It's a Dog's Life.(Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show visited)(Brief Article)

For a guy, Frankie isn't exactly macho. He's used to having his nails done to perfection, his teeth cleaned to a brilliant sparkle. But that's nothing compared with his hair. Ever since he was young, he's had his splendid locks rolled carefully in imported rice papers, like so many curlers--except that the purpose isn't to curl, but to protect his silky tresses from workaday damage. When the papers come off, his hair flows elegantly to the floor. His hairdresser sweeps part of it neatly into a stunning topknot, secured with a gold-beaded red bow. His bodyguard just loves it.

I should add that Frankie is not some kinky movie star. He's the prize- winning Yorkshire terrier of novelist Amy Tan. And from the pampered precincts of Tan's Manhattan loft, he will soon emerge to compete at one of the greatest shows on earth--the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, held annually at New York's Madison Square Garden the second week of February. Don't laugh. Westminster is the Olympics of U.S. dog shows. And winning its coveted title of best in show (or even a lesser best of breed) guarantees a dog a long postcompetition stud career.

But first, a dog has to win. And it can take big bucks to compete. Owners of the top dogs often sink $30,000 a year into full-page ads in The Canine Chronicle or Dogs in Review. (There's no underestimating the importance of name recognition with judges.) And I won't even tell you how much it takes to maintain a champion pooch. (Hint: forget Alpo and other humdrum dog foods. These champs chow down on steak, salmon and fresh vegetables.) Flying them around, grooming them, hiring pricey handlers and catering to their movie-star-like whims can set an owner back $250,000 a year, according to Annemarie Silverton, a well-groomed brunette whose top-ranked border collie, Jack, is lodging at New York's ritzy Plaza Hotel.

O, if only this dog's life were mine! My hair grows plenty long--halfway to the floor, anyway--and I, for one, consider it resplendent in its wavy, auburn way. I'm also sure I'd look darn fine in bows and diamonds. But unlike Frankie or Jack, I'm just a tourist in the land of dogdom. Fortunately, I have a guide to this wacky world: Deborah Wood, author of the new book "Top Dogs: Making It to Westminster." Frankly, I need some ...