The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has seen over 3,000 of the finest pooches compete to become the finest in their breed.
But today the competition, which is being held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, will see the crowning of the Best in Show at the annual competition.
The champion will be guaranteed a place in history for winning the prestigious prize, as the event is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the US, behind only the Kentucky Derby.
Last year saw a Bloodhound called Trumpet rise to victory – the first time a bloodhound has taken the top spot in the history of the show.
As the competition returns to New York City, after being held in Tarrytown, NY, due to the pandemic, it brings with it a newly-recognized breed – the Bracco Italiano.
Entries from around the world have flooded for the 147th Westminster Dog Show this year – including from Japan, Thailand and Sweden.
As the prestigious prize is set to be handed over today, FEMAIL takes a look at the champions of Best in Show from previous years…
2022 – Trumpet (Bloodhound)
Bloodhound Trumpet, pictured with breeder and handler, Heather, was victorious in 2022
A bloodhound was triumphant for the first time in the history of the competition last year.
‘I am so excited for Trumpet,’ his handler Heather Helmer, who co-owned and bred the 4-year-old, said at the time of his victory.
2021 – Wasabi (Pekingese)
A Pekingese named Wasabi was named the Best in Show at the 145th annual dog show
Officially known as GCHG CH Pequest Wasabi, a Pekingese was victorious in the 145th annual show.
‘He has that little something special,’ his owner and handler, David Fitzpatrick said. It was the fifth-time in the competition’s history a Pekingese won the coveted title.
Wasabi was then lined up for a media tour of New York, being carried at all times while also enjoying some filet mignon while Fitzpatrick planned to sip on champagne.
2020 – Siba (Standard Poodle)
Standard Poodle Siba was spotted eating grilled chicken sandwiches from McDonald’s before her triumph in the show
Standard Poodle Siba was named the Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2020.
The four-year-old, officially known as GCHP Stone Run Afternoon Tea would only eat chicken – no meat, no veggies, not even turkey.
Siba’s handler, Crystal Murray-Clas, was therefore forced to head to a local McDonald’s to grab her a few grilled chicken sandwiches to prepare her for the event.
2019 – King (Wire Fox Terrier)
A Wire Fox Terrier named King took the top spot in 2019, marking the 15th time a wire fox has triumphed at the show
A wire fox from Brazil, who had won big in Europe, became America’s top dog in 2019 beating out a crowd-pleasing longhaired dachshund and popular Sussex spaniel.
Seven-year-old King’s victory marked the 15th time a Wire Fox Terrier had triumphed at the show – far more than any other breed.
2018 – Flynn (Bichon Frise)
The victor at the 142nd annual show in 2018 was five-year-old Bichon Frise, Flynn
The victor in 2018 was five-year-old Bichon Frise, Flynn, officially known as GCHP Belle Creek’s All I Care About Is Love.
Wife of Flynn’s trainer Bill McFadden, Taffe McFadden, explained how they get the pooch ready for a show by shampooing and conditioning his coat and adding some hairspray to keep his fur in place.
‘You bathe him and dry him and then trim him, then retrim him at the show, then trim him again when he wins,’ she said.
‘And then you just keep trimming him,’ she added.
2017 – Rumor (German Shepherd Dog)
2017’s winner was Rumor, who was named after the Adele song Rumour Has It
Five-year-old Rumor, a German Shepherd, claimed the prize for Best in Show in 2017.
Named after Adele’s single ‘Rumour Has It’, she took top place one year after a near-miss on the very same green carpet last year.
2016 – CJ (German short-haired pointer)
Three-year-old German short-haired pointer, CJ, pictured with his handler Valerie Nunes-Atkinson, was crowned Best in Show in 2016
CJ, a three-year-old German short-haired pointer, took home the ribbon for Best in Show in 2016.
‘He was born this way,’ CJ’s handler Valerie Nunes-Atkinson said in a press conference after winning the award.
‘We always say that from the moment CJ was very young, when he walked across the room, we thought: “Oh, boy. We have a special one”.’
2015 – Miss P (Beagle)
A Beagle, named Miss P, was named top dog at the Westminster Dog Show in 2015
A Beagle, named Miss P, became top dog by winning best in show in a big surprise at the Westminster Kennel Club in 2015
The four-year-old winning pooch Miss P, who didn’t let out a peep in the ring, was a grand-niece of Uno.
In 2008, the immensely popular hound had barked and bayed his way to becoming the only previous beagle to win at the nation’s most prominent dog show.
2014 – Sky (Wire Fox Terrier)
A wire fox terrier named Sky triumphed at the show in 2014
A wire fox terrier named Sky triumphed over a Portuguese water dog and a miniature pinscher to be named best in show in 2014.
‘Her personality is she loves to kiss people and she connects with everybody,’ her handler Gabriel Rangel said.
2013 – Banana Joe (Affenpinscher)
Affenpinscher Banana Joe, with a bouncy step and shiny black coat, was triumphant in 2013
Banana Joe, a little affenpinscher with a bouncy step and shiny black coat, was named champion in 2013.
‘He speaks German, Dutch, Spanish and English,’ co-owner and breeder Mieke Cooijmans said.
2012 – Malachy (Pekingese)
The four-year-old Pekingese Malachy won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2012
The four-year-old Pekingese Malachy won his 115th overall best in show title at the Westminster Dog Show in 2012.
2011 – Hickory (Scottish deerhound)
Hickory, a five-year-old Scottish deerhound, was crowned as the top dog in 2011 at the competition
Hickory was an underdog with odds of 60-1 whose breed had never before won at the Westminster Dog Show.
But the five-year-old Scottish deerhound took the top spot at the prestigious competition in 2011.
Judge Paolo Dondina said: ‘This animal is like in the heavens. It is not of this world.’
2010 – Sadie (Scottish terrier)
The Scottish terrier Sadie took the top spot at the 134th Westminster Dog Show in 2010
Sadie the Scottish terrier took the top spot at the Westminster Dog Show in 2010.
Sadie was guided by Gabriel Rangel, who was also the handler for the triumphant Sky in 2014.
2009 – Stump (Sussex spaniel)
Stump, a ten-year-old Sussex spaniel, was taken out of retirement for the competition in 2009
Ten-year-old Sussex spaniel, Stump, was brought out of retirement for the show in 2009.
Officially named officially named Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, Stump was the first Sussex spaniel to take the top spot.
2008 – Uno (Beagle)
The famous Uno the beagle was crowned champion at the Westminster Dog Show in 2008
Uno the beagle was crowned champion at the Westminster Dog Show in 2008 and is one of the most popular dogs in the show’s history.
‘Like they said, he’s America’s dog,’ handler Tristan Huebner said. ‘Everyone loves him.’
‘He’s an international celebrity. Everywhere we go, he’s recognized,’ he said.
2007 – James (English springer spaniel)
James the English springer spaniel was named Best in Show at the competition in 2007
English springer spaniel, James, was triumphant at the famous dog show in 2007.
Aside from his victory as Best in Show, James was also a therapy dog who worked with patients of Alzheimer’s.
2006 – Rufus (Bull terrier)
The champion, Rufus, is pictured with handler Kathy Kirk after winning the title in 2006
Rufus, a Bull terrier, was crowned Best in Show at the 130th competition in New York in 2006.
The bull terrier, who also goes by Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid, was handled by Kathy Kirk.
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