Uno the beagle retires, brother takes the stage

ESTES PARK - Eight months after Uno the 15-inch Beagle won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club, his Boulder-based brother Jester, is hoping to rise into his own doggie fame.

Uno retired this summer.

Jester and Uno share the same father. Jester’s official name is Champion Maple Ridge Outta Control. Like his star brother, Jester competes in about 30 shows a year, but early this year the show-pooch nearly lost his life after a mountain lion snatched him up outside his Boulder home.

“The mountain lion had him in his mouth,” said owner Liz Friedlander.

Following several surgeries, Jester is ready to get back to work, showing off his good genes and charming personality.

Jester is competing in his first dog show since the accident this week.

On Thursday, he’s in Estes Park hoping to clinch a national title with National Beagle Club of America. The last time the annual show was held in Colorado was 1994.

Jester finished in the top 10 out of 50 other beagles in his class.

His owner said, "He had back surgery in May and I said he'll never be in the show ring again, I was wrong."

Jester will turn 5 in December. Most dogs retire by that age, however, Friedlander says her beagle still craves the attention.