7 Dogs Beat Out 3,000 Canine Competitors to Win at Westminster including 'Best In Show'

Eve Vawter
·3 min read

The Westminster Kennel Club first started at a New York City hotel called the Westminster, and members held their very first competition with all of their dogs in 1877. 2024 was the 148th Westminster Dog Show and over 2,500 dogs from all 50 US states competed this year to take the prestigious title of Best In Show.

Take a look at all of these beautiful winners.

Breed winners compete against dogs of often similar breeds and are divided into seven groups.

Here's which dog won each category.

Best In Show and Non-Sporting Group Winner

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Best in Show went to Sage, a miniature poodle out of Delaware. NBC reports that Sage's handler, Kaz Hosaka seemed overcome by emotion after the win. He said he has been competing in Westminster for 45 years and had planned for this to be his last time at the show. He apprenticed under champion handler Anne Rogers Clark.

"Today's the day — my last show," he said. "I'm proud of this dog."

Best In Herding Group

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Mercedes, a German Shepherd, won best in the herding group. Kaleef Mercedes, a 4-year-old German shepherd from Maryland but handled by Kent Boyles of Edgerton, was named Reserve Best in Show. The dog is co-owned by Cynthian Wilhelmy and Sheree Moses and is the cousin of Rumor, who Boyles co-owned and handled in 2017 on the way to that year's Best in Show award.

Best in Hound Group

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Louis the gorgeous Afghan Hound won best in the hound group. Louis, a six-year-old male Afghan Hound, was handled by Alicia Morrison Jones and co-owned by Morrison Jones and Jamie Souza Bartlett.

The Toy Group

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Comet, the Shih Tzu has the full name of Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World, is no stranger to the top tier of the sport, having won the 2023 AKC National Championship in Orlando in December. Monday Comet, who is from Monclova, Ohio, sported a tiny blue bow as he made his victory lap among the fellow Toy competitors.

Sporting Group

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Micha, a black Cocker Spaniel, won the sporting group .

Working Group

Monty the Giant Schnauzer won the Working Group at the Westminster Kennel Club.

Terrier Group

Colored Bull Terrier, “Frankie,” GCHB CH Grabo Frankie Goes To Magor, won the Terrier Group at Westminster. Frankie is owned by Sarah and Joe Byezewski.

Bull Terriers have 12 different breed standard colors but two coat types: White and Colored, which includes all other colors aside from white. These other colors include brindle striping, solid color, or color with white markings.

To learn all about the Westminster Dog Show, you can visit their website here. Congratulations to all of the adorable winners!

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