Rumor abounds to move within sniff of victory at dog show

A German shepherd called Rumor who just missed winning at the United States' top dog show last year came back to score a big victory on Monday night, beating out favored Preston the puli in the herding group.

To the cheers of the Westminster Kennel Club crowd at Madison Square Garden, Rumor joined a miniature poodle, a Pekingese and a Norwegian elkhound in the best-of-seven final ring. She'll face three more group winners still to be picked Tuesday night, right before the champ is chosen.

Rumor was the nation's No 1 show dog last year when she came to the Garden. But she fell short when a German shorthaired pointer named CJ won in a surprise, and it was thought that Rumor would retire.