NEW YORK -- The search is on for a champion dog that got loose at New York's Kennedy Airport after competing at the Westminster Kennel Club show.

The dog is a female whippet named Vivi. A whippet is a short-haired athletic dog that looks like a small greyhound.

Vivi won an award of merit at the Westminster show this week.

Her owners say she's worth about $150,000.

She was being flown to California when she escaped from her crate at the airport.

Owner Jil Walton told the Daily News that she fears for the dog's life. She says Vivi is "not happy" when it's cold, because she's just a "skinny little thing." She says she doesn't know if she can survive chilly weather.

The dog had been booked on a Delta Air Lines flight. Delta says it's working with local authorities to find Vivi. The airport covers nearly 5,000 acres.

More than 2,600 dogs were entered in the show at Madison Square Garden, including 25 whippets.

Best in Show went to Rufus, a colored bull terrier.