Former tennis star Andy Roddick gushes about his dogs and his pick for Westminster's 'Best In Show'

Updated

To former tennis pro Andy Roddick's 16-month-old son, everything is "Bob."

Couches, horses, anything that's not Mama or Dada -- it's "Bob."

The adorable habit comes from one of Roddick's two dogs, a four-year-old English bulldog named Bob Costas (yes, like that Bob Costas). The family also has a female bulldog named Billie Jean (yes, like that Billie Jean), who is nine.

"He loves them," the 2003 US Open winner said of his son and the dogs. "[He] goes and lays on the dogs and it's just like he knows they're a part of everyday life, too."


Andy's English bulldog Bob Costas

Roddick, a lifelong dog owner and lover, speaks highly of his bulldogs -- but when it came time to pick his Purina Pro Plan bracket for the 2017 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the breed did not fare very well.

"I've seen my dogs too much to know they're not gonna win," he joked.


Andy's dog Billie Jean

For the second straight year, Purina Pro Plan is hosting a bracket challenge for the Westminster Kennel Dog Show. It's just like your typical March Madness bracket -- but for man's best friend! If your bracket is good enough, you could win $1 million.

Over 200 different types of dogs are taking to the ring this year. Each breed falls into one of seven groups: hound, toy, sporting, non-sporting, herding, working or terrier.

The Roddicks' beloved bulldogs fall under the non-sporting category. In Andy's bracket, which you can see below, he selected the miniature poodle to win the group -- and also go on to win Best In Show.

"I've been getting grief for the miniature poodle," Roddick said of his selection. "I just hope I'm right."

The poodle pick isn't totally out of left field. Roddick owned a standard poodle named Mickey when he was growing up, so there's some emotion tied to his pick. He does advise, however, not to bet only with emotion.

"Obviously they have the pedigree, they have the history," he said of the poodle selection. "It was a crazy combination of research and impulse."

Purina Pro Plan has been the food of choice for the past 10 Westminster winners, so that played into his choice as well.

Your pet doesn't have to be a show dog to eat like one, though. The Pro Plan can serve all sorts of canines, from beagles to terriers and everything in between.

"I guarantee you, none of these dogs are given terrible sustenance or fuel throughout the day," Roddick said of the Westminster competitors on the Purina Pro Plan.

The Westminster Kennel Dog Show airs Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14 on FS1 beginning at 8 p.m. EST. If you think you can beat Andy's bracket, you have until 5 p.m. EST on Monday to fill out your own Purina Pro Plan "barketology" bracket for a chance to win some serious cash.

The dog show is the perfect reason to celebrate the furry friends in your own life, too. Even if your pooch isn't Best In Show, he or she is still family.

"They're the best," Roddick gushed of his own dogs. "It's amazing how these little funny, furry, fun things become such a part of the fabric of your life."

Advertisement