Striker the Samoyed wins the Working Group I Westminster Kennel Club Watch as Striker the Samoyed takes best in breed class for the Working Group.
The Terriers were the last to show and MM the Lakeland Terrier took home the final Group win.
A bold, zesty “big dog in a small package,” the Lakeland Terrier, named for the Lake District of his native England, was once a farmers dog bred to work in packs on sheep-stealing foxes. Lakeland Terriers are high energy, which makes them well suited for an active lifestyle.
The show, which had entrants from the United States and nine other countries this year, dates to 1877 and has become a mainstay annual television event.
A 4-1/2-year-old male, Trumpet was handled by Heather Buehner, one of the four owner-breeders of the dog from Saint Joseph, Illinois.
Four of the finalists were chosen on Tuesday: Trumpet the bloodhound, representing the hound group; Winston the French bulldog for non-sporting dogs; Hollywood, a Maltese, in the toy category; and River, a German shepherd, for the herding group.
Judge Don Sturz, a superintendent of a school district in Long Island, New York, declared him the winner over the reserve best in show, Winston, a French bulldog, whose owners include professional American football player Morgan Fox of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Judges examine the dogs up close, placing their hands on the animal, then watch the handlers lead them around the floor, grading how they meet breed standards on appearance, temperament, size, coat and other characteristics.
“She has beautiful hair texture,” her handler, Tim Lehman, said. “I think she’s a great representation of what a Maltese should look like.”
Belle the English setter won the sporting group category, leaving her proud breeder, owner and handler Amanda Ciaravino in tears. “Is this real life? Oh my god. … I’m so proud of her.”
Winston, who was awarded Reserve Best in Show, or runner-up, is no stranger to excelling in competition. The French bulldog counts Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox among his owners.Advertisement
When his handler, Lenny R. Brown, was asked about what separated River from the other first-rate dogs in his category, the answer was simple: “The standard.”
A floppy-eared bloodhound named Trumpet was awarded Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show finale Wednesday night, the first of his breed to take the competition’s top award.
Trumpet the Bloodhound Wins Best in Show | Westminster Kennel Club | FOX Sports
June 22 (Reuters) – A bloodhound named Trumpet won best of show on Wednesday in the 146th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, beating out more than 3,000 dogs from 200 breeds and varieties to claim the most prestigious such prize in the United States.
A 4-1/2-year-old male, Trumpet was handled by Heather Buehner, one of the four owner-breeders of the dog from Saint Joseph, Illinois.
The lovable hound with trademark loose folds of skin was a crowd favorite at the smaller than normal venue in Tarrytown, New York, about 25 miles (40 km) north of New York City.
Judge Don Sturz, a superintendent of a school district in Long Island, New York, declared him the winner over the reserve best in show, Winston, a French bulldog, whose owners include professional American football player Morgan Fox of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The show, which had entrants from the United States and nine other countries this year, dates to 1877 and has become a mainstay annual television event.
[1/9] Trumpet, a Bloodhound, is kissed his handler Heather Helmer after winning “Best in Show” at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York, U.S., June 22, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Each breed producers a winner, representing the best of what artificial selection can create from the descendants of wolves. The breed winners are separated into seven groups to determine the best of show finalists.
Four of the finalists were chosen on Tuesday: Trumpet the bloodhound, representing the hound group; Winston the French bulldog for non-sporting dogs; Hollywood, a Maltese, in the toy category; and River, a German shepherd, for the herding group.
Three other finalists were named on Wednesday, setting up the best in show competition: Belle the English setter among sporting dogs; Striker the Samoyed for the working group; and MM, a Lakeland terrier, among the terriers.
Judges examine the dogs up close, placing their hands on the animal, then watch the handlers lead them around the floor, grading how they meet breed standards on appearance, temperament, size, coat and other characteristics.
Usually held at Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan, the show was moved upstate to a smaller arena on the expansive grounds of Lyndhurst Mansion the past two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.