CHAPEL HILL - Meeting the press for an elegant snack at The Siena Hotel, K'Instant Succes Moravia Campanella was quick to put his best paw forward, which wasn't hard for this elegant briard.

Six-year-old "Chance" won best of breed at last week's Westminster Kennel Club dog show. On Friday, he lounged on the hotel's marble floors over a hamburger with swiss (though he prefers Brie) on focaccia as his owners described the traveling, grooming and magic "It" factor a dog needs to win on the professional circuit.

Born in the Czech Republic in a small town called Czesny Tesin near the Polish border, Chance was imported to Canada by one of his three co-owners, Sylvia Feistill, as a puppy.

He quickly won his Canadian championship, and moved south, finding a home with co-owner Madelyn Warcholik of Hillsborough who met the dog's third co-owner, bestselling mystery author Jeffrey Deaver of Chapel Hill, at puppy kindergarten class over 14 years ago.

"All dogs need a real job," Deaver said Friday. Champions have to demonstrate "a show attitude and really have the type of personality to pull it off."

Chance's job is looking gorgeous and showing personality while circling the ring. His ears telepathically communicate charm, a feature the judges loved.

The briard is an ancient herding breed from France. History says Charlemagne and Napoleon were briard owners, and the breed has characteristics that breeder Warcholik calls undeniably French.

For example, "If you have butter or Brie on the table next to a platter of meat," she said, "the briard will go for the cheese and butter."

Thomas Jefferson is crediting with introducing the briard to America along with French wines, Deaver said.

Briards are not a common breed and need a lot of socialization as a puppy, said Warcholik, who lives with seven briards. They're also high-maintenance because of their magnificent coat and high intelligence, she said.

"If you promise them a car ride, or a treat, you better deliver, because they will remember," Deaver said.

Chance, who was retired after last week's victory, spent his career traveling to American Kennel Club shows all over the United States. He was named No. 1 briard in the United States for 2008, which got him an invitation to Westminster, where a 10-year-old Sussex spaniel nicknamed Stump won best in show.

On the road, Chance lived with handler Adriano Rocca in a travel trailer, getting brushed every day and bathed once a week. His coat requires a lot of time.

"Briards have hair, not fur, so they do well with people products rather than doggy shampoo," said Warcholik.

In his spare time, Chance used a jog-a-dog treadmill to stay in shape.

"Chance is rather dignified," Warcholik said and laughed. "He prefers to sit on your lap and watch TV rather than chase a ball."

Now Chance will spend time siring briards at Warcholik's kennel in Hillsborough and making the occasional celebrity appearance. For this classy fellow life is looking good.

Rebekah Cowell is a freelance writer in northern Chatham County. Contact her at rebekah.cowell@gmail.com