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The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the second-longest continuously held sports event in the nation, predating the invention of the zipper and the light bulb. In fact, only the Kentucky Derby is older.

The latest winner of this world-famous canine competition was Miniature Poodle “Sage” GCHG CH Surrey Sage, 2025’s Westminster Best in Show winner.

Here are 17 of the past winners of New York City’s famous hometown dog show, which itself has beaten insurmountable odds. But Westminster is no ordinary show — and, as you’ll see from this gallery of past winners, its Best in Show winners are no ordinary dogs.

Best in Show 2025

Getty Images for The Westminster Kennel Club

Giant Schnauzer “Monty” GCHG CH Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB

Monty, who is handled by Katherine Bernadin, is the first Giant Schnauzer to ever win Best in Show at Westminster. The 149th annual competition returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time since before the pandemic. Monty won the Working Group for the third year in a row, and he also won Best in Show at the 2024 AKC National Championship.

Best in Show 2024

Courtesy of Getty Images for The Westminster Kennel Club

Miniature Poodle “Sage” GCHG CH Surrey Sage

Sage was handled by Kaz Hosaka, who ended his 45-year handling career with this Westminster Best in Show win. Sage is owned by Cathy Gauche, and was bred by Kathleen Wallen and Hosaka. She is the fourth Miniature Poodle to win Best in Show at Westminster, and the 11th Poodle variety to win.

Best in Show 2023

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen "Buddy Holly" won first place in the Hound Group, moving on to Best in Show. Last year's Best in Show Winner at Westminster was Bloodhound "Trumpet," also from the Hound Group.
Surfman for WKC

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen “Buddy Holly” CH Soletrader Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly was handled by Janice Hayes, bred by Gavin and Sara Robertson, and co-owned by Janice Hayes, Lizzie Cadmore, Cathy Neill, and Donna Moore. He is the first Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen to win Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show.

Best in Show 2022

Bloodhound: GCHB CH Flessner’s Toot My Own Horn
S. Dukes for WKC

Bloodhound “Trumpet” GCHB CH Flessner’s Toot My Own Horn

Handled by Heather Buehner, owned and bred by Chris and Bryan Flessner, Heather Buehner, and Tina Kocar, Trumpet is the first Bloodhound ever to win Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show.

Best in Show 2021

American Kennel Club

Pekingese “Wasabi” GCH CH Pequest Wasabi

In 2019, Wasabi the Pekingese — bred, owned, and handled by David Fitzpatrick — was the first-ever dog in the Toy Group to win the AKC National Championship. In 2021, the Pekingese won Westminster. Fitzpatrick’s other Pekingese, “Malachy,” won at Westminster in 2012.

“Like anything in life, things can change in a second,” Fitzpatrick says. “Wasabi went from an unknown dog to a history-making dog.”

Best in Show 2020

© 2020 American Kennel Club

Standard Poodle “Siba” GCHP CH Stone Run Afternoon Tea

Owned and bred by Connie S. Unger, Siba the Standard Poodle was the fifth of her breed to win Best in Show at Westminster. Prior to her win, the last time a Standard Poodle won was in 1991.

Best in Show 2019

Westminster, Dog Show, Conformation, 2019, BIS, Best In Show
David Woo ©American Kennel Club

Wire Fox Terrier “King” GCHB CH Kingarthur Van Foliny Home

King was the 15th Wire Fox Terrier to earn the top title at Westminster. The breed is the winningest at Westminster, followed only by the Scottish Terrier, which has eight wins. King’s handler, Gabriel Rangel, won in 2014 with another Wire Fox Terrier, a female named “Sky” who, like King, was owned by Victor Malzoni Jr. of Brazil.

King’s win was a “very significant one,” Rangel noted, because of the expertise of the man who judged it. Peter Green of Bowmansville, Pennsylvania, is recognized the world over as an unassailable terrier expert.

Best in Show 2018

WKC-2018-winner-Bichon-Frise-Flynn-fun-facts-hero
Westminster KC

Bichon Frise “Flynn” GCh. Belle Creek’s All I Care About Is Love

Flynn, a 5-year-old Bichon Frise, was only the second of his breed to win Best in Show there. The other, “J.R.,” became a household name in 2001 after sitting in the silver-bowl trophy and pumping his paw at admirers.

Flynn’s handler, Bill McFadden, knows the thrill of reaching the pinnacle on Westminster’s signature green carpet: In 2003, he piloted “Mick” the Kerry Blue Terrier to victory there — a year after the fiery terrier turned in an out-of-control performance that likely cost him the big ribbon and two years after Mick was bested by J.R.

Best in Show 2017

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2017: GCh. Lockenhaus’ Rumor Has It V Kenlyn
Westminster KC

German Shepherd “Rumor” GCh. Lockenhaus’ Rumor Has It V Kenlyn

Maybe it’s the pop-culture echoes of “Rin Tin Tin,” but German Shepherd Dogs are perennial crowd favorites at this show, though they’ve only captured top honors twice. Those who remembered when the aptly named “Manhattan” won at the 1987 show rejoiced to see this female Shepherd retake the mantle three decades later.

Rumor’s win was arguably all the sweeter because she had been thwarted the year before by “CJ” the German Shorthaired Pointer. Named after a hit song by Adele, Rumor came out of semi-retirement to earn this 2017 victory, prompting a rash of inevitable “Rumor Has It” headlines.

Best in Show 2016

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2016: GCh. Vjk-Myst Garbonita’s California Journey
Westminster KC

German Shorthaired Pointer “CJ” GCh. Vjk-Myst Garbonita’s California Journey

Some Westminster wins are dynastic, and this German Shorthaired Pointer is no exception: His grandmother “Carlee” won Best in Show at the Garden in 2005. The third GSP in the show’s history to earn that honor, CJ was shown by his breeder and owner Valerie Nunes-Atkinson, who is also a prominent West Coast-based professional handler. She has referred to him an “old soul,” though a commanding one, too: She notes that his nickname at home is “the Prince.”

Best in Show 2015

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2015: Ch. Tashtins Lookin For Trouble
Westminster KC

Beagle “Miss P” Ch. Tashtins Lookin for Trouble

As beloved as the Muppets may be, Miss P the Beagle was not named for Miss Piggy, but rather her name is a shorthand for “Peyton.” Born and bred in Canada, the 4-year-old hound was the second Beagle to win at the Garden; the first to break the ice was her great-uncle, the inimitable “Uno,” who won in 2008. The conventional wisdom was that the 2015 show would be won by a top-winning Bloodhound, but Westminster has a tendency to nurture upsets and upstarts, and Ms. P was no exception.

Best in Show 2014

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2014: GCh. Afterall Painting The Sky
Westminster KC

Wire Fox Terrier “Sky” GCh. After all Painting the Sky

Bred in England to run with Foxhound packs, the Wire Fox Terrier became a symbol of all that was debonair and dashing in the 1930s and ’40s. (See “Asta,” canine star of the popular “Thin Man” movies starring William Powell and Myrna Loy.) Today, these harsh-coated terriers have lost some of their cultural cache, but at Westminster they continue to reign supreme as the show’s winningest breed. Sky was “discovered” by her handler Gabriel Rangel, who spent almost a year convincing Sky’s owner to let him take her on the road. As it is with many show dogs who want to go out on top, Westminster was 5-year-old Sky’s final bow.

Best in Show 2013

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2013: GCh. Banana Joe V Tani Kazari
Westminster KC

Affenpinscher “Joey” GCh. Banana Joe V Tani Kazari

Joey the Affenpinscher was among the most cosmopolitan of Westminster winners, born in the Netherlands and understanding commands in English, Dutch, Spanish and German. A continent-hopping show dog, Joey scored the sought-after Triple Crown — Best in Show at the world’s three iconic shows: Crufts, Westminster, and the AKC National Championship.

This win at Madison Square Garden was the first for his breed, which was developed in Germany in the 1600s and whose name means “monkey terrier.” And, like those supersmart simians, Joey had a mind of his own. “This isn’t a breed you train,” his handler, Ernesto Lara, told The New York Times. “He’s like a human. You befriend him.”

Best in Show 2012

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2012: GCh. Palacegarden Malachy
Westminster KC

Pekingese “Malachy” GCh. Palacegarden Malachy

The second time was the charm for this pear-shaped Pekingese, who won the Toy Group at Westminster in 2011, but lost Best in Show to sprightly Hickory the Deerhound — a study in opposites. While critics on Twitter compared 4-year-old Malachy to a Wookiee and even “Snooki” from “Jersey Shore,” they clearly didn’t appreciate this breed’s royal roots: Pekingese warmed the laps of Chinese emperors for centuries. Here’s some insider insight: Knowledgeable judges will gently lift a Pekingese during the examination on the table to ensure the dog has the desired density of bone and substance.

Best in Show 2011

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2011: GCh. Foxcliffe Hickory Wind
Westminster KC

Scottish Deerhound “Hickory” GCh. Foxcliffe Hickory Wind

“The most perfect creature of heaven” is how this ethereal Sighthound was described by Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott, one of the famous owners of the breed; another was General George Armstrong Custer, who hunted buffalo with them on the Great Plains. The Scottish Deerhound’s springy, floating gait helped it traverse the heather-covered Scottish moors, and its harsh coat protected against the cold and mist. This 6-year-old’s win was the first ever for her breed at Westminster, and Hickory retired after the show to go on to her next career — motherhood.

Best in Show 2010

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2010: Ch. Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot
Westminster KC

Scottish Terrier “Sadie” Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot

No doubt about it: Westminster is terrier territory. Those scrappy earth dogs have won 46 of the show’s 112 Best in Shows — more than 40% of them. Focusing on individual terrier breeds, Scottish Terriers like Sadie have won Westminster eight times, second only to Wire Fox Terriers. While Westminster has a reputation as something of a “giant killer” show — dark, um, horses will often triumph there, despite the conventional wisdom — 4-year-old Sadie started the show as the odds-on favorite and sailed right to the finish.

Best in Show 2009

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2009: Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee
Westminster KC

Sussex Spaniel “Stump” Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee

The Sussex Spaniel is supposed to embody the three L’s — long, low, and level. And those proportions are what gave Stump his name. He evokes a furry brown log, or tree stump. At 10 years of age, Stump was the oldest dog to go Best in Show at the Garden, after surviving a near-fatal infection years before.

His breeder, Doug Johnson, scored another first with this win, being the only person to breed two Westminster winners of different breeds. (The other winner, in 1996, was “Brady,” a Clussexx-bred Clumber Spaniel, which explains the kennel’s portmanteau: Clumber + Sussex = Clussexx.)

Best in Show 2008

Westminster Best in Show Winner 2008: Ch. K-Run’s Park Me In First
Westminster KC

Beagle “Uno”  Ch. K-Run’s Park Me In First

Arguably, no other Westminster winner earned quite the celebrity of this bugling Beagle. Uno traversed the country to visit the White House, ride on a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and visit veterans as a certified therapy dog. The first of his breed to win Best in Show at Madison Square Garden — accompanied by the roar of the New York City crowd, which delighted at his impromptu howls.

The 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has crowned its Best in Show! Catch reruns of the coverage on demand and learn more about one of the most famous dog shows in the United States at westminsterkennelclub.org.

Related article: Purebred Dogs: What is a Breed Standard?
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