This year at the Westminster Dog Show, Uno the Beagle made history by being the first beagle to ever bring home the Best in Show award. Since then, Uno -- whose breed was made most popular thanks to Charles Schultz' Peanuts strip -- has enjoyed a Miss America style tour, with appearances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, ball games, and even at the White House.

Uno is also a charitable dog, who is the co-"spokesdog" for Angels on a Leash, a therapy dog organization that is a charity of the Westminster Kennel Club. This certified therapy dog, who visits Ronald McDonald houses all over the country, sat down for a chat with me (his valet, David, provided human commentary) in this exclusive interview.

BERNADETTE: First and foremost, who is Uno? What kind of dog is he? What's his claim to fame?

DAVID: Uno is a Beagle from Austin, TX, the reigning Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the world's most prestigious competition of its kind.

BERNADETTE: How did Uno prepare for the Westminster Dog Show? Were there special diets, exercises, etc.?

DAVID: Conditioning is a year-round program for show dogs. You don't prepare for one show more than another. You need to be well-conditioned, well-groomed and well-trained, part of a good team with your handler. There is some road work, outside or running on a treadmill. There is regular grooming, which includes everything from nails to hair to teeth. You want to make sure you've got a healthy, happy dog who is having a good time in the ring.

BERNADETTE: Tell us about riding on the Peanuts float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. How did that opportunity come about?

DAVID: Almost immediately after he won Best In Show at Westminster, a phone call came from the United Media people who represent the Peanuts and Snoopy brands and images. They asked if he would do some events with them and we said 'sure.' In the spring, he went to Knotts Berry Farm and appeared there at Camp Snoopy, one of the park's attractions. After that, he went to Cedar Point Park in Sandusky, Ohio, where he was the co-celebrity in attendance along with actress Lauren Holly, and they opened a new Planet Snoopy (theme park within the park). Then, he went to Santa Rosa to meet the Schulz family and visit the Charles M. Schulz Museum. The late Charles M. Schulz is the creator of Peanuts and Snoopy.

The Macy's people and the United Media people then got together and asked if Uno would ride on the Peanuts float, handling things on the ground while Snoopy flew behind us a giant inflatable. It was great. People were hollering Uno's name. We were the float immediately in front of Miley Cyrus, who also got a tremendous response. The parade, of course, was seen on NBC by 50 million viewers and Uno got a special mention from Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira.

BERNADETTE: David, you are Uno's companion, friend, and valet. What's your background in dog training? What else do you do in the "dog world"?

DAVID: I raised, trained and showed my own Afghan Hounds for 30 years and I'm still involved in the show world today with my Brittanys and Cavaliers. I guess I'm best know for my TV work as the host of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on USA Network and as the expert analyst for the National Dog Show Presented by Purina on NBC Thanksgiving Day. I am the co-author of The Angel By My Side, a critically-acclaimed bestseller about a heroic dog who saved his owner's life multiple times. I still work as a dog show judge and my day job is as the director of communications for the Westminster Kennel Club.

BERNADETTE: Uno was the first-ever beagle to win Westminster. What breeds of dogs have won Westminster in the past? What do you suppose was the ultimate "wow" factor that gave Uno the win this year?

DAVID: In Westminster's 132 years, there have been 101 Bests in Show, captured by 44 different breeds and varieties. Interestingly, the Wire Fox Terrier has won 13 times at Westminster.

The ultimate "wow" factor for Uno is his presence and his presentation. Uno owned the ground that he stood over. He was moving perfectly, which is a tribute to both Uno and his handler, Aaron Wilkerson. He just turned on the crowd. We've never had the noise level that we had in the Garden for Best in Show this year.

BERNADETTE: Tell us about your visit to the White House.

DAVID: Ours was the first visit ever by a Westminster Best In Show winner to the White House. The Bushes are a well-known dog family and the president said to us as we gathered for the photo that he watches Westminster every year. He told me that he mentioned to Laura that they have all these other charmpions in -- Super Bowl, World Series -- why not Westminster. So we got an invitation.

After our visit with the President, we had the privilege of going to Armed Forces Amputee Patient Care Program at Walter Reed Hospital, where Uno delighted the soldiers with his happy, outgoing personality and his celebrity presence.

BERNADETTE: As you know, President-Elect Obama is on the lookout for a dog for his daughters. If he were interested in a beagle -- such as Uno -- what sort of things should he know about the breed before considering it as a pet? Would a beagle thrive in a home with two young girls?

DAVID: A beagle would be a wonderful dog in just about any family home. But the Obamas have expressed a concern about allergy issues and a beagle would probably shed a bit too much for them. However, Uno would be a great dog in the White House, an outgoing, happy and wonderful ambassador for the president, his family and America.

BERNADETTE: Uno also threw out -- well, fetched -- the opening pitches at two major league baseball games this year. How did that opportunity come about?

DAVID: People from the baseball teams call us here at Westminster and asked if he'd like to come in for some first pitch ceremonies. To prepare, we worked on Uno fetching a baseball during some down time and everthing worked out great. On the field in those huge stadiums, I threw the ball and Uno fetched it and brought it back to the catcher with a little guidance from his leash. The crowds enormously appreciative. They knew who Uno was before he was introduced.

BERNADETTE: You have said that the key to Uno's popularity is a "grassroots" marketing campaign, not fueled by TV or movie marketing dollars. Would you consider other commercial opportunities for Uno in the future?

DAVID: His popularity is based on the fact that he is a dog, a personality and a breed that the world loves because they are touched by him. Any future marketing opportunities would have to be decided on by his owner, Carol Dowell who lives with Uno in Austin TX. The phone hasn't stop ringing yet and they consider almost anything that comes along.
BERNADETTE: Finally, what advice do you have for all dog owners out there -- whether they own mutts or purebreeds, beagles or another breed?
DAVID: Hug your dog. Find time to spend with your dog. Appreciate the things that they do for us in our lives. Don't worry so much about what you teach your dog. Worry more about what you learn from them.