgi as a pet, and loved the dog so much, she decided to get into the show world. She bought Mick as a pup, and he has had great success at shows all over America. His Champion ribbons and pictures cover an entire wall in Sams' home. Mick now is approaching 5 years of age, and will be showing at Westminster for the first time.

"He is a show-off.  He has full personality. He gets in that ring and just sort of says to people: Here I come! He enjoys it tremendously," says Sams.   "Who knows, if the judge likes him, he could win. That would be nice!"

Sams explains, there are two breeds of Welsh Corgi's. One is the Cardigan, like Mick. The other is the Pembroke, which is a smaller dog with no tail. Queen Elizabeth of England has had Pembroke Corgi's as pets for many years. 

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be held on February 11 and 12. Mick will compete against 11 other Cardigan Corgi's. The Westminster website has video coverage of the event, and it will be carried in the evening hours on cable television. Westminster is considered the most prestigious dog show in America.