• The top dog: A Wire Fox Terrier 'King' won the whole show. He took home the Best in Show group at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. Photo: Reuters
    The top dog: A Wire Fox Terrier 'King' won the whole show. He took home the Best in Show group at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. Photo: Reuters
  • Bono, a Havanese, won the reserve Best In Show - meaning he would be the winner if King was disqualified. Photo: AP
    Bono, a Havanese, won the reserve Best In Show - meaning he would be the winner if King was disqualified. Photo: AP
  • A Basenji named Budge is held in the benching area during the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
    A Basenji named Budge is held in the benching area during the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
  • An American Cocker Spaniel named George. Photo: Bloomberg
    An American Cocker Spaniel named George. Photo: Bloomberg
  • What a good boy: a pup competes in the 6th Annual Masters Agility Championship at the The American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club on February 9, 2019, at Piers 92 and 94 in New York. / AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
    What a good boy: a pup competes in the 6th Annual Masters Agility Championship at the The American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club on February 9, 2019, at Piers 92 and 94 in New York. / AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
  • Bro, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, lays down next to a ribbon during the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S. Photo: Reuters
    Bro, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, lays down next to a ribbon during the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S. Photo: Reuters
  • A Lhasa Apso named Eric. Photo: EPA
    A Lhasa Apso named Eric. Photo: EPA
  • Ditto the Shetland sheepdog mid-jump. Photo: AP
    Ditto the Shetland sheepdog mid-jump. Photo: AP
  • Murphy, a Skye terrier competes with the terrier group at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in New York. Wilma, a boxer, won the working group. King, a wire fox terrier, won the group. Photo: AP
    Murphy, a Skye terrier competes with the terrier group at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in New York. Wilma, a boxer, won the working group. King, a wire fox terrier, won the group. Photo: AP
  • A Tibetan Mastiff named Kalhant is groomed before competing. Photo: Bloomberg
    A Tibetan Mastiff named Kalhant is groomed before competing. Photo: Bloomberg
  • Bacon, an Australian terrier, competes with the terrier group. Photo: AP
    Bacon, an Australian terrier, competes with the terrier group. Photo: AP
  • People pet a Saint Bernard named Aristo in the benching area before the start of the second night of the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo: EPA
    People pet a Saint Bernard named Aristo in the benching area before the start of the second night of the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo: EPA
  • A samoyed named Topper is groomed in the benching area before the start of the second night of the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo: EPA
    A samoyed named Topper is groomed in the benching area before the start of the second night of the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo: EPA
  • A Komondorok runs with their handler in the Working Group judging. Photo: AFP
    A Komondorok runs with their handler in the Working Group judging. Photo: AFP
  • Pamper time: A Bloodhound is misted as it waits for its big moment. Photo: AFP
    Pamper time: A Bloodhound is misted as it waits for its big moment. Photo: AFP
  • A judge examines Pikku, a Norwegian Lundehund breed, during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. Photo: AP
    A judge examines Pikku, a Norwegian Lundehund breed, during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. Photo: AP
  • Romeo, the Neapolitan Mastiff, takes a break at the AKC Meet the Breeds event ahead of the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S., February 9, 2019. Photo: Reuters
    Romeo, the Neapolitan Mastiff, takes a break at the AKC Meet the Breeds event ahead of the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S., February 9, 2019. Photo: Reuters
  • Tracer, a Beagle breed, sits patiently during the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S., February 11, 2019. Photo: Reuters
    Tracer, a Beagle breed, sits patiently during the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S., February 11, 2019. Photo: Reuters
  • An Old English sheepdog named Bagatelle Moonlight Drive has its fur brushed ahead of the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
    An Old English sheepdog named Bagatelle Moonlight Drive has its fur brushed ahead of the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
  • Whippets from the same litter Bourbon, left, sniffs her brother Whiskey, centre. Photo: AP
    Whippets from the same litter Bourbon, left, sniffs her brother Whiskey, centre. Photo: AP
  • Monty, an Old English Sheepdog, is groomed ahead of competing. He’s known for sleeping on the competition - literally. He fell asleep before a recent show in Canada while getting groomed, then woke up and won the Best in Breed. Photo: AP
    Monty, an Old English Sheepdog, is groomed ahead of competing. He’s known for sleeping on the competition - literally. He fell asleep before a recent show in Canada while getting groomed, then woke up and won the Best in Breed. Photo: AP
  • Two Long Coat Chihuahuas Hot Rod (R) and Sapphire (L) await their turn in the judging ring. Photo: EPA
    Two Long Coat Chihuahuas Hot Rod (R) and Sapphire (L) await their turn in the judging ring. Photo: EPA
  • Sherry Boldt and her gentle giant Bullmastiff called Marshall. Photo
    Sherry Boldt and her gentle giant Bullmastiff called Marshall. Photo
  • Skills: a dog competes in the 6th Annual Masters Agility Championship as the The American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club. Photo: AFP
    Skills: a dog competes in the 6th Annual Masters Agility Championship as the The American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club. Photo: AFP
  • Strong clearance: a dog competes in the 6th Annual Masters Agility Championship as the The American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club present Meet & Compete on February 9, 2019, at Piers 92 and 94 in New York. Photo: AFP
    Strong clearance: a dog competes in the 6th Annual Masters Agility Championship as the The American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club present Meet & Compete on February 9, 2019, at Piers 92 and 94 in New York. Photo: AFP
  • Two proud as punch Golden Retrievers at the 10th Annual Meet the Breeds event as the The American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club present Meet & Compete on February 9, 2019, at Piers 92 and 94 in New York. Photo: AFP
    Two proud as punch Golden Retrievers at the 10th Annual Meet the Breeds event as the The American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club present Meet & Compete on February 9, 2019, at Piers 92 and 94 in New York. Photo: AFP
  • Nala, a Chinese Shar-Pei, at the AKC Meet the Breeds event. Photo: Reuters
    Nala, a Chinese Shar-Pei, at the AKC Meet the Breeds event. Photo: Reuters
  • Patrice the Bull Terrier having a wee cuddle at the Meet the Breeds event ahead of the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. Photo: Reuters
    Patrice the Bull Terrier having a wee cuddle at the Meet the Breeds event ahead of the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. Photo: Reuters
  • A pack of Clumber Spaniels at the Meet the Breeds event. Photo: Reuters
    A pack of Clumber Spaniels at the Meet the Breeds event. Photo: Reuters
  • Talos the Rottweiler is clearly an Elvis Presley fan. Photo: AP
    Talos the Rottweiler is clearly an Elvis Presley fan. Photo: AP
  • It had been a big day for Cap'n Crunch the Great Dane. Photo: Reuters
    It had been a big day for Cap'n Crunch the Great Dane. Photo: Reuters
  • Border collie Stella working her side step. Photo: AP
    Border collie Stella working her side step. Photo: AP
  • Golden retriever Twist competes in the masters agility championship. Photo: AP
    Golden retriever Twist competes in the masters agility championship. Photo: AP
  • A Dachshund waits in the benching area during the Daytime Session in the Breed Judging across the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups. Photo: AFP
    A Dachshund waits in the benching area during the Daytime Session in the Breed Judging across the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups. Photo: AFP
  • A Chow Chow chillaxes in the benching area. Photo: AFP
    A Chow Chow chillaxes in the benching area. Photo: AFP
  • A Welsh Terrier stands atop four precarious perches in the benching area during the Daytime Session in the Breed Judging across the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups. Photo: AFP
    A Welsh Terrier stands atop four precarious perches in the benching area during the Daytime Session in the Breed Judging across the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups. Photo: AFP
  • A Toy Fox Terrier breed stands to attention during judging at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S., February 11, 2019. Photo: Reuters
    A Toy Fox Terrier breed stands to attention during judging at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S., February 11, 2019. Photo: Reuters
  • Spot the difference: Bichons Frises gather in the judging ring. Photo: AFP
    Spot the difference: Bichons Frises gather in the judging ring. Photo: AFP
  • Vicki Palinkas, of Connecticut, praises her Australian Sheppard named Uno. Photo: EPA
    Vicki Palinkas, of Connecticut, praises her Australian Sheppard named Uno. Photo: EPA
  • A Beagle named Miranda is washed by Marcelo Charges, of Virginia before competition. Photo: EPA
    A Beagle named Miranda is washed by Marcelo Charges, of Virginia before competition. Photo: EPA
  • A Berger Picard stands with its handler during the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. Photo: EPA
    A Berger Picard stands with its handler during the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. Photo: EPA
  • Handler Aaron Wilkerson of Florida pets a Beagle named Logan while grooming him before competition. Photo: EPA
    Handler Aaron Wilkerson of Florida pets a Beagle named Logan while grooming him before competition. Photo: EPA
  • A Bichon Frise named Donald. Photo: Reuters
    A Bichon Frise named Donald. Photo: Reuters
  • A Shih Tzu named Khloe is groomed during the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo: EPA
    A Shih Tzu named Khloe is groomed during the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo: EPA
  • Why the long face? An Afghan Hound named Anton. Photo: EPA
    Why the long face? An Afghan Hound named Anton. Photo: EPA
  • A Chow Chow named Davy. Photo: EPA
    A Chow Chow named Davy. Photo: EPA
  • A Maltese named Stella sits on her bed before competition during the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, New York, USA, 11 February 2019. The annual competition features hundreds of dogs from around the country. Photo: EPA
    A Maltese named Stella sits on her bed before competition during the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, New York, USA, 11 February 2019. The annual competition features hundreds of dogs from around the country. Photo: EPA
  • A Standard Poodle being groomed. Photo: EPA
    A Standard Poodle being groomed. Photo: EPA
  • A handler and her Old English Sheepdog prepare in the benching area. Photo: AFP
    A handler and her Old English Sheepdog prepare in the benching area. Photo: AFP
  • Biggie the pug with owner Carolyn Koch. Photo: AP
    Biggie the pug with owner Carolyn Koch. Photo: AP
  • A dog is groomed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
    A dog is groomed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
  • Jim Fredricks, center, carries his Whippet Kennedy while his wife stands with them, left, ahead of the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
    Jim Fredricks, center, carries his Whippet Kennedy while his wife stands with them, left, ahead of the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
  • Lindsey Grispin gives her whippet named Lizzy a massage before they compete. Photo: AP
    Lindsey Grispin gives her whippet named Lizzy a massage before they compete. Photo: AP
  • Tracy Rousseau, left, owner and handler of dog Eva, and Jessica de Jong, handler of dog Pikku, both the Norwegian Lundehund breed, compete in the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
    Tracy Rousseau, left, owner and handler of dog Eva, and Jessica de Jong, handler of dog Pikku, both the Norwegian Lundehund breed, compete in the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
  • A Boerboel named Tsavo sits with his owner at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. Photo: Bloomberg
    A Boerboel named Tsavo sits with his owner at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. Photo: Bloomberg
  • Siba, a standard poodle, is groomed before competing in the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
    Siba, a standard poodle, is groomed before competing in the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
  • Denise Agre-gill uses a styling spray to groom her toy poodle Andre before they compete in the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP
    Denise Agre-gill uses a styling spray to groom her toy poodle Andre before they compete in the Best of Breed event. Photo: AP

Lifestyle

57 of the cutest dogs at the Westminster Dog Show - including the winner, King the wire fox terrier

From a Lhasa Apso named Eric to Ditto the Shetland Sheepdog

Nyree McFarlane

February 14, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The Westminster Dog Show is over again for another year: Best in Show went to a Wire Fox Terrier named King on Tuesday in New York, further solidifying the breed's "top dog" status in the esteemed competition. The 143rd installment of the dog show drew 2,800 dogs from around the world.

Wire Fox Terriers have now claimed the crown 15 times. The Scottish Terrier is second on the all-time list with eight titles. "It means everything," King's handler, Gabriel Rangel, told the crowd through tears at Madison Square Garden after judge Peter Green announced his pick. Green selected a Havanese named "Bono" as the runner-up over four other finalists. "After you win this magnificent competition, there's nothing more to do," Rangel said of King's future. "He should be running around a field somewhere."

The championship round featured six dogs instead of the customary seven contestants after Colton the Schipperke was excluded because of a conflict of interest. The Schipperke won the non-sporting group on Monday, a first for the small black breed. One of Colton's co-owners has co-owned dogs previously with Green.

Schipperke 'Colton' and its trainer. Photo: Reuters
Schipperke 'Colton' and its trainer. Photo: Reuters

At the outset of the "Best in Show" round, Colton was brought out to the audience and allowed to parade around briefly with the other finalists. But he was escorted off the stage before Green got down to business with the judging as an announcer explained his banishment as needed to "maintain the integrity of the sport."

In other news, a Longhaired Dachshund named Burns made it to the Best in Show part of the competition - no dachshund has ever walked off with best in show, so the fact he was even in the competition was of note.

Burns in action. Photo: Bloomberg
Burns in action. Photo: Bloomberg

Social media stars of the show

While they didn't make the Best in Show portions of the competition, there were two social media stars from the agility competition - Gabby the three-year-old Papillon and Rudy the bulldog.

Gabby nailed it, completing the circuit at 39.31 seconds (watch the video until the end to catch her victory high fives - or, rather, high tens):

And then Rudy the bulldog smashed stereotypes - think bulldogs just sit around lazily? Think again. He only had one misstep, what a champ:

- With reporting from AFP

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